Seven Seas Proposed QFC Move Goes Before Hearing Examiner

moved a step closer Thursday to taking over part of the vacant QFC space in downtown Gig Harbor.

It’s application for a conditional use permit went before the city hearing examiner at a public meeting that was attended by about two dozen supporters from the business and residential communities.

“We are excited to come downtown and hopefully revitalize the downtown corridor a little bit,” said Mike Runion, who owns the craft brewer with Travis Guterson.

The two are looking to lease 10,500 square feet, or about 40%, of the old QFC space, more than tripling the size of its current operation located next to the .  Most of the proposed new quarters — 8,100 square feet — would be used for 7 Seas’ brewing operation; the remaining 2,400 square feet would house its tap room. In addition, the craft brewer would modify a portion of the exterior façade in order to install a 25-foot silo for storing hops.

To date, community sentiment toward the prospect of having 7 Seas downtown appears to be all positive. The popular brewer has grown rapidly in the two years it has been in business. The tiny tap room it runs right now in its current space is regularly packed. As a result, 7 Seas holds out the potential to provide a much-needed boost to Gig Harbor's downtown business district, which has suffered from the poor economy and as a key business draw.

“I firmly believe that bringing 7 Seas downtown will help other businesses by bringing more people downtown,” said resident Jim Borgen, who lives up the hill from the old QFC.  “These are young guys doing the right thing. They make great product. A broad demographic of people go there.”

Borgen added that 7 Seas could become a community place to gather, similar to what's happened in other small towns supporting downtown craft brewers.

Permit Coordinator Dennis Troy told the hearing examiner that city planning staff has determined that 7 Seas' business is consistent with the description and goals of the Downtown Business Zoning District. It has recommended approving the 7 Seas conditional use permit, with a few caveats. For example, it wants deliveries to be limited to between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and asks that 7 Seas replace any landscaping lost due to the instillation of its grain silo.

Runion said 7 Seas had no problems with the city's conditions.

The hearing examiner is expected to rule on the application within 14 days.