West Seattle coffee: Looks like Starbucks is going into Junction 47's prime corner spot

Scott February 16, 2015 (2:38 pm)

Lame. Boycott Starbucks! Go Sonics!

AM February 16, 2015 (2:38 pm)

:( at least Starbucks is from Seattle? Still not what the junction needs at all….. :(

hopey February 16, 2015 (2:47 pm)

A pre-emptive comment for all the haters: Don’t forget there used to be a Starbuck’s in the Junction, in the same shopping center as Bartell’s and Safeway. It was closed in favor of the drive-thru location a few years ago when SBUX was having financial difficulties.

Chipotle, Starbucks… can we please please please also have a Potbelly Sandwich Works? Or at least a Quizno’s?

WSB February 16, 2015 (3:02 pm)

Hopey, thanks, I already have that in the story.

Joan Miller February 16, 2015 (3:07 pm)

That’s too bad! We do NOT need another Starbucks! What about the one next to Taco Time? Won’t that be awfully close to the other? Obviously Starbucks doesn’t care about that!

WSB February 16, 2015 (3:16 pm)

About half a mile away. Starbucks doesn’t seem to have rules about proximity; we’ve visited more than a few cities in which they have stores across the street from each other.

HelperMonkey February 16, 2015 (3:16 pm)

The only places able to afford the presumably outrageous rents in these new buildings will be chains and the junction association is all too happy to have them move in in favor of locally-owned business.

Al February 16, 2015 (3:20 pm)

It doesn’t speak too well of our new developer friends that they’re so blind to the nature of our neighborhood that they would invite in these megalithic chain restaurants. I sure hope the next announcement is for something a little more local and/or unique in flavor.

Trickycoolj February 16, 2015 (3:25 pm)

Hopefully it will take the pressure off of the teeny drive thru by Taco Time that will have a line out into the street blocking traffic at peak hours on work day mornings. Starbucks HQ employs many of our local neighbors so I’m never mad to see them expand. They support thousands of local corporate jobs.

courtney February 16, 2015 (3:32 pm)

I hope people continue to visit Verite instead of another Starbucks. Or even Hotwire a few blocks down.

Curtis February 16, 2015 (3:34 pm)

For heaven’s sake people – if the Starbucks doesn’t make money, it will be gone. As for the proximity issue, Howard figured out years ago that a Starbucks trip needs to fit into a very small window – it’s your coffee break place, not your lunch place. The fact is that the Drive Thru people are not the same as the walk in people. No one is going to detour through the junction, park (!) get out and go into a Starbucks, order, wait, then get back in the car and drive downtown to work. Think that QFC shopper is going to walk down to the junction and then walk back to their car at QFC? This is for the few thousand new junction RESIDENTS. This will be a Starbucks that you visit while on foot shopping – let’s hope we start to see some more retail soon – and perhaps a coffee house with local music in the evening?

Look, if you really don’t want Starbucks to succeed, then make sure you buy your coffee at Easy Street or Cupcake Royale. I’m certain that they will welcome your business.

tt February 16, 2015 (3:34 pm)

It makes sense that the mega-corps are going in. I think the rent will be fairly expensive. Who else could afford it?

WSB February 16, 2015 (3:38 pm)

The rent’s not a secret, fwiw … The spaces are all publicly listed. Top rent in this building is listed as $50/square foot. I have not yet acquired any modicum of expertise in interpreting commercial rent (the $50, I believe, is a component of an annual sum, not monthly) but that’s double-to-triple some older spaces that also have CBA-published listings online – not that you would expect it to be inexpensive, given the location and the fact it’s brand-new construction. However, the affordability for indie businesses is an issue that’s been raised in everything from Design Review meetings to our candidate forum week before last (it was a question sent by a reader and one that we did ask in the first hour). – TR

Junctionite February 16, 2015 (3:35 pm)

My husband predicted Starbucks would snag that corner ages ago. The rents probably shut out most independents. So boring!!

junctioncurious February 16, 2015 (3:45 pm)

WSB – Do you know how many retail spaces are available in the Junction development? Starbucks is one of how many?

