New restaurant, retail moving into Old Ballard

Some big news in Old Ballard. Two local businessmen have purchased the historic buildings at 5305, 5307 and 5313 Ballard Ave. with plans to start a French restaurant, reports the Seattle PI. James Weimann, who has owned six restaurants in town, and Deming Maclise, who launched Caffe Fiore, purchased the buildings last month for $3.63 million.

Obermaier Machine Works has occupied this building for 50 years but closed late last month. The French restaurant will go in here.

Just to the north, Seattle Custom Cabinets has operated out of this building for 25 years, and they’re looking to relocate, reports the PI. High end retail shops are planned for here. As is required by the Ballard Avenue Association, the new owners plan to keep the exteriors of the buildings largely the same. (Thanks DJ and Loree for the tip! Photos from Google Street View.)