‘End of an era’: Emory’s restaurant sold; Anthony’s taking over

EVERETT — An iconic Everett restaurant is shutting its doors this weekend, but another Pacific Northwest mainstay plans to open a new concept there March 3.

After nearly three decades, Emory’s on Silver Lake will serve its final meal Feb. 27.

Calling it the “end of an era,” owners Molly and Emory Cole sold their Everett eatery to Anthony’s Restaurants, a family-owned seafood chain with more than 30 locations throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Everett locations include Anthony’s HomePort and Anthony’s Woodfire Grill.

Don’t fret: Anthony’s plans to keep Emory’s famous happy hours, as well as its woodstone pizza and steak dinners.

Emory’s guests could enjoy dishes like seafood risotto and Northwest bouillabaisse on the huge deck at 11830 19th Ave. SE, with cotton-candy sunsets over Silver Lake. The restaurant’s high beams and stone fireplaces emulated a large ski lodge, providing a warm atmosphere for both weddings and first dates, after-work drinks and large family get-togethers. It was a gathering place for charity dinners and Seahawks games alike.

Dozens of people shared their favorite “mEmory” on the restaurant’s Facebook page since the announcement, from weddings and anniversaries, to comedy nights, muddy paddle boat trips and many a happy hour. Several called Emory’s their “go-to” restaurant.

No one in the Cole family wanted to take over Emory’s, so the couple began looking for a buyer months ago. They spoke to several interested businesses before settling on Anthony’s.

Most of the restaurant staff will be retained, according to Emory Cole.

The decision to sell was fueled by a simple reason: It was time.

“I’m not getting any younger,” Emory Cole said. “Living through the last few years of COVID was particularly excruciating. But we did it.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, an arson fire destroyed Emory’s in 2009, causing more than $2 million in damage and leaving dozens unemployed.

It was rebuilt and reopened the following year on Thanksgiving Day.

The Coles said their top priority was for the buyer to be family-owned, local and established.

Anthony’s checked all those boxes. The Northwest restaurant group opened its first location — a steak and lobster restaurant in Bellevue — in 1969, followed by its own seafood company that now services all Anthony’s locations.

“We pair the freshest seafood with quintessential Pacific Northwest water views,” said Kirsten Elliott, Anthony’s marketing director. The company serves only wild salmon and sources seafood selections from fisheries that are “committed to sustainable practices,” per Anthony’s website.

With waterfront views, the south Everett location was a perfect fit for Anthony’s. The new restaurant will boast a unique menu “inspired by the heritage and beauty of the location,” Elliott said, adding that the new name will be announced next week.

Anthony’s will continue Emory’s loyalty program and honor any outstanding gift cards. Emory’s on Silver Lake gift cards are redeemable for two years but won’t be accepted at any other Anthony’s location.

Emory’s reservations end on Feb. 26, and anyone with a current reservation will be honored. Walk-ins will be available on Feb. 27, the restaurant’s last day. The building will close Feb. 28 to March 2, allowing the new owners time to meet current staff members and prepare for the tentative opening on March 3.

Emory Cole has been in the restaurant industry for 44 years. Before opening his namesake in 1994, he owned The Seahorse in Mukilteo.

Noting that he was born in 1947, the same year as the Roswell UFO incident in New Mexico, he joked he’s been “waiting for the mothership to come back.” He hasn’t seen anyone waving from a spaceship up above, so he’ll enjoy his retirement on Earth. For now.

“It’s exciting to move on to a different chapter at this point,” Emory Cole said. “My wife Molly and I are looking forward to some ‘us’ time.”

Taylor Goebel: 425-339-3046; taylor.goebel@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @TaylorGoebel.