After 30 years in Ballard Anthony’s Homeport Shilshole Bay at 6135 Seaview Ave. N.W. will close permanently on Sunday, March 27.

Known for its scenic sunset views and a hangout for fishermen and business folk alike, the iconic spot will serve its last customers Easter Sunday.

From Anthony’s website:

“We are grateful for the support we have received from the community and look forward to continuing to serve you at our other restaurants.”

According to Lane Hoss, Vice President of Marketing for Anthony’s Home Port, the move will allow the company to refocus their efforts on their other locations.

“It’s the end of our lease, and it’s the right time to close that one and move on. We have two others in Seattle that we want to focus on,” said Hoss.

Anthony’s had a 30-year lease when they opened so many years ago and that location was their fifth in the region.

The two other locations in Seattle are Anthony’s at Pier 66 and Chinooks at Salmon Bay at Fishermen’s Terminal. There is also an Anthony’s Home Port in Edmonds.

Currently there are 45 employees at the Shilshole location, and Hoss said that everyone of them has an opportunity to transfer to one of the nearby restaurants.

“We will have positions for them in Seattle. Some have chosen Edmonds and other locations, but we have positions for all of them.”

Debra Roberts worked as a server at Anthony’s Homeport Shilshole Bay for 26 years. She retired at age 55 and lives in Broadview.

She said that Anthony’s closing is going to be a real loss for the community.

“Anthony’s and Rays are two places that have just been there forever;. It’s like old Ballard. … It’s a familiar place and we all knew the regulars and it was a tight family. It kills me to see Ballard changing so much. It’s just an end of an era,” said Roberts.

As of this week, Anthony’s is taking reservations for their last night of services. Many anticipate it to be a busy but somber night.

“Easter night is going to be crazy. No one is going to want to shut that place down.”

So what will happen to the location?

According to the King County Assessor, the property is own by Trinity Properties Inc. and appraised at $5,777,100.

The Ballard News-Tribune was unable to make contact with Trinity before the time of publication, so the question its future remains.

“That’s the million dollar question. It’s going to need a lot of love and money, but I just pray it doesn’t turn into a condo.”