In this workshop, we will discuss everything you need to know about finding, leasing, and designing a brick-and-mortar space that fits your vision as a commercial business, whether it's your first location or you're looking to expand....and what it means for your budget.
Like any great cocktail, success starts with the right ingredients—and knowing how to mix them.
Join the team at Atelier Drome, a woman-owned architecture, interior design, and branding studio, for an engaging event that stirs together everything you need to know about opening or growing a brick-and-mortar commercial space. Whether you’re dreaming up your first spot or looking to expand your current concept, this workshop is for you.
Is this you?
You would be a great fit for this workshop if you’re...
We’ll walk you through the “recipe” for building out your space:
And of course, loads of pro tips along the way! We’ll also be sharing all the tips and tricks to save you money, time, and hassle and how to avoid common pitfalls that leave a bad taste.
Come early for light snacks and mingling starting at 1:30 PM, with our discussion starting at 2:00 PM, and experts from Atelier Drome available to answer questions throughout.
Leave feeling informed, inspired, and ready to shake things up!
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About Your Host: Atelier Drome
Atelier Drome is a 100% woman-owned architecture, interior design, and branding studio based in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle. Since 2012, we’ve helped launch hundreds of commercial spaces across the region, from multi-concept destinations, commissary kitchens, and bustling restaurants to neighborhood bars, scoop shops, cozy bakeries and retail shops.
We’ve seen just about everything...and helped clients navigate it all. But the real reason we do this work is because we love seeing small businesses thrive and bring life to their communities. That’s what drives us. We believe great design should be approachable, collaborative, and tailored to you, whether it’s your first location or your fifth. And we’re here to help you take the next step toward making your vision real.
Let’s keep building the best commercial scene Seattle has to offer!
You'll hear from these members of our team:
Michelle Linden
Owner, Architect
With over 20 years of experience and a boundary-pushing, people-first approach, Michelle has guided countless restaurant, bar, and café owners through the process of turning big ideas into thoughtfully crafted spaces. Her background blends technical rigor with emotional insight, shaped by a childhood in a family of social workers and design studies abroad in the Netherlands. A passionate advocate for small businesses, Michelle leads with empathy, clarity, and a sharp eye for detail, helping entrepreneurs bring their vision to life, from concept to opening day.
Project Highlights: Communion Restaurant and Bar, Bar Harbor, Frankie & Jo's Capitol Hill, U Village, & Ballard.
George Maroussis
Senior Associate, Designer
George brings a deep love for Seattle’s urban fabric and a wealth of experience designing restaurants, cafés, and bars across the region. Born and raised in the city, George combines local insight with a global design perspective shaped by travels through Scandinavia, Italy, Japan, and beyond. As one of Atelier Drome’s earliest team members, he’s played a central role in shaping both neighborhood favorites and airport concepts, guiding clients through the full design journey with calm expertise and creativity. George thrives on working with small business owners and brings both warmth and clarity to every project, making the process feel just as rewarding as the final result.
Project Highlights: Pinoyshki, Navy Strength, Skillet Harbor Steps, Caffe Ladro Fairview, Ravenna & Kirkland.
Shane Staley
Associate, Architect
Shane is known for his hands-on approach and deep understanding of how spaces are built, from concept to construction. With a background in both architecture and traditional woodworking, Shane brings a craft-forward perspective to hospitality design, ensuring that every detail not only looks great but works beautifully in the real world. Whether he's designing a playful restaurant retrofit or solving on-site challenges with contractors, Shane is all about collaboration, creativity, and practical problem-solving. His work is rooted in the belief that great design lives in the details and that thoughtful planning leads to smoother projects and better spaces.
Project Highlights: Fonte Bar at Rainier Square, Coyle's Bakeshop, Elm Coffee, Flatstick Pub Pioneer Square, South Lake Union, & Kirkland.
Lisa Town
Director of Branding
Lisa leads the studio’s multidisciplinary approach to crafting meaningful brands for food and beverage businesses. With over 20 years of experience spanning graphic design, commercial photography, and landscape architecture, Lisa brings a strategic, big-picture mindset to every project, helping clients clarify their vision and translate it into compelling visuals and experiences. She excels at guiding entrepreneurs through the process of shaping a brand that feels authentic, memorable, and deeply connected to their space. Whether launching a new concept or evolving an existing one, Lisa ensures the brand is never an afterthought, but rather acts as the foundation.
Project Highlights: Brand Identity & Packaging for Seattle Scone Co., Brand identity for RazzBuilt, Brand Strategy & Identity Design for Emerald City Flowers and Bryn Rose Quarles Cocktails, Brand Strategy for WeRise Wines.
