A new neighborhood bar called The Crown is coming to the former Schooner Street location (8000 15th Ave NW) in Crown Hill, with owner Bob Hougland aiming to open in early July.
Hougland and his wife, Christine, are opening the 21-and-over neighborhood pub at the longtime bar space on 15th Ave NW after receiving their liquor license. Hougland said they are still working through additional permitting and final preparations before opening.
The Crown will focus on craft beer, wine, and liquor, with a dozen beers on tap. The menu will be limited, featuring hot sandwiches such as a Reuben, “The Jonathan,” which is a turkey, cheddar, and apple sandwich, along with salads, soup, chili, nachos, and other appetizers. The bar will not have a fryer, instead serving items like chips with homemade onion dip and a pimento spread sandwich.
Sports will also be a focus, with three 65-inch televisions, a projector displaying a 100-inch image, and a fourth television for viewing games.
Inside, Hougland said only modest changes have been made to the space. Booths at the back of the bar have been replaced with banquette seating, and a few couches have been added. He described the location as largely “plug and play,” with the biggest remaining challenge being repairs to the walk-in cooler.
Outside, The Crown will offer three picnic tables with seating for about 25 people.
Hougland brings three decades of bartending experience to the venture. He previously worked for 10 years at the Viking, spent four years at Olaf’s, and was later recruited to manage Hilltop Ale House and Stepping Stone.
“When Schoner Street went under, I convinced the landlord to let me give it a shot,” Hougland said.
He said many longtime customers from his previous jobs have already expressed excitement about the new venture, but his primary goal is to create a neighborhood gathering place.
“My focus is going to be involving the neighborhood,” Hougland said. “The name is a nod to the Crown Hill neighborhood.”
Hougland, who lives about a mile away, said he hopes residents will make The Crown their local pub.
“I think as long as I’m successful at getting locals to come in, I think we’ll be really successful,” he said.
The space has seen several operators in recent years. Most recently, Schooner Street Pub closed in January after about six months in business. Before that, the location was home to Pour Decisions, and prior to that, The Dane.
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