Sam’s Tavern was partly reactivate for Pride weekend with plenty of rainbow jello shots on hand
There is, indeed, another deal for Capitol Hill burger bar Sam’s Tavern. It reopens in all of its burger, beer, and Bloody Mary glory Thursday.
In May, CHS reported the 13-year-old tavern was closing. Seattle media and TV stations followed with a steady of flow of outsized nostalgia as the E Pike hangout went dark.
CHS also reported something the TV folks did not — the closure came with a side of new ownership.
Founder James Snyder, exasperated after more than a decade trying to grow a restaurant group in the city but still grateful for his experience being part of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, told CHS he had found a one of a kind buyer for the original Sam’s — new owners uniquely positioned to be able to afford the E Pike rent.
Sam’s will begin July under the wings of Snyder’s former landlords. Husband and wife team Walter Lee and Mari Tiscareño have owned the commercial condo at 11th and Pike since their days running Chino’s, a Taiwanese-Mexican mash-up by way of Los Angeles, in the space before selling the restaurant after one year of business to Snyder.
Jumping back into food and drink ownership may not have been the first choice for the new Sam’s owners. Thursday’s opening will follow weeks of listing the business for sale. One listing asked $1.7 million for a package including the commercial suite. The Chino’s project paid $900,000 for the 2,350-square-foot space in 2011.
We’ve reached out to Lee and Tiscareño about the decision to jump back into Pike/Pine food and drink but haven’t yet heard back.
Sam’s Tavern will re-open Thursday at 1024 E Pike. Follow @og_sams_tavern for updates.
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