After lease outcry, Ivar’s to operate temporary kiosk at Sea-Tac

When Ivar’s fell short in a competitive bid for a new fish bar lease at Sea-Tac Airport, the company staged a protest with a dancing clam.

Ivar’s President Bob Donegan said 11,000 customers complained to the Port of Seattle.

“In the last couple of days alone, we’ve heard from people in Renton and Reykjavik, in Kenmore and Kazakhstan, so the depth of feeling for Ivar’s is widespread and we’re very pleased with that,” Donegan said Wednesday.

Ivar’s will still have to close its airport fish bar in early 2018.

But on Wednesday port officials stood with Donegan to announce Ivar’s will run one of three small kiosks in the central terminal during a year-long construction project, which will eventually bring new restaurants and second-floor seating beside the airport’s giant window.

“We know the best relationships are ones where there has been a dispute and you get through it,” Donegan said.

“We have had a dispute with the port and we’ve gotten through it, and we’re ready to go to the next round.”

Ivar’s plans to compete in the next round of concession contracts for space elsewhere in the airport.

Port officials said that next phase will give higher marks to companies with good customer service and a Northwest sense of place.

“I anticipate they will be here long-term,” said port Commissioner Stephanie Bowman.

The temporary kiosk will be small, so Ivar’s won’t be able to sell fish and chips.

But it should be able to offer clam chowder and blackened salmon Caesar salads.

Port officials said the kiosks did not go for competitive bids because they will be temporary during construction.