The 12th Ave RGB
Summer is ending with a flurry of food and drink closure announcements on Capitol Hill’s 12th Ave. The burst of shutdowns is sure to set off a wave of “Capitol Hill is dying” worries but there are already signs of new additions coming to the street.
The most surprising may be the exit of Rachel’s Ginger Beer from its space on the street level of the 12th Ave Arts building. The 12th Ave RGB closed suddenly heading into Labor Day Weekend and already has its windows papered over with no opportunity for regulars to say goodbye. The company said in its announcement only that its lease had expired.
When Rachel’s opened on 12th in 2015 as part of the affordable 12th Ave Arts development from Community Roots Housing, it was a homecoming for ginger beer maker Rachel Marshall who honed her art at the Broadway Farmers Market. RGB was born at a table at the farmers market and was part of the space at Marshall’s Montana on E Olive Way before she moved manufacturing to SoDo.
In 2023, friends and loved ones mourned the passing of Marshall at 42.
Ten years after its opening on the street, RGB has left 12th Ave but will continue with locations including its Pike Place Market flagship, the Amazon Spheres, and at the University Village mall.
“RGB was born on Capitol Hll, and we have loved getting to know all our local guests. We have also appreciated the great relationship we have had with Community Roots Housing.,” the company said in its announcement. “We will miss – so much – being part of the Capitol Hill community. We look forward to serving you for years to come at our other stores, and you can still find us in stores, bars and restaurants around Seattle!”
Another 12th Ave favorite has also shuttered. The 12th at Madison Mighty-O Donuts announced its final day of business Sunday:
After many good years in Capitol Hill, we’ve made the decision to close this location on August 31. We’re grateful for the community that supported us here and the memories made. Mighty-O will continue to serve you at our Greenlake, Ballard, and Downtown locations, as well as through our wholesale partners. Thank you, Capitol Hill, for being part of our journey.
The closure comes after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year with filings over the more than $1 million in liabilities the small Seattle company carried. Might-O founder Ryan Kellner said profits at his four cafes and production facility dipped to near zero last summer due to ongoing issues from the pandemic and national economic issues.
According to the July 2024 filings, Mighty-O had 17 months on its lease for its Capitol Hill cafe in the Trace Lofts building at 12th and Madison. CHS reported here in 2015 as the organic and vegan-friendly doughnut maker took over the space formerly home to High 5 Pie.
The other 12th Ave closure was also somewhat expected but no less sad for neighbors and fans of their beers. Tiny “nanobrewery” Outer Planet announced it is closing in September.
“After over 10 years on 12th Avenue in Capitol Hill, Outer Planet Brewing will be closing its doors for good on September 20th,” Outer Planet said in its announcement. “Attempts to find new ownership since the brewery’s 10th anniversary in February have been unsuccessful, and the end of the month will mark the final chapter for Outer Planet.”
CHS reported here in May on Outer Planet’s search for new owners. We’ll have more on the closure — and the state of Capitol Hill beer — soon.
For now, three 12th Ave food and drink venues are going dark. The watch begins to see what comes next. CHS has reported on other recent nearby changes including the arrival of Indian-flavored Mint and Martini in the former Barrio space and Colibri Mexican Kitchen taking over the shuttered Plum Bistro space across the street. Another new 12th Ave addition is also already in place next to Colibri where you’ll find the latest Sugar Bakery cafe to open in the neighborhood.
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