Beer Beer Beer

The juxtaposition of these two articles amused me.

McMenamins coming to Bothell? City Council discussing it today

Not too long ago, McMenamins was interested in developing a hotel, pub and entertainment facility at the old seminary building at St. Edward State Park in Kenmore. The neighborhood freaked out. Opponents feared that the renovated seminary would promote underage drinking and fill the streets with inebriated motorists. Hurray for the neighborhood, they successfully chased McMenamins away.

Meanwhile, this weekend… Washington Brewers Festival is 3 days of suds in Kenmore

Get a peek at the new local beers rolling out this summer at the three-day Washington Brewers Festival in Kenmore, starting Friday.

Live music, contests and games and a children’s play area that includes a root-beer tent will be set up.

And where will this festival be taking place? St. Edward State Park, of course.

Mr. Lupori discusses Kenmore’s rejection of McMenamins in a pair of posts here:

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Ch-ch-ch-Changes Around Kenmore

All kinds of changes happening around Kenmore in the past week or so…

The new unnecessary traffic signals at both ends of NE 181st St behind Safeway have been activated.

New Traffic Signal at 181st & 73rd
New Traffic Signal at 181st & 68th

Grocery Outlet has moved, opening in their new location in Kenmore Square yesterday.

New Grocery Outlet Location

The new store looks great, and has much better visibility than their old location in Kenmore Village. They were smart to jump on this space as soon as it became available, considering the public statements from Urban Partners, the supposed eventual developer of Kenmore Village, that they basically aren’t welcome to stay in the fancy-schmancy new upscale downtown when it finally gets built (whenever that will be).

Speaking of Kenmore Village, the grand future downtown of Kenmore is looking more and more like a ghost town with each passing month. Here’s an update of our map.

Kenmore Village Map

Meanwhile, across the street, new foliage is being planted at the new “green” city hall:

Planting time at the new City Hall

It’s spring time in the city of Kenmore, I suppose.

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Do they sell liquor to people that are already super wasted?

In case you didn't notice: STORE CLOSED

Good thing they put up those handwritten signs. Otherwise how would their potential patrons ever have figured out that this location has been closed?

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Best Friend Blinds Banish Free Peeks for Bothell Way Drivers

A couple weeks ago, the Bothell/Kenmore Reporter ran a story that briefly mentioned the coffee stand at 73rd & Bothell Way here in Kenmore…

In Kenmore, Mayor David Baker said City Hall staffers routinely receive complaints regarding Best Friends, many coming from parents who say young children easily can see into the roadside stand. Baker said officials have discussed the issue, but declined to go into details.

“We are aware of it, we do know of it,” he said.

To me that almost sounds like some sort of veiled threat from the Mayor there. Interestingly, as I drive by Best Friend, I have noticed a slight change in the weeks since that story ran.

Best Friend Espresso

Pretty much since the story ran, the blinds in the windows facing Bothell Way, which used to stay open, have been closed. Coincidence? Probably not.

Looks to me like Best Friend owner Wayne Hembree caught the hidden message in Mayor Baker’s remarks to the Reporter and decided to preemptively avoid a confrontation with City Hall. Probably a good move.

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Kenmore Village Exodus Continues

As noted a few days ago over on Kenmore Blog.net, Kenmore’s branch of The Little Gym, currently located between the old Ostrom’s location and the Liquor Store in Kenmore Village, is leaving Kenmore for apparently greener pastures up in Lynnwood.

For those of you keeping score at home, the departure of The Little Gym in the next month or so will leave the commercial space (i.e. – not counting City Hall) in the city-owned Kenmore Village property over half empty, with five of nine storefronts vacant. By square footage, the commercial space will be just under half empty.

Businesses that have moved or gone out of business, leaving Kenmore Village in the last year or so include:

  • Ostrom’s Drugs – drugstore – moved to 6414 NE Bothell Way
  • The Little Gym – children’s gym – moving to Lynnwood
  • Hidden Treasures – thrift store – closed
  • Reign’s Realm – children’s clothing & supplies consignment store – closed
  • Taco Guyamas – fast food mexican restaurant – closed

Here’s a map of Kenmore Village in its current state (click to enlarge):

Kenmore Village Map

Eventually as I have the time, I will be expanding this map to include all of Kenmore’s business zones. Your input is welcome.

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