It’s likely that if you’ve been on Vashon for a length of time, you’ve tasted Patty’s Tamales or stopped by the restaurant, Patty’s Place. However, Patty’s Place will be closing its doors as of Thursday, Sept. 30.
The tamales’ maker and the restaurant’s owner, Patty Freebourn, said she felt ready to move on after the death of her husband two years ago and sending her daughter to San Francisco State University last month and sending her son to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah next month.
“I have no choice but to move,” said Freebourn, adding that she did not want to live alone on Vashon.
However, Freebourn does have an exciting new plan in store, specifically for her famous tamales.
“Patty’s Tamales became a trademark and that is going with me no matter where I go, and I’m taking Patty’s Tamales to Waikiki, to the heart of Waikiki in Hawaii,” said Freebourn.
As Freebourn prepares to move to Hawaii, she is grateful to the entire community of Vashon who helped support her along the way.
“I wanted to say thank you to all of Vashon…” said Freebourn. “Islanders opened the doors for me and they accepted a Latino tamale maker into the community and it was wonderful since I put my booth in the farmer’s market.”
“My motto is ‘we are not leaving because we didn’t make it, we are leaving because we did.’ We did make it,” added Freebourn.
The restaurant is currently pending sale for $120,000.
Freebourn encourages all to stop by and say goodbye on the last day, Sept. 30. The restaurant will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Patty’s Tamales will also be available for purchase in local stores until supplies last. The restaurant is located at 9923 SW 178th St.