Joe Bar
Originally uploaded by Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley

CHS broke the news a few weeks back that Starbucks was set to open yet another 'neighborhood coffee house' in the 700 Broadway building.

Now we know what they plan to call the joint. Starbucks passed along this internal memo detailing some of the strategy around the next of their concept shops to hit Capitol Hill. 

Hey Joe Bar, meet your new neighbor Roy Street Coffee & Tea.

Here's some explanation of the strategy behind the name and more from the Starbucks memo:

We shared details of the e-mail with the owner of the independent coffee house that also makes its home on Roy Street. Joe Bar's Wylie Bush said the details only make him sad to see what Starbucks has become. "I have to give Starbucks some credit," Bush said. "They spurred coffee in Seattle to begin with. Now it's sad. It's so depressing."

So far, Bush says, there have been no signs of the infamous note-taking Starbucks employees casing Joe Bar for inspiration for the new shop's design. "As soon as I start seeing green walls I might get a little more bummed out," Bush said.

Bush said he hasn't talked to anybody from Starbucks about the new shop yet and he doesn't yet have any plans for changing his business. He's also torn by the situation -- it's bad for his business but good for that area of Broadway not to have an empty retail space. "The last thing I want to see is another coffee shop on Broadway," Bush said. "At the same time just having that space filled is better."

Bush said he also worries about his younger clientele having to make decisions based on price and being lured away if Starbucks is able to undercut Joe Bar on the price of a cup of coffee. "People make their choices," Bush said. "Hopefully the small indies can survive when the big corporations are mimicking us to the point that you can't tell the difference."

The Oddfellows Cafe + Bar feels like something special from the moment you arrive. The exterior has a cozy European vibe, and the spacious interior makes you feel like you’ve arrived at your favorite cafe, with old brick, exposed beams, and rustic hardwood floors. The menu is printed on a large sign on the wall (and I hope this doesn’t make them reluctant to change it). The large windows are good for reading and people watching. The unusual tables in the center looked like little plastic picnic tables at first, but I’m pretty sure they were painted wood. They weren’t very popular while I was there for lunch, but I suspect they will be more popular for late night drinks. Old-timey details, like an antique typewriter, old black and white photos, Mary Jane candy, and a rustic flag, make it look like it’s been around forever. The antique  Oddfellows sign shows that someone really cares about this place.

My hot tea arrived in a quaint press pot with a pre-warmed cup and saucer. Big points for the pre-warming. My...

We got a tip tonight on the stealthiest restaurant opening on Capitol Hill ever. The premise of the tip was so audacious that we couldn't print it until verifying with our own eyes and camera lens. The setting: an abandoned fast food restaurant, Pike/Pine. Take it away neighbor Pete:

Today I was walking up pine to value village and I saw the old kfc had a neon "open" sign in their window. The sign on the door said rancho bravo tacos. After leaving vv, I went back and had lunch there. The menu reminded me of a taco truck's, and that's because ranco bravo also operates the taco truck next to the dick's in the u-district. I had 4 tacos (2 beef, 2 taco) and a jarritos for $9.25; it was good (especially the chicken), but not as good as tacos gringos'. Apparently they had just opened last night and haven't really put the word out.

Unbelievable until I stopped by for the pics and saw for myself. Outside, the sign is a taco bus style vinyl banner. Inside, they've ripped out most of the Tricon Global industrial...

Via @mattgoyer, we learned that Po Dog will soon set up shop at 1009 East Union (according to Google Maps - the current site for The Mercury - a private goth bar that is showing events through the end of June).  From @podog's tweets we expect that at least one of the hot dogs will be composed of bananas, peanut butter and a 100% beef dog - all on a potato bun.    Expected hours are on their Facebook page but no opening date is currently listed.  I was able to reach Laura Olson the owner and here is what she had to say:

Soon, the world will see more Starbucks-es in indie clothing. In fact, it seems that, soon, the world will see two right here on Capitol Hill.

File this one in the rumor mill but CHS has found a rather interesting liquor application for a business listed at 700 Broadway East.

