Ballard’s newest pub, The Crown on 15th Ave NW and NW 80th St, was broken into and burglarized less than a week after opening.
The Crown opened just last week on Aug. 12 at 8000 15th Ave NW in the former Schooner Street* location.
“Four minutes is all it took for a thief – or team of thieves – to break into our building, steal our safe (and all cash and checks in it), and leave,” The Crown shared on Instagram.
They said that the burglars broke in at about 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The break-in triggered The Crown’s alarm system, and the owners say that while they raced as quickly as they could to get there, the burglars were already gone by the time they arrived.
“By the time we arrived, the only evidence they’d even been here was a drilled-out door lock, a ringing alarm, and every piece of cash in the building missing. While we wish we had more information to provide the community, we found our cameras disarmed and we’re still reaching out to neighboring groups for any possible leads,” they wrote.
The Crown is open as usual; they said the cash loss wasn’t enough to impede operations.
The owners told My Ballard that the best way to support them is to stop by and have a meal or a drink. “We’re persevering despite it!” they said.
*Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly stated that The Stepping Stone previously occupied the space, when in fact it was Schooner Street Pub.
Photo: Google Image Capture Sept. 2025