After 12 years Portalis Wines is set to close its Ballard Ave store for good in January 2015.
The Ballard favorite, owned by Julie and Jens Strecker, will open a new store in another Ballard location in the new year.
Check out the statement that Streckers posted on their blog below:
The news is out! The “For Lease” sign is up! Portalis Wines is nearing the end of our 10-year lease in this spot (12 years on the street!), and we’ve decided it’s the end of an era for us on Ballard Ave. What a run! When we first opened in 2003 (up the street at 5310 Ballard Ave) Ballard Bookcase was across the street next to Ernie’s motorcycle & metalworks shop (now Bastille). Ernie had “The Pisser” in the window, a life-size metal figure of a man ready for you to hook up your hose so he could water your lawn as he did his business! Anyone remember? The Wilson Ford building was next to us, empty and dilapidated. Madame K’s was still on the block. Ballard Hardware was in its original location, and we could go on!
As part-owners in the building, this is a good move for us. For you, it will be good because we promise to find a new location with improved parking! The only change (and it’s a big one) is that our new venue will only have a wine shop, no wine bar. J. Strecker Selections (our wine import company) has taken off, demanding much more of our time. We are looking forward to this change, but in the meantime, it’s been a great ride with the wine bar, and it’s time to celebrate:
It’s time to celebrate a great run! It’s time to celebrate the development of this great street & neighborhood. And it’s time to celebrate the people (employees, winemakers, cheesemongers, chocolatiers, artists & patrons) who helped create such a great wine venue through the years.
Cheers to Ballard and cheers to wine!
Julie and Jens
Before the closure, Portalis is set to host one final art exhibition installed by local artist Lina Raymond. The exhibition, titled On The Avenue, features detailed works of different spots on Ballard Ave in Fall/Winter.
“In a series that will take years to complete, this show presents the first paintings in which I attempt to capture this old fishing village that I have lovingly come to call home,” says Raymond.
The exhibition is on now and will be shown through January 2, 2015, when Portalis on Ballard Ave is set to close its doors.
Artwork, titled Moon Over the Avenue, courtesy of Lina Raymond.
