The is-it-or-isn't-it debate over the historical and aesthetic importance of the old Ballard Denny's was ended today with a backhoe. With none of the pomp and circumstance of the discussion surrounding the building's meaning and importance to Ballard, a backhoe began clawing into the building this morning.

According to MyBallard.com which has tirelessly documented the drama and debate of the Denny's, by 7:30 a.m. "crews had already taken down the vaulted roof." Where the Denny's once was will soon stand a "mixed retail-residential building." This is construction-speak for a few boutiques and a coffee shop with a bunch of condos on top of it. Somehow this combination is so charming in Europe where it's been the norm for hundreds of years, yet so unappealing and boring here.

Though Ballard has lost an iconic building today, the demolition of the old Denny's is probably for the better: it's a much nicer place in memories than it ever was in reality.

Photo Courtesy of Seattlest Flickr contributor Rebecca