Read with the Silent Book Club at Dubsea Coffee tonight

March 7th, 2024 Tracy Posted in Beverages, White Center news Comments Off on Read with the Silent Book Club at Dubsea Coffee tonight

If you like books but aren’t all that social – the Silent Book Club is for you. The West Seattle chapter has expanded southward in recent months and again tonight, one of their meeting locations will be in White Center, at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW). From the announcement:

Silent Book Club West Seattle meets the first Thursday of each month at local cafés, bars, and wine tasting rooms. The agenda: bring your own book, read for an hour, and chat (if you want) with fellow book lovers. Bring a book and a friend for the ideal introvert happy hour.

7:00 — 7:30 Settle in
7:30 — 8:30 Silent reading hour
8:30 — 9:00 Chat or keep reading

We recommend coming a bit early if possible to get a seat. Visit www.instagram.com/silentbookclubwestseattle for event updates/locations.

(Among the locations this month)

Dubsea Coffee: discounted tea and coffee drinks for readers, and other beverages and treats; open just to readers this evening; patio seating available; woman-owned

(not far – in South Delridge)

2 Fingers Social: cocktails, beer, a small selection of wine, tamales, hotdogs, & pretzel sticks; open just to readers this evening; patio seating available; family-owned

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Community Cup Showcase pouring more art into Dubsea Coffee starting next week

September 27th, 2023 Tracy Posted in Arts, Beverages, Greenbridge, White Center news Comments Off on Community Cup Showcase pouring more art into Dubsea Coffee starting next week

You can admire creative cups at White Center’s own Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW) when Rat City Studios presents its Community Cup Showcase starting one week from today:

We’re so excited to share that our 6th Annual Community Cup Exhibition at Dubsea Coffee is opening just around the corner!

The show will be up from October 4th – October 30th.

We’ll be having an opening reception on October 7th from 10 am-12 pm. This reception will be a fun time to connect with the community members in the show, meet the local artists, take in all the cups, and enjoy a delicious beverage.

The Community Cup Showcase coincides with National Clay Week and this annual event celebrates the wide variety of talent, techniques, shapes, glazes, and styles of pottery making within our vibrant clay family!

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FOLLOWUP: Opening date set for new home of Tim’s Tavern in White Center

March 5th, 2023 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Businesses, Music, Restaurants, White Center news 5 Comments »

(WCN photo: Matt O’Toole, Mason Reed, and Elvis)

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The transformation of White Center’s ex-Drunky Two Shoes into the new Tim’s Tavern is about halfway complete.

That’s the assessment of co-owners Matt O’Toole and Mason Reed, who sat down to talk with us this week, one month after they announced they were taking over 9655 16th SW.

They plan to open March 31st. But first, the rest of the transformation. If you ever went to Drunky’s, you might remember the taxidermy. All gone (though the salmon over the front door might stay). Since Tim’s is all about music – “music is our vibe” – they plan to fill the venue with history and memorabilia, new and old. And they’ll keep adding to it.

What has them particularly giddy is the extra space. The original Tim’s Tavern, which closed a year and a half ago in Greenwood, was only 1,000 square feet, they ecplain. Now they have so much room, they plan two music stages – out back with the Airstream bar (which stays), inside in a space dubbed the “Jesus room” – its new decor will be a “shrine to Seattle music history,” and it’ll be for acoustic acts, open mics, weekly trivia (Wednesday nights).

Inside, they’ll feature the sign that previously hung outside their Greenwood location; all new signage is planned outside, arriving soon, so that part of the transformation is close too.

So why White Center? They explain that it took almost two years to find a site that worked – big enough, not close enough to residences to “make the neighbors angry” – but in the end, it turned out to be a place they wanted to model Tim’s Tavern after anyway. Coming out of COVID, they explain, they thought outdoor space would be important, and so they kept telling their real-estate agent to look for someplace “like Drunky’s.” Mason marvels, “This was our model – then it became available!” (It closed rather quietly at the end of January; the Tim’s team says the prior proprietors are focusing on an establishment in Spokane.) Matt adds, “We’re going to put a lot of love in this place.”