WSB February 16, 2015 (5:05 pm)

Junctioncurious – This flyer is a little bit dated but it’s still attached to the listing. http://www.commercialmls.com/Media/PDF//photos/pdf/fs/539959_1.pdf The CBA listings site used to be very easy for direct linkage to individual listings but it was redesigned recently and now it’s much tougher to navigate, or else I’d be doing the direct linkage I used to do when reporting matters of commercial real estate.

sw February 16, 2015 (3:47 pm)

We could do a lot worse than Starbucks and Chipotle as tenants in these new spaces. They are indicators of a healthy neighborhood, which in the long term will benefit all businesses in the Junction.

Stefany February 16, 2015 (3:50 pm)

If you own a home nearby, you might actually consider Starbucks moving in to be a good thing: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/29/starbucks-home-value_n_6571410.html

The TL; DR version — homes located near a Starbucks appreciate faster than those not near a Starbucks.

Fun facts to know and tell. Also, count me among the many people totally stoked to not have to drive all the way to Cap Hill (or worse, pluck through the druggies and religious zealots at 3rd and Pine) for my Chipotle fix. Win/win.

JEM February 16, 2015 (3:56 pm)

People seem to forget that Starbucks employs a great number of your West Seattle neighbors.

Elizh February 16, 2015 (3:57 pm)

If it’s to be a Starbucks, then I hope it will feature the Evenings concept with beer and wine and small plate items after 4pm.

coffee February 16, 2015 (4:13 pm)

50.00 Sq Ft and a 1500 sq ft space equates to 6255.00 a month plus any other expenses. And all of these new buildings add all of the “extra expenses” i.e. a Triple Net lease. What small biz owner can afford that???? Insanity.

Born on Alki 59 February 16, 2015 (4:20 pm)

Commercial rents double or triple of previous spaces, and big chain establishments occupying these new spaces…..how Bellevueish. Too bad we’ll continue to lose many independent, small, locally owned businesses in West Seattle. Ironically, a majority of these developments were backed by family $$ that originated from these types of small businesses. Sad. I will continue to support the little guys in WS as much as possible. Starbucks coffee sucks anyways.

DW February 16, 2015 (4:22 pm)

Between the two (or three, if you count the new apartment building just south of the junction) how many new retail spots are there in total?

evergreen February 16, 2015 (4:34 pm)

Bleh.

WS gal February 16, 2015 (4:37 pm)

Usually in these types of new development it’s not the developer it’s the broker- not sure who the agency is but if you checked my guess is the broker representing the agency must be someone who is not familiar with WS at all.

WS February 16, 2015 (4:49 pm)

WSB is absolutely correct. Most, if not all of the new buildings are charging $45-$50 / square foot. Do the math, on a space the size of this Starbucks it is between $6000 – $7000 per month. Most local businesses simply can’t make that.

I wish there was something that could be done to preserve what made people want to move to West Seattle in the first place.

The Truth February 16, 2015 (5:04 pm)

Unfortunately, with all of the new developments plus the new wage requirements we will see more chains and less local business over the next 5 years. Before I get killed for saying that, small business can’t afford the 3 times higher rents and a 20%+ increase to labor costs for these new places. When you are a small business these brokers want their leases to be “personally guaranteed” which means if your business closes they come after you and your SSN for the money until it get rented again. These big business don’t have the same requirement and in many cases can just buy there way out. Not an option for the small business. Who in the world would want to open a small business with insane rent and high labor. Trust me that this will increase rent in all of WS of the next 5 years as well. Boooooooooooo

Mr. The horse February 16, 2015 (5:09 pm)

Our march toward mediocrity continues — thanks, again, for nothing.

Jason February 16, 2015 (5:32 pm)

What a relief, I was hoping for a place to get coffee in the junction.

wscommuter February 16, 2015 (5:36 pm)

I feel torn. I get the grousing about more chains at the expense of local, neighborhood joints, but it was inevitable when these new buildings were planned and permitted that they would be mostly populated with chains – just fundamental economic realities. I guess I’d rather see a Starbucks than a GAP (and how long will it be, before we see GAP/Old Navy/Pottery Barn, etc. pop up in some of these new developments?).
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I guess that I just hope that a few local stores are able to find the economic success to populate some of the new buildings. Time will tell if it is workable or not. In Ballard and Cap. Hill, some “local” places have survived (and thrived). I’d like to think we’ll see that replicated here, even as we have to also accept these chains as well.

Rachel February 16, 2015 (6:13 pm)

Enough with the Starbucks bashing…name another publicly traded company that has open forums in race relations, whose CEO tells a homophobic shareholder to take his money elsewhere, who has agronomy experts focused on sustainability in coffee origin markets on three continents…this company shares Seattle values — we’re lucky to have it in our backyard.

