West Seattle businesses: “Coming soon” sign on an ex-Huling lot

Sorry, Trader Joe’s fans, NOT the sign you’re looking for. But thanks to John S for the sighting tip – perfect timing; we were a block away when we got his note. That sign, “Pike Place Produce Co./Coming Soon” has appeared on the small building in the middle of the ex-Huling/Gee lot south of the Fauntleroy/Alaska Shell station. We called Pike Place Produce, which is headquartered right across from the famous market downtown, and while they confirmed something is in the works in West Seattle, they directed us to the owner, who won’t be reachable till later today. Retail? Offices? Both? We don’t know yet – we’ll add an update when we find out more, but just wanted to let you know, if you saw the sign, we’re working on it. (This is one of the sites that’s been vacant 2 1/2 years, since Gee Automotive, which relatively briefly took over the longtime Huling dealerships, closed.) 6:13 PM UPDATE: Looks now like the owner may not be reachable till tomorrow – so it’ll be a separate story when we get the chance to get details.

Forrest (with 2 R's) March 24, 2010 (3:14 pm)

I kinda doubt they’d be advertising if it didn’t have any retail… but maybe thats just my way of expressing some hope for some more fresh produce stores nearby!

vger March 24, 2010 (3:51 pm)

C’mon Trader Joes…West Seattle is your target market! Then again, we DO have a LOT of grocery stores in the area already (Metropolitan, two Safeways,PCC, Thriftway, two QFC’s…and I think I’m forgetting some….)

O Leinbach March 24, 2010 (4:01 pm)

This will be a very welcome addition to the hood. Bruce will no doubt turn his New Zealand charm on and have customers lined up in no time. Pike Place has the reputation for great products and the convenience of this location will be a hit with the working folks who need to pick up the evenings meal as well as the mini-van mafia…Tony’s is great yet it will be nice to have a choice in mid-West Seattle.

coffee March 24, 2010 (4:19 pm)

TJ’s is not coming here get over it. I have a friend who is in their corporate offices and he has said W. Sea is not in their expansion area.

WSB March 24, 2010 (4:38 pm)

They told us a few weeks back that West Seattle is not in the two-year plan that runs through the end of next year. And yet people keep surfacing swearing they have it on firsthand authority from someone or another that it is. I suspect someday they’ll be here, but they’ve made it clear “someday” isn’t in the immediate future …

Glenda March 24, 2010 (11:52 pm)

Eh, Trader Joes loss, – if they are too idiotic not to see the great market over here and the great timing to jump into the triangle, then I say we all stop talking about it for a while and just start enjoying all the great stuff we do have, like perhaps a new fresh produce stand!

Erik Walum March 25, 2010 (7:20 am)

Bruce is a great guy and he’s got some great ideas for his stand. The location is convenient for those returning home from work on Fauntleroy, and there is _ample_ parking. I happen to know that the boxes he will be using to sell his fruit out of are first rate!

Erik Walum
Custom Crating Company :)

Duanob March 25, 2010 (9:29 am)

I am wondering why the West Seattle Farmer’s Market doesn’t move to one of these big open spaces left over from the car dealer’s closing? There is more room for expansion and it would really alleviate the parking mess in the Junction on mid-day Sundays.

dawsonct March 25, 2010 (10:03 am)

That will be a GREAT addition! I’m TRYING to turn my place into a farm, but always need to supplement my selection.
Can’t take that long to set up a produce stand.

sugartree March 25, 2010 (10:51 am)

OMg………!!!!!Enough with those stupid Trader Joes comments (joking and non-joking!!!!) Is that store really so damn awesome you simply can’t get over it? Jeez, go buy a place next door to one if you crave it that bad!

Sue March 25, 2010 (11:44 am)

I would love to see them selling produce there since I live only 2 blocks away. I love the farmers market, but can’t always get there during those hours.

sb in ws March 25, 2010 (12:28 pm)

I sent an email to TJ last year and got the same ‘not our target area’. How is Burien thier target then? If we just get enough people to email them…..

Bonnie March 25, 2010 (1:31 pm)

Burien is not that far away AND Burien also has the BEST produce place in the south end – new business: Donatelli’s Market. Go check it out. He has great prices!!

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