Also from the follow-up files: Charlestown Cafe fire repairs

| Charlestown Cafe | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

As of this afternoon, it’s been exactly three weeks since the Charlestown Cafe fire. We just checked back in with restaurant owner Larry Mellum, who says he regrets to report he has no update on a time estimate for reopening; according to Larry, “The stumbling block is that the City is requiring we replace our hood system” — but since that’s considered part of the building, fixing/replacing it is up to the landlord, and “all we know is, they are discussing it.” He is hoping to hear a decision this week; he knows it’s frustrating for customers, as it is for him and his business partner, and their staff of 35 “wondering what they should be doing, and we have no answers to provide them.” If/when the hood work is approved, Larry says, it would take at least three weeks to be completed — “at least two weeks to fabricate the ‘hood’ and another week to install it.” (All of our archived Charlestown Cafe coverage, including fire reports and the ongoing site-development issues, can be found here.)

Dolly February 25, 2008 (11:29 pm)

Is this for real?!?!?!?! Is it a secret plot to close down the cafe!?!?!?

Frank February 26, 2008 (9:03 am)

Dolly you took the words right out of my mouth. This fire was a god send to the owners of the building and the city. Both of whom want the CC to close so that they can develop the site for the multipurpose building which will increase the city, county and state coffers with tax money.

If I were a betting man I would place a bet that the CC is gone for good because the city and owner will drag their feet in getting the hood replaced.

Claudene February 26, 2008 (11:29 am)

Hey everybody, would a customer campaign make a difference to the Big City? I have no experience with this, but my regular-customer family would join in!!!

Jack Loblaw February 26, 2008 (4:10 pm)

Has anyone done the math on this ? How much does a new hood cost ( $ 20,000 ) ? I can’t imagine that the Charleston Cafe is in business to be a charity so therefore they must make a daily profit. I wonder how many days of profit it will eat up to just pay for the hood replacement and sort it out later with the owners ? Probably a lot less of a loss than if they wait for the owners to do the right thing. Has anyone at the city figured out that there are a bunch of people who worked at Charleston Cafe now out of work ? The city is losing money everyday that the restaurant is closed in lost taxes and other West Seattle businesses are losing money since these now unemployed people have no money to spend. City of Seattle and building owners: SHAME ON BOTH OF YOU !

jissy February 26, 2008 (4:19 pm)

Yep, leave it to the City to screw with peoples livelihood!

Chris February 26, 2008 (4:22 pm)

I suspect that this is the end of the Cafe. There is surely an insurance settlement on the damage and with the impending closing, why would they even consider spending money at this time. The employees are in limbo, it is time to let them and us move on. RIP Charleston Cafe…

Dolly February 26, 2008 (4:45 pm)

Certainly, the community voice was effective when the early design review meetings were held. Perhaps it is time for the community to act again.

Booger February 26, 2008 (8:58 pm)

Conspiracy theorists galore.
If you so want the Charlestown Cafe to open, raise the $20K for the new hood and repairs. Why would the owner invest his own money, on a building he wants to tear down anyways? It is his money, and his building. If you want to ensure the Charlestown Cafe remain open, and keep the sentimental value, then raise the money yourselves, and buy the land and building from him. Money talks, all else is jibber jabber!

monkd jamasl February 27, 2008 (8:50 pm)

thats sucks i liked eating at that place lol

Wombat February 28, 2008 (9:23 am)

Just a rumor…I’ve heard that the new ventilation/hood system is supposedly going to cost $60K and that due to this cost the cafe will not re-open…

cmt February 28, 2008 (7:16 pm)

This is a catch 22 for both parties, the owner and CC. Who wants to invest this type of money for a couple years max. CC is a nice family restr. but they are the ones who need to step up with the $. What about their fire insurance, would it have covered their loss income? I bet the owner has coverage for loss rental income.

cmt

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