Diane February 16, 2015 (6:39 pm)

re “20%+ increase to labor costs”; not true
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more accurate information about the new min wage; our state min wage is now $9.47/hr (1.5% COLA increase); the new long-time-to-be-phased-in Seattle min wage will only be 53 cents higher for small biz in April; that’s a 5% increase, and about 20 yrs behind real cost of living; depending on how a small biz works out their payroll, it could take another 6 yrs for staff to get paid the $15 min wage; which of course by then will be worth much less
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Starbucks has been paying front line workers poverty wages for forever; usually 10 cents above min wage; baristas work really hard for pooled tips; since Starbucks is a HUGE multi-billion dollar international company, front line workers in Seattle should be earning min $11 by April; and yeh, pretty sure Starbucks can afford that
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http://murray.seattle.gov/minimumwage/

AIDM February 16, 2015 (6:43 pm)

Awesome! I actually met my wife at Starbucks… Well she was at the Starbucks across the street from the one I was in… :-)

Gayle February 16, 2015 (6:46 pm)

great news about Starbucks. Local company done well. We have a huge influx of residents about to occur – I for one am happy to have a new Starbucks walking distance. Driving and parking sure to get a bi tighter. Woohoo!!!!! And Rachel – thanks for your insightful remarks

Jason February 16, 2015 (7:15 pm)

Rachel, thanks for letting us know when you’ve had enough. I guess some of us forgot we all have to love Starbucks. How sweet of them to bless us with one of their stores, directly across from two small local coffee shops. The Starbucks in Morgan, Admiral, the junction QFC and Safeway and countless other stores in town simply aren’t enough.
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The only thing more awesome than a bunch of new apartments with minimal parking and shrunken metro routes is filling the bottom floors up with big corps that compete with all of the local businesses.

The Truth February 16, 2015 (7:17 pm)

Rachel, I would make the assumption that you either work in a store or at the SSC. You bring valid points to the table here. Most comments look to be focused on not liking the coffee (personal preference) or not loving a chain going in. People can be disappointed a smaller place like the shop that lost it’s lease to Rudy’s isn’t able to move in and be upset that a national chains are the only places that can afford this new space. We are lucky to have Starbucks in Seattle and it employs a lot of folks in WS. The anger is more about losing the chance to keep that small community feeling by having some major chains move onto our “Main Street”.

ChefJoe February 16, 2015 (7:23 pm)

It will be great having a starbucks to “telecommute from” on mornings when rapid ride bus after rapid ride bus is already too full to load more passengers.

M February 16, 2015 (7:29 pm)

Rumor has it that Urban Outfitters going in as well.

sam-c February 16, 2015 (7:38 pm)

HOnestly, I don’t think Pottery Barn and Gap, etc will be coming to WS any time soon.

pjmanley February 16, 2015 (7:38 pm)

@Curtis: What’s with the critical thinking, huh? I’m all geared up to read this transcription of a good ole hipster brand war and you go and throw a bucket of common sense into it! Guess I’ll check out the “Hey Poopiehead” thread in the forums instead. That’s always guaranteed fun.

SuperAwesome February 16, 2015 (8:07 pm)

I would echo some of the statements rebutting the Starbucks hate. They are a hyper local company (just a few miles from the Junction) and they employ thousands of West Seattle residents. They are one of the leading large corporations on all kinds of socially responsible issues. C’mon folks, this isn’t Walmart. Let’s pick our battles.

villagegreen February 16, 2015 (8:16 pm)

Double weak sauce. Chipotle and Starbucks. It’s a win-win for mediocrity. There is simply no reason to patronize either one. Better coffee and better Mexican can be food nearby (in multiple places). More than angry I think I’m just sad. I remember when we first moved to West Seattle over 10 years ago Jack from the Husky Deli welcoming us to the neighborhood and talking up the many independent businesses in the Junction. “No chains” was his mantra.
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I’ve been a proponent of increased density in the Junction and I guess this is a by product of these types of high end buildings. On the other hand, I was hoping we could get at least one chef driven decent restaurant over here. Ma Ono is good, but bloody hell, as one fifth of Seattle’s population you’d think we could support more than one. It seems every other week something interesting is opening on Capitol Hill (and many of the places are opening in new construction).
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I’ve heard people say major chains like Chipotle and Starbucks opening in the Junction is a sign the area is economically viable. I think what it really means is West Seattle is still considered a suburb by the rest of the city. Locals who may want to open a shop in the Junction are now priced out and the only ones interested in venturing over the bridge are mediocre chains. Good lord, I’d cut off my left pinky if Ethan Stowell or Renee Erickson would open a restaurant over here.