Coffee House Holdings Inc. is at it again:

Liquor license action details
Location     700 Broadway Ave. E.
Application date     August 4, 2009
Applicant     COFFEE HOUSE HOLDINGS, INC.; RUBINFELD, ARTHUR; MALANGA, MICHAEL; FINK, MICHAEL P; LAUTCH, RICHARD H
License number     405270
Event type     New application
License types     Restaurant — beer and wine
Action type     New liquor license application

CHH is the same entity Starbucks used to apply for the licenses and permits for 15th Ave Coffee and Tea before it opened to curiosity and animosity.

Also, while investigating this story about a possible move for the Broadway post office, CHS was told that the developer of the 700 Broadway Apartments had been negotiating with Starbucks to rent the large retail space next to Kinko's. As one might say, ah hah! Caught you!

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It's late and that's all we got but the gets are pretty good. One obvious question is which local businesses the Broadway Coffee and Tea (ok, we made that name up!) will draw its inspiration from. We're pulling for the nearby Museum of Mysteries. You?

UPDATE: Our calls to Starbucks media relations seeking to confirm the new shop were not returned.

Just got word from owner Kevin York -- Pizza Fusion is no more. Never said goodbye to a CHS sponsor in this way so forgive any awkwardness.

PF was born back in November and positioned itself as a purveyor of pie with organic ingredients, and, importantly for many, gluten-free options. Much of their interior was made up of recycled or reclaimed material (including bar stools from the Sunset Bowl and hardwood flooring from Garfield).

York was the first to admit he couldn't have had worse timing in trying to open the franchise as the economy tanked and purse-strings tightened. Even a steady stream of daily specials advertised on this very neighborhood blog couldn't save the restaurant.

July 22, 2009: They're here.
Cupcakes for breakfast? (And lunch, and dinner...) Cupcake Royale opens with free cakes

Original post:

Barbie Cake
Originally uploaded by JTContinental

Via Pike/Pine arts and culture insider Joey Veltkamp's blog, Capitol Hill is finally getting its cupcakes:

Folks, it's official! Cupcake Royale will be opening up their 4th location this June!

*

Look for it at 1111 Pike Street, between 11th and 12th. It will be on the ground floor of the new Tom Kundig building. It's going to be amazing folks!

CORRECTION: Oops. Not in Oddfellows. Around the corner like the bit from Joey's blog says!

In addition the Linda Derschang-driven Oddfellows Cafe, the building will also soon be home to Molly Moons Ice cream, and a restaurant called the Tin Table.

Of course, there are already a lot of cupcake options on the hill. Personally, I never got on the bandwagon. Was all for the short-lived waffle movement. Also, toast is good. (Molly Moons, on other hand, I'm kinda too excited...

I only know of two bars on the hill with air conditioning. There must be more, yes? We can't all fit into these twothree as the temp flirts with 100 degrees this week.

• Sun Liquor at 607 Summit Ave E
• The Satellite at 1118 E Pike St
• Central Cinema at 1411 21st Avenue (editor's note! and CHS sponsor! and counts as a bar, I say! but also may open the comment gates to restaurants! not as interesting as bars!)

Where do you go to cool off and have a cold one?

More from the editor per this old thread:

• The Chapel
• Bill's off Broadway
• Six Arms
• Charlie's on Broadway

We interviewed Josh Reynolds, the entrepreneur behind Bluebird Homemade Ice Cream and Team Parlor opening today at 5 pm.  Josh has taken over the space at 1205 East Pike Street (formerly home to the Church of the Undignified).  The space is much larger than Molly Moon's and Old School Frozen Custard, and one can envision that once the free wi-fi is installed (happening this Friday we're told), visitors can lounge and enjoy the ice cream, sandwiches and tea at their leisure.  The renovation of the space has been done mostly with reclaimed materials (the counter for instance was once a high school gym floor). There is also a small stage where musicians and authors can perform.

Bluebird currently has eight icecream flavors and intends to keep this number pretty consistent - though flavors will rotate based on season.  They have collaborated with neighbors in the Elysian Stout (delicious - especially paired with a scoop of the peanut butter) and the Stumptown Coffee flavors.  The ice cream has between 12 and 15% butterfat...

It's been a long, cold winter but you made it. And now you know the exact hour of your reward. 3:00 PM. Saturday. Ginger, Salted Black Licorice, Baby Beet Sorbet and Pomegranate Curry Sorbet.

