West Seattle, Washington
05 Sunday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
As we often say, thanks for the tip!
A reader asked us what’s happening with 2701 California SW, after seeing what looked like kegs. Our research led us to a brewery-and-more plan in city files, and we subsequently connected with Nick Berger, a West Seattleite who, along with partner Phil Cammarano, plans to open The Good Society Brewery and Public House later this year.
They are both longtime West Seattleites. Before we get to the basics of what they’re going to do and when, Nick explained the mission (which in turn explains the name): “We want to marry good beer with good deeds.”
Elaborating, he continues: “We are a local neighborhood brewery that strives to put community at the center of its identity by incorporating the funding of local causes, both social and environmental, into its basic operating model by serving trend-setting beer and fostering an environment where all the community is welcome.”
Thanks to Rosario at West Seattle Coworking (6040 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the tip on a new neighbor – as of today, Delridge-founded Youngstown Coffee Company has expanded, with proprietor Zoe adding a Morgan Junction location at 6032 California SW.
That spot was briefly home to a coffee shop that spun off from the now-closed Harry’s Chicken Joint next door.
And later this summer, Zoe plans to open an eatery in THAT space – it’ll be called Crisp, offering fare such as salads and wraps. More info on that as it gets closer to opening, but for now, you can visit Youngstown’s new Morgan location 6 am-5 pm weekdays, 8 am-5 pm weekends.
Three West Seattle Junction notes:
FIRST WEST SEATTLE .5 K: The first-time West Seattle .5K today was a sudsy success, with seven venues participating in the sold-out event that put a different twist on the term “beer run.” The Beer Junction was packet-pickup central before the four-hour .5K began:
More than 200 peoole signed up. If you missed out, watch for early word next year.
MURAL RESTORATION: Work continued this week on the next historic Junction mural to get some TLC:
THat’s Bob Henry at work on the “West Seattle Ferries” mural behind the KeyBank/Bin 41/Pharmaca building. As we reported last month, crowdfunding continues to cover the costs of restoration, and a commemorative keychain remains available through the end of this month for donations of $50 and up. Here’s how to donate.
FARMERS’ MARKET PARTY SUNDAY: And one more reminder that tomorrow brings a party at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market in the heart of The Junction – it’s celebrating 20 years, with cake (first-come first-served) and founder Chris Curtis ringing the opening bell at 10 am. See you there!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Exciting flavors and an elevated cocktail experience” are the ingredients for what the proprietors of restaurant/bar Lady Jaye plan to bring to the current Pecado Bueno space in the West Seattle Junction this summer.
The space has been for sale for a while; commenter Thee first spotted the liquor-license application. Then tipster Jeremy encountered part of the team at a catered event and provided information that put us on the trail. We connected with Evan Carter, one of the partners, and got answers to our questions.
So what are those “exciting flavors”? “Our food will be styled as Americana, heavily influenced in Southern roots with our own NW flair and ingredients featuring smoked meats. Our food menu will be curated by chefs Tyler Palagi and Charlie Garrison (formerly of Radiator Whiskey) who specialize in fresh ingredients, farm to table, unique cuts and smoked meats.”
As for the “elevated cocktail experience,” this explanation: “While we plan on being family-friendly, our concept will rely heavily on the bar program. Sara Rosales (also formerly of Radiator Whiskey) will be at the helm utilizing her knowledge and passion for American spirits and hiring a talented bar staff to help execute the program. She will collaborate heavily with chefs Tyler and Charlie to create a cocktail menu that pairs perfectly with the food and concept.”
The food and drinks, Carter adds, “will be seasonally influenced, even creating Farmers’ Market specials using ingredients procured from the local vendors on Sundays.”
We also asked about the decor/motif; the space at 4523 California SW has gone through several iterations in the past decade, first part of CAPERS, then for two years a Wing Dome before Pecado Bueno opened in 2013.
Carter says, “The interior will be cozy and rustic, with warm colors and dark wood garnishing the walls and furniture. The patio will be partially enclosed with comfortable seating around the warming fire pit so it can be utilized year round. The other half will be open for seating seasonally.” The dining room will seat 50, bar area 20, patio 50.
Lady Jaye will be open for dinner weekdays (3 pm-midnight), “all day for brunch service followed by dinner service on Saturdays and Sundays with a unique breakfast-cocktail menu incorporating a ‘Bloody Mary Project’ as well as low ABV cocktails and smoked pineapple Mimosas” (10:30 am-midnight Saturdays-Sundays).
