Thanks to a CHS reader for the photo

After nearly 15 years of providing affordable meals to Capitol Hill and the students of Seattle Central, Mia’s off Broadway has permanently closed.

Regulars noticed something was up when a Thanksgiving break closure stretched on and knew it was a done deal when a new paper sign went up advertising “Korean style” corn dogs coming soon.

Owners Bill and Mia Lawrence have posted a brief goodbye note to make the closure official:

After 15 wonderful years, we have decided to close our doors and move on to the next chapter in our lives. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank every one of you — our incredible and precious customers, who treated us with such kindness and love over the years, and who allowed us to pour our hearts into serving you. We will remember you for the rest of our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

“And who knows,” the message concludes, “maybe we will meet up again sometime. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

We’ve reached out in hope of talking with the Lawrences more about their decision to sell and will update if we hear back.

By CHS’s best estimate, Mia’s opened around 2006 or 2007. We visited for this photo in 2010. (Image: CHS)

Mia’s, the tiny cafe on the southeast corner of Seattle Central’s sprawling parking garage complex, became neighborhood famous for affordable dishes featuring everything from teriyaki to sandwiches. It opened in the mid-2000s when Mia was working in the kosher deli that called the corner home and found out her boss was planning to sell the place. Moishe’s off Broadway was out. Mia’s was in. CHS talked to Mia Lawrence about her restaurant as part of a round-up of Capitol Hill’s tiniest food and drink joints.

Mia’s will replaced by a new restaurant called Korn Dog promising, yes, Korean-style corn dogs.

The sale marks the second exit this week CHS has reported on in Capitol Hill’s diverse food and drink scene. On Broadway, Star Fusion and Bar announced it will close and make way for as of yet undisclosed new restaurant in one of the largest food and drink spaces in Capitol Hill’s commercial core.

At the Mia’s space at Harvard and Pine where Korn Dog will now become neighbors with fellow parking garage cheap eats provider Hot Mama’s, the long term will bring major changes.

The very, very long-term plan at Harvard and Pine

Seattle Central is planning more than 500 beds of student housing on the site of the massive, 510-stall parking garage. The garage and restaurant spaces would be demolished and rebuilt with about 260 parking spots, which would include charging stations for electric bikes and cars, and the housing built above. But like most massive projects involving public institutions, that plan is part of long term efforts set to play out over the next decade — or maybe two.

In the meantime, Korn Dog now gets its chance to become part of the neighborhood as Bill and Mia enjoy a well-deserved break.

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