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Feed Co., last of a Capitol Hill-Central District family of restaurants, getting new owners, new concept

From a growing set of Capitol Hill and Central District food and drink joints to zero — Scott and Heather Staples, creators of Quinn’s, Sole Repair, Zoe, and Feed Co. are saying goodbye to Central Seattle.

“We’ve loved being in the CD & CapHill all these years and will miss the communities! However, now we will enjoy the neighborhoods as supporters!!” was the super enthusiastic response when CHS asked Scott about the planned sale of 24th and Union’s Feed Co., the couple’s final holdings in the area.

Feed Co. debuted in new construction at 24th and Union in 2016, part of the early ripples of changes still sweeping across the neighborhood. Its sale will follow The Staples Restaurant Group’s exit from Zoe where gay bar Union nows holds court at 14th and Union and the early 2018 sale of E Pike’s Quinn’s and Sole Repair to investors who kept the concepts intact in the heart of Pike/Pine. “The restaurant industry is ever-changing and very challenging in Seattle right now, for several reasons,” Scott Staples said in the announcement of the restaurant’s pending sale. The announcement did not enumerate what those reasons were.

Unlike Quinn’s, the new owners at Feed Co. have plans for change. A group of new business partners will take over the business and expand the menu into a planned small.plates and cocktails concept They plan to keep the burger legacy alive but also upgrade the space with a bar and an oyster bar area to include small bites and a more diverse menu. The planned construction will be relatively minor and the new owners aren’t planning any significant downtime for the restaurant space. It will, however, come with a new name. The planned straightforward approach? Fusion Bites and Bar coming soon to 24th and Union.

 

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walks dogs
walks dogs
4 years ago

Sad to see them leave. I’ve really enjoyed getting my burgers there and the great people who work there. Sounds like the new place will be more expensive and upscale. Is this what the area needs to keep it affordable?

lizwas
4 years ago
Reply to  walks dogs

well, i just hope it’s still family-friendly. every time i go in there it’s mostly families enjoying the food and the milkshakes! we need more of that in the area.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  walks dogs

I have faith in our neighborhood that if this new place markets itself as upscale or luxury and seeks to exclude others by pricing folks out it won’t last very long. A neighborhood business needs to respect everyone by making ALL feel welcome and comfortable to enter.

Glenn
Glenn
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

So there is no place for a higher end dining option in a neighborhood location? How about a clothing store that sells more expensive clothing? Are all these things not welcome through your lens? That seems like an odd interpretation of an open and inclusive neighborhood business environment.

Sasha
Sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

Glen: The residents of the neighborhood feeling welcomed at all businesses is more important to me than the business itself feeling welcome. I don’t understand how you can interpret that as an “odd” sentiment. Many people in THIS neighborhood are feeling the pressure of being priced out of their homes, do they need to feel priced out of the surrounding businesses too? As members of THIS community we have a responsibility to ensure equal opportunity to everyone that lives here and question businesses that are exclusionary by default whether they sell clothing or craft cocktails. We need to find a good fit for everyone in THIS specific neighborhood when there is limited commercial space available.

Upzone Please
Upzone Please
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

,

What about the people in this community who seek a higher end option? Should they be excluded as perspective customers?

As an example: I won’t shop at Grocery outlet because of the products they sell, or don’t sell. (Side note: their prices are not good — its a common misconception/myth that you get some good deal when you shop there). I drive my carbon emitting car to whole foods and the PCC in Columbia City because it has better options for me — is that really what we want? I want something a little more high end so tough luck? Why can’t we have different types of shops? High end, mid-grade and low-end?

On a side note: I am by no means a person of upscale luxury. Heh, I thought I made pretty good money, but last year I looked up all my neighbors professions on linkedin and concluded that more than half of them fall into a higher income bracket than I do.

TwoSheds Jackson
TwoSheds Jackson
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

@Upzone

You don’t go there but you know GroceOut’s prices “are not good?” Not everyone is looking for heritage-bred field roast or $10 eggs. Some people are down with staples priced lower than the big chains (and whatever woo PCC is selling).

UpzonePlease
UpzonePlease
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

@TwoSheds you called me out, well done. I lied, I do go there from time to time, but every time I shake my head that the prices. I actually get most of my groceries from Costco. But you bring up a great point, which is why I’m suggesting having multiple options, a higher-end grocer and a lower end one.

Sasha
Sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

@Upzone Please: I think you are completely out of touch and wealth obsessed if you’re consumed with finding out how much money your neighbors are making. That’s just sad.

