“We knew we wanted to create something meaningful, something bespoke.” – Stacy Jones
Friday, October 2, 2020, Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty Owner and CEO Dean Jones proudly welcomed the public to B-Bar: a by-day café and restaurant, and evening wine bar that operates in concert with RSIR’s flagship Bellevue brokerage office. Jones, alongside co-owner and CPO Stacy Jones, with veteran restauranteur Joe Vilardi and Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson, cut the ribbon to officially open the B-Bar and office on Old Main Street to downtown Bellevue.
In keeping with COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, the small event was limited to the RSIR executive team, executives from Sotheby’s International Realty®, Bellevue’s mayor and deputy mayor, and the architectural and design teams that executed the vision.
Mayor Robinson and Deputy Mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis, hailed the grand opening as a celebration for Old Main Street and downtown Bellevue that has been slowly reopening, too, following precautionary pandemic-related shutdowns.
RSIR worked closely with the city in creating the unique space, and the compatibility of that relationship showed in the comments made by Robinson. “You’re making this the place to be, at the B-Bar. I’m so proud of the City of Bellevue staff, and the whole organization, to get together, and do what our businesses need during these times.”
Old Main Street now offers expanded outdoor dining options to accommodate the latest safety and health guidelines, and B-Bar is among the businesses taking advantage of this outdoor café appeal.
And while outdoor seating is an option, a seat inside is truly something to behold. Also offering remarks was Shanna Gatanis of Design Studio 15, the designer who helmed the look and feel of the interior of B-Bar. When Stacy Jones said she wanted bespoke, she got it “We wanted to create a special environment for these brokers and their clients,” said Gantanis “—and to get some killer deals done and have a killer cocktail and enjoy this space from day to night!” The opening of the office comes on the heels of an expected economic boom in Bellevue: Amazon recently announced that over the next five years it would add 25,000 thousand Eastside jobs to the downtown Bellevue, while Facebook would also be investing in office space.
“This is poised for the economic growth that Bellevue has experienced and is going to have a significant impact,” said Sotheby’s International Realty CMO Brad Nelson.
“When we look at luxury real estate in the residential sector over the last six months, so much has changed, but one thing that has not changed is how much we value our homes. We spend more time there than ever before. Our communities have meant new things to us in incredibly powerful ways,” Nelson said. “Dean and Stacy, we could not be more thankful and proud to have you as a partner of Sotheby’s in Seattle.”
The vision of Dean and Stacy was also praised by their operating partner, Joe Vilardi. “What they’ve done here is amazing, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.”
B-Bar operates as a neighborhood café daily from 8am to 4pm, offering specialty coffee drinks and B-bites, a collection of convenient grab-and-go menu items, in a safely spaced and enjoyable living room environment. Dinner service is also offered Tuesday through Saturday, from 5pm to 10pm, with curated menu items by Chef Jako Smith, also of Bis on Main, and festive specials such as Cristal champagne and caviar.
For more information visit BBarBellevue.com.