The Sloop Tavern to stay put despite new property ownership

The new owners of The Sloop Tavern property and neighboring vacant building plan to preserve the two buildings for the foreseeable future.

The two buildings, located at 2830-2834 NW Market St, sold in April for $2.5 million. The buyer was 28 Market LLC. Colleen Horn, manager of 28 Market LLC, tells My Ballard that they plan on making some repairs and a few upgrades to both buildings, allowing the Sloop to continue their tenancy.

The Sloop owner Patrick Files tells My Ballard that he’s in negotiations for his next lease, which he says will be a minimum of five years.

“The Sloop isn’t going anywhere, and needs all support it can get,” Files said. “We’re just trying to keep a 69-year-old bar going.”

Horn said they’ll be renovating the vacant former King’s Smoke Shop next door, with plans to bring in some local businesses. She said they’re still in discussion about which business(es) will be moving in.

Files said the Sloop will be inviting muralist Andrew Miller to the bar this Saturday, May 7 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Miller told My Ballard he’ll be showing both new and older work including art he created through the pandemic. Jonathan Wakuda from the Kalimocho Boys will be playing music from 2 p.m.

Miller is well-known in Ballard for his art: He created the mural on the side of the Sloop and also helped beautify downtown Ballard when multiple businesses boarded up their storefronts at the beginning of the pandemic.

The Sloop will also be celebrating their 69th anniversary this summer; we’ll share details when they plan the party.