August 4

News about three Maple Leaf businesses – including the vacant building across from the park

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13  comments

Sharon emailed last week: “Probably you have noticed…my husband and I saw a land-use action sign re: the block across from the park (Northeast 86th Street and Roosevelt Way Northeast, I think) last weekend.

“It announced a 20-unit mixed use development.”

We hadn’t noticed. It’s the building/parking lot with the Maple Leaf Park design displayed, which once belonged to the former owner of Maple Leaf Ace Hardware.

It’s a great location, and over the years many local businesses have eyed it.

According to the permit application, the proposal for the property at 8521 Roosevelt Way N.E. is for a “4-story mixed use structure containing 20 residential units and 5,000 sq. ft. of retail.

“Parking for 20 vehicles to be provided at grade and ten vehicles within the structure. Existing structure to be demolished.”

The new owner is listed as MRN Holmes LLC, at 7556 12th Ave. N.E.

Green Skunk

Mike emailed today:” I noticed this morning as I was pushing my bike with a flat tire on the sidewalk down Roosevelt,  that the location of our neighborhood medical cannabis pharmacy on the 9400 block appears to have cleared out over the weekend.”

Indeed. The Green Skunk, which moved to 9414 Roosevelt Way N.E. only last October,  is empty.

There’s no information on its web, Facebook or Twitter sites, and its phone has been “temporarily disconnected.”

Maple Bar

The new Maple Bar will open Saturday, Aug. 23th.

We know because the owners had the table next to us at the Maple Leaf Summer Social, and told us so.

It replaces the departed-but-lamented Maple Leaf Grill at 8929 Roosevelt Way N.E.

Get a first glimpse at its food here.

Bonus business: Setsuna.

It’s just north of Maple Leaf, but the Japanese Setsuna Restaurant building, just north of QFC at 11204 Roosevelt Way N.E., is signed “up for sale.”

About the author 

Sara W

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  1. While I’m a very pro-density person I’ll agree the townhouses across from the Roosevelt Ale House are really badly designed and don’t fit the neighborhood. A mixed use building with ground floor retail would have been a much better fit.

  2. Heather I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your comment, other than generalizing. Not all townhouses in the neighborhood look the same. Check out the four new ones going in at the NW corner of 95th & Roosevelt. Very different from most of the other townhouses built in this neighborhood earlier this century (two of the four are completely detached!). Reminds me of the house at 89th & 5th, but with more wood.

    No, I’m not bothered that an old building is being removed. Structures are built to serve a purpose. Once they no longer serve their purpose there is no reason to keep them around. Further, construction technology has advanced and buildings are much better built today than they were 90 years ago.

    My 2¢

  3. And also isn’t anyone bothered by the fact that this building is one of the original structures to this area and has some beauty and historical significance solely related to that?

  4. Though I am completely entitled to my opinion and to express it in a public forum any way I respectfully choose, I will elaborate. I was not making a get realization about all townhouses or condos, I was referring to the newly built ones across from Roosevelt Ale House. If you happen to live in those…well then I stand by my original comment, I find them unattractive and ill fitting for the neighborhood.

  5. There are nearby farmer’s markets in the U-District and Lake City, I doubt one could survive in that space. I like the idea of more density and mixed use buildings in the area, they bring in more people to support local business and more local businesses. I think there are a lot more local residents here than around Thorton Place. I’d love to see more restaurants and bars and have a nice walkable group of businesses to frequent.

  6. The track record of the ground-floor retail for these type of retail/residential developments in not-so-dense areas like Maple Leaf has been spotty at best. What we often see is “For Lease” signs for a long time. Even Thornton Place has had difficulty filling up all of the retail space.

  7. I have to agree with Tim. I like the idea of a farmers market, but I can’t see one surviving or having much to offer in that little space. It’s too small. Not too mention there are larger ones pretty close by in Lake City, Phinney, and the U-district.

    I like the idea that the development will include retail/business space. That is a lot better than just residential. Let’s hope that some thriving businesses open in the location. I agree that a bar, restaurant, or something that fosters people gathering would be best. Not some hair salon or acupuncture place.

  8. Wish we could have had another restaurant. It would encourage the neighborhood to get out and walk, meet, greet and get to know each other. I understand it is capitalism that drives the employing, building and selling

  9. Also inaccurate. Townhouses are not mixed-use.

    And I’m not sure how good a farmer’s market in a 250 square foot building would be. Perhaps St. Catherine’s would be willing to allow partial use of their 35,000+ square foot parking lot.

  10. That is offensive commentary, Heather! Your neighbors who reside in townhomes are just as much a member of the community as a condo or home owner. Neighbors are supposed to be welcoming, not condemning just because some people choose not to own traditional homes. Maybe consider those who live in townhomes before speaking so negatively of them…

  11. I really would love to see that space used as a year round farmers market, we certainly do not need more ugly townhouses.

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