Not much is kept under lock and key?tighter than the comings and goings of property and business transactions. They?re bought and sold with little fanfare or publicity with the stealth of an Amazon deal. Magnolia Voice has heard conversations about more than a few offerings and closings in the Village lately, so here?s a rundown of?what we know. Admittedly, there is plenty we don?t.
Nothing is?more public than placing an ad on Craig?s List. A reader noticed one ?Acclaimed Magnolia Seafood Bistro? on the block asking $175,000. Tanglewood Supreme is for sale boasting one of ?Seattle?s next hot chefs of 2014? by Seattle Met Magazine. There is plenty more to brag about including a liquor-by-the-drink bar, seating for 30, and high-end restaurant equipment.
Magnolia Voice spoke to Kent Chappelle, owner of Tanglewood Supreme about his plans for selling the restaurant. He says it?s not because business is bad, on the contrary.
?We?re doing great,? he exclaims. ?It?s been a dream come true. I?ve loved owning this place. We are not going bankrupt or out of business, I?m simply selling the business.?
With three children in school, Chappelle and his wife never envisioned owning the restaurant for 20 years. They’ve got other plans.
?This is a super-viable business. Whatever the next owner wants to do…come in and change the concept, that?s up to them,? he says.
Another Village restaurant is also offered for purchase, albeit an older establishment. Chef/Owner Alan Chen (64) of Gim Wah Restaurant at 3418 West McGraw Street tells Magnolia Voice he?s hanging up his apron after 35 years. Originally owned by his father, Chen took over the business and has served lunch and dinner since then. ?The Gim? has a dining room and full bar with a dedicated clientele who appreciate a drink that?s never weak, and who love the straight-up Chinese food. Try the Mongolian Beef and Pork Fried Rice while you still can.
Down the block, some dealings have businesses changing locations including the Spirit of Magnolia liquor store. Business owner Mamuye Ayele tells Magnolia Voice he wishes to move his package store to a nearby location with a little smaller footprint than the current spacious locale previously operated by the State of Washington. Ayele?s liquor license has a provision to be within one mile of the current address.
CORRECTION:?Now, in a statement made to Magnolia Voice by Lauren Hendricks of Windermere Real estate, it is revealed seven bids are in for business entities proposing to move into the old Leroux location at 3220 West McGraw Street, including the Spirit of Magnolia. A decision should be made by the trustee, Key Bank, in the next two weeks, according to Hendricks.
Heard on the street ? word of sales representatives asking nearby owners of similar businesses if they want to purchase the property upon which the Union 76 gas station now sits. Reported asking price: $1.3 million.
No word back from the architecture firm of Roger H. Newell who explained last April how construction of apartments on property owned by Terry Yoshikawa at 2406 32nd Avenue West near Ace Hardware would ?probably? begin this summer. Well, summer?s over. Keep your fingers crossed.
And this…employees tell Magnolia Voice there is a change of ownership at Finn?s bakery. With brown paper now over the windows, we?re told a French couple has made the purchase of the business and will take over October 1. The bakers will stay the same, according to sources. You should look for specialty macaroons and an emphasis on internet sales.