Long-closed Chuck and Sally’s Tavern building to get new life as new location of The Bridge

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Almost 6 years after its abrupt closure, Chuck and Sally’s Tavern is getting new life.

Not under that name, though.

The owners of The Bridge at 35th/Avalon have just signed a lease to make the long-vacant building at California/Graham their new home.

The Bridge needed someplace to go because, as reported here three weeks ago, a long-dormant development plan for their current site has just been revived (with its second Design Review meeting scheduled for June 13, 3 1/2 years after the last one).

We talked with The Bridge’s co-owner Rita Dixson a short time ago, right after she briefed her staff on what’s ahead.

Not only is The Bridge “going to be moving and remodeling Chuck and Sally’s,” she said, she and co-owner Trevor Garand have added two business partners/co-owners – Jenny Almukhtar, The Bridge’s GM, and Ahmed Almukhtar, a chef with whom Dixson worked at Talarico’s.

“We’re going to be doing a kitchen from scratch,” she explains, “upping the food, since Ahmed will be here full time. – taking a lot of The Bridge’s classics, and stepping it up.”

It will remain a 21+ establishment, and will have a lot of what else The Bridge is beloved for, including a patio. It’ll also have some features that Dixson says they’re excited about adding – like more windows! “Lots of windows, lots of light,” she says.

They’re hoping to move into the new location seamlessly – ideally late October/early November. First, the remodeling, a process The Bridge is familiar with, having given their current site a major facelift before opening 2 1/2 years ago.

“We’re really looking forward to being part of the Morgan Junction area,” Dixson added.

Though they won’t be as close to the West Seattle Bridge, they’re planning on keeping the name, she says, while incorporating some of the ex-Chuck and Sally’s Tavern building’s history and changing the logo.

Owner Jim Jacobsen‘s search for a new tenant for the Chuck and Sally’s spot has taken more than two years (though that’s a blink of an eye, compared to the 70 years the property’s been in his family).

Back in 2007, the old tavern’s abrupt closure wasn’t ever really announced as such. As noted here in September 2007, a sign had gone up in August, saying C&S would be closed for a few days because of cooler problems. It never reopened.

The “For Lease” signs went up in February 2011, as reported here. Neighbors tipped us earlier this month about signs of activity at the site, and we’ve been working on the story ever since, finally able to confirm today that a new tenant is on the way.

“We’re so happy it’s us,” Dixson said.

90 Replies to "Long-closed Chuck and Sally's Tavern building to get new life as new location of The Bridge"

  • Diane May 24, 2013 (12:21 pm)

    wonderful news

  • fiddy May 24, 2013 (12:25 pm)

    ditto–wonderful news

  • Bianca May 24, 2013 (12:27 pm)

    Excellent. I like The Bridge’s outdoor area, but could never really get over the lingering previous tenants’ inside area – even with the remodel. Looking forward to a new drinking/eating hole :)

  • CandrewB May 24, 2013 (12:27 pm)

    Fantastic

  • Rick Steel May 24, 2013 (12:28 pm)

    Does this mean Chuck and Sally’s Van Man will have to change his name?

    Seriously though, I thought I’d read somewhere that the structure had a pretty severe termite issue, but maybe I’m thinking of someplace else. I used to drink way too much at Chuck and Sally’s so my memory can be a bit hazy.

  • chuck and sally's van man May 24, 2013 (12:30 pm)

    Welcome, welcome, welcome!! I don’t know that I’d term the owner’s efforts a “search,” but glad you found your way to our neighborhood all the same. I can’t imagine the renovation efforts you have in front of you–that building looked like a fire/rat trap. Well, time to push on and look forward. Guess I’ll have to look for a new moniker, but not just yet ;) Have I mentioned how happy we are to have you? I’ll be the first one at your door come opening time. Cheers!

    Chuck and Sally’s Van Man

  • quiz May 24, 2013 (12:31 pm)

    Wahoooooo! Finally. Something going in there! Bummer it’s 21+ only though.

  • WTF May 24, 2013 (12:35 pm)

    Good for them! So glad you will maintain your biz in WS.