You are not excluded from patronizing establishments that all neighbors have access to like Grocery Outlet, you are choosing to exclude yourself- you have the luxury of making that choice. You need to appreciate that some people in our neighborhood don’t have the luxury of making that choice and we should strive to include them in our community as much as possible. Until you can do that I suggest you continue driving to other neighborhoods for your groceries.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

, you’re not being very inclusive when you’re dismissing people’s needs/wants for higher end retail. We live in a diverse neighborhood that should provide a diverse set of options for people to shop/eat at.

It’s great that we have Grocery Outlet, its the perfect grocery option for some in our neighborhood. It would also be great to have a PCC/Whole Foods/New Seasons for people who’s needs are not met by GO/Safeway.

Places like the aforementioned grocery stores aren’t “seeking to exclude others,” they’re providing wanted options for a segment of our neighborhood.

Sasha
Sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

N. I never said grocery stores are “seeking to exclude others” so you can take the quotations off that. I said high end retail is exclusionary by default by pricing some people out. The vast majority of Central District residents want retail that is reasonably priced. When there is limited commercial space available we should serve the needs of majority over the WANTS of the privileged few.

oliveoyl
oliveoyl
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

I guess expensive electric bikes are ok but maybe not a quiet place where one can get a nice glass of wine, maybe a salad where the greens didn’t come from a bag and a piece of well cooked meat … Sasha, I’m not sure what you mean by “upscale” but I think the Central Area has room for all sorts of places for the wide range of people who live here and who knows maybe CA residents want to be able to go someplace nice for a special occasion and just walk down the street?

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

@oliveoyl That expensive electric bike store is closing down so thanks for making my point. It was not a good fit for the neighborhood.
https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2019/02/central-district-e-bike-showroom-electric-lady-shutting-down/

The rest of your comment leads me to believe you’re trolling.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

Lol Sasha, go re-read your top comment, sure sounds like your calling out upscale retail like PCC/Whole Foods/New Seasons.

You seem oddly triggered by all this, seriously it’s healthy and preferential to have a mix of stores, services, and restaurants that when combined together serve the diverse needs of the people living in our neighborhood.

Sloopy
Sloopy
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

If Whole Foods/New Seasons/PCC opened up everywhere but the CD, there would be claims that it was racist and creating a food desert. Why should the poor be forced to have crappy food, they would argue.
If a higher end grocery does go in, they are being exclusionary because not everyone off the street can afford their product.

So what precisely can and cannot be allowed to open for business in the CD?

Sloopy
Sloopy
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

Maybe a better way to ask my question would be: what business that cater to white hipsters/gentrifiers are allowed, and which aren’t? Does Twilight Exit have to go? How about Central Cinema? Uncle Ikes? We need to know your criteria.

Sasha
Sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

Hey N. I never once mentioned Whole Foods/PCC/New Seasons in any of my comments so I don’t appreciate you misquoting me or putting words in my mouth. That’s called advocating for yourself not being “triggered”. Obviously EBT cards can be used at any grocery stores so there is less of an accessibility problem with grocery stores as there is for an overpriced craft cocktail bar.

RWK
RWK
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

: Your argument is flawed. No one is forcing lower-income people to go to an upscale grocery store. They have the option to shop at Safeway or Grocery Option.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

Knudsen Thanks for chiming in with your usual illogical 2 cents Bob. At no point did I make that argument. Much like Brian N. this is a really sad attempt to reframe what I wrote into something you can argue with on your terms. Not taking the bait troll.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

same argument applies to high-end grocery stores as applies to “bougie” retail or restaurants; diverse neighborhoods have residents full of diverse needs. Inclusive, accessible neighborhoods have a full range of businesses, that taken as a whole, meets the needs of everyone who lives here. Sometimes people just want to have a fancy cocktail and eat some oysters, other times people want some cheap beer and excellent cheese fries, and some people want nothing to do with either. It’s great to have places that meet people’s choices.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

N. I’ll make my point once again since you keep bringing up your irrelevant obsession with grocery stores and seem to be struggling to grasp it. When the majority of people can’t afford ridiculously overpriced craft cocktails and when there is limited commercial space available everyone should have some level of access to to all businesses in the neighborhood. If not we are disenfranchising many at the expense of a small segment of wealthy people. It’s not the best way to build strong community relations especially considering the history in this neighborhood but as evidenced by your comments that’s not something you care to embrace. You have a long history of trolling this website so I’ll let you get your last ‘weatlhy people matter’ argument in because I know you’re dying to. I’m going to get back to living my life.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  sasha

, just because someone doesn’t agree with you doesn’t make them a troll. I’ll pull your comment from below: “Ad hominem attacks are always the first indicator of a weak mind and a weak argument.”

