Many businesses closed and City services limited due to high temps today

Meghan Walker Ballard

A number of local businesses are closed today and some City services are suspended due to extreme heat in Seattle.

Even restaurants who have air conditioning are opting to close with temps predicted to rise to 109 degrees in Seattle today. “We do have AC but this heat plus a 1000 degree oven is proving a bit too much for our people and our equipment,” Veraci Pizza shared with followers on their social channels.

Peddler Brewing closed yesterday, and will likely remain closed today. “It’s just too hot to work the taproom and they can’t all hide and hug cold kegs at once! Stay cool and stay hydrated – with water,” Peddler shared.

So far, we’ve heard of the following businesses keeping their doors shut today:

  • Veraci Pizza
  • Peddler Brewing
  • The Sloop Tavern
  • Stoup Brewing
  • Reuben’s Brews Taproom (The Canning Line to remain open)
  • Lucky Envelope Brewing
  • Kiss Cafe
  • Un Bien

A few City services will be amended today including both the North and South Transfer Stations, which will both be closed to self-haul service. Seattle Public Utilities says this will help keep staff safe and will reduce fire risk with certain types of self-haul waste. SPU will also be skipping Monday food and yard waste collection to get contractors off the roads earlier, and solid waste collection began one hour earlier today.

The City has been preparing for today’s heat by opening several cooling centers around the city, including senior centers, community centers, libraries, and pools. Here’s an interactive map with a full list of cooling centers around Seattle.

City employees worked overtime over the weekend to ensure more public drinking fountains are available around the city: So far, more than 200 drinking fountains are now in operation. SPU and Seattle Parks and Recreation crews worked to repair and bring online fountains that were either damaged or were shut-off to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Seattle Fire Department’s Aurora COVID-19 Community Testing Site and the SoDo COVID-19 Testing & Vaccine Site are both closing early at 12 p.m. today.

Amazon is opening their Meeting Center at 2031 7th Avenue today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. as a cooling center open to the public. Complimentary parking is available in the Doppler garage (entrance located at 2020 6th Avenue). Masks are required, and attendees must provide ID upon entrance. Pets are not allowed (service animals OK).

Here’s a list of libraries that will be open today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

  • Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave NW
  • Delridge Branch, 5423 Delridge Way SW
  • Douglass-Truth Branch, 2300 E Yesler Way
  • NEW: Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave N
  • High Point Branch, 3411 S.W. Raymond St.
  • International District/Chinatown Branch, 713 Eighth Ave. S
  • Lake City Branch, 12501 28th Ave. N.E.
  • Rainier Beach Branch, 9125 Rainier Ave. S
  • South Park Branch, 8604 8th Ave S

Public Health – Seattle & King County are recommending that people first opt to stay indoors in air conditioning to stay cool and minimize exposure to today’s extreme heat. Here’s a list of their recommendations:

  • Spend more time in air conditioned places. If you don’t have air conditioning, consider visiting a mall, movie theater or other cool public places.
  • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
  • Dress in lightweight clothing.
  • Take a cool shower or bath, or place cool washcloths on your skin.
  • Check up on your elderly neighbors and relatives to take these precautions too.

The public health department also urges residents to drink plenty of water, avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, and large amounts of sugar because of their dehydrating effects. If you go outside, public health says to limit direct sun exposure. Never leave children, infants, people with mobility challenges and pets in parked cars, even with windows down. Avoid strenuous activities, and use sunscreen when in direct sunlight.

If you know of other Ballard businesses that are closed for the heat today, email us at tips@Myballard.com and we’ll add them to the list.