    One bit of advice to the owners, from a long time marketing & branding exec.:
    Consider changing your brand’s look & feel to be more welcoming vs. so dark and mysterious. Your current brand is off putting and I think it curtails a lot of people from trying you out and becoming loyal, frequent customers. I’ve been in your business several times, and find that the customers mirror your brand, as does the service (which is what a brand is supposed to do) but, I think you have an opportunity now to make some adjustments that I think will help make your place more welcoming to wider audience of people. Wider audience = more $. Best of luck!!!

  • transplantella May 24, 2013 (12:35 pm)

    Hooray!!

  • OnGraham May 24, 2013 (12:45 pm)

    Great news for the neighborhood! I’ve only been to The Bridge once, but the food was surprisingly good. As a family with little ones, I won’t be able to make it out to this joint much since it’s 21+, but couldn’t be more happy to hear that this mess of a corner will be getting a clean up.

  • Ian May 24, 2013 (12:47 pm)

    Nice–I made my inaugural visit to The Bridge earlier this week and while I enjoyed the food and service, the windowless environment was a little…soul-sucking, at least during daylight hours. Hooray for windows!

  • Intensive Purposes May 24, 2013 (12:50 pm)

    Does it bother anyone else that The Bridge puts quotations around their name on their Facebook page? It drives me crazy!

    Good luck in the new spot all the same; I like The Bridge, just not their quotation use ;)

  • Kyla May 24, 2013 (12:50 pm)

    But what happens to the sign? I would do anything for the sign (owner of the building, if you are listening…)
    Glad someone new will be there, sad I won’t ever get to go because it’s 21+. I wish more places in WS and Seattle in general would understand that even though I have a kid, I love food and good beer, we eat out often and spend a lot of money. It’s usually for lunch or early dinner, so we wouldn’t even scare away your patrons who don’t like kids. We need more options that don’t involve pizza.

  • JAT May 24, 2013 (12:55 pm)

    Intensive – d’accord!

    Hopefully the development is a transit station of some sort because if every single block on a West Seattle arterial street is turned into a big block of condos or apartments then there won’t be room to expand rail to our ever more crowded dense neighborhood.

  • HelperMonkey May 24, 2013 (12:55 pm)

    I know that the old Bridge location was in pretty bad shape prior to them remodeling it, but I think they’re in over their heads on this one. This building is infested with roaches and rats and the floor is rotted through. unless they gut to the studs it’s going to be gross gross gross. Best of luck, I suspect you’ll need it – and the name of a good exterminator.

  • Denise May 24, 2013 (12:59 pm)

    Morgan Junction just keeps getting better and better!

  • Jen May 24, 2013 (1:02 pm)

    I tended bar there years ago. The plumbing under the floor all needs to be ripped out. I hope they have a lot of time and money to put into this place. I tried to meet with Jim to raise concerns once and he just spent 30 minutes trying to get me to invest in a piramid money scam. Good luck, Bridge. You’ll need it.

  • JAT May 24, 2013 (1:11 pm)

    WSB @ 12:57 – I was being facetious about it being a transit station… it is our destiny to have every block on an arterial in West Seattle be a 6 story block with 170 apartments and 187 parking spaces putting 187 more cars on our roads and on the bridge every morning and transit is the frivolous fantasy of socialist NIMBY Luddites.

    Bring on the glorious progress of real estate developers!

  • Hflower May 24, 2013 (1:13 pm)

    Good luck to the new tenants.

    It always puzzled me that the owner did not try to get this rented. I know someone who was interested and tried…but having to shoulder all the costs of the revamp was way way too cost prohibitive. I know the family that owns it is nice, but they were not going to try and bring the building back to life with any of their own money.

  • sw May 24, 2013 (1:19 pm)

    Excited to have a sports bar close to home. Loves me some Feedback, Zeek’s and BPP – but not as conducive to watching games during football season.

