It has come to my attention that a new startup business in the industrial area of the Everest Neighborhood, The Chainline Brewing Company, is receiving opposition from individuals who don’t want to see it opened. The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce support seeing this business going forward for many reasons.

The area is zoned for commercial and industrial enterprises. Clearly, this area of Kirkland is zoned for manufacturing of a variety of products. The owners of Chainline are manufacturing a desirable product that fits the purpose of this location.

Chainline Brewing Company fits into the vision of what businesses the city wants to attract for the Cross Kirkland Corridor. Bikers, runners and walkers will appreciate stopping along the way to enjoy the tasting room. It is a perfect fit for the corridor.

Brew pub tasting rooms attract a clientele that enjoys beer but are not designed for heavy drinking. A visit to Fremont and Ballard in Seattle will show that the brew pubs like Hales Brewery and Maritime along the Burke-Gilman trail are waysides for the bike riders. Chainline’s Facebook page and website is targeted to bike riders and is clearly linked to a young and health minded clientele.

The Chamber is supportive of startup companies that generate jobs. They will do this well once they open and hire more employees. We also want to support businesses that attract a wide demographic of consumers.

Brew pub tasting rooms like the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville attract customers that are for customers of all ages, and are not 21-plus only. The owners of Chainline also listed several other examples of family oriented brew pubs — some even with playgrounds. A child’s exposure to a brew pub is not a negative to families in other communities.

The opposition reeks of prohibition values that all alcohol consumption is bad. If that is the case, then The Grape Choice, Vovina, Flatstick Pub and Via Lago, with their proximity to family-friendly Marina Park, would have been opposed. The Parkplace Cinema is next to Rikki-Rikki, Purple, Lucia and the Crab Cracker. All serve alcohol and have not resulted in injury to children attending the movies. The business corridor along  6th Street South is not populated with homes.

Chainline Brewing Company has done everything required to open their business. We want to see them grow and prosper. We are supportive that they chose this location in Kirkland to open their business.

Bruce Wynn, Executive Director of the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce