SEQUIM –– The Islander Pizza & Pasta Shack closed its doors Saturday, apparently without warning to customers, employees or the owner of the building at 380 E. Washington St.
The Islander had been a popular spot for banquets and birthday parties in Sequim for the past four years.
The business was run by Debbie Seavy and her husband, Ken Cram. Seavy did not return phone calls requesting comment Tuesday.
Building owners Carol and Lee Adams said they had a purchase agreement in which Seavy and Cram were making monthly payments to buy the building, as well as some furniture and equipment.
The Adamses, who operated the restaurant as The Riptide for 20 years before retiring, said they had not heard from Seavy and Cram, and that they were consulting with an attorney.
Employees shocked
Many of the Islander’s 10 employees also were surprised by the closure, said two of the former workers.
“It’s an unfortunate situation for those of us that worked there,” kitchen manager Richard Williams said.
“I just didn’t see any of this coming. I don’t think anybody did. I really thought things were going well.”
Williams had worked for Seavy and Cram for six years, starting as a cook when they owned The Oasis Sports Bar & Grill, 301 E. Washington St.
Williams reported for work Friday morning and was told the restaurant was closing.
Waitress Katrina Welch, a four-year employee, said she worked a morning shift Friday and was not told of the closure.
She called other employees for information after a friend asked her Saturday afternoon why the Islander was closing.
“A lot of us, that was our sole source of income,” Welch said.
“I don’t understand how they could just close the doors like that and not even tell me.”
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
