SOON TO BE THE NUMBER 1111 ON HILLTOP >>>
Putting in a hood system for a grill can be a daunting task, especially in older buildings. It also means burgers and grilled sandwiches will be a reality at Peterson Bros 1111, the latest venture of twin brothers Justin and Rob Peterson, schedule to open at 11th and MLK Way in Tacoma next year.
What about steaks?
"It will be a sandwich kind of place open for lunch and then later for dinner and drinks," explains Justin Peterson. It will mostly be Rob and I working - doing it all. We're the bartender, the cook - all of it." It's a small space so they're not worried.
The menu hasn't been decided, but simple, good food is the direction the brothers want to go. Justin says they want to use local food products and beers, but haven't nailed down specifics yet.
Doing most of the construction work themselves, they expect to open the 21 and older restaurant and bar in late January.
Walking outside to photograph the Petersons, a man across the street calls out in friendly fashion asking when the bar will open. Justin's smile peaks through his impressive beard and moustache as he shouts, "Soon," giving a courtesy wave.
Why Hilltop Tacoma?
"I have always liked the area. I've been eating at Pho Bac and Thai Garden since high school," Justin explains.
It also fell into place with builder owner Rand Chiarovano, who purchased the mammoth Hilltop brickwork building seven years ago.
"The same day we were talking about doing our own place, Rand called 20 minutes later and suggested we open a sandwich shop," says Rob. Both laugh at the coincidental timing that now has them standing amid what looks like chaos at their construction site - sandwiched between Hilltop Pawn and Loan and Vietnamese noodle shop Pho Bac Café.
No strangers to bars or restaurants, the two have worked in both. Rob has concentrated his effort in the construction field, although worked a stint at The Hotel Bar & Grill, a defunct live music and dance club at 24th and Pacific Avenue owned by the folks behind The Swiss, which includes the brothers' father, Bob Hill. Justin learned the ropes at The Swiss, as well as Jazzbones, Fenders (now Chopstix) and Hell's Kitchen.
Going for a truly vintage look, a lot of reclaimed products and materials from other local businesses are being used.
"The wood on the bar is from the Nalley Valley pickle company. We're calling it dill wood; it's from the floor of the barrel room" Justin explains, pointing out the stained wood and then gestures at the front door area and shares that a set of 10 restored windows will be installed above the awning to allow more natural light in, some of them will open for ventilation. At the opposite end is a game area that will hold pinball, golf or similar games. Bench-backed high top tables will make up most of the seating; a lean-against buddy bar and bar stools will comprise the rest.
Justin guesses Peterson Bros. 1111 will hold 50 people.
Though the space is small, the Petersons have put in two bathrooms - a women's and a unisex. "We want to the ladies to have a nice bathroom."
A decade ago the space was a bar with a less than sterling reputation called Michael's 1111. It was rented out as an artist studio, a live-work space and as an apartment, where Chiarovano bunked for four years calling it his bar apartment. Some years after Michael's closed and the last tenant left, Pho Bac increased their seating area by pushing into the adjacent space that had become a storage area for Chiarovano.
The brothers say people in the area have expressed excitement that they are bringing a new business to Hilltop. "Seems like I meet one person a week that has just bought a home or just moved to Hilltop," says Rob. "They're all saying they are glad we'll be open soon."