By reporter Steven Smalley
Dark for at least two weeks, the building which currently contains The Villa Bistro at 34th & Emerson has new owners and a new purpose. Magnolia residents Kaspar and Nancy Donier will move Kaspars Special Events & Catering from their current address on lower Queen Anne to the site now occupied by The Villa, sources reveal to Magnolia Voice.
No longer will there be a restaurant per se at The Villa location. Kaspars, Seattle?s Premier Catering Company, as proclaimed on their website, will host events on-site and provide catered cuisine for special occasions outside the Magnolia venue. Opening date is set for July 1, according to sources.
Passersby and others from the neighborhood were curious: What happened to The Villa?
?When we moved here it was Rudy?s,? says Samantha Woodward, a neighbor taking a stroll with her dog. ?We were so disappointed. It took so long for The Villa to open. Then it was only here for less than a year. The location might be a jinx.?
The physical building which housed The Villa is surprisingly spacious with a portion extending east on Emerson which could provide extra room for Kaspars. Speaking of extra space, Bill the Butcher?s old location across the street will contain additional storage for the catering service, as it?s also been leased by Kaspars, according to sources.
Request for comment was not immediately provided by the Dornier?s or Stefan Petrov, the former owner of The Villa.