    A request – please give some consideration to loosening the full-on 21+ status. My family used to meet up with other families at the Rocksport (sigh) to watch sporting events, and have kids ranging from 8-16 years old. Our group accounted for 13 people consuming food and drink. There really isn’t anyplace in WS that has sports on the tube where the parents can split a pitcher of beer, yet allows the kiddos. Maybe kids allowed until 9pm?

    Either way, you’ll be seeing us come opening – maybe just not as many of us. Welcome!

  • Debra May 24, 2013 (1:19 pm)

    Am thrilled to see that old building will have new life and if Dixson and her crew can do what they did for the current location of The Bridge I know the neighborhood will be pleased! The current bridge offers great food, service and hospitality!

  • Jessie SK May 24, 2013 (1:21 pm)

    Congrats Rita!!!

  • RJB May 24, 2013 (1:21 pm)

    YES!!!!! Love “THE BRIDGE”, love the quotation marks, love the patio, love the food, love the drinks, love the fact that it IS 21 and over, love the employees, love all the owners….did I tell you how much I love “The Bridge’? And it will still be walking distance to my home, BONUS!!!!

  • Long time Resident May 24, 2013 (1:23 pm)

    Welcome to the Neighborhood. Be aware that the residential apartments and Condos may not have such a strong appetite for a Patio under their window. Good Luck!

  • WMF May 24, 2013 (1:28 pm)

    I’ve never found the staff or the customers of the Bridge to be “dark and mysterious”. Quite the opposite. I think the brand is just fine.

    All care about is Karaoke coming back ;)

  • LC May 24, 2013 (1:30 pm)

    I’m so glad! We’ve been waiting for a dedicated soul to gut that place and start new! Looking forward to a brisk fall day to enjoy a football game with you at the new location.

  • fulana May 24, 2013 (1:52 pm)

    I love the Bridge, and really appreciate the discounts on drinks for teachers. Good luck with the move. Looking forward to supporting you in your new spot.

  • L. May 24, 2013 (1:56 pm)

    Funny. I just spotted people in there recently and alerted the blog. I walk/drive by daily and there has never been any activity there. Had a feeling something was going on.
    Good luck with the 21 and over only crowd. Feedback already has that. I have a feeling you would do much better if you didn’t limit yourself to the 21+ crowd. You are already competing with FB. Be different.

  • Dan May 24, 2013 (2:07 pm)

    Bummer. The current location is really close to us. Guess we’ll have to find another walking-distance place to hang out. We’ll definitely miss the crew and their friendly attitude.
    .
    But at least we get yet another six-story apartment building in the neighborhood. So there’s that.

  • Longtime West Seattlite May 24, 2013 (2:14 pm)

    @sw – I was about to post an almost identical comment. I would LOVE to see some kid friendly hours at The Bridge. We enjoy their food and asmosphere but also miss taking the kids to watch a game here and there at The Rocksport. Best of luck with the new endeavor!

  • Elizagrace May 24, 2013 (2:29 pm)

    Hoody hoo!!! I am so happy you will be walking distance to my house – another round please!

  • JoB May 24, 2013 (2:30 pm)

    glad to see you making a change.. and like another poster i hope it will include more light. loved the outside area but the inside was too dark and too loud for me :(

  • JimmyG May 24, 2013 (2:36 pm)

    Awesome news! “The Bridge” is coming to my ‘hood!

    We’ve been to the current location a couple of times but now you’ll be walking distance.

    And most importantly, yes to 21+ only, all the more reason we will patronize the place.

  • DTK May 24, 2013 (2:42 pm)

    The new Redline will be an all ages sports bar/restaurant.

  • Peter May 24, 2013 (2:42 pm)

    Just a note for those seeking an all ages place: I’m told by a knowledgeable source the new Red Line (under construction at 35th & Avalon) will be all ages.

    • WSB May 24, 2013 (3:01 pm)

      Pretty sure we already reported that re: new Redline, but thanks…I need to check in on that project.

  • Wes C. Adle May 24, 2013 (2:53 pm)

    This is great news for folks that live adjacent the Morgan Street Junction. Not only will it add to the night life in the area, but more inportantly the eye-sore that was the legendary Chuck & Sally’s will be refreshed and transformed! First round is on me!

