Backswamp: From the Swamp to the Sound

A Southern-inspired grit bar, coffee house, and cocktail space — born in Seattle.

Our Story

We’re sisters, LaChrista and Makaria McArthur, bringing a taste of the South to Seattle.

Backswamp started as a dream to give grits their own spotlight — to take what’s soulful, Southern, and simple and reimagine it for a new community.

Backswamp is rooted in our Black Southern upbringing — Sunday tables, family kitchens, and stories told over bowls of grits. It’s a celebration of culture and connection, and a reminder that Black foodways are American foodways.

By opening in Queen Anne, we hope to add something rarely found here: the warmth, rhythm, and soul of Southern Black hospitality — a space that honors our history and invites everyone to the table.

What We’re Building

Backswamp will be a cozy, elevated grit bowl restaurant and cocktail bar with a coffee program.

✨ In the morning: Buttered grits, salmon, collards, and coffee; a hug from the South.

At night: souther inspired cocktails, limited southern inspired bar snacks, and late-night conversation.

Always: A space where Southern warmth meets the coastal rhythm of the Pacific Northwest.

We’ve already found the perfect home in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood — now we need your help to bring it to life.

What We’re Raising

We’re raising funds to:

• Secure the space and its restaurant assets ($75,000 purchase)

• Cover permits, design, and early buildout costs

• Stock ingredients and equipment for opening

Every dollar brings us closer to opening our doors — from the swamp to the sound.

Join the Table — Community Thank-Yous

Though GoFundMe isn’t reward-based, we still want to honor every bit of support with gratitude and community:

Contribution Thank-You

$10 – Sweet Tea & Thanks A heartfelt thank-you email and your name on the Backswamp Founders Wall online.

$25 – Cup of Comfort Digital recipe cards for our signature buttered grits and morning coffee.

$50 – Family Table Handwritten thank-you note + early access to reserve seats for opening week.

$100 – Founding Friend A Backswamp enamel mug or tote featuring our hand-drawn Billy Bass logo.

$250 – Brunch Club Invitation for two to a pre-launch tasting or virtual coffee toast.

$500 – Swamp Noir Society access to reserve booking pre-open + invite to a private cocktail tasting .

$1,000 – Fisherman’s Wife Circle Private dinner for two hosted by us at Backswamp once open (or mailed dinner kit if you’re out of town).

$2,500 – Swamp to Sound Patron Lifetime Brunch Club membership (one free brunch per year) + invite to our annual Founders’ Dinner.

$5,000+ Legacy Founder Dinner for four with drink pairings to use with in the first year and conversations about ownership options.

Every name, every share, every dollar helps us get closer to unlocking our doors and filling Seattle with the sound of good music and grits sizzling on the stove.