Update Feb. 27
After the announcement of the closure of John's Deli at 7500 35th SW was made, it was shared that the building would be converted to a "brewpub" to be opened later this year after some remodeling was done. The West Seattle Herald heard from the new business owners and they wanted to clarify some issues and explain what the new business will be, specifically the Best of Hands Barrelhouse, a specialty brewery.

Owner Nicholas Marianetti explained:
"We will not be a brewpub, as we will not have a kitchen on premises. We will be a microbrewery and taproom, and we hope to make some rotating food trucks available on a regular basis.

We are looking to fit 56 seats in the taproom.

The current plans submitted to DPD are only draft versions and things will likely change and progress as we begin building out the space to suit our needs.

Now for a little background on the business and the proprietors:

The Best of Hands Barrelhouse is a startup specialty brewery with a target launch date of late fall/early winter 2017. The Barrelhouse will specialize in barrel-aged and barrel-fermented beers as well as wild ales that utilize different souring methods and multiple strains of Brettanomyces. While these sour and/or funky beers will be the brewery's main focus, we will also produce "clean beers" fermented exclusively by Saccharomyces (brewer's yeast) that have a proven following here in the Pacific Northwest. We aim to yield styles such as IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, farmhouse ales (such as saisons), and beers crafted in various traditional brewing methods from around the world.

The brewery and taproom will be managed and directed by co-owners Nicholas Marianetti, Gregory Marlor, and Chris Richardson. All three are long time West Seattleites and veterans of the food and beverage industry. Nicholas and Gregory are Certified Cicerones®, and award winning homebrewers. Chris is a small business owner with 20 years experience in small business operations. The team is excited to bring their brews and vision to the West Seattle community later this year!

Original post
The plans for a business to replace the now closed John's Deli at 7500 35th SW have taken the next step with the filing of the Land Use Application and plans for the new business.

The plan shows inside seating and areas for both outside seating and in the back of the building, space for brewery equipment. No architectural renderings have been filed with DPD.

The iconic cow atop the building will remain according to the business owners.

From an attachment file submitted to DPD:

"The existing structure will remain (no expansion) and the interior space utilization will be similar to the prior use. Per the plans there are two distinct 'wing's to the existing building: the 'Corner' sales/retail/customer area and the 'Rear' storage area.

-The Corner area has street storefront glass and entry that will remain. Additional openings are planned in the south wall of this area facing the existing parking area. These openings will have minimal impact on surrounding properties as they face inward to the property. They will provide some positive,visual activation the sidewalk scene as they are adjacent to the existing sidewalk and will allow views into the building from the street. Adjacent and other nearby street properties all are commercial uses (catering business, insurance/financial office, auto repair, laundromat, coffee house, etc.)

-The Rear area which is concrete block construction will remain, and the exterior will be repaired/repainted as necessary. It's use will remain similar as it will store the brewery equipment and remain enclosed (there may be a need for an additional delivery door) and as such will represent no change or impact on surrounding properties.

There is existing signage that will be changed to reflect the new business but will remain at similar scale and location. Of note is a plastic cow on the roof. This is a neighborhood icon and both the property owner and incoming tenant are committed to 'keeping the cow'. (See exterior elevations)

The building illumination will remain similar but be improved by upgraded replacement lights to provide adequate storefront and sidewalk lighting. This will include additional lighting in the existing parking area and will utilize appropriate 'dark sky' fixtures and minimize light spillage to adjacent commercial property.

2. Parking
The existing parking area is accessed from 35th Avenue SW and will remain. This location faces away from is not located adjacent to any residentially zoned property. The nearest residential zoned property is separated by an approximately 50' wide property and existing alley to the East. The existing parking is completely screened from this residential zoned property by the existing 'Rear' wing of the structure.

3. Noise
The existing openings at the storefront and main entry will remain and open to and face the sidewalk along the arterial (35th Ave SW). There are no residential zones in any direction from these openings. All nearby and adjacent uses are commercial as noted above.

The planned additional openings (south wall) face internally to the property's parking area. The nearest adjacent structures to the south are an existing commercial (office) use and new eye clinic building. Existing residential properties are completed separated and/or more than block away and will not be impacted by these openings.

4. Traffic
The proposed brewpub use is intended to be a neighborhood based establishment, attracting local, walk in pedestrian visits from the surrounding commercial and nearby residential properties. While we expect car visits (and meet required parking on site with the existing parking lot), we do not anticipate generating large volumes of car traffic. Additionally, there is abundant and under utilized existing street parking along the arterial of 35th Ave SW and the intersection with SW Webster street that are entirely fronted by commercial uses. This availability should eliminate spillover parking on neighborhood residential streets.