And we had to ask about the namesake. Carter says only, “You will soon be introduced to the mystery of Lady Jaye.”
How soon? Aiming for mid-summer, but as with every project these days, a lot of factors including permit time will factor into that. But whatever the wait, Carter promises it’ll be worthwhile: “Our mission is to combine outstanding food/drinks with an energetic and fun atmosphere. Who says you can’t get great food and cocktails AND have a good time?”
P.S. For Pecado Bueno fans, we’re checking on their timeline for closing here. (PB has three other locations.)
(WSB photos)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Kurt Niemeyer has a degree in marine science.
His love for sealife is visible throughout his new restaurant/bar on Alki, the Pacific Room.
The ex-Hawks Nest West/Bamboo space at 2806 Alki SW is now totally transformed into a classy – but not overly high-brow – dining, drinking, and entertainment space, three months after we reported the Pacific Room was on the way. Until its grand opening next Tuesday, it has soft-opened by reservation. We stopped by this afternoon for a preview.
Kurt, a West Seattle resident, explains that his restaurant career started as something he did between maritime gigs from diving to piloting. He found himself in management, and eventually had a idea for his own place – now the Pacific Room.
If you visited the space in its previous incarnations, you wouldn’t recognize it now.
(Photo courtesy Locust Cider)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A “neighborhood-y” taproom is what Locust Cider plans to bring to Alki.
We mentioned Friday that the Woodinville-headquartered company is the new tenant for the ex-Alki Urban Market space (2820 Alki SW). This morning, we talked by phone with co-founder Jason Spears to get details on the plan.
He and brother Patrick Spears founded Locust Cider just four years ago. They already have expanded to add taprooms in Ballard and Tacoma, plus Colorado and Texas, but “we’re actually a pretty small company,” Jason insists. “The taprooms we operate are all super-small, neighborhoody, and cider-irst, plus beer and wine.” (They brew the beer, too.)
They’re expecting to have about 50 seats in the Alki taproom, with something their others don’t have: A larger kitchen, so they can serve more food, rather than it being an “afterthought” as is more typical for taprooms. Jason says “cool things are in the works,” details to come, though he offers one: They plan to build on what they’ve been offering with a “really cool gluten-free Brazilian cheese bread,” which is used as the base for “a little hand pie” among other things.
They plan to open with 16 cider and beer taps (and a few by-the-glass wines) in a space that’s more like a coffee shop than a bar, he explains, “a little different” than the stereotypical taproom. Locust offers a cider/beer club for which you can buy a membership, he adds, called “The Swarm”; he says club members “turn into a family,” with everything from special events to an online discussion group. But even if you don’t sign up for that, “the vibe” at the taproom is meant to be a “casual place to hang out and build community.”
He hopes the Alki taproom will be open in July – “we’re not doing much construction, just a facelift inside, shouldn’t take too long.” Hours will be in the noon-9 pm vicinity.
And yes, children will be welcome. Jason is a dad himself. And one of his two kids is inspiration for something else that’s important to Locust Cider – “our cause,” as the company website describes it. His four-year-old daughter Lucy was born with hydrocephalus. Brain surgery is the only way to treat it – Lucy’s already been through it multiple times, as is typical for patients, and Locust raises money for research, through donating part of its proceeds, as well as a $25 donation from each Swarm membership.
Overall, Jason says Locust Cider’s goal is to “become part of the neighborhood, not a big destination place.” He says he’s well aware that West Seattle is “one of the tightest communities” around and he hopes the new taproom will enhance that.
Three West Seattle biznotes:
SPRUCE MODERN APOTHECARY: The photo is from the folks who just opened this new business at 4156 California SW, offering “mindfully curated green beauty, wellness and lifestyle goods, as well as a holistic skincare studio. …. We want to welcome our community to come check us out!! We fill a need in West Seattle and the city for sustainable home goods, plant based wellness, and lots of nontoxic skincare and general self-care items for everyone.” They’ll be open Memorial Day, though usually they’re closed on Mondays. Hours 10-6 Tuesdays-Saturdays (“occasionally 7 in summer”), 10-5 Sundays.
