BIZNOTE & TRAFFIC ALERT: Repairs planned for sewer-line collapse that has temporarily closed Poggie Tavern

(WSB file photo)

Poggie Tavern proprietor Joel Stedman says he and the staff are extra-bummed the tavern can’t be open this holiday week to share holiday cheer and festive decorations. The Poggie’s been closed since a sewer-line problem was discovered this past weekend, and it’s turned out to be bigger than suspected – after consulting with multiple plumbers, they learned that a line had apparently collapsed. It’s part of their building, the city has told them, not part of the public infrastructure, but it stretches out into the street, so when repairs start first thing tomorrow morning, they expect a lane closure out front (if you haven’t been to The Poggie, it’s on the west side of the 4700 block of California SW). Stedman says they’re hoping it can be fixed by the weekend but could take more than a week – especially with the holiday – so they’re not sure how soon they’ll be able to reopen, but he’s confident that things will “be all right” before long. He says other owners of local establishments in old buildings have been offering commiseration and advice, and he’s really appreciative of that. Anything else the community can do? we asked. One suggestion: Patronize their sibling establishment, Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW), which Stedman and wife Margo Beaver opened more than a year before taking over The Poggie in early 2020.

Also John November 24, 2025 (12:53 pm)

This should not be acceptable. The City of Seattle should be responsible for all sewer laterals and mains within public right of way. I read the sewer issue is in the street. I designed sewer laterals and mains for decades throughout the Puget Sound. All cities and special utility districts took responsibility within right of way…..but not Seattle. They’re the only city I know of.

Carson November 24, 2025 (1:09 pm)

As someone who has been there, done that I can tell you it gets worse. I paid for side sewer insurance but they only covered breaks on my property, not a break literally in the middle of the street. 20k later it was fixed!
Barry M November 24, 2025 (2:12 pm)

False, you don’t want any city responsible for things inside private facilities. Tax payers don’t and Private business owners don’t. This is really bad luck, but the line is in and belongs to the property/business owner. Period. Hope for a quick fix.
- Steve November 24, 2025 (4:16 pm)
  
  In Seattle the city is only responsible for the center of the street. In some cities or jurisdictions it is different. In Burien the city is responsible to the sidewalk. I believe John is saying if it is in the street or public sidewalk the city should be responsible. If it is on your property it is your problem of course but once it is on public property I agree the city should have at least some responsibility.
  - Peter S. November 24, 2025 (8:04 pm)
    
    @Steve: I agree they should, but I can personally attest they don’t. In Seattle, property owners are responsible for everything up to the “tap”, which is where the private line connects with the public main. Similar experience as Carson, above. Our duplex sewer line failed at the tap, causing backups, necessitating a large, deep, and expensive hole in the middle of an arterial. Only 20K? Carson got off cheap. Ours was 40K and that was several years ago. Fortunately, we were able to recover some of that from the plumbing outfit that had done an incomplete lining repair a few years prior to that.
    - Steve November 24, 2025 (9:41 pm)
      
      Yes, I do know. I am a plumber that has cleared and scoped many lines in the Puget Sound area. I have looked at lines in businesses in the Junction. It sucks when you have to go out into the street.

Actualperson November 24, 2025 (1:32 pm)

Isn’t the Poggie the oldest Junction business? I think they came before Huskie’s and Classic Barber Shop?

Eddie November 24, 2025 (3:18 pm)

Didn’t the same/similar thing happen to Elliott Bay Brewing across the street a while back?

WSB November 24, 2025 (3:51 pm)

That’s one of the businesses Joel mentioned as offering support, advice, and commiseration, yes.

Jethro Marx November 24, 2025 (3:24 pm)

Maybe this is West Seattle lore I should already be aware of but why is it spelled like one would say “paw-gi” but actually pronounced “poe-gi”? I’ve also heard “Poggie’s” but assumed that was just spillover from the Nordstrom/Nordstrom’s and Pike/Pike’s problem we have.

Eddie November 24, 2025 (5:22 pm)

Don’t forget Boeing’s
- Andy November 26, 2025 (9:13 am)
  
  And Huskie’s just up the thread. That one’s an overachiever because it even drops the “y.”
pelicans November 24, 2025 (7:57 pm)

A pogy is another name for a fish called a menhaden. WWII US subs were named after fish and one was called USS Pogy. Because of the snazzy fish in the tavern’s sign, I’m guessing Poggie is a variation of pogy.
I suppose one could say, “I’m going to the Poggie,” or “I’m going to Poggie’s.” But pronunciation? Short o, long o? What was the original? And was the tavern named for the submarine?
If MIWS (Mike In West Seattle, RIP), was still here, I bet he would know.