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?

Chai House Changes Hands

The rumors are indeed true - Mr. Spot's Chai House is changing owners. We wondered what would happen to the chai brewing business. Luckily, one of our neighborhood readers emailed Jessica and sent us this update on the beloved Chai House.

Yes, I have sold the retail division, the chai house. The new owners are a father and son team, and their mission is to keep the chai house as it is and build upon the success of the last ten years. They will be fixing it up, probably get some new furniture, things like that. They are friends with the Top Pot donut company, so look for some yummy Top Pot donuts soon!!

I am still the chai maker, and have opened wholesale brewery in the Greenwood area. We will still be brewing all the chai for the city from our lovely new headquarters!

Enjoy the new owners at the Chai House and feel free to introduce yourself to them! They are very excited to be a part of the neighborhood!

Cheers!
Jessica Vidican-Neisius
President
Morning Glory Chai

Be sure to check out the changes and keep this awesome spot in business (pun intended...)! Gossip Girl is very glad that we can still get Morning Glory Chai because it's the closest we will get to an exotic vacation in a while.