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.
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