Rudy’s Barbershop, located at 10713 Main Street, has abruptly closed. According to signage on the door of the building, the salon was evicted from this location as an order by King County Superior Court.
The Sign reads, “Notice to Employees: Rudy’s Barbershop Bellevue has been evicted from this location by order of King County Superior Court. Because you may have personal tools at this location, the property manager will provide an opportunity for you to come and retrieve your personal property.”
Community members turned to Nextdoor to voice their concerns. Two main points emerged: first, that the company that acquired Rudy’s Barbershop mishandled this location, and second, that they either failed to pay rent or overstayed their allowed time before construction began.
We reached out to Rudy’s Barbershop and did not immediately hear back.
Rudy’s Barbershop on Main Street first opened in 2014. Prior to that, it was located nearby at the corner of Main Street and Bellevue Way Northeast, in a space that was once a gas station.
The land that Rudy’s Barbershop currently resides on was sold in 2022 for $11 million. The half acre property was purchased by Weiyang LLC. A residential building is planned for this 22,209 square foot site. The planned project includes a six-story residential building with below grade parking. The apartment building will offer units that range from studios to two-bedrooms with den.
In 2022, the land where Rudy’s Barbershop is located was sold for $11 million to Weiyang LLC. The half-acre site, spanning 22,209 square feet, is set to become a six-story residential building with below-grade parking, according to City of Bellevue permits. It will feature units ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments with dens.
It’s truly no surprise that Rudy’s Barbershop is closing, as so many of us have experienced similar struggles. We didn’t even receive a proper eviction notice — just a sheriff’s note to vacate after a Greystar employee robbed us of $25k. Greystar promised to file a police report, but unsurprisingly, nothing ever came of it. This is yet another case of courts protecting corporations backed by powerful legal teams, while small businesses in Seattle and Bellevue are being taken down by the very system meant to protect us. It’s heartbreaking to see hardworking entrepreneurs, who are the backbone of our communities, being left out in the cold as corporations escape accountability. It’s time for change.
Michael Patrick Hoyle: if you were robbed, why didn’t you file a police report yourself? Is it too late? Can you hire an attorney? There must be more to the story. Good luck!
Rudy’s stretches the definition of “small business”. They operate 27, oops make that 26, locations in four states according to my quick count on their booking site. For all their hipster indie vibe, they are a midsized chain store.