You keep framing this as a “me vs. them” rather than an “us” conversation. Our neighborhood is chock-full of businesses that offer varying degrees of accessibility to our neighbors; the elderly wheelchair bound lady that lives across the street certainly isn’t going to be hitting up Cappy’s, some Christian Bale looking dude wanting an American Psycho-esque haircut isn’t going to be finding it at Earls, and my 16 year old neighbor -no matter how much she wants to- isn’t going to be walking into Ikes/Ponder for another 5ish years. While all of these places are not 100% accessible/cater to all people that live in our neighborhood they do play a role for some. A place that serves craft cocktails is just another joint that will play a role for some. What I “care to embrace”, and many many others here do to, is for a vibrant, diverse, activated neighborhood that is home to businesses that cater to the diverse needs of the folks that live here.

Anyway, been great going back and forth with ya, hope ya have a great day ✌️

Neighbor
Neighbor
4 years ago

Hopefully they’ll have better food and an earlier brunch opening. I was excited when they opened but gave up on them after trying a few things and always being disappointed.

If you want a great burger, the Twilight Exit is the place to go!

Bob Barfer
Bob Barfer
4 years ago

Good riddance to you and your gentrifications!!!
GTFO of Seattle!

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob Barfer

Bob, I don’t think you understand the words that you’re using.

Ian
Ian
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

Huh – Actually no. Key Bank was diagonal and I’m not sure what burger joint and bar you’re talking about. Before the Stencil it was a little Somalian market that had closed down and a terrific tea shop cafe that is sort of now located on Cherry. Amazing tea.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

My guess is @Huh is talking about Sammy’s Burgers which used to be on the north side of 26th/E Union. It’s old building is still there but the lot has been vacant for years now.

Djseattle
Djseattle
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob Barfer

Maybe you would like to return to the ramshackle beat up shacks that were there before the new building.

Huh
Huh
4 years ago
Reply to  Djseattle

A black owned bank and a great burger joint and bar were there before

Charles
Charles
4 years ago
Reply to  Bob Barfer

Exactly what the African American church said before selling the house next to us to the sleaziest developers possible after it was donated to them by one of their parishioners (she didn’t trust her son to leave it to him). Our neighbors were willing to purchase it for a lot more $ and leave it as a single family home but the church couldn’t be bothered and went for the quick cash instead. Gentrification is real, for sure, but it can be two way street.

anna
anna
4 years ago

Bummer! It was nice to be able to sit in a nice space, see neighbors and enjoy a $5 burger.

CD Rez
CD Rez
4 years ago

Burger was meh in a city full of better options, imo.

I can’t imagine that putting an oyster bar into that space is going to be a good idea.

nettles
nettles
4 years ago

I ate the most bland burger of my life in there. lucky for them i’m no yelper.

Gordon
Gordon
4 years ago

Always enjoyed the delicious food, reasonable prices, and family friendly vibe. Sad to see them leave. Are they closed now or will they remain open a bit longer?

I Am For Real
I Am For Real
4 years ago

I really hope they up their bun game. No excuse for bad buns 2019.

marcusCD
marcusCD
4 years ago

They are keeping the Feed Co. menu, just adding some items to it.

John Treat
John Treat
4 years ago

Small plates and cocktails? That translates as expensive, folks. I’ll never set foot in the new place. Too bad.

Glenn
Glenn
4 years ago
Reply to  John Treat

Maybe they will have a nice happy hour you can enjoy? You should at least take a look before you write it off.

Sasha
Sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  Glenn

Glen: You sound thirsty for overpriced drinks. I can guarantee the vast majority of Central District residents do not want to see bougie restaurants near 23rd and Union. It’s not a good fit for the neighborhood

Danny
Danny
4 years ago

They need to make sure the new owners are black IMO. They should do what Fat’s owner does at least. Need more black ownership and management in the CD.

Bring back Sammy’s Burgers!

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  Danny

Just gonna throw this out here, the businesses along the Union corridor from MLK to 20th already have an incredibly diverse set of owners:
+Black owned: Cappy’s, Cortona, Earls, That Brown Girl Cooks (opening soon), Adey Abeba
+Asian: Union Street Dental, Union Teriyaki, Chucks
+Latino: Velopez Bike, El Costeno (Taco Truck at Ikes), Tacos Chukis

Personally could care less what race/ethnicity the owners are as long as their business keeps the corner vibrant and activated.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

I can agree with you when you say, “Personally could care less what race/ethnicity the owners are as long as their business keeps the corner vibrant and activated.” However, the best way to achive this is to ensure that businesses in our neighborhood are accessible to everyone.

