In our household, Maggie will miss the Phinney Market the most. Each night after dinner our bichon frise would yap in our face, "Time for a walk!!" Cecile and I would get out her leash and Maggie would be jumping up and down, her tail whacking everything in whacking distance, eager to set out on her daily postprandial excursion.

Maggie would pull us up the hill like an Iditarod huskie till we arrived at the Market, where she knew a doggie biscuit in the shape of a miniature bone awaited her. It invariably lay in a stack of treats inside a white paper cup that somehow got constantly replenished for the dozens, nay scores, nay hundreds of neighborhood canines who made the Phinney Market an indispensable stop on their daily rounds.

Now the Market is gone. I dread taking Maggie out this evening, because she will pull us up to the Market. And we will have to stand in front of the door and work the doorknob and knock and bang on the door to prove to her that no one is there, and the high point of her walk will have turned to disappointment.

Last night the Market held its final Friday dinner, a going-away fete from 4 to 7 p.m. for all its supporters and the neighborhood denizens who had come to rely on the Market as a refuge for last-minute items, first-thing espressos and mid-day hanging outs. It's a shame it had to close. Somewhere along the line, a core of fine people could not come to agreement on a second chance for the Market. Two potential investors ran into unexpected nightmarish setbacks — one's house burned down, and the other was laid off from work. A small-investment and good-faith prepaid card campaign fell short. Jan had a great resuscitation plan worked out, moving to a deli-espresso model (including Wi-Fi) with family seating inside. The Market was so close, but time ran out. The owner of the building, Nick, could not string along the enterprise any further, and Wally and Lauretta could not come up with enough cash to keep the doors open any longer.

These things happen. There's no need to point fingers; at this point, all parties are moving on with their lives. Wally has a successful Meridian Market in Tangletown keeping his hands full. Jan, who turned the key to open Day 1 and was last to lock up Friday, will soon head off for a well-deserved vacation. Nick has a couple of restaurants interested but would like to keep a food market in the space.

As for Maggie and her household, we'd love to see a Zoka-type place there. The Ridge kind of closes up after 6. We need a "third place," a commons where we can gather to greet and meet, to have neighborhood getogethers and just hang out. And oh yeah, over in the corner — a small paper cup with bone biscuits for Maggie, who will have a hard time ever passing by the Phinney Market without stopping to look longingly in recollection of times now past.

For background, click here.

Here's Wally's final note to supporters:

August 20, 2008

Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past four years, and most importantly, during the past few months.

We did our very best to keep the market going but unfortunately we could not secure enough investment financing to carry out the turnaround plan. It was in no way for lack of effort and support from all of you, and our employees. It is particularly difficult to know that I have let so many people down.

Friday August 22nd, will be our last day of operation. We cordially invite everyone to a farewell BBQ on that date, to run from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Meals will be served to all with only a donation required.

For those of you who re-started their participation in the Wine Club, your wines will be available for pick-up at the Phinney Market through Friday, and past that date, available for pick-up at the Meridian Market. (2201 North 56th, on the other side of Greenlake.)

Anyone with a gift card is encouraged to make purchases at Phinney, and subsequently after Friday at Meridian Market, where the cards will be honored as well.

Again, thank you all for all of your support. I only wish things could have turned out more favorably.

Warmest Regards, Wallace Wright