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. 

Rose Theatre's old neon sign gets a makeover

The Rose opened as a vaudeville house in 1907. The transition from live theatre to silent film, to talkies, to Technicolor, and now to digital projection across three unique screens. They offer the people of the Olympic Peninsula not only world-class film, but also high-definition ballet, opera, classical music and theatre from across the globe. 

Experience a film at the Rose or the Starlight Room, where the popcorn is fresh, the butter is real, the sound is superb, and every show is personally introduced by the host/owner, Rocky Friedman.

The old neon sign was faded and some of the neon not working, so Western Neon removed the sign and brought it into our shop for a makeover.   The cabinet was sandblasted, then repainted with Matthews Chocolate Thunder, with opaque antique white and light gold vinyl lettering. The clear red neon was reprocessed and pumped, our glass bender bent new CL4500 warm white neon for a vintage look.   We replaced the old guywires that were stabilizing the sign, since we could not change the original sign to eliminate the wires.

The sign is back up on the Rose Theatre and should shine brightly for another 25 years.   

The Italian Riviera Comes to Amazonia

Cinque Terre (five lands) is a beautiful area of the Italian Riviera which comprises five villages. 

Cinque Terre promises to bring the seafood-focused cuisine of the Italian Rivera, courtesy of brothers Leo, Salvio, and Roberto Varchetta. They'll blend the influences of the picturesque Cinque Terre villages with Pacific Northwest products. Expect oysters, branzino, and octopus along with grass-fed beef and plenty of pasta made in-house. The restaurant also sports a custom Neapolitan gas-fired pizza oven.

For the past 20 years, brothers Leo, Salvio and Roberto Varchetta along with their parents, Melina and Pasquale Varchetta have owned and operated some of Seattle’s most beloved Italian restaurants. Serving the role of the quintessential perfect hosts, the Varchetta’s share their Italian warmth. From the time you walk in the door until the time you leave, you’ll sense that you are a part of the family.

Western Neon fabricated three beautiful signs designed by Graham Baba Architects.  The curved sign that drapes over the railing, the vestibule sign inset into the concrete wall both have push-thru custom colored resin letters internally illuminated with LED's.  There is also an unlit under awning sign. 

Cinque Terre Ristorante now open in the Amazon Doppler building

2001 Westlake Avenue, (206) 456-6300

http://www.cinqueterreseattle.com/modernitalian/

Remodeled Nike Store in Seattle - Now Open

 

Don't forget to look up when you visit Nike's redesigned Seattle store. A custom neon sculpture hangs from the ceiling of the second floor mezzanine.  

At the direction of Guild in LA and Nike, Western Neon fabricated and installed the 12 x 18 foot ceiling of Seattle icons at the totally remodeled store on 6th Avenue in downtown Seattle.  There is over 700 feet of neon and fifteen transformers in the sculpture, which can be seen from the street.  It is spectacular!!

It's one of several unique touches for the downtown store, which also features an art installation that honors the city's rabid football fans, known as the 12th man.

Makers of fine art objects and conceptual innovation - Electric Coffin

Western Neon just completed adding neon to another creative endeavor from the guys at Electric Coffin.  Each time we work on one of their projects, it's a blast.  Each project is very different and absolutely out-of-the-box.  

Justin Kane Elder, Stefan Hofmann and Patrick “Duffy” De Armas

This dynamic trio was featured in the September 2014 issue of Seattle Magazine, link attached for more info on their artistic installations at new restaurants in Seattle.  

Keep up the good work, guys!!

http://www.seattlemag.com/article/creative-trio-takes-interior-design-arty-level

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/  

Sandwich Environmentalism - Good intentions equal good sandwiches

THEY’RE HOMEGROWN, all right.

Brad Gillis and Ben Friedman. Born months apart. Met in Mrs. O’Neill’s kindergarten class on Mercer Island where (bet you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich) they were the kids most likely to succeed.

Don’t know Homegrown? Imagine a sandwich shop with a social conscience. A very green machine: certified organic ingredients when available, local when possible, packaging that’s recyclable or compostable.

Yeah. These guys grew up here, apples falling from fruitful trees.

“Both our dads were entrepreneurs,” in real-estate development and biotech, explains Friedman. “We grew up around startups, risks. That was always the discussion around the dinner table.” Ditto for nonprofit work and philanthropy.

They call their calling “sandwich environmentalism.”

“Our market is not an economic market, it’s an idealistic one,” says Friedman. And Seattle idealists are voting with their pocketbooks.

These two dynamos just opened their fifth Homegrown shop at 208 Westlake Ave. North today.  It's a beautiful space and the food is very tasty.  Stop down for lunch, you won't be disappointed.

Lamplighter Public House

Western Neon would like to introduce the new Lamplighter Public House, originally Sweet Lou's in Greenwood.

This location has been updated with a VERY unique rooftop sign. It has a 5 foot tall lamplighter figure, who is lighting a streetlamp with a flickering flame.