Michael
Michael
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

There needs to be more black owned businesses first and foremost. When capitalism starts over at 0 then we will talk about how to divide things. Right now the CD is a historic black neighborhood and it needs to stay true to its roots. The rest of Seattle is like 95% white FFS!

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

, I’m gonna preamble this with that I don’t think you’ll find many people arguing against recognizing/commemorating the history of our neighborhood. The Liberty Bank building is an excellent example of memorializing an important institution while also providing housing to folks that have been displaced. The midtown development across the street will do more of the same.

However, it’s also important to recognize that our neighborhood is no longer majority black and hasn’t been for going on two decades now. It’s not even home to the highest population density of Africa Americans in Seattle anymore, that mantle now resides further south.

As I was commenting above, businesses should serve the diverse needs of its neighbors. Limiting them to one race of owners or to serve only one income level prevents us from creating that inclusive neighborhood that we all strive for.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

Hey N. I never brought up race except to say I don’t care who owns the business. My concern is that it’s business accessible to everyone regardless of their race or income level. YOU and several other comments conflated that to meaning people of color which is a racial bias you need to fix.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

Yo Sasha, as clearly indicated by the , my response was to the comment directly above mine, not at yours. Read the entire thread before coming at with that “racial bias” bs.

Your apology has been accepted in advance.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

N. You and people at higher income levels can still go to business that are accessible to people of all income levels. There’s nothing exclusionary about that. You equated POC with poverty exposing your racial bias. You need to reflect on that and strive to avoid it. Sorry, NOT sorry bud.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

Yikes Sasha, this devolved quickly didn’t it. I get it, it’s easy to say someone is hung up on a racial bias when you don’t see eye-to-eye with them. Def not true with me and pretty lame that you’re trying to use it as a cop-out but hey, you do you.

I understand your point, you want all businesses/restaurants in our neighborhood to be financially accessible to all income levels. In your mind that’s how we achieve an inclusive neighborhood. Me and several of the posters have a different take: we want to see a neighborhood that has a range of businesses/restaurants that cater to all kinds of price points/personal tastes; trendy pricer cocktails not your jam? Cool, go across the street and grab cheaper drinks. Point is we have choices, that as a whole, serve everyone’s vibes and everyone’s needs. To us, this is how inclusiveness is achieved.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

N. Nah. How about you and your buds hop in an Uber and get drinks in Madison Valley or North Capitol Hill. You’ll love it there. Plenty of exclusionary businesses for you to blow your money on. We’ll strive to keep our neighborhood accessible to everyone cause we aren’t scared or snobby.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

Damn, listen to all that hate Sasha. Love how you view it as its your neighborhood to stay in and mine to leave rather than its ours to share.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

Ad hominem attacks are always the first indicator of a weak mind and a weak argument.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  Danny

Lol *ok* Sasha, you literally went full ad hominem earlier with that racial bias crap and then just told me I should hop in an Uber and leave our neighborhood. That’s some straight up hate.

sasha
sasha
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

I don’t hate anyone. Just trying to help you find your safe space Bri.

Brian N.
Brian N.
4 years ago
Reply to  Brian N.

Awe ❤️ Sasha, appreciate you looking out. I feel great in our neighborhood. From all the new businesses/restaurants that have opened up in the 2010’s, to the accessible housing, to some great CD staples, I’m excited by the direction our neighborhood is growing and look forward to exploring/trying out what comes next.

Steve
Steve
4 years ago

@Mike: The “rest of Seattle is like 95% white FFS!”

Actually the rest of Seattle is 66% White. Pretty big difference from 95%.

Edward Everett
Edward Everett
4 years ago

Sorry to see Feed go. The servers were great and friendly , loved the burgers and it was close. Oysters? I think I can count how many people adore oysters in my “circle” on two fingers.
Bye, bye. The dogs say bye, bye, too. they loved the bacon.

Charles
Charles
4 years ago

Wow, this thread is example 101 of Seattle p.c. on steroids. It’s a business for Chrissakes! They’ll sink or swim of their own accord. If you don’t like it, don’t go there. If you do, do. As long as it’s not tacos, coffee, or specialty cookies, then I think we’re good. :)

If Sasha really feels the need to serve her/his community, then what about the ex burger concrete shack that’s been for lease forever at 26th and Union? Perfect for cheap eats to take out. Get it together and serve the people already! But I have a feeling it’s overpriced so vacant it stays… (and not so appealing for a nice oyster appetizer).

In the end it’s really the owners of property that house businesses that should be challenged, not those who want to put businesses there with their own models that they’ve hopefully researched. Change is here, and you can be positive and perhaps help guide it, or just keep saying anything new is bad, and live in anger. Your choice.