LOCUST CIDER: That’s who’s taking the ex-Alki Urban Market space at 2820 Alki SW, according to a liquor-license filing that appeared online today. Locust Cider is based in Woodinville and has a taproom in Ballard. Reached via e-mail, their executive team promises more info next week, so stand by for a followup.
TALARICO’S ADDS LUNCH: Talarico’s Pizza in The Junction (4718 California SW) wants you to know it’s just expanded its hours, now open 11 am-2 am Tuesdays-Sundays (3 pm-2 am Mondays)
8:41 PM: Beautiful night at The Hall at Fauntleroy, inside and out, as the West Seattle Helpline hosted its annual Taste of West Seattle, raising money for emergency assistance that helps keep people from becoming homeless. Dozens of local food and beverage venues/providers were there with samples and sips – like Mission Cantina (WSB sponsor) with esquites con nopale:
Flying Apron‘s offerings included chocolate cupcakes with curry frosting:
The tasting tables were spread throughout the Hall and across its grounds, including both of its big rooms:
Serving up chicken paella, Colleen and Kim from Dream Dinners West Seattle (WSB sponsor):
Lots of beverages too – winemaker Ben Viscon of Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) was pouring:
Michelle, Brie, and Shauna from Pecos Pit BBQ (WSB sponsor) were dishing up all-beef spicy hot links and mac ‘n’ cheese:
We have a few more photos to add – plus, we’re awaiting the results of Taste-goers’ voting – more later!
ADDED LATE THURSDAY: Also at the Taste – Husky Deli‘s Jack Miller:
And from Salty’s (WSB sponsor), Victor was serving aleppo-pepper-crusted ahi:
New participants included Indulge Desserts, a relatively recent arrival at 35th/Henderson.
ADDED FRIDAY: Update from the Helpline:
The winners for best…
Taste – Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes
Veggie Taste – Mission Cantina
Pour – The Bridge
Mocktail – All In
Sweet – Bakery NouveauThough there are still some donations and matches coming in, so far we have raised over $57,000. This is enough to keep over 160 families safe and stable in their homes while they recover from unexpected hardship!!
(WSB photos)
Full house at Highland Park Improvement Club last night for the centennial edition of HPIC’s annual wine-celebration fundraiser Uncorked.
The event has grown – not only in attendance (it sells out every year) but also in scope – used to be the attendees brought the wine; this year, the wine was all provided, from 10 wineries. Eventgoers enjoyed a spread of appetizers, too:
And more opportunities to support HPIC – a community-owned-and-operated venue that hosts countless events and classes every year – were available via a silent art auction and basket raffle:
Community sponsors (including WSB) supported the event too. HPIC was incorporated in November 1919, originally the Dumar-Outland Improvement Club (read more history here). Next monthly event is the Corner Bar on Friday, June 7.
Big weekend for celebrating wine in West Seattle. Here’s how it began – with the Spring Wine Walk in The Junction. 15 non-food-and-drink businesses hosted wineries; tickets – sold out in advance! – got you 10 tastings and some swag. We stopped by the WSB sponsors that were hosting wineries – above, Menashe and Sons Jewelers; below, Click! Design That Fits:
And at VAIN, the winery was also a WSB sponsor, Welcome Road Winery (whose own wine room is just up the street at 3804 California SW):
See the full list of wineries and venues here. Next month, The Junction hosts what you might call a “beer walk” – or run – June 15th, tickets still available.
That’s the note up at DutchBoy Coffee in Highland Park (southeast corner of 16th/Holden). Proprietor Jenni Watkins has announced she’s closing the stand after almost 2 1/2 years. “I am the 4th business owner to operate a coffee stand on my corner and I tried to be the last one,” she told WSB by e-mail. “Sadly the way our world works, with business taxes, beverage tax, and the increasing cost of rent I cannot remain open. … I hope someone can carry on the neighborhood magic somehow. I want to let my customers know how they changed my life in great ways & I’ll miss serving great coffee.” As the sign says, she plans to stay open a few more weeks, so you can stop by to wish her well.
