Seattle's Historic Cowboy Bar Fights Eviction Over Dumpster

A Historic Seattle Bar Faces Eviction Over a Dumpster Dispute

For nearly a century, the Little Red Hen has been a beloved fixture in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood. Since its opening in 1933, this country dive-bar has served as more than just a place to grab a drink—it has become a cultural hub for music, dancing, and community gatherings. However, the bar now faces an uncertain future due to a dispute with its landlord over a shared dumpster.

The issue began when the landlord, Ruoxi Zhang of RLD Group LLC, issued a notice to terminate the bar's month-to-month lease. According to the notice, the termination was due to violations of the lease terms, specifically related to the use of a shared dumpster. The landlord claims that allowing other businesses to share the dumpster was against the agreement. This led to significant financial implications for the bar, as the cost of maintaining the dumpster alone would have been around $40,000 per year.

A Community in Crisis

The news of the potential eviction came as a shock to many regulars and staff at the Little Red Hen. Gage Clark, a long-time patron, expressed his disbelief at the situation. “It was very cold seeing a piece of paper saying you’re facing eviction or you’re out of here,” he said. For Clark and others, the bar is more than just a venue—it’s a part of their lives and a symbol of the community they cherish.

Kyle Snodgrass, another regular, explained that the disagreement over the dumpster was the final straw in a series of ongoing issues between the bar and the landlord. He emphasized that the bar had been trying to work with the landlord to find a solution but felt that the current approach was not conducive to a peaceful resolution.

Landlord's Perspective

Ruoxi Zhang, the landlord, provided a statement addressing the situation. She mentioned that she had made repeated efforts to resolve the lease issues constructively and remains hopeful for a peaceful outcome. Zhang emphasized that a respectful and reasonable resolution would benefit both parties and the broader community.

Despite the landlord's statements, the bar’s staff believe that their lease allows them to stay until at least 2030. They have already booked shows for the rest of the year and are determined to continue operating. However, the notice from the landlord gives them until the end of July to vacate the premises.

Community Efforts to Save the Bar

Faced with the threat of eviction, regulars of the Little Red Hen have taken action. Christine Tran, a local resident, and several other patrons formed a group called "Save the Hen" to raise awareness about the bar’s plight. Tran emphasized that the bar is more than just a dive bar—it’s a vital part of the community that deserves to be protected.

Clark added that the bar has a rich history and should be recognized as a historic business. He suggested exploring options to get the bar officially designated as a historic site. “We’re looking at ways that we can get this officially protected as a historic place and a historic business,” he said.

What Comes Next?

As the deadline approaches, the community continues to rally behind the Little Red Hen. Regulars are working to ensure that the bar’s story is heard and that their voices are not ignored. The situation highlights the challenges that small businesses face when dealing with landlords and the importance of preserving local landmarks.

The fate of the Little Red Hen remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the community is determined to fight for the bar and its legacy. Whether through legal means, public awareness, or historical recognition, the people of Seattle are showing that they will not easily let go of a place that has meant so much to them.