By SUSAN PARK

Bottleworks opens in Wallingford

Wallingford is now home to what may be the city's first-ever "retail beer store" - a store that specializes in beer, lots and lots of beer (325 different brands), as well as books on beer, and even "beer glassware" (don't call them mugs!). "Every beer has its own glass," just like with wine, explains owner Matt VanderBerghe.

VanderBerghe, 26, is a self-described "beer enthusiast" who recruited two other fellow "enthusiasts," Matt Bonney and Brian "Marty" Elliott, to join him in launching Bottleworks - a "beer resource center" where people can not only find a wide selection of beers, but can also learn about the various products before making a purchase.

Bottleworks is located at 1710 N. 45th.

Frontier Bank to hold publicity stunt

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPERBANKER! On Friday, April 23, it would be worth your while to stop by Frontier Bank at the corner of 125th and 30th NE, if only to see bank manager Evelyn Jones and assistant manager Sylvia McElroy in tights and a cape!

Lake City Books moves to Pike Market

Three years ago, Lake City Book Store owner David Ghoddousi purchased the collection of a used bookstore located in the Pike Place Market, Shakespeare & Co. Books, which had closed following the death of its owner.

Now, in an ironic twist, Ghoddousi has moved his store to the Pike Place Market - occupying the very same space that once housed Shakespeare & Co. Books.

Ghoddousi, who held a grand opening for his store on March 28, has renamed his shop Lionheart Bookstore. It's located on the Third Floor Down Under, across the hall from Shane's Restaurant.

Lake City Chamber director to retire

Betty Bartholomew announced on March 23 that she will be retiring as executive director of the Lake City Chamber.

Bartholomew, a Lake City resident since 1950, has been executive director since 1977. In addition, she has also served as secretary and newsletter editor for the Lake City Taskforce. Some of her past achievements include serving as editor for the now defunct Lake City Star.

Although she is retiring, Bartholomew says she will still play an active role in Lake City. She plans to continue helping with the Lake City Taskforce and will also serve as co-chair, along with Ron Palin, of the Pioneer Days Grand Parade.

Bartholomew says she will continue to serve as director of public relations for Circus Fans of America, a national organization. She also plans to use her marketing skills to start her own public relations company.

Although Bartholomew says she has enjoyed working with the Chamber, she says she is especially excited about having more time to spend more time with her grandchildren.

Maple Leaf Grill to move

The Maple Leaf Grill will close its doors on April 21, but local patrons needn't worry about losing their neighborhood watering hole.

The Maple Leaf Grill, which has been at 8909 Roosevelt Way NE since its opening nine years ago, will reopen on April 26, or thereabouts, at its new location on the north end of the same block. The new address, 8929 Roosevelt Way NE, was formerly occupied by the Java Restaurant, which closed Jan. 1.

Joe McDonald, a partner in the Maple Leaf Grill, says he and his partner David Albert, had been looking for a new site for their restaurant-pub for the past several months after receiving notice from their landlord that he would not be renewing their lease.

"We were looking to stick around the neighborhood. It was fortuitous that they (the Java Restaurant's owners) were retiring," said McDonald.

Schultzy's moving into roomier digs

A popular U-District eatery for the past decade, Schultzy's Sausage Company, is moving six doors south into a larger space that will have quintuple the seating capacity (60 instead of 12) of its original site. The new location, at 4114 University Way NE, will also offer several new menu options including vegetarian, as well as a beer and wine license. The management at Schultzy's are planning to hold a grand opening party in early April to celebrate the restaurant's new home.