Unwind Café is about to open across from Seacrest (aka the West Seattle Water Taxi dock), at 1619 Harbor Avenue SW. It’s actually something of a “reopening” because Unwind Café’s proprietor Vanessa Kammeyer was a co-proprietor of the shop that used to be in the space, Moondrop Coffee and Tea. Vanessa tells WSB that while the new name is a fresh start, otherwise, “everything is the same”:
Same menu; fresh juices and smoothies made with real fruits/vegetables. We have dairy-free bubble tea, organic/fair trade coffee provided by “Grounds for Change,” locally roasted in Poulsbo, which I pair with organic milks only. My dad’s anise/almond biscottis will still be stocked. Bagel sandwiches made with Einstein Brothers bagels, and smoothie bowls topped off with superfoods like cacao nibs, chia seeds, spirulina, granola, etc.
Vanessa notes that she has worked for 14 years in the food-service industry, running the Harbor Avenue shop since October 2014:
One of my goals has been to serve healthy food with great ingredients to my community; Unwind Cafe is my opportunity to do that. And to top it off, we have a great view of the Seattle skyline. … It’s a great place to come and unwind.
Vanessa expects to reopen the shop this Friday.
This Thursday, you can drink up for a good cause. Ounces co-proprietor Laurel Trujillo (WSB file photo at right) is raising money as she prepares to have surgery, but it’s not a benefit for her – it’s to raise money for brain-tumor research. Here’s her announcement and how you can help:
Laurel here, owner of Ounces! Hoping you’ll join me and our brewery friends to help raise money for a cause very personal to me. I was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and will be going under the knife (hence the name, lol) on April 3rd to have it removed.
Before the surgery, I’d love for you to come have beer/cider with me and help raise a bunch of money for brain tumor research!
Here’s how the fundraiser works: We’ve partnered with 21 of our brewery friends (and 2 cideries) to raise funds for the American Brain Tumor Association (or ABTA). For 1 night only, both us and the 23 breweries/cideries will be tapping up a specific beer/cider and donating $1 of every pint sold (us at Ounces and each of the breweries/cideries at their respective taprooms).
So on Thursday, 3/28… head to Ounces or one of the below breweries and lets all drink beer for a good cause!
Partners & Taplist:
Holy Mountain Brewing -Creation and Providence Saison
Stoup Brewing – Beer with Friends IPA
Urban Family Brewing Company – Perpetuation Sour
Matchless Brewing – The Clarity IPA (100% of proceeds donated)
Aslan Brewing Company – Classic Light Lager
Lowercase Brewing – Forbidden Rice Lager
Georgetown Brewing – Manny’s Pale Ale
Rooftoo Brewing Company – Scotch Scotch Scotchity Scotch Ale
Chainline Brewing Company – Going Under the Knife IPA
Counterbalance Brewing Company – Secret Summer Hazy IPA
Standard Brewing – Ghost Note Dark Lager
Optimism Brewing Company – PRIDE Farmhouse Saison
Jellyfish Brewing Company – Cannonball Oatmeal Porter
Seapine Brewing Company – Dutch Skater Pale
Two Beers Brewing Co. – Party Line IPA
Hellbent Brewing Company – Flight Test Experimental IPA
Black Raven Brewery – Test Flight 2.5 Hazy IPA
Mac & Jacks Brewery– Serengeti Wheat
Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen – Pilsner
Old Stove Brewing Company – Amber Waves
Fremont Brewing – Nitro Dark Star (*100% of proceeds donated, only at Ounces, not at Fremont Urban Beer Garden)
Locust Cider – Original Dry Cider
Seattle Cider Company – Lemon Lavender Cider
Laurel and husband Andrew Trujillo opened Ounces in North Delridge (3809 Delridge Way SW) in 2016. For more info on the participating breweries, follow the links in this post on the Washington Beer Blog.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
As announced a month and a half ago, Friday (March 8th) is the big night for The Best of Hands Brewery and Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW) – its grand opening! The proprietors took a break from intensive preparations to invite media in tonight, so we stopped by for photos.
Above are Chris Richardson, Gregory Marlor, and Nicholas Marianetti. They’ll have 17 beers on tap when they open – 12 ar theirs.
Best of Hands is focused on “farmhouse and sour ales inspired by those of Belgium and France but with an emphasis on Washington state ingredients, mixed-culture fermentation, and some spontaneous fermentation.”
Best of Hands is not a restaurant, but food trucks will be visiting – Falafel Salam this Friday, Buddha Bruddah on Saturday, Plum Bistro on Sunday. Best of Hands is a 21+ space; hours will be 3 to 10 pm, Thursdays through Mondays.
P.S. If you’re wondering about the rooftop cow, inherited from the space’s previous tenant John’s Corner Deli – it’s not back in place yet, but, the proprietors tell us, soon!
