Bulletin: GEE closing TODAY

Shortly after we posted the pix in the post below, a PR person for GEE wrote back to confirm we weren’t seeing things:

Yes, Gee Automotive has to close its door at the end of business today, as they do not have enough staff available to keep it open until October 7. It is no surprise that many of their employees have found positions with other dealerships in the area, as they are great people.

33 Replies to "Bulletin: GEE closing TODAY"

  • Ron Burgundy October 5, 2007 (3:07 pm)

    Where am I going to get my free carwashes for life…Spokane? :)

  • flew the coop October 5, 2007 (3:33 pm)

    I here ther are accepting all car wash coupons at the nissan store in pasco hand washed by ryan

  • brandon October 5, 2007 (3:42 pm)

    I have to say, I am totally thrilled at the prospect of NOT having a car dealership as the gateway to west seattle. I’d love it if the city converted it all to park space.

  • pam October 5, 2007 (3:43 pm)

    I bought my car at Gee and the service was great, really. And earlier this week I had it serviced there. And you know what they said about the closure? Not One Word. Not One. Crazy.

  • k October 5, 2007 (3:52 pm)

    i agree that anything besides a dealership would be a refreshing change. i just hate the way it all came down.

  • MO October 5, 2007 (3:54 pm)

    Maybe HULING PARK?

  • OP October 5, 2007 (4:00 pm)

    Gee, that sucks. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun…)

    A thought: The dealer moves all the cars out, leaving all of us a place to park and walk to the Junction on Friday and Saturday nights! Woo-hoo!

  • dq October 5, 2007 (4:13 pm)

    i think it quite appropriate that there is a stormy sky in your photo of the dealership…

  • west seattle golfer October 5, 2007 (4:19 pm)

    This may be the opportunity to fully utilize the arterial that is Fauntleroy. It would be such an improvement to develope Alaska Street from 35th Avenue S. W. into a pedestrial walking pattern to the Junction with a tree lined boulevard. If the city required a major setback on the three corners it would become an urban park and destination shopping spot, just not for cars please.

  • JW October 5, 2007 (4:32 pm)

    The news articles indicate that the land is still owned by the Hulings. As far as a big park goes(with a heavily-trafficked arterial running through it…lovely!), I wouldn’t hold your breath.

    My bet’s on housing, probably of the type that will generate long comment threads and thousands upon thousands of page views on this blog. Seems like that’s what’s going to make the most money for the landowners. Who will perhaps be able to use it to pay their cadre of attorneys.

  • JumboJim October 5, 2007 (4:32 pm)

    Heck, I’d be happy just to see Fauntleroy get new pavement between Alaska and Morgan. That’s my vote for the most overdue project.

    WS Golfer’s idea is an intriguing one though…

  • Alvis October 5, 2007 (4:34 pm)

    I’d kinda like to find the original 1940s Huling Bros. Buick building on Fauntleroy preserved as a West Seattle landmark of sorts, but not the rest of the dealership properties.

  • Mike October 5, 2007 (4:35 pm)

    I doubt Huling will give up the land for a park, or added green space. I’m quite curious what they will do with it. After all they want money and right now they have no tenant.

    I too would be happy with almost anything besides a car dealership. There is something about marquee signs mentioning credit tolerance and sales that turns me off.

  • *t* October 5, 2007 (4:38 pm)

    Well, we clearly need more adult video stores, for starters. And there are only two Starbucks in that area. (Soon to be another in the QFC I suppose).

    How about a hotel? This peninsula could use a Silver Cloud Inn like nobody’s business.

  • R October 5, 2007 (4:44 pm)

    We bought a car there within the last month – GREAT experience. I am sad that many people are having to find new jobs – and wish them all well.

  • Gina October 5, 2007 (4:54 pm)

    How about a streetcar right of way on the land? Just like was done for Mr. Allen. Or a Monorail would be nice…(runs and ducks.)

  • Jiggers October 5, 2007 (5:24 pm)

    I’m with you Brandon

    But no more high end condo’s or expensive cupcake joints please!!

  • Under Achiever October 5, 2007 (5:56 pm)

    How about a business that would employ dozens of people and pay a living wage?