Chuck and Sally's Van Man February 16, 2015 (8:17 pm)

Kill me now.

CanDo February 16, 2015 (8:27 pm)

Well, now it makes more sense as to why Metro was (is?) considering moving the bus stop to the other side of California Ave. I imagine Starbucks will do well with bus riders and also with the increasing numbers of people who are moving in with no parking available, so they will be on foot in the Junction area.

trickycoolj February 16, 2015 (8:49 pm)

I’m glad I moved here. 3 years ago I kept calling the Junction “The Ave” by accident. It’s revitalizing just like the Ave. good mix of local and responsible chains. The way you people are all grumbling you’d think the whole junction was being mowed down to plop down Northgate Mall.

roddy February 16, 2015 (8:55 pm)

You win, I move.

cj February 16, 2015 (9:07 pm)

I used to love Starbucks my first 5 years or so in Seattle. My husband and I met on a blind date at the Morgan Junction Starbucks. I dont go there now though because the food and drink is no longer as good and just my personal opinion as safe. The problem is upper management when companies get big and their deals. I miss Starbucks but there is nothing I would eat or drink there now.

Paul February 16, 2015 (9:13 pm)

CanDo, it is Seattle DOT that was instigating the move of the stop to the other side of California.

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People complaining that new construction = chains should take note that a lot of the newer buildings in West Seattle are home to local businesses. For instance the Mural building across from Jefferson Square (Seasons Salon/Wallflower/Fresh Bistro) and the apartment building at Alaska and 38th (Chaco Canyon/Bright Horizons/Breathe Hot Yoga). The space at Alaska and California is pricey because it is prime retail real estate, arguably the busiest corner in West Seattle for pedestrian traffic.

sw February 16, 2015 (9:36 pm)

Good grief, people. Do you really think Starbucks is going to put the indies out of business? Odds are their business will increase due to the sheer number of people that will be living here, as well as the gains from good old fashioned spite. All of the businesses in The Junction will benefit from the foot traffic that the chain stores will bring. And if not, people will vote with their dollars.

I had a discussion with Jack Miller when Ben & Jerry’s went in – he wasn’t the least bit concerned, as he was confident in the reputation of his store and the product he put out. Which store is still here?

Some folks would do well to channel their inner Emmett Watson into a more positive vibe.

datamuse February 16, 2015 (10:09 pm)

Yes, god knows that pushing out such small local companies Super Supplements is a terrible tragedy.
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Geez, have y’all forgotten what used to occupy that corner?

ryan February 16, 2015 (10:21 pm)

That rent is easy for sbux. Average sbux in 2010 did $1.06 million in sales. Typical food/bev biz can hande about 10% of their sales towards rent. They could afford to pay more than the advertised rent and I guarantee they are paying $5-10/psf or less than that cuz they will help drive strong tenants for the other available retail spaces and its a great marketing sell to potential residential renters moving in upstairs. That place will be packed day and night.

Andi February 17, 2015 (12:00 am)

Our city is and has been growing fast. You can all stomp your feet and pout about a coffee shop moving in, or you can use that energy to complain about the real, actual problems like moving all these new people around in our crumbling infrastructure. If we get a bead on that, all those construction workers will need lots of places to get their coffee.

Dale February 17, 2015 (7:11 am)

Yes, Starbucks has other sites in the junction at Safeway and QFC. However, they have limited personnel so if your in a hurry good luck. Also, there posted hours are a tad longer then they are actually open. I have tried to get a cup of coffee on many occasions at the QFC and they were not open at their suggested opening time. Not a huge deal but if your waiting to catch a bus its a tight time frame. I think it will be nice to have another place to meet and greet in the junction with free wi/fi & power for the laptops.

Al February 17, 2015 (7:14 am)

i have to disagree with the concept that chain restaurants are the inevitable consequence of new construction priced rents. This is not what’s happening in South Lake Union, Capitol Hill and Downtown where the developers (brokers?) are clearly partnering with local entrepneurs to create interesting options for the residents.

