Sadly, Bonchon Has ‘No Plans’ to Open in Seattle (and More Updates)

Welcome back to Morning Briefing, a semi-regular round-up of mini news bites to kick off the day. Have news to share? Send intel to seattle@eater.com.

• After changing his story repeatedly, Charlie Olson, owner of Blue Moon Burgers, finally admitted his part in a racist text exchange directed at his employees of color, an exchange that first surfaced in 2015 on a Facebook page called “Boycott Blue Moon Burgers Seattle.” He gave a standard deflection apology to “anyone who was offended by these messages,” then tried to use his employees as a shield: “I think it would be sad to penalize the people who work for me, and do such a great job, with a boycott.” The incident recalls last year’s bigotry from Red Mill Burgers’ owner.
• Two researchers involved in the University of Washington’s recent study of Seattle’s minimum wage increase applaud the “social experiment” in a Seattle Times op-ed, and advocate for more such experimentation. This, despite their study’s suggestion — contrary to most findings in the field — that the wage hike had negatively affected the working hours of low-wage earners.
• See behind the scenes as late-night landmark 13 Coins preps its move from South Lake Union to Pioneer Square.
• When a fan asked popular Korean chicken chain Bonchon on Instagram if there were any plans to come to Seattle, the company responded, “Hopefully soon” and “stay tuned!” Unfortunately, when Eater followed up officially, a spokesperson splashed some cold water on the excitement: “Great to hear that there's opportunities for us in the Seattle market. However, at this moment, we do not have any plans in entering the Seattle market.”

• A mash-up of flat, round, beloved disks is coming soon to Pioneer Square: Thanks to a tipster for the intel that RPM Pizza and Records is hiring now. It appears the company, which plans to sell pizza whole and by the slice alongside beer, wine, and records from local labels, is taking over the former home of Pizzeria Gabbiano and Il Corvo Pasta Studio.
• Kevin Chung, chef-owner of 8oz Burger and Co., is opening a grilled cheese stand called Cheese Meats Bread in the former home of Herfy’s at Uwajimaya’s food court in the International District. He hopes to open July 14 and will be serving free samples July 8 and 9 during the Natsu Matsuri festival.