  • RJB May 24, 2013 (2:59 pm)

    There are plenty of places in WS where children are welcome….more than not. Adults only is not a bad thing, I enjoy it and tend to frequent places where it is 21 and over, not everyone loves kids…the childless also need a place to hang!!!

  • TuckTheFunnel May 24, 2013 (3:00 pm)

    Oh joy! Another bar boasting about their atmosphere & their menu. Sigh. Now we’re down to ONLY ONE West Seattle icon/TAVERN/dive: THE POGGIE. I’m thankful to say I enjoyed Chuck & Sally’s and sorry to know it will be gone forever (not unlike Seattle’s charm). #progress

  • Wes C. Adle's wife May 24, 2013 (3:04 pm)

    We don’t have that kind of money honey! Remember what happened when you jumped on the counter at the old Maja and rang the bell?

  • CanDo May 24, 2013 (3:05 pm)

    Yay for the Morgan neighborhood!

  • Salamander May 24, 2013 (3:13 pm)

    Great news! and I have to vote for keeping The Bridge and some other establishments over 21. Kids are great but so many of our evenings out have been ruined by the noise and chaos of other peoople’s ‘dimpled darlings’. It’s nice to have some kid free places to go..

  • WSR May 24, 2013 (3:27 pm)

    We live in the neighborhood and were happy when C&S finally closed. Since then, this building has become a major eyesore. Welcome to the Bridge. We look forward to seeing that corner get cleaned up and seeing a nicer establishment move into the building. Would be surprised if that building isn’t rodent and termite infested. You have your work ahead of you to get it cleaned up to become a space serving food. Sure hope the owner of the building is paying for a chunk of the updates to the structural, plumbing and electrical systems instead of pushing the cost all onto the new tenant. There is decades of deferred maintenance on that building.

  • foodie May 24, 2013 (3:27 pm)

    I am so pleased that this “dead” corner is being brought back to life! Please keep it 21+ as there are numerous places for families in W.S. I appreciate having adult establishments that are kid free. Sorry. Nothing against kids I just prefer adult company.

  • Costanza May 24, 2013 (3:29 pm)

    Yay, more condos at the old Bridge! I’m glad the Bridge is staying in WS and are able to revive the old tavern… but as a resident who lives close to the current location, it bums me out they are being forced to leave for more condos. The current new property across the street isn’t even done for new residents, and the 3 mega projects being planned haven’t even begun. We should rename our neighborhood from West Seattle to South Ballard.

  • You Bo May 24, 2013 (3:31 pm)

    Bring back the Ding How and New Luck Toy and Chuck and Sally’s And course The Corner Inn

  • Jeff Gilbert May 24, 2013 (3:32 pm)

    Can’t wait to have our good friends Rita and Trevor on our block – this is great news!

  • Kyla May 24, 2013 (3:49 pm)

    @RJB et al – It’s not about loving or not loving kids, what I don’t like about the way Seattle choses to have its licensing for 21+ for restaurants is that it sets up this exact false Pro-Kids and Anti-Kids camps, as seen in this thread. We are all a community, all sort of ages, who want to eat and drink in our own neighborhood. Trust me, usually parents come in the afternoon/early evening and are gone by the time you want a child-free place to hang out. We don’t need play areas or special treatment and I always pack a restaurant survival pack to keep my kid entertained. Like I said before, you get a lot of pizza place choices and not a lot of good, innovative restaurants. There are lots of things I’m willing to sacrifice to be a parent, but does it also have to be new restaurants and interesting food for 21 years?

  • coffee May 24, 2013 (4:22 pm)

    I would have thought that the former Charleston location would be easier to remodel….