ADDED TUESDAY: The cow’s return turned out to be REALLY soon – hours later!
That’s the scene we found inside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) at midday today after a reader texted us wondering about that video crew. We learned at the store that they were shooting a commercial for a flavored water called Hint – and after noting that Hint is based in San Francisco, we sent an inquiry wondering what led to the choice of location. Here’s the reply we received from Katherine at Hint:
We are excited as it will be our first commercial for Hint Kids. Why Seattle? Well who wouldn’t love to be in Seattle? ;-)
Actually the production company we are working with is based in Seattle and were able to source locations in their area for our commercial. They will be coming down here tomorrow to finish up the non-grocery store portion at our corporate offices in San Francisco.
I hope your readers will enjoy spotting their favorite store when the ad runs…they will have the inside scoop.
10:59 AM SUNDAY: The “for lease” sign has been down for a bit but there’s been no hint of what’s ahead for the former Tully’s at 2676 Alki Avenue SW – until now. A “site plan” has just showed up in city files. The early-stage plan is for remodeling the space into a “new eating and drinking establishment” that the document names as “Harry’s Beach House.”. What’s on file also notes that the siding and windows will be replaced, but the alterations otherwise are interior only. That’s all the info so far. It’s been 11 months since the Alki Tully’s suddenly closed, part of a wave of other closures around the area, followed by legal action for eviction a few weeks later.
EARLY MONDAY: In finest community-collaborative-news style, more information has unfolded in the comment discussion – thanks to Will o Wisp saying he’d learned of an affiliation with Harry’s Fine Foods on Capitol Hill, we found a clue, that Todd then confirmed.
(Photo courtesy Best of Hands Barrelhouse)
9:09 AM: Long-in-the-works Best of Hands Barrelhouse has just announced its opening date for 7500 35th SW, former home of John’s Corner Deli (past and future home of the cow on the roof):
Craft beer drinkers near and far – rejoice! Best of Hands Barrelhouse, West Seattle’s newest microbrewery, will open March 8, 2019. Casual imbibers to beer connoisseurs can look forward to a comfortable taproom and outdoor patio to discover beer designed around Washington state ingredients and terroir.
West Seattle owners and brewers, Chris Richardson, Gregory Marlor, and Nicholas Marianetti’s brewery will showcase a range of rotating beer styles, with a focus on mixed-fermentation barrel aged sours and European inspired farmhouse ales. The goal of the brewery is to make beer that embodies a sense of place by utilizing the highest quality Washington state and Pacific Northwest ingredients whenever possible, and forging relationships with independent raw materials producers. The mission of the brewery is to produce the best handcrafted product we can while providing eclectic offerings to our guests.
Nicholas Marianetti and Gregory Marlor have most recently been serving the West Seattle community as beertenders at Alaska Junction’s beer bar and bottle shop, The Beer Junction. The two of them are level II Certified Cicerones®, and they will be sharing brewing and beertending duties at Best of Hands Barrelhouse.
Best of Hands Barrelhouse is located at 7500 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126 and can be found
at www.bestofhandsbarrelhouse.com.Hours of operation:
Sunday- 3-10 pm
Monday- 3-10 pm
Tuesday- CLOSED
Wednesday- CLOSED
Thursday- 3-10 pm
Friday- 3-10 pm
Saturday- 3-10 pm
ADDED LATE WEDNESDAY: Nick from Best of Hands sent answers to some questions that came up in comments:
-We are a 21+ establishment
-Well behaved pets will be allowed on the patio only
-We are planning to host rotating food trucks but have not yet developed that program
-Lastly, the parking lot on 35th beside the patio, as well as Clearview’s parking lot, will be available to our guests after 5 pm on weekdays and anytime Saturday and Sunday. There is usually ample street parking besides, and we’re conveniently located on the 21 bus line.
As for the cow (whose name is Merriam), Nick says she will be back before they open.
Two readers emailed us to report that they had heard Shadowland in The Junction would be discontinuing its regular slate of events including pub-quiz trivia and DJ Night soon. They were worried it was a sign of more change to come. So we went over to ask. No, manager Heather told us, not a sign of anything ahead – they are doing fine as a restaurant and bar and have decided to focus on that since attendance at events had slipped, and features such as trivia are abundantly available elsewhere. Shadowland (4458 California SW) is in its 12th year.
