Yesterday
we received a reader tip from someone whose name I cannot discern from the email address. The reader asked if we’d seen something on Facebook about Changes Bar on 45th Street here in Wallingford, and included the following link: http://changesinwallingford.com/wp/blog/changes-in-wallingford-needs-your-help/ .
It’s a tab on Changes’ official website for “Changes Petition” which states the following:
“For the last 22 years Changes has been a much loved fixture in Wallingford and in the Seattle gay community. Recently, new elements in the neighborhood have decided we don’t belong here anymore. These complaints come from a single new homeowner in the area that has filed a number of noise complaints against us. Changes serves hundreds of people a week with affordable drinks and good times, and but also supports local sports teams in the neighborhood and the Wallingford economy. To keep Changes alive and kicking please sign this online petition so we can be open another 22 years.”
And wow, I am totally impressed by how many people signed the petition on December 21st. It’s really spectacular.
Laura V., of Lower Wallingford, wrote on her Facebook page: “I can guarantee you I’ve walked by this bar a thousand times at all hours of the day and night and never heard anything outside of its walls.”
I did a little more sleuthing, and got the following information from a neighbor who wishes to remain anonymous: Changes has received numerous noise complaints from SPD. They’ve tried to be accommodating by closing the back patio at night and going from three karaoke nights a week to two. The petition shows that Changes is a fixture in the community with a lot of support.
Yes it does.
Check it out: Changes petition page
And thanks to our tipster for letting us know about this issue in the ‘hood. Happy Holidays, y’all.
Seriously? This is like the least loud bar I’ve ever known of. There are other businesses (and one particular bar just down the street) in that are that are a hundred times as loud. Sounds to me like someone is putting some hate on for other reasons than noise.
That’s absurd. I have never, ever heard a peep from Changes and I pass it every single day, without fail. I assume it’s someone in the new Townhomes next door. Are they aware there is a two screen movie theater on the same footrpine with several industrial strength subwoofers?
Hard not to imagine some agenda or mania at play.
thank you fo rletting us know. I have lived in neighborhood a very logn time and have nto observed undue noise or bad behavior. I have been treated with warmth any time I went in.
One new hoeowner. ONE.. NEW might have been better off researching the neighborhood before buyign instead of perpetuating a hate agenda
Changes? Incredibly quiet, wonderful neighbor. Either this homeowner has confused it with another place — perhaps one that rhymes with Smurfies (hey, said with love) or Trashyzoo (said with no love whatsoever) — or this homeowner has An Axe To Grind, and I’m betting I can guess what that axe might be. Let’s hope they realize they are in the Wrong Damn Neighborhood for that sort of idiocy and hump on back to the ‘burbs.
Seriously? I’ve walked by the bar countless times late at night and have never thought it was too loud, and that’s passing within feet of the door.
go. to. the. suburbs.
I can never tell if this place is open or not, it’s so quiet
I have never been, I’ll stop in soon
It’s closing time at a bar a block away that keeps me up. Collegiate testosterone howling into the night. Changes… never bothered me. Literally never. Homeowners, check out your ZONING before you buy, and visit your prospective neighborhoods at night, too, before buying. Do the legwork and everyone will be happier.
Agreed to all of the above. It’s the least obnoxious bar, I never hear it when I’m walking my dogs around the neighborhood at night, I never have to navigate sometimes-scary drunks spilled out onto the sidewalk (Smurfies, Sea Monster). Signed the petition for sure.
Changes should give the offended homeowner gift certificates for free drinks any time they visit. Fight hate with love.
I walk by plenty of times and have always been proud that our neighborhood is able to have such a diverse pub for so many years. This is a non problem which its part of the fabric of Wallingford. Look at what has happened in Fremont, perhaps our “neighbor” should have moved there instead.
So I live less than a block from Changes, and have to say that it is definitely not quiet at night. It’s not particularly obnoxious (thumping, screaming, etc), but the laughter on the patio, the karaoke, the music… I hear it all, I hear it often, and many nights I hear clearly with the windows closed. I don’t think that the complainers are necessarily homophobic. That said, I don’t live in a hip neighborhood a less than a block from the main drag and expect it to be quiet. I love that it’s a happening place, that I am moments from the action, and I understand that my trade off is that I don’t listen to crickets at night. I also hear sirens, have limited street parking, and my house is never fully dark. This is what I signed up for. Think about the implications when you move in *right next door to a bar on the main drag*!!!
I have also walked by plenty of times and have not heard any noise from within the walls of Changes. Even so 45th street is zoned for businesses so if you buy a house close to a business that serves the public like Changes does you should expect that there will be a certain amount of noise. If you want complete quiet move out to the country.
This reminds me of the folks who get a great deal on a house near the airport then weeks later appear on the news talking about how loud it is and how their health is suffering from the fumes and sleepless nights. You buy a house near the dump, you and your house will smell like trash, you buy a house near a steet or a bar, you will have noise. Deal or move, don’t make others pay for your poorly informed decision.
I feel bad that one supposed complaint can cause so much distress. Very glad to see positve public outcry in support of Changes. I never go there but its so nice to know we have a local gay bar in our neighborhood. A quiet one at that!
Hear hear for Changes. They’ve always been great neighbors and a friendly business. I’m just curious what they’re going to do with the petition. Save it for a court fight if one becomes necessary?
In the meantime, I hope the clueless neighbor is touring open houses elsewhere. That’s just idiotic, moving so close to a main street with shops and restaruants and expecting suburban peace and quiet. This is the city. Did they somehow miss that part when they bought a house?
So I see one complaint about Changes (“Molly”) vs. fourteen practically glowing comments.
Just admit it, Molly, you’re the one whining to the SPD.
Dan-
The way I read it, Molly is defending Changes too.
I agree with GAM — that Molly is saying she hears the bar sometimes, but who wouldn’t if you moved next to a bar?