Chips Bar and Grill

05/27/2026

The Tiki is feeling irritated not seeing all of you. I think after all these years we need to name him. How about a $50.00 gift certificate to the person that comes up with the best name that can be used once we re-open? Ready …….. Go!

05/25/2026

May the sacrifices of every man, woman, and animal who gave their lives for our nation's freedom inspire us to strive for a brighter future. We honor their memory and remain committed to the pursuit of a better world. Please remember what this day is about but most importantly remember them.

05/22/2026

Still drying out, still waiting on insurance. A bunch of random photos. Can’t wait to get it dry and done so we can see all of you. @

05/07/2026

As many of you are aware, our beloved business, Chips Bar and Grill, has been navigating a challenging journey since April 15th, when we suffered water damage that forced us to close our doors temporarily while awaiting repairs. The restoration crew has been working to mitigate the damage, removing linoleum and utilizing industrial fans and humidifiers inside and under the building to ensure a thorough dry-out process. Today, the cleaning crew swung into action, emptying out our storage shed, which had fallen victim to water and mud damage. They will meticulously inventory, clean, and restore whatever is salvageable, while identifying items that require replacement. Throughout this ordeal, my staff has demonstrated remarkable resilience, and I'm proud to say they'll continue to receive their wages and estimated tips, even as we await reimbursement because will will pay them while we wait for reimbursement. This time of year is typically our busiest, making this unforeseen closure all the more frustrating as we patiently await insurance approval to commence repairs and reopen our doors. However, today, I received a sweet uplifting surprise visit from Dale, a fellow business owner and member of the business alliance, who delivered a thoughtful 'Take a breath' care package. The kindness and generosity of this gesture brought tears to my eyes, and I felt a surge of gratitude toward the businesses that contributed to this remarkable gift. Your compassion touches my heart and soul in ways you can hardly imagine, and I'm so thankful for your support during this challenging time. You have no idea just how much I needed my heart to feel something besides stress, thank you. The timing was perfect.
Much love,
Diane and Larry

04/29/2026

Update! We are moving forward with optimism, working alongside the same restoration company that Mugs and Carmen's trust. Although we're three distinct businesses, our 1940s building requires a tailored approach, which we're committed to seeing through. Currently, we're still awaiting crucial updates on the next steps, with floors and walls up front still dealing with water damage. Thankfully, the restoration team has place fans and humidifiers since day one to mitigate the impact. They conducted tests and are scheduled for a meeting tomorrow; however, as of now, we're still in anticipation of concrete answers. It's challenging to share uncertainty, but I want to assure you that I'll only share updates when we have tangible progress to report. This pause hopefully won't fuel speculation, and I'll be back with substantial news soon. A heartfelt thank you to those offering support, your kindness won't be forgotten. Our goal is to be up and running and get our staff back to work, they have been patiently waiting right along side of us. Much Love.
Diane

04/18/2026

What's on my mind? LOL, way too much to even put into words, but I'll try to share my feelings in the best way I know how. Despite the turbulent journey due to the water line break, we are hopeful! Chips remains temporarily closed, trying to dry floors and walls with the restoration company, working diligently alongside all the businesses affected by the water main break in Bingen. Amidst lingering uncertainty, we'll likely know more where we stand within a week, as whether it entails tearing apart floors or joyfully reopening. Our hearts beat with anticipation to welcome customers back, and our staff eagerly awaits returning to work. I do want to thank the city for swiftly providing forms for filing Tort Claims for damages, a vital step towards recovery. In Washington, the journey to tort claim settlements often spans six months to two years, with payouts typically following 1-6 weeks after settlement signing. While simple claims might find resolution quickly, complex cases require patience. When adversity strikes, business owners navigate insurance, contracts, and potential liabilities with unwavering perseverance, juggling staff, contracts, and financial obligations. Bills continue to arrive, and expenses don't pause. The reason I'm sharing this is to kindly ask for understanding and kindness towards business owners facing challenges. When encountering someone in need, anyone in need and asking for help, please ask questions before jumping to conclusions and you may learn something new and discover the power of love and compassion. Please don't ask us who was at fault; we yearn for resolution and payment, and we don't have all the answers. Thank you for listening. Much love to all,
Diane Murphy

04/16/2026

As many of you are aware, a transformative wave is currently sweeping Steuben Street in Bingen, marked by the installation of new lighting and a crosswalk, a truly pivotal improvement. Regrettably, earlier today, the construction team encountered an unexpected challenge when they broke the main water line, unleashing a significant flow of water. The water proceeded to flow directly into Chips, Mugs, Carmens, and the businesses underneath on the backside. Fortunately, Giani was inside of Chips and was quick to respond as he sprang into action upon noticing the water influx, he ingeniously used whole rolls of paper towels to block where water was coming in if you can believe that! The water's rapid absorption into the old building's structure and floor was alarming. The surrounding area on the sides of Chips resembled a river, affecting my storage area containing most of my decorations and antiques. Tomorrow we will facilitate thorough cleanup efforts and arrange for professional drying services to assess any potential damage, we will be closed today and tomorrow. I appreciate your understanding and kindness as we navigate this situation, and I kindly request that you keep the other affected businesses in your thoughts, the damage they have is much worse from what I was able to see. I will provide updates as more information becomes available, and one again, we will overcome one more hurdle.

04/11/2026

Hello friends, we plan to remain open during the construction and implementation of a new crosswalk. Yes, it will be messy and loud, but we really need this, as crossing here can be scary. So please come and support us during this time. It's been a tough year for everyone, and to keep the doors open, we need your patronage. Don't forget there's parking in the city parking lot and on side streets; please be respectful wherever you park.

01/05/2026

Hello Everyone! Many of you have had the pleasure of meeting my incredible pup who has brought immense joy and blessings to our home, business, and life. We were honored to assist a family who was evacuated from the Burdoin fire and were residing in a car with eight dogs. I was immediately captivated by her uniquely beautiful personality and even her broken tail. She was born with this distinctive feature. I received a phone call that the mama dog was under immense stress and had stopped feeding her pups, so I took one of the pups and helped find forever homes for some of the others. We had to feed her around the clock every two hours with a bottle, and I instantly formed a deep bond with her, naming her Ember Flame, symbolizing her origins from the fire. I am dedicated to training her myself to become my service dog, and I am thrilled to witness her exceptional intelligence. I have entered her into a contest where we have the opportunity to win $10,000.00 and be featured on the cover of a magazine. This generous prize can enable us to continue making a positive impact and helping others, which is at the core of our mission. Please take a moment to vote for her once a day; your support would mean the world to us. Thank You.
Diane and Ember

Ember was a rescue from a fire here. I was blessed to find her at 4 wks and 3 lbs. I'm sure I didn't rescue her, she rescued me. Love her!

12/03/2025

Chips will only be open on Wednesday, the 3rd of December from noon till 7pm. We will return to regular business hours on the 4th. Thank you.