BIZNOTES: Quadrato closes; Harry’s renovates; West Seattle Brewing Company updates; more

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Four food-and-drink-related West Seattle biznotes:

QUADRATO CLOSES: Michael sent the photo and wondered about the status of Quadrato at 4302 SW Oregon, saying it hadn’t been open for a few days. We e-mailed proprietor Cary Kemp, who confirms this morning: “Due to the recent addition of two West Seattle eateries offering the same menu items within a stone’s throw of Quadrato, we have been forced to shutter our establishment. We are grateful to our customers who supported us the last 2 years and thank you all for keeping us in business.” Kemp also owns Pizzeria 22 in The Admiral District, which WILL continue in operation. Quadrato opened in October 2013.

RENOVATIONS AT HARRY’S CHICKEN JOINT: We heard from a few people worried about Harry’s Chicken Joint at 6032 California SW, closed and papered. Just a TEMPORARY closure, we’re told by proprietor Bruce Cougan, who says it’s a round of renovations they’ve been planning for months. “We wanted to paint the whole place, including the back prep areas. We are also repairing one reach-in and adding another. The countertop is getting replaced and we are adding new touches to the dining room and removing the large table.” They’ll be done and ready to reopen in another week.

WEST SEATTLE BREWING COMPANY: We’re asked periodically about the 4415 Fauntleroy SW establishment that had just reopened after one mystery closure, only to shut down again on June 22nd, when King County ordered it to close for “operating without a valid permit.” You might have noticed work going on there again; on the WSBC Facebook page, owner Drew answered a “When are you reopening?” question on FB with “We’ve hesitated to provide any kind of timeline, because the timelines we have been given are vague at best & between 3 separate government entities, rarely, if ever accurate. Last thing we want is to put any of you through the repeated disappointment & frustrations we’ve had to & continue to crawl through. If it were as simple as picking a date, I promise we most certainly would have done so, & of course would have passed along that information to all as well. Instead, bureaucracy, or “beer-ocracy” as we call it, continues to be a battle, of which very little is in our control.”

FROM JUICE TO NAILS: The ex-Jamba Juice space at Westwood Village, empty a year and a half, will be the new home of NK Nails, moving from its current spot next to Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) elsewhere in WWV. We’d received a tip to that effect a while ago; now it’s confirmed by a construction-permit application and other documents in the Department of Planning and Development files.

squareeyes August 6, 2015 (11:28 am)

I was worried that Quadrato would suffer as a result of all the other pizza options in the Junction. While my usual preference is for thin crust, I must say their thick pizza crust had outstanding flavor. I’ll miss that.

JortSandwich August 6, 2015 (11:48 am)

Somehow many other brewery/brew pub/beer halls manage to handle the “beer-ocracy” just fine and function nicely throughout our city and county. Perhaps somebody is ill-prepared to run a business?

Em August 6, 2015 (12:12 pm)

Man…Quadrato closing stinks. I worried this would happen. Seems like we have enough Italian and burger joints, how bout something different restauranteurs who are eyeing northern West Sea? Looking forward to the Middle Eastern tapas place (Itto?) opening.

onion August 6, 2015 (12:45 pm)

Squareeyes says everything that I was ready to express.
As for business acumen, I actually think Cary is making a sound business decision. Margins must be really tight for an operation such as Quadrato, and the expanded pizza by the slice options at Quadrato along with the new Italian deli/pizzeria just south of Oregon on California would have made it nearly impossible for Quadrato to prosper.
Better for Cary to focus his energies on his primary location, Pizzaria 22. Perhaps they could start offering slices/sandwiches at lunch from the Admiral location (hint, hint)?

JanS August 6, 2015 (12:46 pm)

and here I thought a little competition was good for business. Lord knows there is a ton of competition in my business…yet somehow everyone still makes some money…maybe a little less, but still money. Mr. Kemp will have some competition in the Admiral District as of this weekend…hope he sticks around…

Beth August 6, 2015 (1:00 pm)

So sad to see Quadrato go!
We really enjoyed their meatball subs. Now I will have to get takeout meatballs from Pizzeria 22 and make my own :(

thursty August 6, 2015 (1:11 pm)

@JortSandwich my thoughts exactly.

Sad to see that dogs aren’t allowed there anymore. Used to hit Jones BBQ, then eat and drink at WSB with the dog. Guess that wont’ work anymore.

gina August 6, 2015 (1:30 pm)

Something interesting foodwise will be popping up in quadrato spot.

Matt S. August 6, 2015 (1:36 pm)

+1 JortSandwich. They just need to put in some booths, get some decent beers on tap, and add friendly service and pretzels. Each new opening seems desperate in some new kind of way that misses the point of decent neighborhood bar. I really want the place to succeed though!
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While restaurant closings generally get me excited for what could come, I’m bummed about Quadrato because it was one of the good ones!

Azimuth August 6, 2015 (2:02 pm)

Thursty, looks like some sort of pet-friendly joint is opening up next to Next To Nature. Beveridge place has slowly clamped down on their pet policies (which is fine, I get it) but I rarely go anyway since they looked down upon bringing in my 2-year-old daughter. She was on a leash for crying out loud! Anyway, the ultimate pet-friendly joint would be a free-roaming pet bar. I can imagine an open ring surrounded by tables. Maybe a small cover charge for a pet attendant or something! Heck, you could do the same thing for kids too :-P

Matt S. August 6, 2015 (2:10 pm)

@Azimuth: Your ring-of-pets/kids idea sounds kind of cool, though on the verge of being gladiatorial.