They’ll have music seven nights a week, counting open mics on Mondays, with hours expected to be 2 to midnight for starters, then hoping to shift that earlier for lunch by June – White Center has limited lunch options, they note. Once lunch is launched, they’ll go for weekend brunch, “with some entertainment.” And yes, Tim’s will be all-ages, except for some 21+ shows outside. So what kind of food will they serve? Mason is in charge of that, with a resumé including gigs as a “backstage chef” for music stars. “Fun bar food, Northwest pub” is the style, he suggests, later adding that vegan and gluten-free options will be available too. They’ll even have a separate gluten-free fryer. Beverages? “Full wine list, full beer list, some slushies,” and a non-alcoholic cocktail lineup too. They promise it’ll all be “high quality (with) exceptional service” – Mason’s been in the restaurant business for 30 years. (Both co-owners are musicians, by the way.)

We tried to coax them into revealing what’s in store for the opening weekend’s music lineup, but they’re not ready to make the announcements. They do say they plan to book local favorites, mentioning that Billy Joe and the Dusty 45s, for one, will be there every month or so. And their longstanding reputation was as an “incubator,” which means rising stars are likely to be in the mix. So watch for news on the music slate later this month. Till then, as they continue “transforming” their new space, they are impressed by the “great vibe” in White Center, and how welcoming they say everyone’s been so far. They observe that people in White Center are “very proud” of their community, and they hope to be part of the reason for that pride, soon.

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BIZNOTE: New ownership for Dubsea Coffee

January 3rd, 2023 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Businesses, Greenbridge, White Center news 1 Comment »

13 years after its much-awaited opening in Greenbridge, Dubsea Coffee has new ownership. Founder Sibelle Nguyen made the announcement on social media, saying she has “passed the reins of Dubsea to Carrie and Erin Wilkins.” The couple, with a wide range of career and personal experiences, say in the announcement that they “had discussed running a coffee shop for some years.” They recognized Dubsea’s status as a community hub and promise to continue to grow it in that role. In her parting words, Sibelle expresses confidence that will happen, and adds, “Dubsea, both as a space and an intention, has shown me that it is more than possible for people of all walks of life to be together in kindness, sweet joy, creativity, and connection … in other words, a truly loving community.” She also offers words of gratitude to staff, artists, and customers.

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OPEN: The Lumber Yard Bar finally reopens in new location

November 7th, 2022 Tracy Posted in Beverages, White Center news Comments Off on OPEN: The Lumber Yard Bar finally reopens in new location

This is (re)opening night for the Lumber Yard Bar at its new location, 9630 16th SW, 16 months after the fire that gutted its original location and neighboring businesses. Posted hours are 4 pm to midnight Mondays-Thursdays, 4 pm-2 am Fridays, 2 pm-2 am Saturdays, and noon-midnight Sundays.

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FOLLOWUP: New location for the Lumber Yard Bar close to opening

May 23rd, 2022 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Businesses, White Center news 1 Comment »

You have probably noticed the sign is now up at the new location of the Lumber Yard Bar in downtown White Center, almost 11 months after the fire across the street that gutted the original location and other businesses. So we checked in with the proprietors to see how soon they expect to open the new location (9630 16th SW). Reply: “We are hoping to open late next month.”

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WHITE CENTER RESTAURANTS: Tomo named as semifinalist in James Beard Awards

February 23rd, 2022 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Restaurants, White Center news 1 Comment »

The most prestigious awards in the restaurant business have a White Center establishment on their semifinalist list this year. Tomo, opened at 9811 16th SW last September by chef Brady Ishiwata Williams, is a James Beard Awards semifinalist for Outstanding Wine Program. That award is explained as for a “restaurant or bar that demonstrates excellence in wine service through a carefully considered wine list and a well-informed approach to helping customers choose and drink wine (and that m)akes efforts to create and foster a diverse portfolio of wines and wine team members.” Williams, formerly with Canlis, is already a James Beard winner, honored as 2019 Best Chef in the Northwest.

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ALMOST OPEN: Lariat Bar

November 11th, 2021 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Businesses, White Center news Comments Off on ALMOST OPEN: Lariat Bar

Another new White Center establishment is about to open – Lariat Bar at 9829 16th SW says it’s opening this Saturday (November 13th). Its theme: Pro wrestling.

P.S. They open at 4 pm Saturday.

