Homegrown to shutter 10 of its eateries in September

The Homegrown Group, which was founded by a pair of Mercer Islanders, will soon shutter 10 of its 12 restaurants due to, in part, rising labor costs and food prices. Hap’s Burgers & Taps on the Island will be one of the affected eateries.

According to a July 18 media statement from Island co-founder and CEO Brad Gillis, the group has made a difficult and necessary decision to close the majority of its shops’ doors — which feature sustainable sandwiches, burgers and grain bowls — this coming Sept. 15.

Homegrown’s Mercer Island and downtown Seattle locations will remain open, while four shops in Seattle, two in Redmond, and one each in Tukwila, Bellevue (Wonderbowl) and Kirkland will close along with Hap’s. The closures will affect 158 employees, Homegrown noted.

Gillis said that like other restaurants nationwide, they have faced economic impacts that “have created an unsustainable model for keeping all our locations in business.” The decision was made following immense consideration and exploration of all options, he added.

The Mercer Island restaurant, which includes retail and catering operations, opened in 2015 — six years after Gillis and co-founder and fellow longtime Islander and friend Ben Friedman opened their flagship shop in Seattle. Friedman departed the company to pursue other opportunities five years ago, according to Homegrown.

Hap’s — which was originally named Old 76 — has been part of the Island scene since 2019.

While preparing to dig into a salad on a recent day, frequent Hap’s customer Patrick McKee lamented the restaurant’s forthcoming closure.

“It’s crushing. Hap’s is a gem. No offense to other restaurants, but Hap’s is the only place on the Island that I would advise anybody to get off the freeway for. It’s that good,” said McKee as his two table mates nodded their heads in approval. “We’re gonna miss it so much. It’s everything you want.”

McKee praised the eatery’s local, sustainable and organic food, calling it guilt-free and delicious fare.

“Through our two remaining stores, we will continue our mission of ‘Growing with Purpose,’ serving our communities with quality, sustainable food, and playing our part in changing the food system so future generations can live in greater harmony with the earth,” Gillis said.

Gillis, who still resides on the Island, discussed the significant impact the closures will have on their valued employees: “We cannot express enough how grateful we are for their service to our customers and upholding our mission. This decision was not made lightly, and our hearts truly go out to those team members impacted.”

In 2022 and 2023, some employees on Mercer Island and beyond went on strike regarding safety issues (symptoms of heat stress, according to a Reporter article) and contract negotiations between employees’ newly formed union and the company (as reported by the Seattle Times).

Homegrown told the Reporter that the strikes didn’t factor into the closure decision: “The union did not have any sort of direct role in this. This was a strategic business decision made by Homegrown.”

According to the Our Union is Homegrown X feed: “As you may have heard, Homegrown CEO Brad Gillis has decided to close 10 stores and permanently layoff 158 workers come September 15. Workers and Local 8 are disappointed in the decision and the lack of communication leading up to it.

“All the support from allies, labor, workers, and everyone has meant the world to us. Thank you.”

Homegrown had no further comment for this story.