PORT TOWNSEND — The cross-town relocation of T’s Restaurant has prompted the restoration of a historic building and created a few more jobs.
Gary and Nancy Tocatlian have moved their popular 5-year-old restaurantout of the shadows of Washington Street near Port Townsend Boat Haven and into an expanded setting at 141 Hudson St., where diners have a view of Port Townsend Bay.
The building, once considered a candidate for demolition, has been restored in a joint effort between the Port of Port Townsend, which owns it, and the Tocatlians, who negotiated a lease at the beginning of the year.
Larry Crockett, port executive director, said the final cost of the upgrades will be about $500,000, with costs borne by both the port and the restaurant owners.
He said that a breakdown of the amount paid by the port would be available after all receipts are in.
Economic boost
The renovation and move were an economic boost for Port Townsend, Crockett said.
“They added employees and employed people to do construction,” he said.
“It’s a good deal all the way around, because it gives a boost to the work force, and we saved that historic building.”
The Tocatlians, who are open for business now but planning a grand opening later in the summer, said they are more comfortable in the new location.
“This is definitely more us,” Nancy Tocatlian said. “We kind of inherited the look and feel of the old restaurant when we bought it in 2004.
“At the old location, it was very formal, whereas here it is very relaxed. This is exactly what we wanted.”
Gary Tocatlian said he had considered moving for about three years.
“I was just walking around looking at places when I found this,” he said. “It was sitting here in the perfect location, just falling apart.”
The building on the edge of the bay was constructed in the 1930s as quarters for military nurses.
Since then, it has undergone changes in use, most recently serving as a showering and laundry facility for people staying at the marina or in the nearby RV park.
And then it sat empty for several years, rotting from the moisture damage of many years of showers.
“It had gone into some serious disrepair,” Crockett said.
“It was very nearly torn down. Even the city agreed that this building probably couldn’t be saved.”
The Tocatlians thought differently.
Now, no sign of damage can be seen.
Changes
New windows, decking and roofing have been installed, the exterior has been painted and the interior has been completely redone, complete with a giant fish tank and tables that are artistic mosaics of recycled glass.
The Tocatlians also have bolstered their work force.
“At the old place, we had around 10 employees at any given time, but only a few of them were full-time,” Nancy Tocatlian said.
“Now we have just around 30 employees working at the restaurant, and most of them are full-time positions.”
Both the Tocatlians work full-time at the restaurant as hosts and servers. Their son, Tim Tocatlian, is the executive chef.
“It’s kind of like a second home,” Gary Tocatlian said.
“And it’s great being here. We really enjoy this.”
Nancy Tocatlian said that, while the fine dining menu is served at the new location, a lunch and pub menu have been added.
“We now have very affordable options as well,” she said. “We still have the old menu. We still have the huge wine list. But we’re doing more to serve everyone.”
Gary Tocatlian said that the menu expansion is an invitation to the community to come down and check out the place.
“The old place could be intimidating once people walked in the door,” he said. “Not here. Here it’s casual, and we want you to come as you are.”
For more information, phone 360-385-0700.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