(WSB photos)
Today is the first full day of business for Zoe Lyn Kritzer‘s new shop Youngstown Coffee Co. at 5214 Delridge Way SW, but you might know her already from her past West Seattle gigs. We contacted Zoe after neighbor Kate tipped us about seeing the new shop in soft-open mode on New Year’s Day at the former Daily Dose space. Zoe tells us:
My desire to start a coffee shop in West Seattle began when I was 18 and I started working at Uptown Espresso on SW Edmunds St. I have continued to fall in love with the community of West Seattle as I made my residence permanent a few years back and juggled four jobs, two of which allowed me even more exposure to the best of the West; Ma’ono and Uptown Espresso. I am beyond excited to create a space where every person that walks in the door feels like they can be unabashedly themselves and leaves at least a bit better off than when they entered; satiated mentally, physically, and emotionally. My shop is centered on building the beautiful community of Delridge and bringing together people from every walk of life through interpersonal communication and connection.
A big question for coffee shops is always “what are you serving?”
I’m partnering with Victrola for my beans. I grew up on Cap Hill, going to their original shop on 15th; it’s where I began my love affair with coffee and I still think they make the best coffee in Seattle. They also have one of the most supportive, intelligent, ethical, and just generally wonderful team of coffee professionals.
I’m also featuring Friday Afternoon Teas. Friday, the owner of the tea company, is a true tea artist and scientist. Her teas are unlike anything I’ve ever tasted or smelled. She uses a combination of ethically sourced fruit, herbs, and spices to create unique and intoxicating blends.
Lastly, I serve pastries from my innovative and mastermind bakers down at Macrina. They deliver tantalizing treats daily for the fantastic folks of West Seattle to snack on with their craft coffee.
Youngstown Coffee Co.’s hours are 5 am-6 pm weekdays, 7 am-3 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Four and a half months after the sudden death of Uptown Espresso‘s owner, the local chain is getting some management help – and some resulting changes have raised questions among customers.
We looked into the changes – specifically, the ones made at the Uptown shops in the West Seattle Junction and Delridge – after e-mails from half a dozen customers wondering about the changes and rumors of others to come.
The major changes confirmed by the new management: The Junction shop is now closing earlier in the evening. And the Delridge shop is phasing out retail sales of board games.
Uptown owner Dow Lucurell died in July, just 54 years old. Fonté Coffee, Uptown’s roaster, is now its manager.
Our questions were answered in an e-mail exchange with Jason Cronk, retail operations manager for Fonté and Uptown. First, he clarified that Fonté has not purchased the Uptown shops: “Fonte is merely the management company at this point. With the sudden passing of Dow the owner, we have agreed to step in to manage and refresh the cafés. We are committed to maintaining the heart and soul of Uptown. We will be replacing worn-out equipment and refreshing the stores with some much-needed maintenance. The sudden passing of Dow, the owner of Uptown has put us in a situation to help maintain the legacy of Uptown.”
At Delridge, Cronk says, the Gameporium identity is evolving, not ending. “Delridge will continue to offer games to all customers to play while in the Café. We simply will not be retailing them anymore. We plan on turning the front shelving into a community lending library. We are offering BOGO on all games until our stock is depleted.”
Delridge will continue to be open into the evening, Cronk said: “We have no intention of changing hours in Delridge.”
The West Seattle Junction store, however, is closing earlier, at least for now, Cronk confirms. Previously, it was open until 10 pm five nights a week, 11 pm Fridays and Saturdays, and now it’s closing at 6 pm, seven nights a week, displacing some community groups that had held evening meetings there.
Explained Cronk: “Short term, we have adjusted hours at several of the cafés in order to rein in expenses and assess the overall health of the business. These hours are a temporary measure in certain stores and will be addressed again seasonally when the traffic patterns shift.” Specifically, he says, “hours will be revisited in the spring.”
Any other changes? we asked. The reply: “No other big changes are occurring on the customer side right now. We will be introducing additional scratch-made products to all stores next year. A full sandwich and savory program as well as an expanded whole-bean coffee selection and some new offerings.”
Even under the wing of Fonté, which has cafés downtown and in Bellevue, the Uptown brand will carry on, Cronk said: “Uptown espresso will remain Uptown. We are two separate companies with a shared goal of creating great customer gathering places with amazing products.” He said Fonté is overall promising “even better coffee, cleaner stores, more options.”
