Not everything is closing: ‘A new chapter’ at Capitol Hill cocktail bar Belmont plus, yes, a few notes on recent closures

Not everything on Capitol Hill is closing. The cycle of small business life continues. Here’s word on the latest in the neighborhood restaurant and bar M&A activity in addition to notes on a few more recent closures where, more than likely, we’ll soon be writing about the next new food and drink project to take a swing.

• E Pike’s Belmont is getting a re-start. The cocktail joint at Pike and, yes, Belmont has new owners and is undergoing an on-the-fly transition to “a brand new cocktail concept and menu.” Tanakorn “Tanner” Jitmongkonkul and Erin Wilbur from West Seattle’s Otter on the Rocks craft cocktail bar have taken over the Capitol Hill lounge. CHS reported on the 2018 birth of Belmont as founder Mark Brown transitioned his two-year-old wine bar and bottle shop into the new cocktail and couch-centric concept. Belmont’s revival has included a clearing out and overhaul of the space with plans for a grand re-opening in the works. Belmont is at 518 E Pike. Learn more at belmontseattle.com.
• Closures? We’ve reported a few lately. Another has happened inside the Pike Motorworks development where one of the original tenants is closing shop after a decade of relatively affordable light meals and smoothies. Verve Bowls announced the closure of its Pike Motorworks shop saying they planned to keep their downtown and Ballard locatoins open. “We are so thankful for the past 10 years together,” the announcement reads. “The community, the memories, and the growth that we shared has been essential to Verve Bowls’ identity.” New owners took over the small chain in 2023.
• As for Pike Motorworks, the development’s one-of-a-kind microbrewery setup formerly home to Redhook has been available since the beer brand’s 2025 exit.
• 2024-born Stitch Cafe is losing its Capitol Hill lease — and looking for a new home. The E Pine coffee and knitting community space is hoping to raise $11,000. “This campaign will help me move Stitch Cafe to a new location and stabilize the business so it can continue serving as a creative community space,” owner Sarah Chae writes. “Funds will go toward relocation costs, equipment transfer, and bridging the gap during this transition.” Give here.
• E Pike’s Sam’s Tavern has been locked and dark since CHS reported the burger bar’s founder had sold the business to one of the few people who don’t have to worry about Capitol Hill rents — the tavern’s landlord. We don’t know if Sam’s will ever reopen on E Pike but there are signs. The new owners haven’t responded to our questions but a new liquor license for the burger joint was issued Monday.
• One of the quirkier players in Capitol Hill, um, food and drink is shuttering. CHS reported earlier this year on the stoner-focused Bananthony’s Bodega opening in extra space next to the 15th Ave E and Republican Ruckus pot shop “at the corner of weed and weed” with snacks and street style offerings. Capitol Hill entrepreneur and cartoonist Ethan Jones tells CHS things were going pretty darn well for the wacky shop until it came to settling on a fair deal to continue sub-leasing the space. We’re sorry to report that the Banathony’s Bodega experiment is no more.

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