After stirring worry in Alki and the Admiral District with their purchase of the Alki Homestead restaurant and Hainsworth House, along with announcing plans for various commercial ventures in Alki, business partners Tom Lin and Patrick Henley backed off.

They announced plans in the spring to refurbish Hainsworth House, one of West Seattle's oldest homes, into an event center for weddings and large parties. But many people living in the surrounding Belvidere area objected. Lin and Henley arranged a meeting with the neighbors and, after hearing their concerns, decided not to follow through with the proposal, Lin said.

They put a new roof on the Hainsworth House, which is an official city landmark. The new owners made some other repairs and now plan to sell the property, Henley said.

"It's (Hainsworth House) back on the market," Lin said.

Some Alki residents have been upset by other projects proposed by Lin, particularly his plans to build a four-story hotel at Alki. But the hotel project is now on hold, Lin said.

The business partners will keep the Alki Homestead restaurant, another designated city landmark that was once known as Fir Lodge. They plan only minor changes to be implemented slowly.

Lin and Henley have been trying for months to purchase the 55-year-old restaurant. The sale finally closed in mid-June after they received a liquor license from the state, which was a requirement to complete the deal.

The new owners are learning there are a lot of faithful customers of the Homestead who go there for the continuity of tradition. One couple has had a standing reservation for the same table at the same time every Friday night for 27 years. Lin said that ritual will continue as long as the couple wants

People sometimes suspiciously ask what seasonings have been changed in the restaurant's famed fried chicken.

"I tell them it's the same seasoning the restaurant has been using for 45 years," Lin said.

Henley heard grumbling among the customers when he suggested the restaurant change from pink to white napkins.

Owning the Alki Homestead brings with it "a lot of social responsibility," Lin said.

Some changes have been welcomed, such as the switch from canned to fresh vegetables, Henley said.

The new owners are aware that comfort food dominates the Homestead menu. They plan to keep the longtime menu as it is but will slowly add appetizers, salads and entrees such as meatloaf, turkey dinner, salmon and vegetarian offerings.

More immediate plans are to be open seven nights a week. Currently the Homestead is closed Monday and Tuesday. Weekend brunch is planned from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The expanded hours could be in place by mid-July.

Lin and Henley praised the chefs and servers at the Alki Homestead, many of whom have worked there for years. They kept the business going for nearly two years after the death of previous owner Doris Nelson and until Lin and Henley took control.

The Alki Homestead staff includes Manoj Bhandari, Rachelle Cladek, Amanda Hagar, Brad Karilk, Megan Kistler, Danny Kistler, Noel Major, Brian Nowka, Peter Olive, Bonita Stewman, Lacey Watson and Melissa Watson.

"The staff is very self-sufficient," Lin said. "They are dedicated to this place."

Eventually the new owners plan to refurbish the second-floor banquet room too.

The log structure that contains Alki Homestead was built in 1903 as a summer home for William and Gladys Bernard. They called it Fir Lodge. The building and its interior have city landmark status, meaning they cannot be changed without approval of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board.

Lin and Henley also are opening the Homestead Bakery in the Alki Avenue storefront previously occupied by Alki Mail and Dispatch. In addition to a coffee shop, the new bakery also will have a small convenience store selling milk, eggs, sunblock and other basic items.

The opening date of the new bakery and convenience store hasn't been determined but it will open sometime this summer, Henley said.

Tim St. Clair can be contacted at tstclair@robinsonnews.com or 932-0300.