A man was reported shot and killed overnight at Broadway and Pike and police were searching for three vehicles seen leaving the area early Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill.
Police were called to the 76 gas station at the intersection just before 3 AM to a report of multiple gunshots and the cars fleeing the area northbound on Broadway. Continue reading
(Image: The Jilted Siren)
A Capitol Hill lounge is closing in what small business advocates say could be the start of a year of shutdowns for Seattle’s restaurants, bars, and small businesses most impacted by the 2025 expiration of the city’s tip credit.
The Jilted Siren announced headed into the holidays they were shutting down the Bellevue Ave location and considering a possible reopening in a more affordable location.
Their last night of business came over the weekend. How the city’s food and drink industry is faring, The Jilted Siren’s ownership says, will be part of the decision on whether — and where — to reopen.
“We will see what shakes out w all the changes coming in January. Seattle City council made some pretty short sighted, negligent decisions and there are going to be quite a few casualties from it,” the lounge posted on social media. Continue reading
July brought a sea of pink to E Pike to see Chappell Roan as Capitol Hill Block Party nearly ripped apart at the seams with a record crowd
Here is a look back at the year that was across Capitol Hill and Seattle. It is a look back at massive investments like the opening of the more than $140 million RapidRide G transit and street overhaul to Madison. It is a look back at challenges and sadness like the killings of Ruth Dalton, Paul Ewell, and Kenji Spurgeon. It is, hopefully, a look forward to doing more to solve the intersections of community, safety, and security that took a young life Amarr Murphy-Paine from us much too soon. In the coming year, there will be stories of justice and CHS will tell those. We also hope to tell stories of sorting out these challenges and making new great things. CHS wishes you a happy 2025 — here are the things that happened in 2024 that will help build the year ahead.
RapidRide G debuted in September
JANUARYCapitol Hill gay bars and clubs banded together to push back on the state liquor board and Seattle Police after a weekend “lewd conduct” crackdown reminiscent of historical harassment of Seattle’s LGBTQ friendly venues… Amid the company’s legendarily massive bankruptcy, office space giant WeWork closed its Capitol Hill location… Thomas and Rebecca Soukakos said goodbye to Capitol Hill, closing Omega Ouzeri and ending their 40 years of food and drink in the neighborhood… Marco Casas Beaux passed away and his Broadway venues Boca Restobar and Grill and Boca Pizzeria and Bakery shuttered… Rancho Bravo closed… Fuel reopened the Vivace Broadway coffee walk-up. Later in the year, the counter will again shut down over costs and staffing challenges… The 6-story “U-shaped” development set to reshape Broadway’s Bait Shop block started the city’s design review process… Pinoyshki Bakery and Cafe opened on E Pine… The First Hill building once home to Vito’s burned and was later demolished… Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth shaped her legislative team… President Sara Nelson promised a “reset in tone” for the council… Cascade Public Media came to Broadway… it was really cold. Continue reading
(Image: Capitol Thrill)
Just over three years of business is a pretty good run for a tiny retail operation. Sadly, the thrill is gone. Capitol Thrill has closed.
The E Pike boutique shuttered headed into the holiday break as owner Jeff Gonzales told customers about his planned closure citing the location’s expensive lease and spotty business.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you who have supported my little shop over the years. Your smiles, stories and support have meant the world to me and I have treasured every moment creating a safe space for queer artists, brands and community in this incredible neighborhood,” Gonzalez said. Continue reading
See something others should know about? Email CHS or call/txt/Signal (206) 399-5959. You can view recent CHS 911 coverage here. Hear sirens and wondering what’s going on? Check out reports from @jseattle or join and check in with neighbors in the CHS Facebook Group.
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This year’s holiday card setting will be a familiar one for the neighborhood — a scene of E Madison under construction. But the colors of the new sculpture from Seattle artist Ben Zamora shine through along the now open RapidRide G bus line that has changed the streetscape along Madison between the waterfront and Madison Valley. Like so many elements of the new transit investments, the sculpture is mostly complete but somehow still surrounded by construction equipment and barriers. Sometimes, it feels like RapidRide G will never be complete. This too shall pass.
Zamora’s work, designed to display multiple color gradients depending on where one stands to view it, can also be a symbol for the year ahead. The attacks and erosion suffered by human progress have come at multiple scales, sometimes larger, sometimes small. The sculpture will give Capitol Hill, the Central District, and the corners of 14th and Madison another marker to be proud of — and defend.
Happy holidays. May you successfully mount a defense of getting some extra rest or at least an extra cookie or two. CHS is also resting but not far away. If there is something we should know about, call or text (206) 399-5959 or say hey @jseattle here or here. You can also check in with neighbors in the CHS Facebook Group. Thanks for reading CHS.
$5 A MONTH TO HELP KEEP CHS PAYWALL-FREE
🌈🐣🌼🌷🌱🌳🌾🍀🍃🦔🐇🐝🐑🌞🌻
Subscribe to CHS to help us hire writers and photographers to cover the neighborhood. CHS is a pay what you can community news site with no required sign-in or paywall. To stay that way, we need you.
Become a subscriber to help us cover the neighborhood for $5 a month -- or choose your level of support 👍
The Wildrose, Capitol Hill’s iconic lesbian bar, is celebrating an incredible milestone: 40 years as a cornerstone of Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community. With a claim as the longest-running lesbian bars in the nation, the Wildrose has weathered decades of change, remaining steadfast in its mission to provide a safe, inclusive space.
“The original owner was incredible,” recalls co-owner Martha Manning. “She was a civil rights attorney who created a safe space for women because there was a need for it.”
From its founding as a cooperative in 1984, the Wildrose was politically significant, establishing itself as more than a bar — it was a sanctuary.
Fast forward to today, and the Wildrose’s impact continues. Manning reflects on moments when the team felt defeated or jaded, only to be reminded of the bar’s vital role in the community on Capitol Hill — and beyond. “Sometimes you lose sight of what it means to people, but the community’s support has always shown us how much they want this space to exist.” Continue reading
Here are the top stories from this week in CHS history:
A Capitol Hill closing pizza party as Blotto says goodbye to 12th Ave
(Image: Madison Police Department)
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has chosen an outsider from Madison, Wisconsin’s to lead the Seattle Police Department.
Harrell announced Friday that he has selected Shon Barnes to be the next SPD chief citing the 24-year policing veteran’s success reducing crime in Madison in his three years leading the department.
The selection comes as Chief Barnes has led the Madison Police Department’s response and investigation to the Abundant Life Christian School shooting.
“Earlier this week, under tragic circumstances, the nation received its introduction to Chief Shon Barnes,” Harrell said in the announcement of Barnes’s selection. “We all saw firsthand what our team has known since we began this recruitment process – that Chief Barnes possesses the impressive leadership capabilities, compassionate approach, and dedication to effective police work needed to continue moving our Police Department forward.” Continue reading
From Make It Rain, a Seattle Graffiti Documentary cited in the investigation
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is touting the filing of “34 felony criminal cases against 17 defendants” for tagging calling the crime “acts of vandalism that have causes thousands of dollars in damages across King County.”
Officials said this week the charges come after “a months-long effort” from the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, Seattle Police, the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol to crack down on taggers and the MSP and BTM graffiti crews that work up and down the I-5 corridor. Police say the taggers behind marks including GRIDE, WESH, and DOTCOM are part of the investigation. Continue reading