  • Eric May 24, 2013 (4:23 pm)

    Welcome to the neighborhood! The Bridge will be a nice fit for Morgan Junction – and we’ll have a nice food/happy hour place to walk to! So glad the old Chuck and Sally’s will be gone for good. The owners have totally disrespected the neighborhood for years now by allowing this filthy old building to remain and collect garbage in it’s doorway and around the building. Didn’t want to spend a precious penny a guess…

  • West sea May 24, 2013 (4:26 pm)

    @Kyla, the answer to that question is Yes, you do have to accept certain restrictions/changes when you choose to have kids. Maybe your kids are well behaved, but that’s not nearly always the case. We like to eat out early as well (don’t assume that all people who want child-free places are night owls), and make it a point to avoid places that can get overrun with noisy families and kids running around. More 21+ alternatives are always welcome.

  • STEVE May 24, 2013 (4:29 pm)

    Don’t listen to the haters.. There are a ton of peeps who go to adult bars… Why? Fill in the blanks. Also just a side note: reading comments from the wsb: my experience from living here since the early 90’s these people who comment here are the minority sitting at home with nothing better to do? I have always found ws to be filled with cool and fun people and that’s why I stay! If I where to read these posts and really feel this community was made up of haters I would have left so long ago thank god the real people of ws seattle seem so much different.

  • Dan May 24, 2013 (4:38 pm)

    Kyla, you may bring a survival pack, but many parents don’t. I’m sorry, but experiencing kids play “fort” under your table or booth isn’t enjoyable, even at 6:00 PM. We need some kid-free spaces in our neighborhoods.

    • WSB May 24, 2013 (4:57 pm)

      OK, the kids-no kids discussion has now gone way off-topic, completely unrelated to what this story is about – a business changing its location – and has long been hashed out in earlier threads. If you’d like to discuss that issue in general, which seems to be what people are trying to do here, one place to do it is the WSB Forum, where anyone can open a topic about an issue, without it having to be linked to a news story – https://westseattleblog.com/forum – thanks!
      .
      PS – Steve: As is the case with any place where discussion is allowed (in the face-to-face world as well as online), WSB comment threads veer off topic now and then (which is where we do our best to step in, unlike many other news sites, where management doesn’t even enforce rules, with often ugly results), but far more often are full of people sharing information with each other, as well as kindness and compassion. The cool people *are* here too. This thread from yesterday, for example.
      .
      https://westseattleblog.com/2013/05/emergency-response-under-west-seattle-bridge#comments
      .
      TR

  • flimflam May 24, 2013 (4:49 pm)

    enough already with complaining (whining?) about establishments that are 21 and over only.

    the licenses are costlier and there are a variety of complicating factors to allowing children in what is essentially a bar.

    instead of crying about what a business owner wishes to do with THEIR business, why not open the place of your dreams yourself? jeez, the place isn’t even open yet folks.

  • KD May 24, 2013 (5:26 pm)

    Chuck and Sally’s Van Man; I think we should have folks humorously contribute to your new tag name but, question.. how did you get that name? What’s a van got to do with it? I always wondered after I see your comments! I love some of our many WSB tag names(mine is so boring), like ‘covered inbees’, or ‘westseattledood’ and so may other amusing ones. How did you get yours? I’ll cast the 1st vote.. C&S/Bridge Van Man !! Welcome to Morgan Junction The Bridge. Maybe future fundraising can be expanded with pub crawls or street festivals that string together the ever growing high quality establishments that start at the corner of Zeeks and heads up north now.

  • Trickycoolj May 24, 2013 (6:01 pm)

    Awesome! Another nice place to walk to from High Point and grab a beer! I love BPP but its always crowded and I usually want dinner which is do-able but gets more complicated organizing delivery. Did Zeeks for a beer and pizza after a job interview to unwind and had tons of rambunctious little visitors from the next table over (kiddie bday party) so hooray for new choices in the Morgan Junction! Now if only there was a coffee shop open past 8pm that isn’t the McDonalds drive thru I’d be set!