Macj February 17, 2015 (7:40 am)

A huge step up from the snake oil shop that previously occupied the space.

Mary February 17, 2015 (7:46 am)

We went from Super Supplements to Starbucks and Chipotle. Huge improvement! Starbucks may be a giant company, but it too is local. Do we really only support local companies until they make it big? I agree that the small town feel of the Junction is one of the things I really like about it, but there have always been some chains there. At least now we’re getting some good ones.

jfk February 17, 2015 (8:15 am)

Here’s an idea: what if, during the multiple required planning reviews, developers were told that one retail space in their proposed building must be subsidized to allow a local business to be able to afford the rent. Call it a “neighborhood character preservation” initiative. How many developers would walk instead of knocking some dough off the rent in one space? Not many, I’m guessing…

DonnaSW February 17, 2015 (8:19 am)

I’m happy to welcome Starbucks to the Junction. They have great service. They employ MANY in Seattle (and West Seattle), and they offer not just coffee, but fresh foods and alternatives.

Heidi February 17, 2015 (9:10 am)

so many complainers here in WS. jeez. I love the community but all this constant negativity gets me down. Since when is SBUX not a local co? Yes, it’s become an international presence but isn’t it a story of a really successful local biz? I really do get some of the gripe about the company, but like another poster said, if you don’t like their coffee, don’t go there. The studies show SBUX actually helps local coffee shops. Totally diff customer base. I, for one, appreciate socially mindful employers of my neighbors, which applies to both SBUX and Chipotle. We could do a lot worse.

Mel February 17, 2015 (9:42 am)

I get it: people LOVE Starbucks. And even I like Chipotle.
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But the character of the Junction is being irrevocably changed by these new developments. We lost 7 or 8 truly local businesses in the recent tear-downs, and will be gaining (so far) little but franchises.
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Whether we like the franchises or not does not change the fact that the Junction will be less community-oriented and more like every other crossroads in the region.
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And I hate that part more than I like Starbucks or Chipotle.

Mickymse February 17, 2015 (9:58 am)

I imagine they will do just fine… since plenty of West Seattleites work there and enjoy their beverages. And, if we prefer local business instead, then we’ll run them out of the Junction just like we did the Ben & Jerry’s.

villagegreen February 17, 2015 (10:05 am)

@Al: “i have to disagree with the concept that chain restaurants are the inevitable consequence of new construction priced rents. This is not what’s happening in South Lake Union, Capitol Hill and Downtown where the developers (brokers?) are clearly partnering with local entrepneurs to create interesting options for the residents.”
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I hope you’re right! It’s just disconcerting that the first two “options” that are moving in here aren’t interesting at all. Those other areas of the city you mention are much more urban than we are and have much more space zoned for retail. We have limited ‘urban village’ space and the winner in a bidding war for limited space is inevitably the major chain. Hopefully I’m proven wrong.

j February 17, 2015 (10:30 am)

The junction is fast becoming a mini downtown. Parking is becoming near impossible. White Center is becoming the new junction with good local non-chain businesses.
Junction… it was nice knowing you.

sw February 17, 2015 (11:07 am)

Finally some good discussion happening here instead of just complaining. Running a small business is hard – we’ve lost some good stores like Shoofly and Firefly. This is precisely why we need to cherish stores like Husky Deli, Easy Street, The Sneakery and the like. If you look at our business directory and compare to other neighborhoods around town, you’ll find that we have a very diverse mix of stores which will cover the needs of most people.

WE are the community and will ultimately dictate what will and will not be successful. I’d love to see a restaurant like Sitka & Spruce go in, but will we be able to support it? Higher-end retail historically has not done all that well here. Clementine moved to Pioneer Square to be in a resurgent neighborhood with a bigger space and broader customer potential.

Regarding the businesses that were displaced, the majority of them are actually still in business (Petco, Funky Jane’s, Sound Advice, Super Supplements, the travel agency), and most are still located in the Junction core. I do miss the cobbler shop and the Rocksport – it would be good to see a revival of those.

Gini Johnson February 17, 2015 (11:53 am)

I was hoping for a classy restaurant like John Howie, El Gaucho, the Capitol Grill or the Met.

Sue February 17, 2015 (12:39 pm)

Gini, if you’re looking for a steakhouse, there’s one right in the Junction already (Jak’s Grill).

