Author Archives: Harley Rose

About Harley Rose

Harley Rose writes for CHS, and the Seattle Collegian. As a former homeless youth counselor and case manager, their passion is in the social services realm. Harley has been a published poet since 2011, and a “journalist” for a little less than a year. they/them/theirs

Continuing three decades of business, the apprentice has become the master at Broadway Shoe Repair

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(Image: Broadway Shoe Repair)

Just over 33 years ago this December, Broadway Shoe Repair began serving the community of Capitol Hill. Founder Ward Luhman would continue to own and run his business until this summer. During the last six years of her father’s ownership, Shelly Luhman worked an apprenticeship leading up to her taking over the leather repair shop in Broadway Market. Ward can finally rest and enjoy a well earned retirement. Broadway Shoe Repair, on the other… hand, still has work to do.

Since September, Luhman and her business partner Bobby Glukhov who joined the shop after moving from Portland four year ago, have been working to keep Capitol Hill’s shoes looking good.

The shop has seen “steady” repair business and return clients even as the neighborhood has grown more and more expensive. Of course, all that wealth has a side benefit to a business like Broadway Shoe Repair.

The biggest change the business has seen over its more than three decades, Luhman says, is “an increase of more expensive shoes.” Continue reading →

Two-story penthouse slated to top Baker Linen in seismic overhaul of 1916-built Pike/Pine building

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(Image: Dunn and Hobbes)

Capitol Hill developer Liz Dunn has new plans for the historic Baker Linen building home to Retrofit Home and Cafe Pettirosso.

Centered around a full seismic overhaul of the 108-year-old building at 11th and Pike, the plans for the new design include the construction of penthouse apartments office space on top of the historical H.W. Baker Linen Supply Co. building and redesign of a freight elevator inside the building.

According to a representative for the Dunn and Hobbes project speaking at a recent meeting of the Pike/Pine Urban Neighborhood Council, the goal of the changes is to improve the building while still incorporating the unique character that makes the structure “stand out in the neighborhood.” Dunn and Hobbes feel “confident that the building will be landmarked,” and that the integrity of the former automotive building will stay intact.

UPDATE: Dunn tells CHS that there is currently no timeline for the project’s construction and that the project hinges on the city’s passage of mandatory unreinforced masonry upgrade legislation.

The new project could also trigger Mandatory Housing Affordability requirements on the planned 8,000 square feet of new penthouse housing space. Correction: Dunn says the project likely would not trigger design review if the building is afforded landmark status. Continue reading →