  • chuck and sally's van man May 24, 2013 (6:23 pm)

    @KD–haha–I welcome any suggestions for a new name, as it does only seem fair that I retire it, at least partially. Like Prince, I will always be known as the artist formerly known as C&SVM ;) The history of my name is simple: when C&S first closed down, there was a homeless man who lived out of a van in their parking lot, presumably with permission. Tragically, he “lived” there for no less than a year, and was present at all hours of the day and night. It was sad and creepy (and possibly dangerous) the way he would watch the neighborhood’s comings and goings from his front seat vantage point. Trails of urine from his van door to the curb were evidence of his nightly bathroom habits. I never blamed him for his state, but took exception to the obvious approval he’d received to park himself within our community. Aggravating to say the least, but emailed complaints seemed to fall on deaf ears. So, my name has always been a civic protest to the deteriorating conditions of that property. Thankfully, six long years of decay and flagrant neglect appear at an end. Still Chuck and Sally’s Van Man until further notice ;)

  • Jim Jacobsen May 24, 2013 (6:36 pm)

    Jim Jacobsen

    Ok, The cat is out of the bag, earlier then I expected but that’s ok. Chuck & Sally’s has been leased. Since 1943 my family has owned C & S. In 2007 I closed it with the idea of re-opening. As time went on I realized that I would be looking for new, younger blood to come in and make the tavern what it was for so many years. A great neighborhood place for friends to gather and enjoy themselves. Well it has been 6 years and we have found the right people to come and bring life back to the corner of Calif. Ave. SW and SW Graham St.
    For those of you that have watched and gloomed over the condition of the building, I apologize to you. At the same time I want you to know, that my intention has always been to bring the right fit into the community. I think we have accomplished that, in fact I know we have. Welcome in The new “Bridge” and out with the old Chuck & Sally’s I know they will make my Mom Irene Proud, along with Baldy and myself.

  • MEeee May 24, 2013 (6:41 pm)

    What are they going to do with all of the old Chuck & Sallys memoribila that is still in the building?? I always used to peek in the window after they closed, and there is TONS of old beer signs, pinball machines, pool tables… Hope they arent just throwing it all away in that giant green dumpster behind the building…!!! Have an auction for it like The ALKI Tavern did!!

  • MEeee May 24, 2013 (6:48 pm)

    ALSO, The Bridge owners should keep that old Chuck & Sallys sign, and incorporate it into the new bar, hang it up inside!

  • Mike Boyle May 24, 2013 (7:16 pm)

    I’m with you Coffee! The old Charleston location would be easier to remodel, large open space and a deck out front with plenty of parking! Please note anyone interested in opening a sports pub.

  • West Seattle Hipster May 24, 2013 (7:29 pm)

    Morgan Junction has turned into a haven for Hipsters, I love it.

  • Woodsman May 24, 2013 (8:39 pm)

    For history sake! Who were Chuck and Sally? Are they still around? I say install a roof top deck when you upgrade the place. My two cents.

  • WS expat May 24, 2013 (9:13 pm)

    @ HelperMonkey, et al. The rat and roach problem can be successfully overcome. Ask the owners of the Wild Ginger/Triple Door space what their building was like in the *Before* stage. (Or maybe not, if you hang out there often.)
    Agree the Chuck & Sally’s sign ought to be preserved, if not in the new place, perhaps at MOHAI.

  • Ray West May 25, 2013 (5:50 am)

    I’m very happy by this news. A friend raved about The Bridge’s food, but I just never have gotten over there to try them out. Frankly, that little area of WS is a bit of a downer. This will be an excellent location for them, and really good for the community. My parents went to C&S for years, and after its closing and seeing it deteriorate into an eyesore, I never thought anyone would invest the time, effort, and money into making making it a similar business. I sure didn’t want it to just sit there as it, but I prayed it would not be torn down for yet another boring generic condo that is walling in California Ave. I can’t wait to visit their new place. Good luck.

    P.S. I am also mystified as to why the old Charlestown is still vacant. What’s the story on that, WSB??? Maybe you could find out. Most closed restaurant spaces are usually snapped up by someone who wants to open a new one.

  • Dhl May 25, 2013 (7:15 am)

    Sounds great, adults only and please NO dogs allowed.

