(Image: Odd Duck)
Let’s hope this doesn’t become a regular CHS feature. This week, problems making rent are threatening two members of the Capitol Hill food, drink and entertainment scene.
We’ve got eight performances tonight through Sunday evening between six different shows and if there was ever a week to buy tickets and see our shows, this is that week.
Last month, due to some rental and show cancellations by some of our co-producers, we were without anticipated revenue and fell behind on the rent for Odd Duck Studio. We have until Monday, August 15 to raise $2075.69 to be caught up. We started a fundraising campaign on Indie GoGo to help raise the needed revenue. So if you are able too, please contribute to the cause here:
The effort has raised $660 — about 32% of goal — as of early Friday morning. Odd Duck’s Eclectic Theater Company is run by Rik Deskin and makes its home in a building owned by the Henson family for decades, according to King County Records.
Rosebud poured free coffee to promote its new weekday breakfast and lunch service this spring (Image: Rosebud)
Things are also reportedly rough at 18-year-old and counting on E Pike. In a situation similar to a recent find by CHS on the door of the now-shuttered Varro, Seattlest is reporting that a notice was seen posted on Rosebud’s door documenting unpaid rent for their 719 E Pike location. Rosebud has not confirmed the details of the situation.
The E Pike building is owned by Best Block, LLC’s Mark Chambers and Oda Egeland and was purchased for $3.2 million in January 2005, according to King County records.
Last year, we reported that Rosebud, one of the elder statesmen of the Capitol Hill dining scene, had changed hands prompting swift denials from the Rosebud camp. But a perusal of the corporate records for Thanks Mom, LLC reveals only the cast of newcomers — Todd Nordahl, Daniel Varnado and Deron Bartells — on the paperwork. Who owns what isn’t really the issue right now, however. As Seattlest says, you might want to stop by for a drink or three to help boost the ‘Bud’s bottom line.
It will be a real loss if either of these businesses goes away. I love the Rosebud, and the Odd Duck is one of the last affordable small theaters left on the hill.
Odd Duck: Yes.
Rosebud: Todd needs to learn a lesson. Patron’s dollars need to go back into the bar, not his private romper room in the basement.
I agree with Chrystal. Rosebud used to be great. It just isn’t anymore. Thanks, Todd.
Kudos to Chrystal and Trevor! I stopped going and refuse to go back till there are new owners. Todd allowed an employee who was violent and drunk at other local clubs and bars and being awful to customers to continue to work there because they were sleeping together. After complaints nothing was done for quite awhile until other bars were contacting Todd. Poor poor decisions by Todd.
Ah, the Rosebud. I live near it and have been watching them try everything in the book over the last year. First it was game nights, and theme nights every night of the week, then weekend brunch, then a 3rd party BBQ place for lunch, then juvenile marketing (see photo which left me squickish), whiteboards with horrible handwriting, then the remodel and the piano with live entertainment.
On a personal note, I did a half day of commercial photography for them at no charge, because they were supposed to do some fancy marketing with postcards and I would get some exposure. That fell through so I did a half day of work and got nothing in return.
That said, I love the Rosebud as a place to go for drinks. It’s one of the few places that is quiet and intimate enough to have a conversation.
For the restaurant side, there are two things that keep me away:
1. The prices are a little high to go regularly.
2. The booth seats are very high and springy and make you feel like you’re going to topple off.
If they were asking my advice, I’d say:
1. Have a few menu items in the $7-10 range. I would go much more often.
2. Get new booths.
3. Consider a more traditional piano bar style, with a single performer. We haven’t had one since Martin’s closed. And get an entertainer with experience. (All of those I’ve seen there looked under age 25.)
4. Survey your customers, see what they like and what they don’t. More importantly, ask the people who aren’t coming what they want.
5. Expand your happy hour food menu. Nothing on there appeals to me.
Lastly, I feel for them. The restaurant business is trendy, and there are a lot of shiny new ones on the hill. The only way to survive is to be the best at one part of the business. Find your niche. Write a real business plan where you consider your competition. I wish you the best.
Here are the photos I did for them.
http://adonis.smugmug.com/Commercial/Rosebud-best/9677765_rH
Agree. Agree. Agree. Bad customer service. I won’t go back until ownership changes. I used to love Rosebud.
ok…I guess it’s been longer than I thought since I’ve been to the Rosebud. It used to be one of my favorite places on the hill to get drinks and even food on occassion. Sad to hear it’s gone so far downhill.
I’ve also encountered some bad management choices when trying to support them.
Went in this Spring for Happy Hour. When I inquired about the higher prices on the menu vs. the splash page of their site, I was told that the website was 6 months out of date and the waiter said they’ve been complaining to the owners about it for some time.
Waiter was as nice as he could be, but he then had to let me know that even the printed menu he gave me was wrong and hadn’t been updated. I would need to add $.50 onto the beer prices, due to a price increase.
I paid whatever it was, tipped him, wouldn’t go back. Even went to the website and wrote an email to the management suggesting they update their website and menus to help the work of their staff.
No reply.
Great history. Bad presently.
Raise the Roof! Join us from 6pm to 11pm tomorrow Saturday, August 12. Rosebud will be throwing a “Raise the Roof” party with our favorite performers The Vaudevillians, DJ Cas and other special guests. $5 food specials, $5 Monsoon cocktail. There will be a $5 suggested cover, and a portion of of the proceeds will be donated to the Lambert House for gay youth. See ya all there!!
Last time I popped by, the dining area had encroached into what used to be a decent lounge area. And the drinks were more expensive. Two less reasons for me to stop by for a drink although I don’t go there often anyway.
I dislike the new layout intensely…and those stripey old booths are definitely showing their age. I was a regular at Rosebud for a good 10 years or so, but with the change in ownership, the changes to menu, the poor design choices, and the loss of one of my all-time favorite bartenders (Robert), I’m having trouble figuring out why I would want to go back.
One more thing… the last two friends I mentioned Rosebud to said, “isn’t that the lesbian bar? If people are confusing your business with another, it’s time for a name change.
what a sad comment on rosebud restaurant and bar. it’s been a mainstay and fav for locals and out-of-towners for eons. it’s also been a place for many celebs to dine when presenting their films to seattle audiences at the Egyptian. to see this evnerable eatery end this way is a culinary tragedy, in my opinion. such good service…good food…good times were had by many. the new owner, todd what’s-his-face, should be boiled in whatever leftover oil there might be in that quaint, historical kitchen that has been the home to some of the city’s most incredible chefs.
Corey, I’m guessing you didn’t read the other comments here.
lol why would they change their name when they’ve been around for 17 years? i think someone may just be a little butt hurt