When LC’s Kitchen opens for lunch at 11:30 this morning, just five days will remain before the doors are locked for good.
The popular neighborhood restaurant, which just celebrated its seventh anniversary on March 4, will close at the end of the night this coming Saturday, April 2.
It wasn’t planned this way. “I’m in a state of shock at how sudden it is,” said Chef Pauline Wickey, who opened the restaurant at 8007 Lake City Way N.E. on March 4, 2004.
Wickey, who for years was a mainstay of the old Maple Leaf Grill (before it burned down and was reopened in its current location), said their landlord indicated on March 19 that he wanted them out, or he would significantly increase their rent.
Several readers have already commented on the restaurant. “This place is a Maple Leaf favorite, my husband and I have frequented them for the last 7 years,” one wrote. “Hate to lose such a homey local place!” said another. And Annie wrote on Maple Leaf Life’s Facebook page: “Please tell your friends and neighbors to go to LC’s Kitchen at 8007 Lake City Way before April 2nd! Its their last day! :(”
Wickey has been calling regular customers to warn them that time’s up. LC’s is open today through Friday from11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can reach the restaurant at 206-522-1114.
Several years ago the Seattle Post-Intelligencer wrote, in a review of The Jones Bistro: “Years from now, when Maple Leaf is known as ‘the new Ballard,’ we’re going to mark The Jones and nearby LC’s Kitchen as the spots where it all began.”
Now all, including the P-I, become history.
A review in the Maple Leaf Community Council newsletter praised LC’s: “The restaurant is small, the view at best could be described as ‘territorial’ (Lake City Way rushes by just outside), the food superb. Wickey specializes in fresh fish, decisive spices, tangy salads. Market-fresh seafood stew can change daily, and has never disappointed. Grab the oyster stew, if it’s on the menu, and delight in luscious oysters bathed in a garlic cream sauce. It’s so rich it might count as dessert.”
Wickey said she doesn’t know exactly what comes next. “I need to stop and rest and figure out the next step. There’s something out there – I just know it.”
And she thanked her customers. “I’m just completely grateful for the amount of support and following I’ve had.”
She said fans can stay in touch with LC’s through the restaurant’s Facebook page, where the most recent post is: “LC’s Kitchen Last Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner!”
The landlord is kicking them out so that his son can have the space for his business. It is appalling. Putting a well-loved neighborhood restaurant out of business just so junior can use the site that LC’s Kitchen has worked so hard in, and putting good people out of work in this economy.
We went there today for a last lunch, and it was delicious! It was sad that more people weren’t there with us.
I’m in with Jon’s idea to boycott that space. Potential new tenants should read this and understand that the landlord does not have neighborhood support. We confirmed that he is the same guy who has left the block vacant on Roosevelt way and NE 89th for these many years (10 come next Thanksgiving), blighting our community. He obviously doesn’t care about us, why should we care about him?
I hope nobody moves in there without reading this while doing their market research.
A damn shame… This deserves some additional follow up…
Pauline has a gift with fresh spicy fare – please let us know where she settles.
I will always hold a deep fondness and great memories of LC’s. Pauline, Judy, and Kevin always treated my family like thier best friends. It was the closest to having my own bar stool at Cheer’s I’ve ever experienced. What a great seven years! Looking forward to whatever is next. The Landlord can claim whatever Karma he earns from his decision.
This is a huge bummer.
Perhaps we should boycott whatever business moves into this space in his building. Perhaps if his tennants can’t make the big money he thinks they can, he’ll feel the pain that the community is feeling by him kicking out Pauline and her restaurant.
This is a sad piece of news and it doesn’t even sound legal to me. How can a landlord give a thriving business two weeks notice to get out or face a steep increase in rent? Pauline, we hope you stay in the neighborhood. We’ll follow you wherever you land!
Their windows were always too dark! Couldn’t even tell if there was anyone alive in there sitting at a red light right out front! C-ya! erm, no pun intended?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the landlord the same guy who owns the burned down site of the old Maple Leaf Grill/Reckless Video?
His excellent stewardship of property is evident every day in the heart of our neighborhood…
Sad to hear about LC’s Kitchen; I hope she’s able to find a better spot.
Our favorite restaurant! Damn!
The question is why? What does the landlord want to put in their place? It sounds like the landlord is raising the rent to force them out not because of greed. Very strange.
Such a shame to lose a great restaurant..not because of the usual reason of not enough customers but of a greedy landlord!! Is a loss for all of us. Hope KC’s can find new digs nearby.