Slog - Comments on The Grim Ripper http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper Next on the chopping block--B&O Espresso: Some of you may not know this yet, but a developer has proposed razing the landmark B&O Espresso on Capitol Hill. The proposed project would result in a 65' tall, 75-unit apartment complex with retail below. This would eliminate the existing businesses, including the B&O Espresso, as well as the two-fourplex apartments to the north of the B&O. To what degree is redevelopment appropriate and best for the community if it eliminates historical, architectural or cultural connections to our past? How much is enough when it directly jeopardizes and impacts the very core a... Copyright 2008 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:29:45 -0800 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:32:15 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by blaire with an e Maybe we should declare it a historical landmark.

]]> blaire with an e http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946229 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946229 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:47:35 -0800 Comment by Troy This is as pointless as the Ballard Denny's landmark designation, albeit not nearly as ridiculous. Cap Hill is dense, getting denser. Aging 1-story buildings are not. When the time is right, tear it down.

]]> Troy http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946230 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946230 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:47:57 -0800 Comment by teddy b can't we vote to have it named a landmark like the denny's in ballard?! wouldn't that save it from development?

]]> teddy b http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946231 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946231 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:48:19 -0800 Comment by Loser If only you Cap Hill types weren't all so cool, hip, and fashionable. Then we wouldn't have developers wanting to build there. Maybe you should work on that. And "30th anniversary at this location"... I guess it has moved before and survived just fine.

]]> Loser http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946235 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946235 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:57:12 -0800 Comment by King Rat If it's so valuable as a landmark of Seattle's culture, perhaps you should take up a collection to preserve it. Not a petition. A collection. Then buy the thing and bronze it.

]]> King Rat http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946239 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946239 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:07:42 -0800 Comment by Cale Is it a landmark? Looks like a sweet little coffee shop to me. And I just got back from a sweet little coffee shop (chaco canyon) underneath a brand new set of apartments. Not a chain. A unique, one-of-a-kind establishment under a brand spanking new multi-story apartment building.

That being said, I have never been to this particular coffee shop, and it does look nice and lively. It's a shame active buildings like this are being destroyed instead of parking lots and empty buildings.

]]> Cale http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946249 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946249 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:22:36 -0800 Comment by KOM Cale @ 6, Chaco Canyon is a wonderful example to bring up, because I spent so much time in its previous, terribly homey location underneath the Indian cuisine machine that is Cedars. It's hard for me to go to the new Chaco Canyon you speak of - it seems so institutional suddenly - but I recognize its continued excellence all the same. And this will hold true for B & O. How many of us have enjoyed the intense warmth of that special place? The same old posters from Seattle Opera, the French advertisements, the unparalleled desserts in a deliberate darkness that is neither pretentious nor uncomfortable. Yet is was not a restaurant once, but merely a charming cafe with no wait for a table; no doubt there are truly disgruntled Seattlites who never recovered from that either!

]]> KOM http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946252 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946252 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:39:08 -0800 Comment by NapoleonXIV In ten years, you won't be able to see the Space Needle through the planned high-rises anyway.

]]> NapoleonXIV http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946256 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946256 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:01:58 -0800 Comment by Mike in Pioneer Square Seriously, it's just a freakin' coffee shop, and not even really that great.
It's not like they can't move into a new location.

I mean, after all, somebody owns the building, don't they? Do they have rights to use their property the way they choose? Or is it only YOU who has "rights"?

Maybe the property owner should call the ACLU.

]]> Mike in Pioneer Square http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946266 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946266 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:43:48 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle While B&O Espresso was a landmark for myself and many others even before we moved to Seattle, I don't think it's a landmark.

Actually, the planned high rises don't obscure the Space Needle - if you read the zoning plats.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946281 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946281 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:46:55 -0800 Comment by w7ngman What was there before the B&O building?

What's that? No one cares?