Molly Moon’s Opens Saturday On Capitol Hill Kids to Enjoy Free Cones between 3 and 5 p.m. at Grand Opening Party
SEATTLE, Tuesday, April 21, 2009 – Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, an artisanal, locavore scoop shop, is opening its second retail location this Saturday, April 25, at 3 p.m. in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream is a great local hang-out where families, kids, hipsters, and ice cream addicts alike, can congregate and celebrate their favorite dessert.

Highlights of Saturday’s Grand Opening party include complimentary kids’ cones between 3 and 5 p.m. From Scout Mint to Salted Caramel, Molly Moon’s homemade flavors will attract the taste buds of ice cream lovers of all ages. Four new flavors will be unveiled at both of her scoop shops on Saturday; Ginger, Salted Black Licorice, Baby Beet Sorbet and Pomegranate Curry Sorbet.

At Molly Moon’s creamy dairy from hormone-free, Western Washington-cows is combined with sweet and savory locally-sourced ingredients. The attention is focused on seasonal fruits and herbs mixed in recipes that are both familiar and surprising, producing flavors from childhood favorites to avant-garde, adult-only fare.

Located at 917 E. Pine St., Molly Moon’s will be open from noon to 11 p.m. daily beginning Sunday, April 26. The 3 p.m. opening time is special to the shop’s April 25 Grand Opening.

For additional information about Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, please log on to www.mollymoonicecream.com.

A King County Sheriff's eviction notice hangs on the front door of E. Pike's Satellite Lounge tonight.

The bar is dark and empty as the occasional person stops in front to read the notice and peer inside. Nearby hangs this hand-written note from a patron saying goodbye to the Capitol Hill bar.

The Satellite is owned by Harold Burton of The Real Comet, Inc. according to state records. The building at 1118 E. Pike St. is owned by Sylvia Kane, according to City of Seattle records. CHS has been told that Kane informed the Satellite last month that she was looking for a tenant to rent the space that would also pay to put the building's large basement to use.

The Satellite's Web site describes the lounge as "one of the longest  running bars located in the heart of Capitol Hill." Old timers, please weigh in with any history for the location you can share. CHS will update this post with what else we can find.

unicorn graffiti
Originally uploaded by ladyJake

A mythological beast will soon take shape in Pike/Pine.

Welcome, the Unicorn.

Replacing the recently evicted Satellite Lounge at 1118 E. Pike, the Unicorn is the project of first-time bar owner Adam Heimstadt and his two business partners. "It's going to have a French, circus theme," Heimstadt said. "My house is filled with amazing crazy things and furniture that I've collected through the years. Carousel parts. A mishmash. This is going to be a great place for all these incredible things."

Heimstadt said the former Satellite location is the third place he's tried to get for a Capitol Hill bar. He and his partners looked at other locations including spots on 14th Ave and the place on Union that will soon house Po Dog Hotdogs. He's excited about the possibilities. "We're looking at 7,500 sqft of space to fill including the huge basement. We're going to open up the top first, the bottom later. The basement will be a mighty adventure," Heimstadt said.

Heimstadt wouldn't commit to a date for re-opening the top yet but says he plans to serve pizza at the bar and fill the space with arcade games and carousel parts. As for the 5,000 sqft basement, "We're going to continue the circus downstairs," Heimstadt said, adding that he's happy to finally have a place to display some large, stone unicorn statues he acquired.

In the meantime, he's going to continue working his bartender shift at the Twilight as he works with his partners to ready The Unicorn for its debut.

For the 35-year-old Heimstadt, who started tending bar when he was 20, opening a bar of his own has been a long-term goal. "I originally wanted to be a fashion designer," Heimstadt said. "I ended up being a bartender instead. The past 20 years of creativity are going into this."

