My Favorite Things: Elyssa Boyd of Gravity Bar
We’ve started a series here at Ed! called “My Favorite Things” where we get to learn the personalities behind some of our great downtown Edmonds businesses. For this installment, we chatted with Elyssa Boyd of Gravity Bar and The Lounge on 5th Avenue.
You may have first met Elyssa when she operated the popular Coneheads Organic Shave Ice truck around town beginning in the spring of 2014. People of all ages would flock to the bright yellow truck serving up delicious shave ice. From that enterprise, she went on to open a brick and mortar space called Gravity Bar in the spring of 2018 and sister event space, The Lounge on 5th Avenue last year.
We were excited to learn more about the personality and driving force behind these business ventures. Here are some of Elyssa’s favorite things.
Ed!: Elyssa, what is your favorite thing about being in business in downtown Edmonds?
My favorite thing about being a business owner in Edmonds is that it is my home town. The theory of six degrees of separation is so true when you own a small business in a small town like Edmonds.
Ed!: What is your favorite thing about being in the restaurant/events industry?
It’s fun to connect with new friends and old ones. When you see a couple of people in your restaurant and you had no idea they were friends and you are friends, it’s so fun to make new ones! Entertaining has always been a hobby until I turned it into a business. Finding new ways to make someone else’s day great is a lot of fun, whether it be with making food or helping them plan a celebration.
Ed!: What is your favorite place to shop or dine in downtown Edmonds?
My favorite shop in Edmonds would be The Wooden Spoon Kitchen Shop. Whenever I have a gift to buy someone I love finding cute personal gifts there that I know my friends will love getting.
Ed!: What is your favorite item on your menu?
My favorite item on our menu would be our pear gorgonzola flatbread pizza. There are so many flavors that pair well in one bite that it keeps you wanting another one.
Our menu always is changing with new items because we are all about the trending foods and beverages. We cater to everyone and always make everything from fresh ingredients that change with the seasons. We are excited to launch a few new items in fall, including bubble tea.
Ed!: What is your favorite personal item you own?
As for my favorite personal item, it would have to be my collection of Marilyn Monroe Wines. I started collecting them even before I was 21. A friend, who is passed on now, gave me my first bottle of Marilyn Merlot in 1994 and I have collected them ever since. They make me feel happy when I look at all of them together. My doggies are a very close second!
Ed!: What is one item you are never without?
My Item I am never without is my vintage green amethyst ring my husband gave to me. Amethysts are normally a lavender color so when he found me a rare green colored stone, I fell in love with it!
Gravity Bar specializes in local wine, beer, juices, and smoothies along with a menu of fresh food like acai bowls and avocado toast. Boyd also hosts a regular lineup of events like wine tastings on Wine Maker Wednesdays, live music, and community events. You can also still get shave ice there, including spiked shave ice for the 21+ crowd.
Next door, The Lounge on 5th Avenue focuses on private events like baby showers, birthday parties, and small receptions. Featuring cozy furniture, pretty twinkle lights, and a covered patio, it’s an intimate space that is flexible for a variety of events.
Thank you for taking time to chat with us, Elyssa!
To learn more about Gravity Bar and The Lounge on 5th Avenue, visit their website https://www.gravitybar-edmonds.com/. Make sure to check out their event calendar for upcoming events.
To learn more about all the great businesses in downtown Edmonds, check out http://edmondsdowntown.org/.
By Kelsey Foster, photos by Matt Hulbert