Constructions forces popular cafe to relocate

The owners of a small community-oriented cafe in Sumner, Washington must move their business to neighboring Tacoma.

Construction set to begin in Sumner would sever the Beyond the Bridge Cafe from the rest of the city and cost the eatery half of its business over six months, owner Ben Rubke told the Bellingham Herald. That's why he and his wife Trish chose to relocate the popular cafe to an empty space on Sixth Avenue in Tacoma.

The couple can't afford any disruptions in business because they just entered the final stages of a federal mortgage modification program that will save their Puyallup home, said Rubke. The space in Tacoma came at a surprisingly low price, and a new private investor will allow the couple to move their cafe without taking out a small business loan.

City officials have done what they can do to minimize the impact of construction on local companies, and many are disappointed that the town is losing a local favorite, said Sumner project manager Ted Hill. "For a lot of city employees, that?s their regular place to eat."

Relocation can be especially costly for small businesses, and many are advised to seek consultation before moving.

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