You can follow Heimstadt's adventure on Twitter @adamheimstadt

It's a little late for lunch but you can snack on these:

• The guys behind Union, Tavolata and How to Cook a Wolf are bringing their act to Capitol Hill. Anchovies and Olives will be located in the new Pearl Apartments building at 15th and Pine to help put the mixed element in mixed-use. Also, the trend reverses -- no communal tables.
• Can Fancy Pants Monsoon do pho? Yes it can, says foodie.
• BTW, what's latest on Monsoon's hunt for a new Hill location? We want news.
• Nothing about it on the Olivar website, but we got an e-mail announcing a special 4-course dinner on October 29th, presumably, to celebrate my birthday. Thanks guys. Olivar probably feels a little left out of the fun with Poppy, the newest shiny food thing on that end of Broadway, getting all the attention.
• BTW, that Olivar dinner is $45 a pop and not pegged to the stock market like this Thursday promo at Coastal Kitchen. 
• On the other end of the spectrum, a brave businessperson is opening a sandwich shop just off the Hill in the CD at 23rd and Union. It's...

As we reported here on CHS, Makini Howell of Hillside Quickie Vegan Cafe and her partners will be taking over Cafe Stellina's old space.  Plum Vegan Bistro is to open on Saturday (I have an email asking about hours of operation).  One major difference between Hillside Quickie and this new place will be that Plum will have a full bar. 

Should be a big day on Capitol Hill. Block party kicks off. And 15th Ave Tea and Coffee opens its doors for the first time.

Be there Friday morning to say welcome?

Understand if you won't.

Xciting, no?

Justin Brotman

Last Friday Healeo Nutrition Bar opened its doors at 15th and Madison. CHS called owner Justin Brotman the 'Costco hippie of Capitol Hill' because of his father's ties to the retailing giant. To see what the buzz was about, I stopped in to check it out. I talked with Brotman about his new business, what makes Healeo unique and the challenge of finding organic coconuts. Have you been to Healeo yet? Add your thoughts to the CHS Reviews Healeo page.

Q: What is Healeo all about?

A: We serve food that's good for you. Organic drinks, organic teas, organic coffees, organic juices, and most importantly, superfoods.

Q: What are superfoods?

A: Foods which are extremely nutritious for you. Such as; hemp milk, coconut milk, almond milk (all of which we make fresh daily), bee pollen, kahle, flax, goji berries, acai - basically anything that is high in antioxidants. It's all about the ingredients. We want to make healthy eating easy for you to get and afford. Organic foods need to be in more demand; therefore it will be easier for you to access and live a healthier lifestyle.

Q: Is there anything different Healeo has to offer than other organic food stores or supplement stores?

A: We sell certified organic products made only for Healeo. Having our own supplemental section in our store providing you with all the nutrients you need in pill form. Lots of people question supplements, but the truth is, they are just as healthy for you as any organic food - it is just easier to put into your system. Our supplements are all organic. Also, we have a display of all of our teas so you can interact, smell and see exactly the tea you may want to drink. No other tea stores have this, which makes Healeo different. CHS note: After this interview was posted, Justin Brotman left a comment clarifying his statement about supplements: "What I said was that NOTHING can replace whole foods but it is not practical to eat 10 heads of Kale everyday so you should take supplements."

Q: What do i need to know about Healeo before I come in?

A: Healeo is all about the organics, plain and simple. We sell raw and vegan food as well, but that's not our focus. Not all people eat vegan, so we sell non-vegan items as well. Basically, we want to spread the essentials. Our #1 priority is to keep everything at Healeo organic. The only things in our store that aren't organic are bee-pollen and coconuts - they are just too hard to find completely organic. By keeping our store almost fully organic, we are providing you with food which helps your body absorb nutrients and become healthier.

When CHS last visited the King Cobra space in July 2009, brown butcher paper was spotted - evincing new ownership.  After noting a report that King Cobra had applied earlier this month to assume Kinkora Pike St LLC's liquor license, we contacted King Cobra's new owners Bigelow Villa LLC to uncover their plans for the space.  Paul Villa, one of the co-owners gave us the scoop on what he and his business partner Curtis Bigelow envision:

We are only leasing half the space and leaving the dance floor behind. By only taking the 916 E. Pike space we hope to avoid the curse that seems to be on the 918 E. Pike space

The concept/design is a boutique hotel lobby bar (contemporary, polished, fun) while maintaining a Seattle vibe (friendly, welcoming, down-to-earth). It'll be a nice environment to chill and hang out, and hopefully meet new people/friends

We're going to call it The Lobby Bar.  But after hearing you call it The Villa we're seriously reconsidering

We'll be a bar catering to the LGBT...

