The public café and showroom is a worldwide first for La Marzocco

If you've ever had an espresso, there's a good chance your barista poured it from a La Marzocco machine. The 89-year-old manufacturer was once the primary supplier for local giant Starbucks; thanks to that former relationship, Seattle became a home away from home for the Italian company, which has its North American headquarters in Ballard.

Now La Marzocco is cutting out the middleman at its first ever public café and showroom in global radio sensation KEXP's new home in the Seattle Center.

In part devoted to La Marzocco’s long history in Seattle, the showroom will be home to an astounding collection of vintage espresso machines and coffee gear. 

A main attraction of the industrial-chic space, inspired by La Marzocco's factory in Florence as well as Italian coffee bars the company helped design in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, will be the "Roasters in Residence" program. Coffee companies from around the globe will have an opportunity to participate in one-month residencies, brewing their beverages, and selling their beans.

Western Neon did the signage in the cafe, including the thick dimensional letters on the shelves, the illuminated logo window sign, Founder, Piero Bambi's quote on the wall and the brass lion inlaid in the floor. Statues of lions with a raised paw holding a shield with the lily flower, are a symbol of Florence, Italy. 

Café Solstice Capitol Hill

The Cafe Solstice owners opened a second location on the corner of 10th Avenue and East Thomas Street on Capitol Hill this summer.  Their original location is in the University District.

Café Solstice is at it's root a coffee shop, but they are so much more than that. They use locally-sourced providers for both of their cafes.  

They pull espresso shots made with Lighthouse Roasters coffee, and their pastries and baked goods are made right in the café. They also serve some fantastic beer from Elysian Brewing Company.  Their beautiful new sign with rusted routed faces, back lit with red neon was designed and fabricated by Western Neon Custom Sign.  

Stop in and say hi to Doug & Joel; check out the amazing buffalo head on the wall, sample one of their hot Panini sandwiches or house-made soups, and a cold brew.

Shipwrecked in Wallingford

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net forever.”
                                                                           - Jacques Cousteau

A Seattle neighborhood "dive" bar watched over by a boozy Octopus.   You can't miss this new hangout, just watch for the beautiful neon sign with the octopus tentacle wrapped around an anchor!!

The Octopus Bar is on a mission to enhance Seattle's identity and become a treasured landmark! 

Owner/bartender Liza Danger, can transform your worst day into a day worth living with a simple smile and a few kind words.  Trevor, another owner, is a friendly spirit both in the bar and around town – wink, wink! 

Stop in and set sail for parts unknown.  http://theoctopusbar.com/  

SODO was rocking last night . . .

Western Neon partied down last evening with customers, friends and family.  Everyone was on hand to celebrate the new Rainier R, prior to it being placed back on the old Rainier Brewery later this month.

There was food, live music provided by Tip to Base, and enough Rainier Beer on hand to float a ferry.  Guests were able to see glass bending demos and walk through WN's metal fabrication area, as well as get pictures taken with the soon to be famous new "R".

Oh, and the famous Rainier Beers made an appearance.

Check out a little of the action.

 Western Neon Fabricators and Installers

 Old Rainier Sign from Tacoma Brewery

 Glass Bending Demo

 Fred Stray - Eastside Ice Machines

Best Ice Man on the West Coast

 Cupcake Royale Special Cupcakes

Original Sign from WN 

Tully's 'T' removal from Seattle's Historic Rainier Brewery

After 13 years atop the Rainier Brewery building, Tully's big, green "T" came down today.  The “R” was replaced with the “T” in 2000 by Tully’s.

Rainier worked with MOHAI and Seattle sign company Western Neon to produce an exact replica of the red Rainer “R." A partnership between Rainier and Columbia Distributing paid for the sign.

The new Rainier “R” will be installed in October. The original “R” is at the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood.

Giant red ‘R’ will light up Seattle’s skyline again

The giant green “T” that has stood atop the old Rainier Brewery by Interstate 5 for the past 13 years will be replaced this fall by a true Seattle icon: a giant red “R.”

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2021844545_tullysrainierxml.html

The Yard Cafe in Greenwood

Are you looking for a neighborhood joint that lets you laze in the sun as you sip a microbrew, munch on tasty Mexican and pub fare and keep tabs on a Mariners game?

The Yard Cafe is that kind of hangout. To spot this ultracasual Greenwood bar and bistro just off busy N., 85th Street, be on alert for the sign — or you might think this fenced-in spot with a grouping of picnic tables is, yes, somebody’s no-frills yard.

Western Neon designed and fabricated a projecting vertical sign with rusted 

steel cabinets and perforated returns. The routed out face is backed with 

white acrylic and illuminated with clear red neon.

Actually, it’s a joint with an open patio, a small sports bar and another area of tucked-away indoor seating that nobody bothers with in sunny weather. There’s good grub, and 18 microbrews on tap.  

Stop in and say "hi" to Jamie Butler or Travis Eaton and try the quarter-pounder Yard Burger with pico de gallo, aioli, and butter lettuce.

Pork Saves!!

Mo & Al Heck stopped by Western Neon to talk about a neon sign for their distillery in Woodinville and few months ago.  They also sell fabulous sausage, chops and bacon in their tasting room.  So we brainstormed and came up with two designs for them, both so clever that they couldn't decide, so had us fabricate both, one for the window and the other for the wall in the tasting room.

Mo Heck of Project V Distillery & Sausage Company in Woodinville creates TRUE CRAFT spirits from Washington winter wheat grown by Mo’s Aunt & Uncle, Anita & Joe Sprauer just outside Withrow WA since 1889.  It is the optimum ingredient for premium spirits.  They even build their own stills!

Spent grain leftover from the distilling process is put to another local use as Jeremy and Sue Gross raise pigs on this grain at Bucking Boar Farm, in Snohomish WA. which they, in turn, create a fantastic sausage from. (Yep, its available in 1 pound packages, so are chops & bacon, in their tasting room).

Sounds like it's time for an outing to Woodinville!!!   Who doesn't love bacon???

Saltoro in Greenwood

Saltoro is a neighborhood favorite in Greenwood, straightforward food, friendly service & you can sometimes sit by the fireplace or on the deck.

What made it an instant hit is that rare combination of great food and service, affordable prices, casual comfort and a willingness to keep the customers satisfied.

A neighborhood gem, and now they have this beautiful new eye-catching sign.

Cupcake Royale to open Downtown on Pine Street

Western Neon is excited to be working with our favorite cupcake chain on their new signage.  


The local cupcake chain will open its sixth outpost at 108 Pine, formerly home of the Chocolate Box and Molly Moon’s.  Owner Jody Hall plans to introduce a new line of ice creams, and a sign on the door claims we’re in for “the most amazing transformation in the history of chocolate."  The Chocolate Box is moving into the space next door.

Rub Shack - Another winner by Tom Douglas

Take a stroll down the street when you're at the Pike Place Market to check out the Rub Shack, right between Etta’s and Seatown. This is the place where you can stop in for a sandwich or pick up some rotisserie meats or chicken to go, or you can eat at one of the very appealing picnic tables right out front while drinking a cold Rainier. All the meats, poultry, and fish featured here are seasoned with Tom's delicious spice blends, Rub with Love.

We just put up a "shackalicious" sign out in front last week, using rusty corrugated steel and "the Man's" signature in red neon.  As per usual for a Douglas enterprise, I suspect this will be wildly successful.  Stop by and check out the sign and some of the delicious food.