Chris February 17, 2015 (12:48 pm)

@Al w/r/t SLU, downtown and capitol hill

I’m sorry, but that’s just incorrect. Starbucks, Chipotle, Jimmy Johns, Veggie Grill and other chains are all over those three neighborhoods. And they’re right along side other thriving local one-off stores and local chains like Homegrown.

Judy February 17, 2015 (1:02 pm)

Oh, this is all so rich coming from you, VillageGreen. I suppose you’d prefer a Junction full of businesses that need to be crowd-funded and bailed out to eke by?

WSB February 17, 2015 (1:06 pm)

VillageGreen has been commenting here for almost eight years and is *not* Village Green Nursery.

pjmanley February 17, 2015 (1:39 pm)

Starbuck’s is predictable and reliable, as is their service. That’s their brand. I’ll choose them over the “hipster service” so many doomed WS businesses are plagued with, where I’m treated more like a nuisance than a paying customer, and where’s it’s uncool to say “thank you” to patrons.

West Sea Neighbor February 17, 2015 (2:34 pm)

I’m looking forward to both. I hope that this Starbucks has reserve coffees and a clover. Then I wouldn’t have to go to Morgan junction for my clover fix.

A Concerned Citizen February 17, 2015 (3:36 pm)

According to the Junction 47 website:

“The area features an array of locally-owned shops, bars and eateries.”

smh

A Concerned Citizen February 17, 2015 (3:48 pm)

@pjmanley – you must not be going to the right coffee shops in West Seattle. You can almost always be assured friendly service and superior coffee at Hotwire, Cupcake Royale, Caffe Fiore, Ladro, The Shack, just to name a few…the only catch is that you also have to be nice to them…

Adam February 17, 2015 (4:27 pm)

Would be curious to hear what business owners in the area think? It’s doesn’t sound like anyone on here is.

Vote with your $ not complaints.

pjmanley February 17, 2015 (5:36 pm)

@Concerned: I’m as nice as they come. One reason why I’m not afraid to go by my real name on this blog. If “hipster service” wasn’t a problem, Jerry Seinfeld wouldn’t have coined the term. See the episode of http://www.comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com with Fred Armisen of SNL & Portlandia filmed in Portland, as an example.

WSbux February 17, 2015 (5:37 pm)

Beer and wine with enhanced evening food options. Clover and other forms of brewing methods (pour over-chemex, melitta) might be implemented here as well – reserve offerings are a possibility too.

As Adam stated above, vote with your $ and not via sensationalized posts/complaints. I like to patronize local small businesses too, I go out of my way to do so. I spread the wealth, you certainly can too.

And for all of you that are not aware, for the record, Starbucks is as local as you get.

Have a nice day-

WSB February 17, 2015 (5:46 pm)

We just finally got an answer about the Alki Starbucks changes, which I’m adding to that story, and they mention Clover and reserves for that, FWIW … https://westseattleblog.com/?p=300831

A Concerned Citizen February 17, 2015 (6:50 pm)

@pjmanley I know exactly what you are talking about, and there are a few places on Capitol Hill I avoid for that very reason. But to say that the aforementioned WS coffee shops fall in the same camp – this is completely off the mark. If you’re looking for a coffee shop with friendlier “baristas”, I don’t think a new Starbucks is gonna scratch that itch.

pjmanley February 17, 2015 (9:39 pm)

Ugh, I hate this.
@Concerned: You wrote: “To say that the aforementioned WS coffee shops fall in the same camp – this is completely off the mark.” I never “aforementioned” any coffee shops. You did, and defended their friendliness. If you read what I actually wrote, I’m speaking to a particular trait in “doomed businesses” which you also recognize, and what Jerry Seinfeld refers to as “hipster service.” The point is that good, well-run businesses can adapt and compete with a competitor like Starbucks, while businesses that take their customers for granted will likely be eliminated from the marketplace, by those same customers.

WSGuy February 18, 2015 (12:22 am)

Boring, corporate, manufactured lifestyle. Not why I moved here.

WSbux February 18, 2015 (10:20 am)

@pjm- Great point(s), and thats the bottom line: “well-run businesses can adapt and compete with a competitor like Starbucks, while businesses that take their customers for granted will likely be eliminated from the marketplace, by those same customers.”

Times change February 18, 2015 (10:49 am)

West Seattle’s “golden age” ended years ago when places like Snubby’s had fresh baked good every day, and locals ran the business scene. It was nice, but that was then.

