You wouldn't know it from the streetscape, but inside, six South Sound restaurants are getting quite the remodel.
Tim Tweten, owner of South Sound Restaurant Group, said business is going well at his diners sales are up more than 10 percent at Poodle Dog and about three percent at his other locations and now is the time to invest.
"You have to stay fresh, so we're doing that," he said. "I feel more comfortable with the economy now than I have in the past few years. That's probably the biggest driver."
Another driving force, though, are his sons, who recently joined the family business.
"This is the third generation of our business," Tweten said. "With all of those positive things, it's time to let out some line and keep growing our business."
Their biggest location, the iconic Poodle Dog at 1522 54th Ave. E. in Fife, will be the focus of the remodeling, although customers will notice a change at each of the eateries, Tweten said.
The bar will be replaced and the restaurant's four banquet rooms, dining room, and coffee shop will be redone with new booths, flooring, lighting and wall treatments. There will also be extensive renovations in the kitchen, where the hood systems and cooking equipment will be replaced.
"It's a full monty kind of thing," he said. "It will look gorgeous when we all get done."
The gold, burgundy and brown furnishings in the dining area will be replaced with richer colors, including orange and light green, as well as stone, metal, and wood.
The $800,000 project will force Tweten to close the diner for a few days later this month, so the kitchen the last phase of the remodel can be redone.
