The Walrus and the Carpenter (4743 Ballard Ave. NW) closed Monday evening after management cited safety concerns amid an ongoing labor strike outside the Ballard restaurant.
In a statement released Monday, June 22, the restaurant said it closed “out of concern for the safety and wellbeing of our guests.”
The restaurant said its security team documented incidents over the previous two days involving guests as they arrived, including “harassment, name-calling, and spitting.” Management urged the union “to stop this behavior on the picket line” and said that, after consulting with its security team, it decided to close for the evening.
“To every guest — regulars and first-time visitors alike — who experienced or witnessed this: we are deeply sorry,” the statement said. “You deserve a warm welcome, a great meal, and genuine hospitality.”
The restaurant said it is working on a plan to reopen and plans to share more information about the labor dispute in the coming days.
The closure comes several days after unionized workers at the Ballard restaurant began an unfair labor practice strike.
According to United Creatures of the Sea, the union representing striking workers at The Walrus and the Carpenter, employees voted unanimously to authorize the strike after more than a year of negotiations over a first union contract with Sea Creatures, the Seattle restaurant group operated by chef Renee Erickson and partners. The union alleges that Sea Creatures has engaged in unfair labor practices intended to delay negotiations and avoid reaching a first contract. According to previous reporting by The Seattle Times, the union has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board making those allegations.
The union says workers, including cooks, oyster shuckers, servers, dishwashers, bartenders, bakers and baristas, have experienced reduced hours, lost income, worsened benefits and instability while bargaining for a first contract. The union says workers decided to strike in an effort to pressure Sea Creatures to bargain in good faith and negotiate a contract.
United Creatures of the Sea has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to provide financial assistance to striking workers. According to the fundraiser, donations will be used to help replace lost income during the strike and cover expenses such as rent, groceries, transportation and medical costs.
Sea Creatures has previously said it remains committed to negotiating in good faith, reaching a fair agreement and returning to regular operations, according to previous reporting by The Seattle Times.
The Walrus and the Carpenter opened in Ballard in 2010 and serves as the flagship restaurant of the Sea Creatures restaurant group.
Photo: Google Image Capture Sept 2025