A small Ballard wine bar is seeking community support as it looks to expand its space and build out a more permanent interior.
Petite Bottle Shop, which opened in 2023 at 5410 22nd Ave NW as a 90-square-foot grab-and-go bottle shop, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund construction for a larger wine bar. According to the co-owners Gillian Palmer and Nick Bentley, the business has grown beyond its original footprint over the past three years, evolving into a small wine bar with limited seating, including a window counter and a French-inspired patio.
The owners say the next phase will expand into the neighboring retail space to accommodate more guests while maintaining its role as a neighborhood gathering place. Plans include additional indoor seating, with a proposed layout featuring several tables along a bench, standing tables, and a bar with several stools. The space is also expected to incorporate music as part of the experience.
The project is planned in two phases. The first phase, which has already begun, involves using the space as an event venue with an open floor plan. The second phase includes construction of a bar and permanent fixtures, with a target completion date of June 2026.
Funds raised through the campaign are intended to cover construction-related costs, including plumbing, electrical work, fixtures, architectural fees, and permitting. The campaign operates on Kickstarter’s all-or-nothing model, meaning the project must meet its funding goal in order to receive the pledged funds.
In the campaign materials, the owners note that the wine and hospitality industries have faced challenges in recent years, including tariffs, economic uncertainty, and broader political conditions. They also identify potential risks to the project, including permitting timelines and rising construction costs, which could affect the scope or timeline of the expansion.
“We’ll be celebrating 3 years in May, and we’re so excited,” Bentley told My Ballard. “Unfortunately, this last year has been especially tough; it’s been a brutal time for small businesses in Seattle, particularly in the wine and hospitality industry. In an effort to keep historic Ballard a Seattle destination for locals and visitors, we’ve kept our tiny door open and now hope to grow the space to continue to serve the neighborhood.”
If the fundraising goal is not met, the owners say the buildout may need to be scaled back and the timeline extended.
The campaign had raised $8,490 toward its $55,000 goal with 20 days remaining at the time of posting.
Photo: Petite