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Tougo Coffee owner ready to open charcuterie and wine spot Bannister next door at 18th and Union

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(Image: Bannister)

(Image: Bannister)

The Central District’s one-block commercial stretch along 18th Ave at E Union is one of the quaintest and most neighborhood-y around. Since 2007, Tougo Coffee has anchored the stretch as a neighborhood hangout. Now owner Brian Wells says he’s hoping to cultivate the same sense of community one door down at Bannister, his new charcuterie-wine venture.

Wells tells CHS he’ll hold a reservation-only soft open starting October 24th and a grand opening on November 1st. UPDATE: After a short delay, Bannister celebrates its grand opening Tuesday, November 4th.

On the menu, Wells said to expect fine cheese, cured meats, olives, made-in-house,  pickles, and a full wine bar.

The restaurant is named after Edward Mitchell Bannister, a 19th century artist Wells said he has long admired.

Wells started his coffee career in Boston in 1991. He moved to Seattle in 1996 and spent most of his time in the service industry. In 2010 CHS reported on financial and tax troubles at Tougo. The 18th Ave cafe closed temporarily while Wells fundraised to pay back business taxes in order to renew his license. Since, Wells shuttered his Westlake Ave location. Wells said these days everything is going swell at Tougo and he’s ready for the expanded business venture.

From left, Cooley, Padberg, Wells and friends sample some Bannister-bound wine (Image: Bannister)

From left, Cooley, Padberg, Wells and friends sample some Bannister-bound wine (Image: Bannister)

Bannister will replace the Magpie, the toy and clothes shop that recently moved around the corner to 2002 E Union. The shop held its grand re-opening this month and is also the Saturday home to pop-up Pocket Bakery. The new space is designed by Malboeuf Bowie Architecture.

At Bannister, the chefs Rebecca Cooley and Kathryn Padberg will run the show “with curatorial assistance from geniuses including Jake Kosseff (wine & beer) & Sully McGinnis (cheese).” A reference to Seattle super chef Ethan Stowell (charcuterie) has since been removed from the venture’s Facebook “about” page. Stowell’s camp says the restauranteur is not involved in the project. Kosseff is a managing partner at Jason Wilson creation Miller’s Guild and McGinnis is your friendly neighborhood cheese savant. It’s the first big food+drink project for Cooley and Padberg.

While plentiful are the finest meats and cheese offerings a few blocks northwest of Bannister on Capitol Hill, small-plate dining is relatively sparse (though not unheard of) around the Central District. Wells said that changes and development in the area had little to do with his decision to open the restaurant.

“I’ve wanted to do something like this for quite awhile, but there was never the opportunity,” Wells said.

Bannister is located at 1408 18th Ave. You can learn more at bannisterseattle.com.

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Ian
Ian
9 years ago

Congrats Brian! I can’t wait & I think it will be an awesome addition to the neighborhood.

Mark K
Mark K
9 years ago

Way to go – love the exposure to Edward Mitchell Bannister! I own 3 of his works I have bought since I discovered him on Antiques Roadshow. I used to live in Edmonds and now am way east in Lancaster PA. EMB will bring you good luck in your endeavors!

Brian
Brian
9 years ago
Reply to  Mark K

which pieces do you own, and how lucky are you. Thanks for the kind words

Brian

Mark K
Mark K
9 years ago
Reply to  Brian

See my pinterest page where I have posted my paintings. I would like to make this page public and see if other owners of his work will post theirs. 1 of his works hangs in the White House now and over 120 are in the Smithsonian Museum of American Art. My daughter is going to Brown in January so curious to hit garage sales all over town and see if anyone is throwing out an old Bannister. I just really like his work.

http://www.pinterest.com/ryanmad/edward-mitchell-bannister/

Brian
Brian
9 years ago

To correct the reporter.

We are not opening a “Full Bar” we are a Charcuterie and Wine Bar. Please note this as to not be disappointed.

Thank you

Brian

SEATOWNGUY
SEATOWNGUY
9 years ago

Way to go, ‘bro! Proud of your relentless pursuit to keep “making it happen”!! Keep making them smart moves and fame and fortune will follow…just don’t forget struggle.

Your boy,
Dino

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[…] 18th Ave’s new wine bar Bannister is pushing its grand opening back a few days. You can check out the new project from Tougo Coffee owner Brian Wells starting Tuesday, November 4th. […]

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[…] Central District wine and charcuterie bar Bannister opens for real starting Tuesday night (November 4th). […]

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[…] It’s a similar story to what Tougo Cafe owner Brian Wells told us drove him to open charcuterie and wine bar Bannister on 18th Ave next door to his coffee shop. Bannister, by the way, celebrated its grand […]