Following up on our report earlier this week that the Roanoke Tavern is losing its lease on 10th Ave E, CHS has learned more about the plans of a landowner who recently purchased the two buildings next to the beloved neighborhood bar.
A corporation named K&T Zen Real Estate bought the two buildings at the corner of 10th Ave E and Miller for nearly $1.3 million from Lynwood-based bank Golf Savings. The sales closed at the end of March. Now, with news of the impending sale of the next-door home of the Roanoke, we tracked down K&T Zen to find out if they might be behind the purchase.
Dr. Timothy Young is an Issaquah podiatrist — and the investor behind K&T Zen. Young tells CHS that he is not purchasing the Roanoke’s building and has no near-term plans to redevelop that stretch of 10th Ave.
“Our plan is to do upgrades to the property and keep our tenants happy,” Dr. Young said. “I knew it (the Roanoke’s building) was for sale but I don’t have the money to buy the property. I know it’s kind of a landmark so I hope something works out.”
Businesses in the buildings Young’s K&T Zen now owns include a chiropractor, a pilates studio and a dog groomer. Young’s investment will soon be sandwiched by two transitioning properties with whatever happens next at 2409 10th Ave E where the Roanoke currently calls home and across Miller where Tidibit Bistro is finishing up its three year run at the location before moving to Broadway later this year. Young suggested to CHS that because the purchase of 2409 10th Ave hasn’t closed yet, perhaps the Roanoke could purchase the land itself.
Chris Price, one of the Roanoke’s owners, says she is focused on finding a new home for the bar on Capitol Hill before their lease ends on July 31. Another suggestion we’ve seen surfaced in CHS comments or on the Roanoke’s Facebook page is for the Roanoke to take over the space at 10th and Miller about to be vacated by Tidbit but Price has told CHS and responded in comments that the restaurant isn’t a likely home for the tavern. Other suggestions from the Facebook conversation the news has sparked: the former Twilight Exit home on Madison, the empty space next to the Lobby Bar on Pike, the old Red Robin on Eastlake, and, gasp, Queen Anne.
If we could have afforded the building, we definitely would have purchased it. The hunt continues.
According to Craiglist, both Tidbit and Huiyona are for sale (though Tidbit may have found a buyer by now).
Huiyona’s moving too? The neighborhood’s just drying up and blowing away all at once.
This is the kind of thing that happens when you allow your staff to feel more important than the customers. Amazing they have been able to hang on as is, but easy when you consider that the old landlord didn’t charge enough rent. I will miss the bar and the people, but treated like crap to hang out there. Bye bye Dennis.
I’ll 2nd that. There was a different vibe at this place, it was the bar nearest my house, i went 2-3 times a month, sometimes for a quick beer while i waited for the bus, sometimes to end my night there. But Dennis is partially right–they did permit their staff to get a little uppity, and it often reflected in the treatment i saw be doled out there by non-regulars. It had a tude def not frequent on the hill, but at the same time, kinda a reverse hipsterism if anyone knows what i mean. The food–eh, the beer, eh, kinda expensive for a bar way up there.
i’ve been going to the noake for years. mainly for the people who hang out there as they are my friends. the staff has been constantly rude to me and many other folks. as for dennis, if you were not a friend of his, or a hot chick he couldn’t careless about serving you until it came time to pay your tab and then it was all about the tip. that goes for dwight and kat also. the rest of the staff were okay to good. it is absolutely amazing that the place has been able to stay open for 15 years after willy sold it to jeff. i’m happy that the joint is changing hands and hope the new owners appreciate the customers as most establishments do. glad the attitude is gone.