  • Debra May 25, 2013 (8:20 am)

    I believe the owner was quoted in the above announcement as saying they do plan to incorporate some of the history of the old chuck and sally’s! I don’t know if that means the sign or not… but think it’s smart and respectful to the neighborhood that they are adjusting their brand to fit the neighborhood! I always found the current building dark on the outside but warm and cozy inside and will miss the fireplace! I hope there is one in the new building! I am sooooo unmysterious that it makes me smile that someone thought their current customers were! Makes me feel younger lol

  • WSeaGuy May 25, 2013 (10:27 am)

    Jim Jacobsen — Could you please share with us what is being done to renovate that eyesore? Appreciate the apology, but how could you inflict that eyesore on a location, neighborhood, and community you claim to love? Sorry, but just losing my patience for developers and land-owners thinking they can do whatever they want with the property they own, without any regard to the community in which it sits — just as with all the stalled developments (The Hole, the new Junction apts) that sit idle with buildings torn down, holes dug, and tenants evicted.

  • Mike May 25, 2013 (5:40 pm)

    Darn it, Rita. I was hoping we’d feed off each other and create a NEW “junction” in the WS. You’ve always been very welcoming. The Bridge and The Redline WS should share a neighborhood destination. But, I get it. Your building is going away and you have have to keep on keeping on. I’m hopeful, as always, that you’re successful. At least we’ll get a few months of cohabitation, right? I’m looking forward to it. Dart/cornhole/pinball tournaments? What do you think? Mike

  • Ajax May 26, 2013 (12:51 am)

    @Ray West – what I’ve been told is that the rent is exorbitant for the former Charlestown space. I don’t know if that’s accurate or not. What I do know is that the property management company doesn’t give a rip about the upkeep of the place. I live very close to this property and over the past few years that it’s been vacant it’s been a constant battle to get them to do even the most basic upkeep. Typically, it gets worse as we get into summer and the tall weeds die and become a fire hazard as it’s used by the neighborhood kids to shoot off fireworks. At least it seems that the neighborhood cats have taken care of the rodent problem. I would love to see a great local business move into this location, but it will no doubt take quite a bit of remodeling and no business owner with any sense is going to pay more than market rate to rent a space.

  • Chuck and Sally's Van Man May 26, 2013 (8:19 am)

    @WSeaGuy: I applaud your efforts to get further info from the owner, but if history is to be our guide I wouldn’t hold my breath for an answer.

  • Silly Goose May 26, 2013 (11:48 am)

    This is FANTASTIC News, with a capital F going to Jim Jacobson who burdened the neighborhood with this eye sore of a run down piece of crap for years with little regard to any effect this was having on our quality of life.

    We just had appetizers at the bridge for the first time and was so suprised to see the trendy decor, excellent food and fun wait staff. We are so happy you are coming to the Morgan Junction!!

  • Ray West May 27, 2013 (4:58 am)

    Ajax, thanks for the info about The Charlestown. I, like many others, am fed-up with property owners who let vacant properties get so run down it becomes a detriment to the community, do nothing to maintain their buildings, then expect a new occupant to finance all renovations and pay exorbitant rent. I guess it must be a profitable way to do business.

  • Chasmeister May 27, 2013 (8:25 am)

    Chuck and Sally opened their tavern when Chuck and Terry who had a place a block north got divorced. I seem to remember that Chuck and Terry’s was an all ages place – a restaurant – in fact, not a tavern. Dad suggested they add a rib steak to the menu and it was so popular that Chuck never made Dad pay for his steak the many times we ate there. I may be confusing the rib steak idea with one he made at Red’s which is currently Circa. (It used to have a moose head over the door when I was a wee lad.) But then Dad loved a rib steak (fried, not broiled) and floated the idea at several restaurants.

  • PAR May 27, 2013 (10:39 am)

    This is awesome news for Rita and Trevor. It’s been great to see them turn The Bridge in to an amazing destination. Good luck on the renovation.

    In regards to the Charlestown location. Being a small business owner, I inquired numerous times into the location for lease details. The property manager/leasing agent won’t even return calls, and the receptionist that answers is by no means helpful. They seem content on just letting it sit there.

    Looks like this fall WS is going to have quite a few new destinations to choose from, between The New Bridge, Redline, and The Westy. Can’t Wait!