We invite you to go visit the new hot spot in the heart of Greenwood and try some of their drink specials.  

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

“A business with no sign is a sign of no business.” Ghandi

Filson   The American Brand

The double-sided rooftop sign reaches 65 feet from ground level and was having problems with the original 60ma transformers causing the neon tubes the burn out more frequently.  Each Filson letter required two transformers and Western Neon replaced the letters with all new neon tubes, which totaled a quarter of a mile in neon tubing and 30 transformers. Now the Filson sign is shining better than ever!

Elliott Bay Brewing Co.

Elliott Bay Brewing Co. is a family owned company of high quality neighborhood brewpubs in communities throughout the Seattle area.  Owners Todd Carden and Brent Norton met in 1994 while working for the iconic Maritime Pacific Brewing Co. They forged a friendship and explored their common goal and dream of owning and operating their own brewpub. They also met Head Brewer Doug Hindman at Maritime Pacific.

Todd and Brent incorporated the company in November of 1996.   In March 1997 they signed their first lease and began construction of a brewpub in the historic “Junction” of West Seattle.  They opened for business on July 11, 1997.  Doug joined the ranks in September of 1997 and has been Head Brewer ever since.

Over the past thirteen years in West Seattle, Elliott Bay Brewery & Pub has been a leader in sustainability, philanthropic support, and instrumental in creating an amazing sense of community in the neighborhoods which it serves.  Elliott Bay Brewhouse and Pub, the company's second brewpub, opened in Burien in March of 2007.  The Burien Brewhouse, like its West Seattle sibling, supports a progressive company culture and socially responsible business practices.

Local Heroes come to the rescue . . .

A couple of my favorite customers, Tom Douglas and DoubleDown Interactive came to the rescue of the July 4th fireworks display that was in jeopardy of being cancelled.  

Production company One Reel announced earlier this month that the fireworks would be cancelled due to lack of funds. The fireworks show has faced several years of last-minute funding efforts in order to keep the tradition going.

The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Seafair announced Tuesday that several companies have stepped up to fund the fireworks show this year and for several years to come, including presenting sponsors Amazon.com Inc., DoubleDown Interactive and Microsoft Corp. Other major sponsors include Starbucks Corp., Wells Fargo and Tom Douglas Restaurants.

Hats off to these generous local heroes, stop by and thank them.

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???

Congratulations to a Seattle Favorite, Tom Douglas!!

The Puget Sound Business Journal has named Seattle chef and restaurateur Tom Douglas as its 2012 Executive of the Year.

Douglas has twelve restaurants in Seattle with plans for more, and a farm near Prosser that supplies much of his company’s produce. He also runs a bakery, produces spice rubs and sauces, writes cookbooks and co-hosts a weekly radio show, among other things.

This year, Douglas was named Outstanding Restaurateur — a coveted national award — by the James Beard Foundation, the New York non-profit, dedicated to culinary culture.

Douglas is much more than a namesake for his company. He is its creative director, chief marketer and ambassador. Douglas sets the tone for the workplace and his customers’ experience.

In short, he is a great guy, a great employer, and generous with his time.

                                                 Seattle Chef Tom Douglas 

USTravel's Global Sign Lights Up SODO

Western Neon rendered USTravel's logo into a horizontal blade sign with exposed neon and a dimensional globe to create an iconic, memorable sign in the SODO District.  


USTravel was recently ranked number 14 as a leading independent travel management company by Business Travel News and is recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of America’s fastest growing privately-owned enterprises.  


The company is the largest private travel management company in the Pacific Northwest, with 13 branch locations, and now they have one of the most beautiful signs in Seattle.

Educational, motivational titan Lou Tice dies

Lou Tice, chairman and co-founder of The Pacific Institute (TPI), died at his Seattle home Sunday evening, April 1, after an illness. A statement released by TPI says: “Surrounded by his wife, Diane, and loving family and friends, Lou spent his final days challenging those around him to carry on with his life’s work – educating and empowering individuals all around the globe to an ever-greater commitment toward making a better world.’”

Tice was a Seattle native who began his professional career as a high school football coach and remained coach and mentor to countless people throughout his life. "All meaningful and lasting change starts first on the inside and works its way out into the world," he said – one of many quotes which are part of his lasting legacy.

Lou's wife Diane, had Western Neon fabricate the quote below in her own handwriting for the wall at TPI.

A Seattle Favorite is finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award

Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas is a finalist for the James Beard Foundation awards, the New York-based foundation announced Monday.

Douglas, is a former Best Chef Northwest, made the finals in the Outstanding Restaurateur category for the third time in five years, riding the success of Brave Horse Tavern, Cuoco and Ting Momo in the South Lake Union neighborhood.  His other successful restaurants include Etta's, Seatown, Rub Shack, Dahlia, Lola, Palace Kitchen, Serious Pie and Dahlia Workshop.


The James Beard Awards are considered the nation’s most prestigious chef and restaurant honors. The winners will be announced May 7 in New York.


Good Luck, Tom.    You Rock!

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.