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WHITE CENTER FOOD & DRINK: Boombox, Bizzarro, Good Day Donuts

January 31st, 2021 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Businesses, Food, White Center news Comments Off on WHITE CENTER FOOD & DRINK: Boombox, Bizzarro, Good Day Donuts

Three White Center food and drink notes:

BOOMBOX BAR: For the first time since Boombox opened at 9608 16th SW, it’s opening indoor seating on Monday, as King County goes into Phase 2 of the governor’s reopening plan. 25 percent capacity. Boombox enthused online, “It has been SUCH a long wait for us but we know it is worth it because truly we have the best community and friends in the best neighborhood ever.”

GOOD DAY DONUTS: The mega-popular donut shop at 9823 15th SW is opening seven days a week starting tomorrow, Monday-Saturday 8 am-2 pm and Sunday 9 am-1 pm. The shop adds, “Pre-order available all 7 days, yay!”

BIZZARRO ITALIAN CAFE: The new White Center restaurant at 9635 16th SW just got its liquor-license approval and is offering wine specials. 206-453-4441 is the number to call with questions/orders.

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WHITE CENTER BIZNOTES: Bizzarro Italian Café; Bloom Bistro; Boombox

November 9th, 2020 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Restaurants, White Center news 4 Comments »

Three White Center food-and-drink notes, and they all begin with B:

(WCN photo)

BIZZARRO ITALIAN CAFE: Thanks to Chris for the tip. This Wallingford restaurant is expanding to White Center, taking over the ex-Noble Barton space at 9635 16th SW. The announcement didn’t have a projected opening date, but we have a message out to ask. (Here’s the Bizzarro menu.) ADDED TUESDAY: Bizzarro responded to our inquiry:

Yes, Bizzarro Italian Cafe is coming to White Center and we could not be more excited. We have been serving the good people of Wallingford since 1986 and have been pining to come south for quite a while. Hopefully we will start delivery and take-out for our fresh made pasta dishes by the end of November and come spring time, after we add some comfort and funkiness to the space, we should start opening up for dine-in. Ultimately, Bizzarro is a neighborhood joint and White Center is a vibrant and exciting Neighborhood to be a part of. We want to create a space that is comfortable for families to celebrate in, first dates to occur, or just a place to swing by and grab some great food in a relaxed setting. People have been asking if our menu will be the same. Yes, Elk Bolognese, The Forest Floor Frenzy and all the favorites are coming with us. Plus some new special offerings in the bar to share.

BLOOM BISTRO: While checking on the future Bizzarro, we noticed the sign for Bloom Bistro was down at 9602 16th SW. They’ve indeed permanently closed after just 3 1/2 months in business, announcing:

Unfortunately, the time has come for our little dream to end. … We are not backed by a large corporation, trust fund or big GoFundMe project and between the global pandemic, which doesn’t seem to be getting better, the situation with our electrical box being tampered with and not being able to collect any insurance money for the incident, and having to close for a week due to poisonous chemicals in the air, the odds were stacked against us being successful. We are just two girls with a passion for fresh food and a love for this community and unfortunately, things were just not busy enough to maintain paying the bills. We have so much love and appreciation for every single one of our customers, farmers, butchers, coffee roasters, friends, family, and supporters. This truly breaks our hearts.

BOOMBOX BAR: A few doors down, a new incarnation is on the way for the ex-Swallow space at 9608 16th SW – Boombox Bar. No details yet – we’ll update when we get them!

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FOOD/DRINK: Anju closing temporarily after Sunday

October 10th, 2020 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Businesses, Food, White Center news Comments Off on FOOD/DRINK: Anju closing temporarily after Sunday

Tomorrow’s your last chance for a while to enjoy what White Center’s bar/eatery Anju offers:

Anju is at 9641 15th SW.

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FYI: New ‘adult-beverage ordinance’ now in effect in White Center and other parts of unincorporated King County

February 4th, 2020 Tracy Posted in Beverages, King County, White Center news Comments Off on FYI: New ‘adult-beverage ordinance’ now in effect in White Center and other parts of unincorporated King County

A reminder sent by the county’s Department of Local Services:

King County’s Adult Beverage Ordinance 19030 went into effect on Jan. 3.

This ordinance updates development regulations related to all adult beverage businesses—including wineries, breweries, distilleries, and remote tasting rooms—in unincorporated King County.

