After more than 120 years in business, one of Seattle’s oldest and most beloved restaurants, the Virginia Inn, will be closing for good on Sunday, April 27. Located at the corner of First Avenue and Virginia Street since 1903, the restaurant shared the news in an emotional Facebook post, revealing that lease renewal talks with its landlord, the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA), had ultimately failed.
“We’ve been operating on a month-to-month lease since March,” said owner Craig Perez. In March, the PDA issued a notice demanding that the Virginia Inn vacate the property by April 30.
The restaurant, which predates the iconic Pike Place Market itself, reflected on its rich history and enduring spirit through challenging times, including Prohibition and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Perez and his team said they were unable to secure a fair long-term lease to keep the business going.
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This closure marks another loss in what’s becoming a wave of shutdowns among legacy Seattle eateries. Earlier this month, Duke’s at Alki Beach closed after nearly a quarter century, and Ballard’s Thai Siam will be shuttering after 38 years. Harbor City, a favorite dim sum destination in the Chinatown-International District, shut down in February, also due to a lease dispute. Other recent closures include Queen Anne Cafe, Chile Pepper in Wallingford, Jackson’s Catfish Corner, Highliner Public House, Kiku Sushi in Bellevue, and Heaven Sent Fried Chicken, founded by Ezell Stephens.
The end of the Virginia Inn will affect more than 20 employees—some of whom have worked there for decades. In their farewell message, the restaurant encouraged supporters to reach out to local officials, including Mayor Bruce Harrell, and invited the community to stop by during its final days to show support, share memories, and raise a glass. Custom T-shirts are being sold to raise funds for the staff.
“Come have a drink, share a story, and say goodbye,” the post read.
