OK, so I used the cliched “burly” to describe bears, below. But that’s what they are! Got a tip? [email protected]. Strapping?

• If the den of burly guys CHS found working away on 14th Ave this past weekend have their way, part of the Pride weekend excitement in Seattle will be people talking about a new bear bar on Capitol Hill. “It’s going to be a really fun place where everybody can feel comfortable at,” co-owner Mike Reis tells CHS about a new project underway about to fill in the former Martin’s off Madison space on 14th Ave between Madison and Union. “We want a bear bar that is open to everybody,” Reis said.

  Reis tells CHS that the project is something he and his partners have been working on for years as bear culture has gained acceptance and prominence. “We were guys that typically didn’t fit it,” Reis said. “We were just guys that happened to be gay. We’re no strangers to beer and pizza. Look at us!”

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  Some may recognize Reis as part of the Luxor Bears, organizers of private parties with an ursine flavor since 2003. “Bears. Bikers. Blackjack. Bonfires. Booze.” goes the tagline. The photo page, um, fleshes it out. “The bear community definitely got started because of a lack of place to be,” he said. “We didn’t know what we were doing. We just wanted to have a place to get together.” 

  Reis says the new bar brings the culture of the Luxor Bears and experience gained creating good times for the past eight years into a new space. The private party group will continue as a separate entity but its partners have set about creating a new manifestation of their lifestyle and culture. “We wanted something that was very masculine identified,” Reis said. “I think men in general have lost an idea of masculinity. And kind of lost touch. We wanted to have something that was very masculine, industrial, blue collar.”

  For now, beyond the philosophy of the new space, the big guy is being shy about the details. There’s no target date for opening and the name of the new bar is still under wraps as are some key details that we can’t share yet. We can tell you it will have a “Motor City” feel but Reis said won’t be “one dimensional” in that regard. Former CC Attle’s manager Mark Engelmann — Reis calls him an icon of Seattle’s bear culture — is part of the team. Engelmann left CC’s in 2004 when he and his partner had to leave the state to take care of a family member. Reis said he’s looking forward to working with Engelmann to create something for the culture he was instrumental in helping to build in the city.

  As for changes to the space, Reis said the group has been working daily since they signed the lease to complete an overhaul of the former Martin’s. You might recall that Greg’s Profanity Hill briefly took over the space during last year’s Pride before abruptly calling it quits. But don’t look to either of those entities for a model for the new place. Instead, Reis said he hopes to continue the spirit of Spags the long time E Pike gay bar that became a “homebar” for bears in the 90s. Today, the Unicorn lives where Spags used to. “When Spags closed in summer 2000, we were just kind of lost,” Reis said. “The former CC’s kind of took in the bear clientele over the years.”

  This week, of course, CC’s has re-opened in its new space on E Olive Way. Reis said he was there Saturday night to celebrate with everybody else — “We’ve all been waiting around for a place to be” — and he looks forward to being part of the continuing gay nightlife culture on the Hill with places like the Cuff and CC’s. “They’re great. They’ve been great. And I’m sure they’ll continue to be great,” Reis said.

  Reis says it’s time for a new space built for and by bears. “15 years ago, the bear thing was very obscure. Over the last 15 years it’s definitely gained recognition.”

• Speaking of recognition, there were probably quite a few familiar faces around a familiar bar in an unfamiliar space this weekend as CC’s opened up for the first time on E Olive Way. The official grand “I blew the Gay back in to CC’s” opening is this coming Saturday, June 11th. This photo posted the Facebook CC’s group (thanks Seán Kendig!) gives you a sneak peek:
• Also opening this week, Bleu Bistro Grotto, Samurai Noodle and, maybe just possibly Monday night if permitting goes well, Artusi.
• Here’s what to drink when Artusi gets the go ahead from the powers-that-be.
• With the story that Stumptown Coffee has been sold continuing to gain traction, we’ll repeat this item we posted as an update in last week’s notes:
  

  Rumor swirling around PDX of a Stumptown corporate coffee takeover. Here’s what we can add to WA state’s end of the equation. According to the state corporations database, a new Stumptown Coffee Corp. was registered in Washington on April 28th. Until now, Stumptown has been doing business as Stumptown Incorporated. Stumptown’s Duane Sorenson was listed as that entity’s lead officer. The new corporation is headed — on paper, at least — by a Alexander Panos with a 5th Ave NY, NY address. Panos is “a Managing Director of TSG Consumer Partners, a private equity fund focused on consumer products.” Is it a sale? An investment? A “sellout?”

• The Sprudge Report = not impressed, by the way, regarding Stumptown reporting.
• Hey, what? The guy from the Seattle Boxing Studio we profiled here is also Vita’s corporate counsel? Tough lawyer.
• “Speaking of chicken, I noticed your monthly changing menu features chicken potpie, a diner classic, but also rabbit from Washington farmer Bernie Nash’s Mad Hatcher Farm. Wabbit at a diner? What’s up, Doc?”
• I Have Munchies would probably work on Capitol Hill. Just guessing.
• See our pictures of last call at the first ever Capitol Hill Night Market?
• Goodbye Cork House.
• We note operators of a recently acquired Capitol Hill restaurant are apparently diversifying their income stream by going speakeasy with a “private party” charging a $10 cover and pouring cocktails until past 4 AM. A one-time event or a new strategy, probably not sustainable. And your guy at the door looked really, really nervous.
• Technically the CD, but short journey up Union reveals the new Three Kings Taco Truck. Eat it.
• Saturday, Vermillion celebrates its 3-year anniversary. Free party starts at 8 PM.