  • miws May 27, 2013 (10:55 am)

    This link:

    http://tinyurl.com/pq9qktp

    Starts a series of pics from the above mentioned Chuck & Terry’s, from the City of Seattle Digital Archive.

    .

    Mike

  • NextDoor May 27, 2013 (12:36 pm)

    I might be the only one to say this, but I am right next door and the thought of YET ANOTHER flippin’ BAR in this block is really distressing. I want very much to welcome them to the neighborhood – they are just another business trying to make it in WS. But the neighbors can now look forward to MORE 21+ drunks out in the parking lot until 2am keeping us up at night. There have been nothing but problems during the vacant years. And no end in site … Is there some sort of city mandate that says these 2 blocks of California HAVE to be drinking places? I am floored they approved another liquor license. JUST DO FOOD until 11pm or midnight, please, please and I promise you’ll do a lot better! We don’t need anymore places to DRINK in this town. We need another Charlestown-Street-Café-type place with breakfast ALL DAY. I see nothing but problems on the horizon for us next door. And I agree the task of gutting the place is DAUNTING (and we hear every pound of the hammer with that too)! Sure – short answer, “just move.” But unless someone is offering to pay, I will pre-emptively respond by saying, “Easier said than done grasshopper.” Especially when you are disabled.

  • wetone May 27, 2013 (7:02 pm)

    Charlestown might have been a neat spot for the move but I wouldn’t be surprised to see something a little bigger going on in the near future….. Chuck and Sally’s will make a nice spot for the Bridge and with a little parking out back should help a lot with business compared to establishments with out. I would also be much happier to have a run down 1 story building like C&S’s than a 6 story apartment building next to my house.

  • MCJ May 29, 2013 (11:10 am)

    We need a breakfast joint at Morgan Junction. There are plenty of bars.

  • JB May 30, 2013 (7:14 pm)

    Let feed back cater to 21+!!! Big time $ in lunch/dinner family food service.

  • Chuck & Sally Heath May 31, 2013 (6:56 am)

    A friend sent us a t-shirt with C&S logo many years ago & we had always hoped to visit the place when in Seattle. Darn, we’re too late. Chuck & Sally Heath (Sarah Palin’s parents). Wasilla, Alaska

  • lml May 31, 2013 (8:20 am)

    Chuck and Sally’s was the first bar I ever went to, 25 years ago – when I was 18! Glad JJ has a new tenant.

  • Sassy May 31, 2013 (10:55 am)

    This is really great news – happy to hear that local business is able to revitalize a very sad, sad corner in Morgan Junction!

    MCJ – so agree, a great breakfast place is needed.

  • Galen Guffy June 2, 2013 (5:12 pm)

    This is great! Our Gift Buyer, Ingrid Nokes used to work at Chuck and Sally’s a couple of decades ago. She’ll be excited about this.

    The Nursery is lucky to have so many wonderful watering holes to go and decompress after a busy day of retail!

  • Emma Peel June 3, 2013 (12:50 pm)

    I’m looking forward to another option in my hood and really glad to see the eyesore that was Chuck and Sally’s is going to have a new life!

  • Jeff June 6, 2013 (3:53 pm)

    Wow! I sure hope the remodel is a real “remodel” such as getting rid of the T1-11 siding and sagging crowns, fascia, what have you….Bugs and rats O’Plenty. Hopefully they look at what the Beveridge place, Feedback, Zeeks and Terrible Beauty did. I will be a regular if it’s quality not a crappy corner dump again. If it is…people will get tired of it really quickly and move on to better joints. All the best of luck!!! West Seattle is stepping it up…hope you follow suit. :)

  • Ben June 10, 2013 (9:29 am)

    walking past the site this morning, i saw a number of workers were on top of the building tearing off roofing. this gives me hope the owners are serious about rehabbing the building down to the rafters.

  • S2Drums June 11, 2013 (8:09 pm)

    Congrats Rita! And don’t change the 21+… We need a good sports bar, and the ability to f$&$& drop f-bombs when the <> screw up!

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