The Indignant Beaver can add surviving main flood harm to its evolving lore as a Seattle icon. After 12 years of being town’s first (and, till not too long ago, solely) hockey bar, the Greenwood tavern unexpectedly shuttered in January when a pipe burst and flooded the place. The long run grew to become additional unsure when founder Tim Pipes introduced his determination to maneuver on months later, citing well being points and the flooding being the “last straw.” However final Saturday, August 17, the Beaver’s “Sport On” signal illuminated as soon as extra, drawing about 100 folks for its reopening night time.
Beneath new proprietor Matt Baker, little has modified in the interim. The hockey stick–toting beaver nonetheless sneers from the brand, the hockey workforce stools nonetheless sit across the totally stocked bar, and, sure, poutine nonetheless beckons from the menu with three totally different gravy choices. New custom-made workforce indicators, trendy lighting fixtures, and ceiling followers assist the Beaver really feel like a refreshed model of its previous self.
However what has prompted some less-than-positive feedback on the bar’s Fb web page is the absence of the NHL jerseys as soon as protecting the partitions. Regardless of accusations these had been eliminated in a snub to the bar’s hockey (and Canadian) roots, the reality shouldn’t be so conspiratorial. Based on Baker, they had been a flood casualty.
“The jerseys acquired moist,” he says. “When the insurance coverage firm got here and boxed them up, they put them in there all moist.”
Quite than spending “an insane quantity” of cash to interchange the misplaced jerseys — lots of which had been classic variations — Baker opted for a contemporary coat of paint and several other new TVs. He plans to have 14 TVs in whole when he’s carried out with upgrades. “It’s easy,” he says. “Extra TVs equals extra video games folks can watch.”
Which brings the last word query: Is The Indignant Beaver nonetheless a hockey bar?
“Everyone has their very own opinions and suppose they know what’s greatest,” Baker says. “However you understand, I’ve owned different bars earlier than, and I’ve realized a factor or two… you possibly can’t simply attempt to do the identical factor because the final man.”
This implies not staying as near the unique Beaver idea as some would really like. The brand new décor prominently options soccer and baseball groups, and Baker makes it clear that the Beaver will now concentrate on sports activities throughout the spectrum (Saturday’s reopening centered across the Seahawks’ preseason recreation). He additionally plans to “unofficially” make the spot a Washington State College Cougars bar.
Which isn’t shocking, given Baker’s historical past. He previously owned the Magnolia Village Pub, additionally run as a Cougars recreation vacation spot. It’s been a while since then, however he nonetheless has his memorabilia and love for WSU. Nonetheless, he stresses, the bar’s TVs will function “loads of hockey as soon as the season begins.”
Within the meantime, Baker hopes that broadening the Beaver’s scope and specializing in the local people (he not too long ago moved inside strolling distance), will overcome the bar’s historical past of obstacles.
“Everyone says this place is cursed,” he says. “I’m right here to interrupt that curse.”
