EVERETT—Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber and Port Commissioner David Simpson joined local business owners at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place on Tuesday, July 23, to break ground on its upcoming Restaurant Row project—the future home to Alexa’s Cafe, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, the Net Shed Fish Market, Tapped Public House, and Rustic Cork Bistro.
These new businesses will join the recently opened Muse Coffee and Whiskey Bar, which held the annual Port Report event last year, Fisherman Jack’s, Hotel Indigo, which hosted this year’s Port Report event, Sound to Summit Brewing, and South Fork Bakery, which hosted the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday.
“Today marks a very exciting time for the Port and our new tenants,” Port Commissioner Simpson said Tuesday. “We officially break ground today to bring six new restaurants to the Everett community as we continue to build our Restaurant Row and Fisherman’s Harbor.
By offering a vast selection of dining options, the Port hopes to become a destination for the surrounding region, building out the economy and recreation that “benefit the overall quality of life” at the Waterfront, Commissioner Simpson added.
Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin followed Port Commissioner Simpson to share her blessing for the project.
“I cannot tell you how proud I am of our fabulous port,” said Mayor Franklin. “Our port is a major economic driver for our city. We all enjoy this part of the port – the waterfront amenities – but I’m always enthusiastic about the industrial side of the port because that’s really the economic driver that creates jobs and ensures that we have a thriving economy which is so helpful to the wealth and wellbeing of our community.”
Mayor Franklin, who was accompanied by former Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson in the crowd, joked that she doesn’t know what she’s more excited about; ice cream, wine, or beer but added it will “all be a fabulous part of our city.”
She made sure to thank Port CEO Lisa Lefeber, the Port Commission, as well as Everett city staff for expediting the permitting process to ensure Restaurant Row opens during peak season – with the goal of opening by Summer, 2025.
Port CEO Lisa Lefeber reflected upon what the future site of the Restaurant Row looked like 20 years ago when she began working for the Port—a shipyard that was highly contaminated. But through hard work by her team, they managed to clean it all up and pave the way for the future.
After the six new restaurants open next year, it will add the total number of restaurants at the Port to 10. Lefeber answered the question of whether the port will have enough foot traffic to support all 10 businesses with a resounding “yes.”
“People want to come to their waterfront, they want to come to a destination,” said Lefeber. “There’s 2,300 customers built in right here,” she added referring to the boat slips behind her. “We’ve got 266 housing units right behind us and we’re adding more. We have about $1 billion in private investment coming this way with the construction of the Mill Wright Loop road and with support to this project.”
Lefeber thanked the Port’s partners at BCRA and Faber Construction for bidding on the project – with an approximately $15.2 million investment with 21,000 square feet of new restaurant space.
“What we’re doing is trying to create something for everybody,” said Lefeber.
Rustic Cork Wine Bar
Rustic Cork Wine Bar offers a classy community space to enjoy a wine pairing, a charcuterie board, and often even live music.
The goal of Rustic Cork, according to Owner Kelsey Olsen, was to bring Washington Wine Country to locals living in Snohomish County.
This will be Rustic Cork’s fourth location after Mukilteo, Lake Stevens, and Mill Creek.
Owner and Operator Olsen was unable to speak at Tuesday’s event as she was camping with her family.
Tapped Public House
Tapped Public House will be the first, and only, rooftop bar in Snohomish County with panoramic views of the waterfront.
Established in 2019 by business partners Sean Drought, Brian Radford, and Ivo Schilbach, Tapped Public House has been serving as a community meeting place staple since, serving delicious craft beers on draft paired with scrumptious food.
Drought spoke on behalf of the partners Tuesday sharing that one of his favorite parts about being a business owner is being a part of the community.
“We’re just super proud to be involved, also with Alexa’s, and Menchie’s, and Rustic Cork, just because they’re good people so it just feels like a really good fit with a lot of synergy,” said Drought.
Drought, Radford, and Schilbach will also be owning and operating the Net Shed Fish Market which, when it opens next year, will be the first ever fresh fish market in the city of Everett.
This will be Tapped’s fourth location after Mill Creek, Camano, and Mukilteo.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Owners of the Menchie’s franchise location in Bothell, and upcoming expansion into Everett, Joe and Leah Karl, have been boating for the last 20 years with a slip at the Port of Everett.
They first met Port CEO Lefeber when she stopped by their location in Bothell to buy her children frozen yogurt and was shocked, she joked, at the amount of candy they scooped on top.
“We’re so excited for this partnership with the port, the other businesses that will be here, and the local community,” said Leah Karl.
The Karl family have operated their Menchie’s location as a family-owned business for years, even hiring Leah’s cousin as their manager.
Karl’s Menchie’s business also has a food truck that constantly makes appearances at events throughout King and Snohomish Counties.
Be sure to stop by on Monday’s, from 6 p.m. until closing when they allow customers to fill up their cups with as much frozen yogurt as they can (meaning you need to be able to still close the lid) for the low price of just $5.
Alexa’s Cafe
Alexa’s Cafe originally started 29 years ago in downtown Bothell.
The popular breakfast and brunch spot was started by Leigh Henderson who did not attend Tuesday’s ceremony. In her stead were managers Danica Cardin and Alexa Schaich.
“We’re super excited. We think this will be amazing for us and for the community and I can’t wait to get to know everybody and see you at the restaurant when we’re open,” said Cardin.
Founder Henderson loves to form relationships over food. She created Alexa’s Cafe in 1995, as a gathering place where people could relax with friends and family, have a drink, and share stories over hearty portions of fresh, comfortable food. She named the Cafe after her youngest daughter, who now owns and manages the business alongside her.
Alexa’s Cafe, who also does catering services, was invited to join the Port’s growing series of restaurants after catering for Cat Soper’s, Director of External Affairs and Business Development for the Port, wedding.
Lefeber’s favorite part about Alexa’s Cafe is that they serve half-portions, she said, with her favorite dish being the eggs Benedict.
Yet-to-be-determined Mexican Restaurant
The sixth restaurant not mentioned will be a Mexican restaurant which the Port hopes to officially announce soon.
Separate to Restaurant Row the Port is currently focused on adding water access and proper signage for its new businesses in the coming years.
The Port will also be opening 78 additional parking stalls to accommodate the expected influx in traffic once Restaurant Row opens. In addition, they are also offering a free summer shuttle, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, that transports passengers from the boat launch to Waterfront Place. The Port hopes to continue adding services like these as it develops.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