West Seattleites Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones founded the Beer Church with the idea they could do good deeds while having a good time. Twenty years ago, they organized the first beer-and-bowling event they called the Turkey Bowl. Though Kendall at first wasn’t sure there’d be a second Turkey Bowl, it rolled on and gathered momentum year by year, and around the 10th one, he says (that’s the first one we covered), they realized they had a good thing going. How good?
That photo from tonight’s 20th annual Turkey Bowl gives you an idea of how good – every year, hundreds of pounds of food donated for the West Seattle Food Bank. (They promise to send us an update on tonight’s tally – including donated dollars – later.) The fun also includes an ever-more-impressive raffle, which was happening when we looked in on the Turkey Bowl tonight:
Tonight’s Turkey Bowl also launched this year’s Beer Church IPA, a partnership with three breweries, with sales benefiting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. You can “look for it at better beer bars and bottleshops around the Seattle area” even if you didn’t make it to tonight’s Turkey Bowl.
P.S. Kendall and Kim also bring you the Washington Beer Blog year-round.
One of our newest WSB sponsors is Schooner Brewing & Provisions, which is more than a brewery – it’s also a restaurant and deli. Here’s what they would like you to know about what they offer:
Located in the heart of SODO, just a 10-minute drive from West Seattle, Schooner Brewing is a neighborhood brewery serving up delicious hand-crafted beers! Most of the staff call West Seattle home, and the brewery has a long history of involvement in the West Seattle community.
Independently owned and operated for over 11 years, Schooner Brewing offers everything from classic Northwest IPA’s and Lagers, to Barrel-Aged Sours and Farmhouse Ales. House favorites include Hopvine IPA, 3 Grid IPA, King Street Brown Ale, and SODO Lager. Longtime head brewer Joel Stickney enjoys experimenting with different hops and barrel-aged sours to consistently offer new and unique options. Schooner’s commitment to the craft is unwavering, and guests can taste the time and energy that goes in to every pint.
The tap list features 20+ options ranging from Schooner beers, draft Washington wines, house-brewed spiked seltzers from San Juan Seltzers, and Timber City Ginger Beer, a non-alcoholic beverage made in the South Park neighborhood.
The dinner menu showcases a variety of large plates and shareable appetizers such as Chicken and Turkey Bahn Meatballs, Beer Cheese Dip with Giant Soft Pretzel, Chicken & Waffle Sandwich, The Schooner Burger, Asian Noodle Salad, a Build-Your-Own Dirty Fries menu, plus a variety of seasonal dishes highlighting fresh, in-season produce. Dinner and snacks are available in the brewery from 3 p.m. to close daily.
Happy hour is offered Monday-Friday 3-5 p.m. and features $3 select pints and $2.50 King Street Brown Ribs. Schooner Brewing’s weekend brunch is served Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and offers dishes such as Biscuits and Gravy, Chicken and Waffles, Fresh Veggie Scramble, and Seasonal Pastries.
Schooner Provisions, the adjacent lunch deli, offers hot and cold made-to-order sandwiches, fresh salads, fish and chips and more, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The brewery is family-friendly, with a shaded dog-friendly patio. Guests are encouraged to enjoy their custom-made shuffleboard table, giant Jenga, Thursday night trivia starting at 7 p.m. and other various events held at the brewery. Schooner Brewing is also a great setting for your next private event or party, with up to 75 people easily accommodated. For private event inquiries email info@schoonerbrewingseattle.com
Schooner Brewing and Provisions is located at 3901 1st Avenue South. Schooner Provisions is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The brewery is open Monday-Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Weekend brunch is served Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Happy hour is Monday-Friday 3-5 p.m. To learn more, visit www.schoonerbrewingseattle.com or call 206-432-9734.
We thank Schooner Brewing and Provisions for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
(WSB photos)
Three months ago, we mentioned that a coffee shop to be called West Seattle Grounds was on the way to the former mortgage-broker space at 2141 California SW, next to Mioposto. Now it’s open (thanks to Adam for the tip).
West Seattle Grounds is serving Caffe Umbria coffee, along with baked goods, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and salads. Hours are 5:30 am-8 pm Mondays-Saturdays, 6:30 am-8 pm Sundays.
P.S. As posted in our West Seattle Jobs Offered section, they’re hiring!
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