Tractor going out of business? Uh - No.

So this Gossip Girl is on a conference call for work, and one of my business associates said "I hear the Tractor Tavern is going out of business. Their lease it up" I asked where he got this information, and he mentioned his friend owns one of the nice "tea" houses in Ballard.

Could this be true?

Update from The BGG, Our Comments and from the Tractor.

BGG didn't believe this one for a minute. Our comments upon reading this one:

I'm sure Dan will renew the lease...what do those teetotalers know anyway?! I mean, don't leases come up for renewal all the time?

Grant said...

The Tractor's lease is up, and they are being required to comply with the Nightclub Fire Sprinkler Law (an enormous out-of-pocket expense), but the owner of the Tractor is in negotiations with the building owners for a new lease. It might not look good, but I don't think they are throwing in the towel quite yet. Well, as of a couple of weeks ago.

(I work for a fire protection contractor and have been working with the Tractor to negotiate the fire sprinkler installation)

Greg from the Tractor sets the record straight...

hey there this is greg at the tractor. not sure who your totally
unreliable source is about us going out of biz but they have not a
single clue about anything over here. our lease is good for the next 9
years, sprinklers are on the way in and biz is better then it has been
in years. if you have any other questions you know where to find us. thanks

Thanks Greg for telling it like it is! Seriously, we smelled BS on this one. Those people over at the "tea shop" should just stick to what they know best. Drinking Tea and Teetotaling. And by the way, why are there so many stupid Tea shops in Ballard? And why do they think one is nicer than the other?

I Got Souped at the Smoke Shop

Couple of notes about things we love...

Soup and Tee-shirts.

The Smoke Shop has new tee-shirts for sale. Including the blue one pictured at right. Wear it loud and proud to let everyone know you were so loaded that the bartender at this fisherman's dive bar gave you a big bowl of free hot soup. Mmmm. Soup.

Weddings and The 80's.

Some chick sent us pictures of some crazy Lynnwood wedding party they met at the Smoke Shop this weekend. The story is that the bride and bridesmaids headed to the Smoke Shop after the wedding and the groom hit the Casino. They were decked out in what can only be described as the best of 80's prom dresses. Check out the sparkly red number on Miss Pink Pumps over there ->

We think it was actually a Bachelorette Party. But we're just sayin' that so no one from Lynnwood gets mad at us. Especially those nice guys at the bar talking to the lovely bride. Or her husband.

Hairy Hamburgers...er...I mean Hamburger Harry's

Things we like:

Look at this plate! Yummy delicious thin panko-like coated onion rings. Generous slice of smoked gouda on the delicious BBQ-a-riffic chicken burger. Delight.

Things we don't like:

Bars and restaurants who cheap out and play the radio as dining entertainment and ambient music. Seriously, I do NOT want to listen to commercials blasting while I eat. Especially commercials on channels like Jack FM and KISW. Please. It's the 21st century. Get an iPod like everyone else or get a juke box or just subscribe to those cable radio stations.

Other than that, Harry's Hamburgers were pretty darn good. Although I didn't notice a seafood burger. Alas, we'll just have to make our own. Oh, and as we predicted, they have all you can eat fries. At least they're not steak fries.

Singing for Cash on Ballard Ave

Nose to Nose

This guy sang a beautiful version of (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay last night on Ballard Ave. We always appreciate street musicians who will sing for their bread. And really, he had a wonderful voice. We know it looks like he's yelling but he wasn't.

You never know what you'll find after midnight on Ballard Avenue! Here's to kicking it old school.

Police activity at US Bank last night

Last night this BGG was minding her own business, when cops came blazing through the US bank parking lot with guns drawn. They circled the building, then left.

Very perplexing, and a bit disconcerting......anyone know what happened?


#15 over and out.

Paseo to Open on Tuesday

The menus are posted on the walls and a brief encounter recently with some workers informed us that Paseo will open on Tuesday.

The bread, the pork, the corn...it is all coming. While I morn the loss of Gordo's there is something reassuring about the fact the building was not torn down for another condominium.

Let's all support Paseo and their new efforts on Shilshole. Opening Tuesday!

Sundays at the Stepping Stone

Things We Like
So we haven't posted much lately for a number of reasons. Namely, we're all grown-ups and have real jobs which require us to travel and we haven't been in town much this summer because we've been on the road. Or else we wouldn't be able to afford to live in the newly expensive Ballard. Regardless, we were able to get out and about this weekend and found a gem you really should know about!

Step on in to the Stepping Stone on Sundays for Record Night. Hello! They weren't open on Sundays before but Hotty McHotface bartender wanted to work Sundays so their hook is Album Night. Bring in some Vinyl and they will play it! Fun. And if anyone thinks it sucks, they can buy you a beer and yank the album. It is hands down a great way to share albums and enjoy some the hyper-local Northwest scene. They're located at 5903 24th Ave NW near the Cig Shop, Java Bean and Austin Cantina.

In case you didn't know, the tavern's concept is sustainable and local which extends from their beer and wine to their decor. The Stepping Stone offers free peanuts in the shell and if that won't get you in there, then we don't want to know you. Really, you had me at vinyl but the free peanuts sealed the deal.