What’s going on now is just a reflection of the upper middle class city Seattle has become: chains catering to affluent customers with employees coming in from the suburbs. The “local small business” is an anachronism

This isn’t Mayberry, and it never was. Seattle was a provincial, low-education backwater with jobs to match. Now It’s a world-class city for successful people with leisure time and intellectual pursuits. Why not celebrate that?

Dave February 18, 2015 (9:21 pm)

@Timeschange – “Now It’s a world-class city for successful people with leisure time and intellectual pursuits. Why not celebrate that?”

How exactly does a Starbucks and Chipotle, which you will find in EVERY SINGLE CITY in the country celebrate this fact? Yes, times do change, and growth is inevitable, but we can put pressure on our elected officials to make rules that promote smart and sustainable growth.

Mrs Shaw February 18, 2015 (11:37 pm)

Disclosure: I’m a Starbucks shareholder. I’m OK with them coming to the Junction, but I’m completely dismayed that they have to use a PORTLAND OREGON architect and structural engineering company to turn in applications and draw up plans for a West Seattle project. Howard, how is this SUPPORTING LOCAL?

Eric February 19, 2015 (4:53 am)

@ Dave,

Exactly! I certainly do not equate overpopulating and overbuilding an area, while putting in generic, cookie cutter corporate businesses as something to celebrate. Small local business is anachronism? Really? You’re saying that small local businesses have no place at this point in time? Well then why not just replace Easy Street with an Applebees? Replace Jaks Grill with a Claim Jumpers or Outback Steakhouse? Let’s just remove the Bin 41 and the Beer Junction and throw in a good ole generic Wine and More box store. Why not get rid of Thunderoad Guitars and throw in a good ole run of the mill Guitar Center? Let’s get rid of that Talarico’s and get a good ole generic Domino’s or Pizza Hut!! *ends sarcasm*

Some people might thrive off of living the generic cookie cutter track housing lifestyle with manufactured generic corporate cookie cutter strip mall stores, but I am certainly not one of them.

And when this area is saturated with these generic, cookie cutter corporate chains, thus driving up the property rent, how are small businesses (that usually only have 1 location) going to really compete with these corporate giants when they can’t even afford the rent to even be in that location in the first place? It is much easier for a corporate chain to absorb some of this cost than it is for a small business owner that solely relies on their only location to make a living.

@Timeschange – “Now It’s a world-class city for successful people with leisure time and intellectual pursuits. Why not celebrate that?”

Eric: Yes, Starbucks and Chipotle are real intellectual pursuits to be celebrated.

Eric February 19, 2015 (4:55 am)

@Timeschange – “Now It’s a world-class city for successful people with leisure time and intellectual pursuits. Why not celebrate that?”

Eric: Yes, Starbucks and Chipotle are real intellectual pursuits to be celebrated.

Louisa February 19, 2015 (12:00 pm)

Whoever in our government has approved all of these new buildings without adequate parking and traffic flow is apparently quite interested in the increased tax base without giving consideration to those who are paying their salaries. We need a viable candidate for city council. Welcome to the rabbit hutch!

Eroc February 19, 2015 (12:16 pm)

@ Eric,
“why not just replace Easy Street with an Applebees?” – You know we will.
“how are small businesses (that usually only have 1 location) going to really compete with these corporate giants” – You know they aren’t.
“Small local business is anachronism?”
See above – and move to Montana?
Easy St. will stay open as long as nostalgia permits, but that’s not exactly a business model. Even if fear of change drives us to keep throwing money at smaller local shops, it’s a fart in the economic whirlwind. Sooner or later you realize that Starbucks and Chipotle are coming either way, and that they’ve bumped up your property value just in time for you to move. Win-win!
Now, time to intellectually pursue a burrito.

J February 20, 2015 (12:27 am)

I love supporting our local, independent businesses. I just wish more of them would have cleaner bathrooms.

Eric February 20, 2015 (4:33 pm)

@Eroc. I don’t go to Easy Street cause of the nostalgia. I go there cause they have the best breakfast and good prices

WLCG06 February 20, 2015 (8:09 pm)

I don’t mind the expansion if it would bring a few more family (aka affordable) restaurants. There are very few places a family of 5 can afford to eat out once in a while in WS. I’m a little tired of expensive niche restaurants…how about a breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night diner in or near the Junction. And hopefully a small biz, local owner to run it.