Business Community
Neighbors of new Ivar’s get a sneak peak
The new Ivar’s Seafood Bar needed a dress rehearsal before its grand opening on Friday, April 3. So its neighbors in the Uptown shopping center got a free lunch on Thursday.
The long-awaited Ivar’s at 4901 Point Fosdick Dr. officially opens with a ribbon-cutting at 10:30 a.m. Friday, but a lucky few got a sneak preview.
Customers place orders on Thursday, April 2, at the new Gig Harbor Ivar’s. Photo by Vince Dice
Those few included employees of neighboring business, whom Ivar’s Director of Operations Carl Taylor invited in the days leading up to the opening.
“I just want the practice,” said Taylor, a 29-year employee of the regional chain. “We’ve got to work out the kinks, because tomorrow is going to be way busy.”
Seafood Bar
Anticipation for the opening has been building since Ivar’s announced plans for a new restaurant in Gig Harbor in December 2025. The iconic seafood chain targeted a February opening, but approval from the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department slowed those plans.
The dining room at the new Gig Harbor Ivar’s on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Photo by Vince Dice
Ivar’s operates 18 Seafood Bars around the region. They provide a fast-casual vibe, as opposed to the more formal setting of its flagship store adjacent to Colman Dock in Seattle.
The Gig Harbor location will offer a different menu than any other Seafood Bar. It will lean heavily into Kidd Valley Burgers, an Ivar’s-affiliated brand since 1989.
About nine Kidd Valley offerings will be on the menu at the Gig Harbor Ivar’s.
“I’ve enhanced the menu,” Taylor said. “You won’t see this menu in another Ivar’s, on this level.”
An employee pours a cup of clam chowder during a soft opening for the Gig Harbor Ivar’s on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Photo by Vince Dice
Community anticipation
Ivar’s slots into the space formerly occupied by Lunchbox Laboratory. Lunchbox abruptly closed in 2024 after nine years in business.
It was a burger joint, which played into the decision to highlight Kidd Valley entrees.
“Because this was a burger place before, I said, ‘I’m going to put burgers in here,’ ” Taylor said.
During an lunchtime visit on Thursday, customers didn’t appear that interested in burgers. They were focused on what made Ivar’s famous, mostly fish and chips and clam chowder.
A customer takes a selfie with an employee dressed as an Ivar’s clam on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Photo by Vince Dice
Taylor said more than 270 people registered to attend the soft opening. That total didn’t include employees from neighboring businesses, who were welcome to just pop in.
It’s the first new Ivar’s Seafood Bar in eight years, seven if you count a Kidd Valley-to-Ivar’s conversion in 2019.
On social media and on the sidewalks of Uptown, the anticipation has been palpable. People have been (figuratively) breaking down the door since Ivar’s signs went up late last year.
“We have had so many people that walked up,” Taylor said. “People thought we were (already) open.”
“We’re so excited.”
Kitchen staff prepare orders at the new Gig Harbor Ivar’s on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Photo by Vince Dice