One last sunset at Anthony's Homeport in Ballad.
After 30 years in Ballard, Anthony’s Homeport Shilshole Bay at 6135 Seaview Ave. N.W. closed on Easter Sunday, March 27.
Loved by many fishermen and local patrons, the scenic spot has been operating for the last 30 years.
A good crowd gathered in the restaurant Easter night. Many patrons and employees expressed sadness for the closure. Some diners reported that they had been coming to the restaurant since the late 80s.
Bill and Maureen McMurray have been coming to Anthony’s Homeport Shilshole Bay for the last 30 years. They were married 32 years ago and have continued to celebrate special occasions at Anthony’s. The Ballard News-Tribune caught them having one last cocktail on the patio overlooking Puget Sound as rain clouds moved across the sky at sunset.
Anthony’s staff took food and drink orders until about 9 p.m. The restaurant closed early for a final staff goodbye party.
Anthony’s had a 30-year lease when they opened so many years ago and that location was their fifth in the region. According to Lane Hoss, Vice President of Marketing for Anthony’s Home Port, the move will allow the company to refocus their efforts on their other locations.
“It’s the end of our lease, and it’s the right time to close that one and move on. We have two others in Seattle that we want to focus on,” said Hoss.
45 Anthony’s employees will be transferred to new positions in the region. Hoss said that each employee has a choice in where they go. Many employees chose to go to Anthony’s at Pier 66 on the waterfront of downtown Seattle. They were offered the seniority status they accrued at the Ballard location.
“We have positions for all of them.”
Hoss herself was sad to see the location in Ballard close. She said that some of her marriage festivities happened there and that it was a space very dear to her.
As to the future of the location, Hoss could offer much input. She did not deny that Anthony’s looked into purchasing the property. According to the King County Assessor, the property is own by Trinity Properties Inc. and appraised at $5,777,100.
