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The Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday announced a change in its food service model as of Sept. 1., when Potlatch Bistro will be consolidated with Shore Pine Coffee & Gelato.
The change is due to rising food and labor costs and the need to ensure sustainable community dining services, said Edmonds Waterfront Center President and CEO Daniel Johnson.
“We remain committed to addressing food insecurity and isolation among seniors,” Johnson said. “Box lunches will be provided for seniors who are registered for the program.” An expanded menu of grab-and-go lunch options will be offered at Shore Pine for the public including soup and sandwiches, salads and wraps and breakfast sandwiches. The banquet room will continue to offer seating, live music and Sound and ferry views.
Since opening its doors in March 2021, the Edmonds Waterfront Center (EWC) has operated a “community café” model where seniors needing extra help get a subsidized meal and the public order off the menu and pay a market price. Everyone dines together in the banquet room, optimizing social connections and community engagement. The food has been provided by the EWC food service partner Feedme Hospitality & Restaurant Group (FHRG).
“Feedme Hospitality has been right beside every step of the way as we have continued to innovate and test the model,” Johnson added. “In 2022, we served 13,000 senior meals. This latest innovation marks the next evolution responding to changing market conditions as we continue to explore other sustainable options.” To assist with this change, Johnson said, Feedme Hospitality will donate 2,000 meals for seniors. However, the EWC will need to continue to seek support from the public to allow the program to continue indefinitely, he added.
Potlatch Bistro will cease operations as of Sept. 1, but registered seniors can enjoy box lunches between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“Patrons can anticipate a community-focused dining experience, consistent with Feedme Hospitality & Restaurant Group’s dedication,” said Alex Marek, chief operating officer for FHRG.
“Merging with Shore Pine ensures not just preservation but an enhancement of the food and service,” Johnson added. “As our dining options change, our mission to serve the community remains unwavering. The EWC family is grateful for the community’s support and patience as we refine a sustainable and enriching Community Café model.”
The new Edmonds Waterfront Center evolved from the Edmonds Senior Center. Built on the original waterfront site, the EWC operates as a multi-generational, multicultural center where people of all ages come to gather, learn, and celebrate. From 8 a.m.-4 p.m. most of the programs are aimed at older adults. From 4-10 p.m. programs for all ages are offered by the City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department. On the weekends the EWC serves as a rental venue where the proceeds support weekly programs. Go to www.edmondswaterfrontcenter.org to learn more.
Soup lines are coming soon for everyone.
So glad that the Potlach Bistro is gone. This model and the people who thought it was a good idea are responsible for the demise of a wonderful community gathering spot for seniors. Many of us mourn the loss of the cafeteria style and common seating of the old senior center dining room. Food was comforting and good (not hoity toity) and inexpensive and the family style seating meant you met people easily. It was one of the best features of the center. Groups of friends could sit together and the feeling was one of welcome and warmth. That feeling extended to the whole Center. Potlach created the opposite of this. Expensive, sterile, cold and separate. I fervently hope the next iteration of the dining room moves toward something better. I no longer go to this Center but would like to return someday when I feel it is about and for seniors, no matter where they live. My friends and I now frequent other nearby Senior Centers for classes and lunch where we can all be together without being charged outrageous prices because some do not live in Edmonds.
As I recall The Waterfront Center and Potlatch Bistro opened during the Pandemic.
I applaud the efforts of the team that fed Seniors and others during this time.
How quickly we have forgotten what we went through and how the team at EWC and FeedMe Hospitality pivoted multiple times during COVID. I never thought it felt “hoity toity”.
Way to look for the good and praise it.
I certainly agree with much of the above comment. I was disappointed from the beginning that the dining concept was to graft a private restaurant vision onto a communal space. It almost posed as competition with Arnie’s and Anthony’s. Adopting the approach of the former center, would have better focus on the exceptional view and the communal ambience of the interior. Hopefully, we will go forwards to a healthier concept. KOK
As I understand it, the “sterile” room (as described by some) will remain as is, with seniors who have signed up for the lunch program going to the window inside that room (now called The Banquet Room), to pick up box lunches (which sounds like they will be cold lunches). All regular customers will go to Shore Pine’s counter. The former dining room (Potlatch Bistro) will be open for eating one’s food and/or drinking one’s beverage from 8 to 2. That’s the concept. It’s already fairly slow to get a beverage at the small counter at Shore Pine – can’t imagine how slow it will be to also get “grab & go” food and will the general public know anything they purchase can be consumed in the former dining room? I recall when Potlatch opened to great fanfare with table service & food (and prices) for regular menu items akin to the waterfront restaurants nearby and a lengthy “senior” discounted price menu. Sr menu got trimmed substantially over time. Now no longer a restaurant. Sigh.
WFC is really no different than a lot of things we just constantly have to “improve” in our town. Of course, the old Senior Center building was obsolete and needed to be replaced, but in doing so we ended up with the new concept destroying some of the functionality of the old concept. The cold weather shelter is history. The relatively cheap to free food for Seniors in a comfort zone atmosphere is history. The same goes for our “New” Civic Field Park. It’s no longer suitable for the Taste, the Fireworks Display, or vendor parking for the Art Festival.
A little off the official City venue, but the same goes for our fancy new Edmonds – Woodway High School. We had a very rich EHS Tigers athletic and social history that was just tossed out the door in the spirit of “were all just one big happy family” vibe for lack of a better characterization. The bottom line is we just don’t think things out very well when it comes to unintended consequences. It doesn’t always make sense to combine things that really are a separate reality.
I am not surprised at all.
Have you looked in to culinary schools to come in twice a week to cook? They get practice and seniors get meals. Win win.
Cooking classes? Baking class, bread making
Maybe soup n salad day 1 day a month
All these are cost saving ideas and seniors get to enjoy breakfast or lunch for a good price
All good ideas. Has anyone looked into forming a partnership with the Edmonds College culinary school?
My wife and I enjoyed the Potlatch, when we arrived In Edmonds 2 years ago. It has been a place that we’ve brought our friends to for waterfront lunches. It is disappointing that it will cease business, doubt that we will do the shore Pine food selection.