There were rumors about the future occupant of the florist shop on E. Madison; today I biked by and beyond the unfriendly cyclone fence was the silhouette the hill hasn't seen since the bulldozers came to Pine St...

PoDog fits in with the gritty, industrial surroundings . . . and then there's the pug

We attended a friends & family event last night and can report that  Po Dog is ready for the public starting today .  We were pleased with our choice of a couple of Veggie Dogs (smartly - they are using field roast ) with a side of fries and PBRs on tap.  We then split a Chicago Dog (you can substitute a field roast dog in any of their offerings).  A great cheap meal for under $30.  Po Dog is located at 1009 East Union (next to the Lifelong Thrift Store) and hours of operation will be: Mon-Thu 11am-Midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-3am, Sun 11am-10pm

Po Dog already has a Happy Hour offering.  Hours will be 4:30 - 6:30 M-F.  Included food: Mini Dog Sliders ($4.97) and Homemade Chips & Fries ($1.75).  Included Drink: PBR Draft ($2), Manny's Draft ($3), Domestic Bottles ($2.5) and Import ($3).

Add another restaurant to the list of Capitol Hill eateries shutting their doors -- I-5 Shores' Il Forno is gone. A Yelper says something about medical issues forcing the closure so this doesn't seem to fit the 'economic slowdown' trend.

Another counter-trend factor -- it looks like the Il Forno space has new owners. Here is a recently filed liquor license at the address for something called Knee High, Inc. The new venture is backed by a retired tech IT guy who, according to his LinkedIn profile, is "living the dream" here in Seattle.

Maybe Ed from Acacia Florist was just bullshitting me or maybe he really doesn't know what's coming next -- but it looks like Pony is, indeed, coming back to life in the flower shop on that weird triangle where Madison and Union meet. Looky what neighbor Jacob found digging through the state business licensing database:

Don't yet know what the timing will be but looks like Pony on Madison is for real.

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Cupcakes and ice cream have apparently sparked the Pike/Pine economy.

A new restaurant is ready to give it a try at the corner of 12th and Pike where others have repeatedly failed. 'Coming soon' signs went up today along with the ubiquitous brown butcher paper in the windows marking the start of work on Chow, a new bistro in the former home of the short-lived Pike's Grill.

CHS paparazi style

Pike's, you may recall, opened in July 2008 and was out of business by September still owing some $30,000 in rent according to the building's owner at the time. Before Pike's, 1200 Bistro filled the space until changing hands then going under in December 2007. The location sat empty until last summer when Pike's bellied up to the bar. Now Chow takes a swing at making the location work.

I ran into Chow's owners outside of their new project Wednesday afternoon. It will be the first collaboration for Brian and Tony -- one ran a 'successful' restaurant in North Seattle before this, the other is an electrical engineer new...

It's a 6 AM Wednesday morning debut for the latest Starbucks creation on Capitol Hill. We'll have additional coverage this morning but wanted you to get a look inside. What do you think of the new place?

Roy Street Barrista

Chairs reused from somewhere

Busy morning opening day

Interesting lighting is a must

CHS didn't attend the pre-launch media event on Tuesday night but we did get a few shots from other folks on the outside. Thanks to Aaron Brethorst for sharing this picture via Twitter .

Photo: Aaron Brethorst

And thanks to http://starbucksmelody.com for a shot from the inside at the preview.

Photo: Starbucks Melody (with permission)

Over on the article where we first posted the announcement that Roy St. Coffee and Tea was opening on Wednesday, there's a debate, um, brewing about the good and bad of corporate coffee and indie-styling . CHS goes back and forth between hostility and ignorance about Starbucks' 'Street Level Coffee' efforts. But the company seems to court the controversy with images like this:

Roy Street Coffee & Tea, originally uploaded by SlayerSeattle.

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We spotted two liquor applications that will bring two new restaurants to Capitol Hill.  "The Living Room" will occupy a space recently vacated by the Anne Bonny at 1355 East Olive Way.  One of the individuals listed on The Living Room's application appears to be a local artist named Monika Proffitt.

Close by in a previously residential space, David Yuchasz, who has a real estate background and another relative are seeking a license to serve liquor at 1515 Bellevue Avenue, Apt 101.