NORTH TACOMA CAFE TO HAVE NEW OWNER >>>
"The goal is to not make anyone nervous" is how Barry Watson began the conversation about the imminent sale of his North Tacoma business, The Rosewood Café.
"I wasn't in a hurry to make an announcement because it isn't that exciting," says Watson. "Rich Benzin, the new owner is a friend of mine; it's just a transfer of ownership. The menu, staff and my recipes - everything will stay the same."
The café's manager and kitchen manager will take on more responsibility with the eventual departure of Watson's smiling face, but it won't be any time soon.
"Even after the sale is final I'm staying on for an undetermined amount of time," Watson explains. "I want to be sure they (the Benzins) have it down before I go."
Watson is set to leave at the height of his current entrepreneurial career, a rarity in the small business world even during sunnier economic times.
"Business has never been better; we've beat past years' sales every year. I'm getting out of the (restaurant) business on a positive note," he says,
He also finds himself in the unique position to know the in-coming owners well, to have a mutual respect and liking of them.
The Northend will like him, too. Watson says the Benzins couldn't be any more "local." "If I wasn't completely comfortable and didn't believe this wasn't a great match, I wouldn't do it," says Watson.
Just outside of the Proctor Business District proper, the café sits among homes on North 26th Street. Instead of feeling isolated, it has become a destination in the 8 and a half years since opening. The Rosewood earned and maintains a well-deserved reputation for being a casual place to enjoy simple, good food at easily affordable prices. Staff is friendly and helpful.
Mostly made from scratch, Watson's menu of comfort foods with Northwest slant includes sandwiches, salads, soups, and larger plates of macaroni and cheese, and deep dish personal pot pie, and salmon fillet.
Reflecting Watson's on-going commitment to keep prices affordable for the masses, college students are known to occupy tables next to Lexus drivers.
From his days before the cafe as a beer and wine representative, Watson's selection at the cafe is impressive. A large display case of vino hugs most of one wall; interesting beers are never in short supply and rotate seasonally.
Desserts made in-house have a cult following.
"I'm looking forward to joining the lives of the living," says Watson of the well-deserved break he has before him. "For the last nine years seven days a week, life has been planned out for me. And now I'll have no plans to do anything. That's the exciting part for me."
The café will continue to be open for lunch and dinner daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
[Rosewood Café, 3323 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.752.7999]