Fire damage before on the left, fire repair after on the right (Image: Saint John’s)

It was a tough week for Capitol HIll doorways. Tuesday night, a driver smashed through the front of 15th Ave E’s Coastal Kitchen, injuring noone — luckily —  but causing a path of destruction that will close the venue indefinitely for repairs.

On E Pike, another favorite Hill doorway took a licking as a rubbish fire destroyed the front of Saint John’s Bar and Eatery. The restaurant said the early Monday 4 AM blaze was discovered by a passerby who called Seattle Fire to extinguish the fire before it could do more damage. The Fire Marshal was called to investigate the fire to find out if it was intentionally set or an accident.

UPDATE: SFD says it was not able to determine whether the fire was intentionally set.

Saint John’s, which is marking ten years since its 2012 opening, had to cancel its Memorial Day brunch service due to the fire but had its repairs completed and was fully back open for business by Wednesday.

Coastal’s return to business will take longer. Seattle Fire put temporary shoring in place to help stabilize the building and the front remains covered in plywood where staff have added messages thanking the community for its support with sheets for neighbors to leave well wishes — and, of course, a no parking sign.

The driver in crisis arrested and hospitalized in the crash, meanwhile, has not yet been charged in the Coastal Kitchen incident.

https://twitter.com/sickysummie/status/1532270843551567872

(Images: Coastal Kitchen)

(Images: Coastal Kitchen)

(Images: Coastal Kitchen)

(Images: Coastal Kitchen)

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