]]> w7ngman http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946282 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946282 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:47:25 -0800 Comment by Boylston It looks like the B&O used to be the Belmont Tavern

]]> Boylston http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946296 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946296 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:04:53 -0800 Comment by John has not been there 30 years - moved from ______________ another place - 15 years ago???

too expensive, kinda snobby, all that sugar, yuk

great for hand jobs or at least rub a lotta times and kissing

]]> John http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946312 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946312 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:43:55 -0800 Comment by Erik I've been hearing the B&O-moving rumor for a few years now. It's finally happening? Well, OK. Surely there are other places in Seattle where I can sit down at a table and then be ignored for 20-30 minutes before a server remembers I'm there.

]]> Erik http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946314 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946314 Boom Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:44:30 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Thanks for that, Boylston @12.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946326 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946326 Boom Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:25:38 -0800 Comment by Lincoln O You guys reported this almost two years ago:
http://slog.thestranger.com/2006/04/after_30_years

The real question, raised in that older post, is what kind of retail space is planned for the ground floor of this new development? Could B&O, or a business about that size, afford to rent space there?

]]> Lincoln O http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946368 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946368 Boom Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:16:48 -0800 Comment by elswinger I used to hang out at B&O shortly after they opened. I'm sorry to see it go, but there are so many coffee shops in Seattle, it will only be missed by the people in the neighborhood.

]]> elswinger http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946419 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946419 Boom Sun, 24 Feb 2008 10:46:44 -0800 Comment by :: shawn :: The B&O was a regular hang-out for some guys in a band, and one night it ended up being the place where they came up with their name.."pearl jam" (I heard an interview with Mike McCready where he told that story...in much better detail than I). Anyway, just an interesting "seattle" story. Now commence with the snarky "who cares, I hate pearl jam" comments

]]> :: shawn :: http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946422 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946422 Boom Sun, 24 Feb 2008 10:58:00 -0800 Comment by F Here's the best part. We have this thing called "memory". When we use this "memory" thingy, we get to keep telling stories like in 18. And we don't even need to sit in the dimly lit coffee shop to do so.

]]> F http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946442 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946442 Boom Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:51:39 -0800 Comment by Simac The B&O is a terrible coffee joint. The coffee and desserts are good, yes, yes, but the service is beyond abysmal. Only Cafe Septieme has worse service.

I will not mourn.

]]> Simac http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946449 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946449 Boom Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:00:43 -0800 Comment by the denny's principle A business has be at least as high quality as Denny's for people to care about it. B&O does not qualify.

]]> the denny's principle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946464 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946464 Boom Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:33:47 -0800 Comment by violet_dagrinder Their food sux almost as much as their coffee. Nuke 'em!

]]> violet_dagrinder http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946700 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946700 Boom Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:58:57 -0800 Comment by Vince You voted for Nickels and you got what you deserved!

]]> Vince http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946727 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c946727 Boom Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:38:49 -0800 Comment by john mcDong BUILD BUILD BUILD BUILD BUILD
we must!!! ITS FOR OUR OWN GOOD
we need to outpace bellevue!

]]> john mcDong http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c947027 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c947027 Boom Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:54:48 -0800 Comment by J.R. At least the Starbucks down the street is safe.

]]> J.R. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c947310 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c947310 Boom Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:07:30 -0800 Comment by Lose-Lose Wow, these comments suck. What, did you all move here from Bellevue?

As for #16 -when last threatened, the owner said a new building wouldn't have the same ambiance and charm, and it would bring the end of the B&O. The owner's of Twice Sold Tales up the street said the same thing -some of us don't like the aesthetic of new construction, but we're in the minority so fuck us. Progress! Progress!

Hopefully, though, if this does go down, maybe next they'll consider the original Starbucks in Pike Place. After all, what does charm, aesthetic, or heaven forbid history, have to do with progress. Remember, Progress!

]]> Lose-Lose http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c947465 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c947465 Boom Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:30:12 -0800 Comment by Lose-Lose PS- I'm curious as to who the developer is and how they are tied to Mayor Nickels. Have they donated to him in the past? Worked together? After all, someone's gotta get rich from all this...

]]> Lose-Lose http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c947467 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/the_grim_ripper#c947467 Boom Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:32:15 -0800