    /what, had one there and it has closed?
    //nevermind…

  • Bill October 5, 2007 (5:57 pm)

    I had been predicting the “we have to close” threat from Gee was simply an attempt to sway public opinion. I am surprised (err, still skeptical) it is actually going down. I don’t deny the Huling’s profit on that land, whether you want to bash car dealers or not Huling has been a respected fixture here since WAY before West Seattle was “cool”. I am hopeful that land becomes something well thought out. Residential and/or commercial is inevitable… lets hope for a comprehensive plan that includes some public space

  • Bill October 5, 2007 (5:59 pm)

    p.s. PLEASE no more townhomes….

  • Rhonda Porter October 5, 2007 (6:39 pm)

    I think we need more beauty salons and places to pamper our pets in WS…or maybe they can put a grocery store there. Huling Park…that would be even better.

  • chas redmond October 5, 2007 (6:45 pm)

    Go over to Roosevelt or Green Lake neighborhoods and see what the future of the Junction is. Oh, and attend all the design hearings since that’s about the only way we’ll even get a voice in what goes up there.

  • Kathy October 5, 2007 (6:56 pm)

    I know…Finally – a spot big enough for Tjs!

  • Val Vashon October 5, 2007 (7:35 pm)

    I have noticed that there are really three or four small lots not really connected that make up the dealership. How about 3 or 4 small dealers? Mini of Seattle, Smart of Seattle and maybe an electric car dealer are my suggestions.

  • CandrewB October 5, 2007 (8:09 pm)

    I think all of it depends on the judgement.

    Regardless of who wins however, don’t hold your breath for anything asthetically lovely.

    Profitwise, the best we can hope for is utilitarian to non-vomit inducing.

  • Lou October 5, 2007 (8:14 pm)

    While the lawsuits are in the courts, the buildings will just sit there and grow weeds…lovely. Hopefully it gets resolved relatively quickly and something good goes there.

    I agree – a TJs would be awesome. Or just more privately owned WS businesses…something unique and fun.

  • Jake October 5, 2007 (8:30 pm)

    SO HULING will get what he really wants the dealerships leveled so he and his GREEDY NO GOOD brother can build their townhomes and fleece more people…. He says he is the landlord and didnt want this I call Bull$^%$ he wants to build his condos and take advantage of more mentaly ill people……

  • Leroy Faunt October 6, 2007 (10:22 am)

    I propose a 9 hole putt putt site complete with cotton candy and clowns

  • JuNo_girl October 6, 2007 (11:05 am)

    This is kinda old but….from the City of Seattle Neighborhood website:

    http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/npi/matrices/pdf/foj.pdf

    B. IMPROVE THE FAUNTLEROY GATEWAY INTO THE JUNCTION
    Fauntleroy Way SW serves as the primary entry into the West Seattle Junction Hub
    Urban Village. From 35th Avenue SW, where the Village begins, to its intersection
    with SW Alaska Street, the Fauntleroy Way SW corridor presents an image of a
    suburban commercial arterial dominated by automobiles. This image continues, to
    some degree, on Alaska Street to 42nd Avenue SW. While the businesses in this area
    are important to the community, the image created by this gateway area is inconsistent
    with the single-family, “small town” character valued by Junction residents. The
    purpose of this Key Strategy is to create a community gateway that reflects the
    character of the rest of the neighborhood, presents a positive image, and improves
    pedestrian safety and amenities, traffic flow and general aesthetic appearance. The
    recommended improvements address the “entry” arterial system including Fauntleroy
    Way SW, SW Alaska Street and the intersections at 35th Avenue SW and SW Avalon
    Way. The recommendations also address land uses in and around the entry area by
    recommending that there be an increase in mixed-use residential development and
    single purpose multi-family development. This strategy will meet the hub urban village
    targets for increased households and create a “residential village” environment. Easy
    access to transit and the arterial street system support this strategy.

  • dave October 6, 2007 (3:57 pm)

    sure would be nice if the developer who did The Osborne bldg on California would build a few things on Huling’s properties. At least they GET design and asthetics.

    I also think the vacant bldg where the tool rental place used to be would make a great place for a Downtown Dog Lounge kinda place!

    ..and…with those dealerships closed..don’t forget about Tom’s Automotive for getting your car worked on. LOVE them.

  • me too October 8, 2007 (7:29 am)

    How about a Petco here, instead of the Charlestown Cafe site?

  • Joe October 8, 2007 (11:48 am)

    Maybe Trader Joe’s can step in? You know you want it…

  • dave October 8, 2007 (11:02 pm)

    wish the people from Julia’s would take over the Charlestown Cafe.

Sorry, comment time is over.