Started by Sarah Barthelow Murphy
Aug 29, 2023

"Four Lopez Homeowners, calling themselves the Fisherman Bay Homeowners Assoc., have hired an attorney to protest the approval of the Galley permit.

‘Commentor states that new residents “have no idea this was a former bar”’


Oh, dear. Oh, friends. You must be new here. Now, when you drove down Fisherman Bay Road past that illustrious building to the east, I know what you were thinking: "Oh look! That must be a former spa!" When you saw the defunct coolers, dingy columns, and boarded up windows, I bet you couldn’t wait for them to reopen their doors. When will they take new mani pedi appointments, you wondered.

What a shock to learn that, while not a spa, it was the heart of this small town! (Even better!) Let me tell you about it, friends, since you’ve never had to chance to pick up the “bat phone”, had Simone scowl at you (love you, Simone!) as she poured your drink, thrown your quarters down for the next pool game, or heard the “dun dun dun” of your last pinball sinking in Twilight Zone.

Lopez without The Galley is like Paris without the Eiffel Tower, San Francisco without the Golden Gate Bridge, Anacortes without the crumbling drive in “theater” sign with one R left. Until you’ve been to the galley, you haven’t been to Lopez. Until you’ve been to the galley, you haven’t lived!!

While I, and many others, put more faith in the “coming so no!” sign than “coming soon”, and we feared this site of the holy sacrament may be lost forever. Just when we’d all but given up hope, the San Juan County Building Department, that stalwart of efficiency, bless their hearts, strikes again. The permits are here!

I’ll tell you what I told your neighbor who called the cops on me as I watched the 4th of July fireworks from the same field I have sat in for 20 years. (He was moving off Lopez cause her found the neighbors 'unfriendly'). I quoted that wise albeit slightly-pretentious bumper sticker: Don’t change Lopez, let Lopez Change you.

Comment by John Waugh
Sep 3, 2023

I too would like to know when the permit is actually approved (fingers crossed). The Galley was fantastic under Jeff, & hopefully will be with new owners too!

Comment by Julienne Battalia
Sep 3, 2023

Does anyone know if the owners before COVID and the STOP WORK ORDER are the same as the ones who are looking to get a permit now? I was really excited for the new chef, the one who sold food at the dock during COVID... she is a fantastic chef. studied in France. I sure hope she is still in the game.

Comment by Russell Nash
Sep 1, 2023

Did we hear if the permit for The Galley was approved?

Comment by Peter Cantle
Sep 1, 2023

Thank you for posting the link to the County's file on the Galley project. It's voluminous and eye-opening. I reviewed it in its entirety. In addition to the new owner's unceasing good will, it also shows the lengths to which he has gone to bring back (and upgrade) the Galley as a local restaurant and contributor to the Lopez community. My wif ... Read All

Comment by Charles Schietinger
Aug 31, 2023

Having read the county report and watched the Aug. 23 hearing, I strongly support the approval of the permit.

The four neighbors are using a ridiculous argument saying the Galley was abando ... Read All

Comment by Paul Porath
Aug 31, 2023

Thank you Sarah!

I saw with dismay the 4 hiring an attorney to protest the owners of the former Galley getting permits to resume work.

I went to the San Juan County link referenced in this thread and read most (it is a quite long document) of ... Read All

Comment by Charles (Rick) Gadd
Aug 31, 2023

Here's the link to comment on the permit and the post from the county hearing examiner:
"4 Lopez Homeowners, calling themselves the Fisherman Bay Homeowners Assoc, have hired an attorney to protest the approval of the Galley permit. Testimony was given last Wednesday. You can write emails in SUPPORT of the permit approv ... Read All

Comment by Barbara Carver
Aug 30, 2023

Please, please, please support the reopening of our beloved Galley Restaurant! It's such a special place for locals to gather and enjoy wonderful food, and a great place to take visitors when nobody wants to cook!

We need this Lopez icon ... Read All

Comment by Quinn Zerkel (QP Creative Services)
Aug 30, 2023

I fully agree with my neighbor on Fish Bay, Barry! Lopez is simply not the same without The Galley. Some of my fondest memories of coming to Lopez before we moved here full-time are from our many adventures to The Galley and getting to know the locals. Without it, it has felt like a gaping hole in the heart of the Lopez community. The last couple of Winters ... Read All

Comment by Russell Nash
Aug 30, 2023

Please approve the permit to re-open The Galley!

This has been my families go to restaurant and bar for ~ 50 years.

The island urgently needs more food services and places for community gatherings.

Thank you.

Russell Nash

Comment by Barry Crist
Aug 30, 2023

Thank you for posting this Sarah.

On the one hand I'm so happy to hear that the Galley Bar may finally be close to obtaining the permitting they need to open.

Lopez is desperate for ... Read All

Comment by Charles (Rick) Gadd
Aug 30, 2023

Hear, hear! This is another example of moving next to an airport and then complaining of the aircraft noise. I’m sure a large majority of Lopezians’ have been very unhappy that the Galley has been closed for so long. That it will return finally is welcome news.

Comment by Steve Snowden
Aug 29, 2023

Thank you for this! We've only had our place on Lopez for 25 years but I miss eating at The Galley every time I drive past it. If nothing else, it needs to be opened again just for all the community history that it has.