This ordinance will help King County prepare for and support the future evolution of the adult beverage industry in the region. It better implements and complies with the policies of King County’s Comprehensive Plan, Growth Management Act, and countywide planning policies.

The county’s Permitting Division, in coordination with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Public Health-Seattle & King County, has developed a process for implementing the new law for both new and existing businesses.

Under the new ordinance, a business license is required in unincorporated King County for all businesses that manufacture adult beverages and including tasting rooms. The license fee is $100. A separate Temporary Use Permit may also be required for special events.

To get an adult beverage business license application, please call the county’s Permit Center at 206-296-6600 or email DPERWebInquiries@KingCounty.gov.

Within 30 days of receiving an adult beverage license application, King County will notify the applicant whether their application has been approved.

If approved, the business license is valid for six months. Before it expires, King County will send each applicant a letter notifying them of any additional actions needed to bring their adult beverage business into compliance with the ordinance.

To renew an adult beverage business license at the end of six months, each applicant must demonstrate substantial progress toward bringing their adult beverage business into compliance.

After the initial six-month license period, all adult beverage businesses must renew their licenses annually.

King County Permits is beginning the process of notifying affected individuals and businesses about these changes this month. Details are available at https://kingcounty.gov/adult-beverage

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ON THE WAY: El Buho gets its liquor license for downtown White Center spot

January 27th, 2020 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Food, White Center news Comments Off on ON THE WAY: El Buho gets its liquor license for downtown White Center spot

Earlier this month, the Instagram feed for Capitol Hill’s Tacos De La Noche shared that sneak peek inside the future El Buho, which has just been granted its liquor license for 9640 16th SW in downtown White Center. The captioo noted, “We unlocked the door to this space almost 6 months ago. … We hoped to be open two months ago but as always, there are things that will go wrong. It is important to remember that plans exist so that hardships can be endured. The plan, the goal, the light at the end of the tunnel, it guides us. The road has been long and hard and isn’t quite over yet, but We are getting Excited to share what we’ve been working on. Stay tuned, more to come soon.” (El Buho means “The Owl.”)

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Blu Grouse opening soon in White Center

July 23rd, 2019 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Food, White Center news 4 Comments »

Thanks to Gill for sending the photo and word that he had noticed the Blu Grouse (9839 17th Ave SW) open during Jubilee Days weekend. We went by today to check on it and found out that was just a sneak preview of sorts for the bar/restaurant that’s moving to White Center after closing in Georgetown. The crew we found there said they still have a few weeks of work to do before they’ll be ready.

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Future Primitive Brewing Company now open at ex-Big Al Brewing site

December 21st, 2018 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Businesses, White Center news Comments Off on Future Primitive Brewing Company now open at ex-Big Al Brewing site

Almost two years after Big Al Brewing closed at 9832 14th SW, the site is dormant no longer … Future Primitive Brewing Company opened there today. Our friends at Washington Beer Blog have details. The new enterprise originally was to be called Unified Brewing, as reported here last year, but plans changed along the way. P.S. Hours for the new establishment are at the bottom of this page.

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BIZNOTE: 2nd anniversary for Moonshot Coffee, and new hours

November 1st, 2018 Tracy Posted in Beverages, White Center news 1 Comment »

Thanks to Matt Weiner for letting us know that the coffee shop which followed his in downtown White Center is celebrating its SECOND ANNIVERSARY already! Moonshot Coffee opened in 2016 after taking over the former Caffe Delia at 9622 16th SW. And it’s now open 7 am to 6 pm.

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Now on display at Dubsea Coffee: ‘Synthesis’

September 6th, 2018 Tracy Posted in Arts, Beverages, Greenbridge, White Center news 2 Comments »

Been to Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW) lately? We just received this announcement about the art you’ll see there this month, by Brooke Fotheringham:

Synthesis – A photographic daydream at the intersection of genetic engineering and materials science

A visual exploration of the potential of genetic engineering to create innovations both aesthetic and practical to deal with surviving on a rapidly changing planet; a collection of new life and materials imagined by manipulating and rearranging botanical and synthesized forms. What if we could grow windows, lamp shades, or fiber optic cables the way diatoms grow their ethereal glass houses instead of manufacturing them in a more traditional sense?

“Synthesis” is on display through the end of the month, 6 am-7 pm daily.

