Development could be threatening the future of two established, long-time businesses in Ballard: 2 and 1/2 Happy Barbers and the Viking Tavern.

2 and 1/2 Happy Barbers has been at its current location for 14 years and The Viking has been serving people since 1950. Both places receive consistently high ratings on the popular review website Yelp.com.

The proposal is for a 6-story structure with 60 residential units with 5,000 square feet of ground level retail and below-grade parking for 60 vehicles, according to the Land Use Information Bulletin.

People at both businesses say they will stay open, but in what form, or if they will stay at the same location, is unclear.

An informal meeting will be taking place in the conference room at the Neighborhood Service Center on Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. The developer, from Ballard Lofts, will be there to explain the project and to take questions. The business owners are invited, but not confirmed.

The meeting is open to the public and is meant to provide an open forum on the development.

A second meeting held by Department of Planning and Development will be taking place on July 23. It will be at Ballard High School at 6:30 p.m.

Rumors that The Viking has made an agreement with the developer to use space in the ground level retail space are unconfirmed. Megan McKay, architect for Ballard Lofts, said nothing is finalized and that planning is still in the early phases. She said more information will be given at the meetings.

"I think you will get a better read then," McKay said.

Ballard News Tribune will have an update story after the meeting.