Mark August 6, 2015 (2:11 pm)

Eateries need a bit of diversification. Some have really stepped up the service side which is nice to see.

Panda August 6, 2015 (2:22 pm)

RE West Seattle Brewing Company – the issue is not so much beer-ocracy, but the owners lack of interest in following the rules when it comes to such things as permits, health inspections, and having the proper license. Originally this was a brewery with a tasting room. Pushing it by starting to serve larger ‘tasters’ and eventually charging for full beers eventually caught up with them. Throw in the fact they also began serving food without any permits to do so is kinda of a no no. I hope Drew gets it all together soon. He’s a great guy and the place has real potential. I don’t always like the rules either but they are there for a reason.

Cheers!

Mike P August 6, 2015 (2:27 pm)

Adding to the love for Pizzeria 22 and Cary. Was just going to say, like Azimuth, Hydrant “for people and pubs” looks to be opening soon in the former butcher shop in The Junction. I want to start a “3rd Place Books” thread to rival the old “Trader Joe’s” thread myself….

Karen Lyons August 6, 2015 (2:36 pm)

I don’t even own a dog, but I feel SO sorry when I see a poor dog tied up outside a place ;-/ They look so miserable; nervous and sad. HEck, I would gladly go into a place that allowed dogs!

Lindsey August 6, 2015 (3:01 pm)

That is a bummer about Quadrato. We loved both the sandwiches and thick pizza. I was wondering what effect Peligrini would have on them, and it turns out it affected them greatly. Luckily my hubby and I also love 22, so we can still support them there!

westseaneighbor August 6, 2015 (4:38 pm)

Seems like Pagliacci’s new by the slice offerings are affecting other businesses. I liked Quadrato a lot as well–great meatball sub, and always interesting slice choices. That said, I also like Pagliacci by the slice. Wish everyone could prosper! Maybe will be possible once all of the new apartments around the junction start to fill up…

foodie August 6, 2015 (6:10 pm)

Quadratto space is just the right size for Pica’s. Remember them?

datamuse August 6, 2015 (6:26 pm)

There used to be a place over on Montlake that had a toddler pit: sunk circle in the floor with a ring table around it, with a bunch of toys. Maybe something like that?
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I’m glad 22 is still going, it’s good enough that I’ll come up from Highland Park for it. ;)

flimflam August 6, 2015 (8:11 pm)

oof. “toddler pit” sounds awful. as many people as that would attract it would repel it seems.

Jayjay August 6, 2015 (8:48 pm)

Datamuse, I was just thinking of Grady’s!

jtm August 6, 2015 (8:56 pm)

NOT surprised about Quadrato. Interesting the blame being placed on neighboring competition. The problems we saw: pricing, speed (if you are take out, then be quick), too greasy pizza (there is such a thing), and overall subpar offerings/flavors/quality. We live 2 blocks away and excitedly try & support all local biz, but if it isn’t worth it we move on. But, to each their own.

Morris August 6, 2015 (9:44 pm)

I was concerned about Quadrato when I saw that Pellegrini Market was offering the same thick pizza that Quadrato is known for. I made sure to visit Quadrato on 8/1 with the awareness that it might be my last meal there. I had an awesome meatball sandwich. I’ll miss this place dearly. Cary poured his heart into Quadrato and did an amazing job serving our community. I’ll continue to go to Pizzaria 22.

I. Ponder August 6, 2015 (10:03 pm)

Why nobody is copying the Paseo menu is beyond me. Simple menu and lines out the door but restauranteurs are too attached to a losing concept.

Move on August 6, 2015 (10:05 pm)

Think outside the pizza box. Small plates, tapas, anything but pizza whatever the crust.

Wsgal August 7, 2015 (6:38 am)

Sad about quadratp but as a dairy and gluten allergic family, we never step foot into a pizza joint because we get the very slim picking available. I think less and less people are eating foods like this and trending toward whole and healthier more fulfilling foods so I would be surprised to see more of the pizza joints around struggling.

Cary Kemp August 7, 2015 (9:28 am)

I would personally like to thank you all for the kind words and feedback concerning Quadrato. It has been a pleasure living and working in this community and I am grateful for the opportunity that Quadrato provided me. I will miss the many regulars who live and work in the area who shared their lives with me. I will say that many of you will be very happy to hear that the next concept coming to the Quadrato will be a food selection not found anywhere in West Seattle, and will be brought to you by local successful West Seattle residents and restaurant business individuals! Lastly, I would like to announce to you all and to Wsgal that Pizzeria 22 now offers gluten free pizza, the dough being made by our good neighbors at Great Harvest Bakery. Wsgal, I hope you will give us a chance at Pizzeria 22 to also show you that not all pizzerias have just pizza, we have many non gluten menu items that non cheese and gluten allergic families love, however, I do understand that having an allergy to wheat and gluten may prohibit you from even entering a pizzeria, which breaks my heart… Thanks again and let’s all keep supporting each other and this great community located in the most beautiful place on earth!

Johh August 7, 2015 (9:49 am)

RE: Jamba Juice: that seems like a nice corner spot in Westwood. Too bad it’s going to be the nail salon.

Fox August 7, 2015 (6:36 pm)

Just tried Pelegrini today and thought it was delicious, but then my friend I was with told me that Quadrato had closed! Sad to see that place leave. Excited to hear that the space will become a new eatery and offer a new food type for West Seattle. I love pizza/Italian a lot, but I would really welcome some diversification in our restaurant selection!