Investor Panel

Fares interviewed Here Today on November 13, 2020. Play Video
Fares Ksebati
CEO of MySwimPro
Strengths
says, "Fantastic founding team with industry leading experience! The strategy and location is compelling to build a sustainable business for decades to come. I like the timeline, focus, and execution so far! "
Advice
says, "I’d like to have a better understanding on the investment terms and on what timeline investors will see a positive ROI. The business will be successful, and investors will be happy with the outcome, the question becomes on what time horizon. Best of luck!"

What Investors Say

Operations and Finance Executive, Hospitality
LEAD INVESTOR
Invested $50,000 this round
Here Today is looking towards the future; the experiences customers will want in 2021, and the potential in this corner of Seattle’s waterfront. They have put together a fully formed, well-reasoned plan. The sky, water, brick and glass combine to make the venue a place to be present in the moment, enjoy a fresh beer and savor tasty bites. The location evokes nostalgia for local residents, and that nostalgia is enhanced by the proposed aesthetic.  The financial projections are achievable and conservative. The opening timeline seems to have ample cushion, and I appreciate that they have been realistic and not overpromised. Nothing is for certain in this time of pandemic, but I feel confident the team has the experience and track record to make it a success. This project has a solid concept in a quality location and is all equity funded. I look forward to a cool beer next summer at Here Today.

In the news

Seattle's Future Contains Bars. Cool New Bars.
March 29, 2021
Watching restaurant workers get vaccines and long-shuttered favorites reopen their doors and dining rooms begets all sorts of feelings: hope, optimism, a sense that brighter, more convivial days might be in reach. You know, sentiments that acquired a bit of dust over the past 12 months.
3 Cocktails from One of the Best New Tiki Bars
October 6, 2020
No one knows a bar better than the people behind it. For "My Bar in 3 Drinks," the people running the best bars around make and discuss three of their bar's most representative cocktails. The temptation to label Navy Strength a Tiki bar is strong, if a bit off-course.
These Are the World's Best Bars, Says Tales of the Cocktail
October 6, 2020
Seattle tiki bar Navy Strength took home one of the most coveted awards in the drink industry on Saturday night-best new American cocktail bar at Tales of the Cocktail-beating biggies like Broken Shaker in L.A. and The Aviary in New York City.
3 Seattle Bars Nominated for Big-Deal Spirited Awards
October 6, 2020
Here's some more great news on the heels of this week's James Beard Award nominations: Three Seattle bars and one Seattle bar owner are in the running for the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation's 2020 Spirited Awards, essentially the drinks equivalent of the Beard Awards.
"Normal Is Not in Our Game Plan": Seattle's Fight to Survive the Spread of the Coronavirus
October 6, 2020
For days, Anu Apte-Elford, who owns or co-owns four of Seattle's most celebrated bars, including the James Beard-nominated No Anchor, agonized over whether to shutter her businesses or keep them open. When it came to COVID-19, the region was already the most deadly in the U.S.
Big Brewery Project Near the Waterfront Preps for 2021 Opening
October 6, 2020
A major drinks destination is in the works for 2021. After announcing plans last December, Here Today - a massive brewpub from the co-owners of acclaimed Belltown bars No Anchor, Vinnie's, and Rob Roy - is about to launch a money-raising effort through WeFunder in a push to open downtown next June.
How to Launch a To-Go Cocktail Program, an Interview with Chris Elford from Navy Strength * A Bar Above
October 6, 2020
Chris and I are finding ways to adjust every day to the new "normal" (if you can call it that). This includes changing our content this month to talk about relevant issues for the bar and restaurant industry during these very uncertain times.
Everything Worth Drinking in Seattle, According to Anu Apte and Chris Elford
November 5, 2019
Working alongside a partner or spouse is challenging in any scenario, let alone the service industry. Some couples, however, are lucky enough to survive - and even thrive. Seattle's Anu Apte and Chris Elford are one such duo. The husband-and-wife team co-owns bars No Anchor, Navy Strength, Vinnie's Raw Bar, and Bar Bazaar.
Wait! Before you vote for Seattle's favorite brewery, here are beer-tasting tips from a certified cicerone
September 6, 2019
As we unveil our Seattle Times beer bracket and ask readers to vote for their favorite brewery, we're hoping you drink lots of beer and report back to vote in the poll. But what does it mean to taste beer?...
Best New Cocktail Bar In America is in Seattle
July 27, 2018
Anu and Chris Elford, co-owners of Navy Strength in Belltown talk about being named "Best New Cocktail Bar in America" by Tales of the Cocktail.
This Is Huge: Navy Strength Awarded Best New American Cocktail Bar
July 22, 2018
Beverage pros from all over the globe descended upon New Orleans, the cocktail capital of course, for the 12th annual Tales of the Cocktail this past weekend. There were seminars and tastings, networking and the like, but on the final night: awards.The annual Spirit Awards recognizes bars, bartenders, and writers from all over the world.
Seattle's Eater Awards Winners 2017
December 5, 2017
After nearly a week of intensive reader voting,today we announce the winners of the 8th annual Eater Awards, celebrating the chefs and restaurants that made the largest impact on all 24 Eater cities over the past 12 months.
No Anchor Is Seattle's Best New Restaurant | Seattle Weekly
April 19, 2017
Great drinks were expected at No Anchor. Great food was a happy surprise. Photo by Luke McKinley/No Anchor When the owner of Seattle's most revered cocktail bar, Rob Roy, joins forces with a certified cicerone who once worked the bar at Canon, great drinks are expected.
A Serious Beer Cocktail: No Anchor's Emerald City Cooler
April 7, 2017
BY: | FROM THE PRINT EDITION | Drink History The cooler category of drinks-a base spirit, citrus in some form, club soda and ice-goes back at least to the 1890s. There are endless variations on flavorings and what brings the bubbles, but coolers are always refreshing.
Seattle's 2017 James Beard Award Semifinalists Are Here
February 15, 2017
Today, the James Beard Foundation released its list of semifinalists for 2017's prestigious Restaurant and Chef Awards, more commonly referred to as the James Beard Awards.
Anu & Chris Elford on No Anchor and Navy Strength - Imbibe Magazine
January 2, 2017
As the owner of Rob Roy in Seattle, Anu Apte was already an established figure in the cocktail world when she married bartender and cicerone Chris Elford in 2015.