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White Center food and drink: Anju Bar & Eatery sets grand opening for next Friday

August 18th, 2018 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Restaurants, White Center news 1 Comment »

(WCN photos, added Sunday)

Almost three months ago, we mentioned new food/drink places on the way to White Center, including Anju (9641 15th SW). Just got a note from Sam Jo announcing that Anju Bar & Eatery has set its grand opening for next Friday (August 24th), explaining the venue as “a new bar in White Center with Korean based bar food. In Korean, ‘Anju’ means food eaten with alcohol.” They’re in soft-open mode now and will even have their patio set up within a few days; their menu’s only about at half-speed while they “get things dialed in.”

But starting next Friday, Anju will be open 3 pm-midnight, with a 3 pm-6 pm happy hour.

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FIRST DRUNKY’S, NOW DOTTIE’S: Downtown White Center about to get Dottie’s Doublewide, courtesy of BBQ joint’s co-proprietor

January 10th, 2018 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Businesses, Food, Restaurants, White Center news 6 Comments »

By Linda Ball
Reporting for White Center Now

If the ’70s vibe is your thing, then you are in for a treat when Dottie’s Doublewide opens in White Center.

Nate Rezac, the pit boss and co-owner of Drunky’s Two Shoes, has partnered up with his old bartending friend B.J. Kaiser, to create a new concept where Zanzibar briefly lived at 9609½ 16th SW. We mentioned Dottie’s briefly two weeks ago, and finally got the chance to talk with them this week.)

Imagine walking into a retro, sort of midcentury-modern-looking doublewide trailer with ’70s art and vintage neon signs decorating the interior. That’s Rezac and Kaiser’s vision. Rezac has an old vintage travel trailer that they plan to cut up. The side with the door will become the façade; so to enter the restaurant you’ll be opening the travel trailer door. The other side of the trailer will be used in the back between the restaurant and the kitchen, so the food will look like it’s coming from a food truck. The back of the trailer, where the taillights are, will be used for beer taps.

To add to the fun, they plan to have a CD jukebox as well as a turntable with real vinyl records to choose from – or bring yours, and they will spin them for you! They plan to have house DJs from time to time, mostly on the weekends.

Rezac has been in the restaurant industry since he was 15-years-old, and creates most of the recipes at his restaurants. With family in Mexico, he knows a thing or two about tacos, and Dottie’s Doublewide will feature more than 20 varieties of tacos. Of course there will be traditional Mexican tacos, but also some with smoked meats from Drunky’s, vegetarian options such as portabella-mushroom tacos, avocado tacos, and egg tacos. As Rezac put it, a really “wide net” of tacos. Additionally, the menu will feature Tex-Mex cuisine, marinated carne asada, and al-pastor (boneless pork shoulder with pineapple).

Happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. will be offered seven days a week with two-for-one margaritas. Rezac and Kaiser will have a full bar with an extensive tequila collection, in addition to beer and house wine, plus a selection of better wines. The retro-style bar will seat 20 patrons, with two 65-inch flat-screen TVs behind it. A projection screen will be positioned opposite the bar on a large wall. They plan to show sports or fun video loops – perhaps vintage themed.

Rezac will have a staff of five at Dottie’s Doublewide. He and Kaiser will be in the house as well. Monday through Friday hours will be 3 p.m. to close, with lunch on the weekends and hours of 11 a.m. until closing. Dottie’s will have a capacity of 80 customers.

Kaiser, who is also a general contractor, has built out several restaurants, and Dottie’s is moving along fast since they weren’t changing uses of the building, thereby avoiding many permitting and county headaches. That said, they expect to be open as soon as February 1.

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WHITE CENTER BIZNOTE: Zanzibar out, Dottie’s Doublewide in

December 28th, 2017 Tracy Posted in Beverages, Businesses, Food, White Center news Comments Off on WHITE CENTER BIZNOTE: Zanzibar out, Dottie’s Doublewide in

Ever since noticing brown paper over the windows at Zanzibar (9609 1/2 16th SW), we’d been trying to confirm whether it was closure or remodeling (though the former seemed more likely, given it hadn’t been open that long). Now a notice in the state liquor-license application list appears to have confirmed the former. The new establishment seeking a license for the spot is Dottie’s Doublewide, and the applicants are the owners of Drunky Two Shoes BBQ down the street. More to come.

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