FOLLOWUP: See what’s changing in Metropolitan Market’s Admiral remodel

Almost a month into its remodeling project, Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral is showing major signs of change:

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We didn’t have many details when we mentioned the remodeling last month, but we do now, after a mini-tour on Wednesday, with store director Paul Marth and MM executive VP Helen Neville. Above, new cases and tiling have brightened and expanded the area where you’ll find cheese, deli meat, and the olive bar.

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The bakery area has new tile, too, and the coffee bar will be moving downstairs this weekend to its new home adjacent to the bakery, by the west doors.

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That will create room for an expanded housewares area upstairs.

The kitchen behind the hot-food and sandwich-case area is getting new equipment, and as previously mentioned, will be adding pizza and wok food. The soup bar and seating area will expand; the poke bar will move to a more central location.

The remodeling is now set for two phases. The first phase of work will be done by November 11th, and then the remodeling will stop for the holiday season, a traditionally very-busy time for Metropolitan Market. Then after the holidays, they’ll turn attention to the meat, seafood, and grocery areas.

Marth has been the Admiral store director since summer, 11 years after a previous stint.

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He adds that while they remodel and look at additional items for the latter, they are talking with and hearing from customers about what they’ll be looking for while the West Seattle PCC Natural Markets (also a WSB sponsor) is closed for the construction of the mixed-use building that will be its new home (likely to start sometime next year).

One more MM area in transition – the big covered patio south of the main east entrance. They’re expanding its seating to facilitate monthly “events” there, such as farm-to-table dinners with guest chefs. You can get a sneak peek during an “Oyster Happy Hour” planned tonight (Thursday, October 13th), featuring 99-cent Hama Hama oysters, 5-7 pm. (Yes, there will be heaters!)

P.S. Until the first phase of remodeling wraps up next month, the store continues closing overnight (10 pm-6 am) Sunday through Thursday, while maintaining its round-the-clock schedule 6 am Fridays-10 pm Sundays.

27 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: See what's changing in Metropolitan Market's Admiral remodel"

  • Jerald October 13, 2016 (9:10 am)

    If they got rid of all that bumpy tile flooring, I’d be thrilled.

    • WSB October 13, 2016 (9:15 am)

      Didn’t talk about the flooring. But next time you’re in, or via e-mail, talk to management! The company itself, btw, is headquartered in West Seattle (the WS Corporate Center at Delridge/Andover).

    • Mikekey October 13, 2016 (9:17 am)

      Yes!  One of my pet peeves while shopping there.

  • Junction Lady October 13, 2016 (9:20 am)

    I concur about the floor.

  • newnative October 13, 2016 (9:49 am)

    I have really sensitive feet and never noticed the flooring.  I will say the elongated cheese section gives off a department store vibe.  Nice for those of us who like to linger and gawk at cheese.  :) 

  • Maggie October 13, 2016 (9:56 am)

    So nice to see Mr. Marth as new store director. He managed to transform the lower Queen Anne store when it moved down the hill, but more importantly, he continued Met Market’s commitment to supporting  great local non-profits. If it wasn’t for them the volunteer-driven QA Farmers Market would not be thriving like it is today.  So nice to have such a great store with a real connection to the community…..and with those giant, warm chocolate chip cookies! 

    • stb October 13, 2016 (1:19 pm)

      Mmmmm.  The Cookie!  Now I have to stop there.

  • waikikigirl October 13, 2016 (10:56 am)

    I never noticed the floor either??? But maybe because I was to busy looking at all the YUMMY food!

  • Sandy Adams October 13, 2016 (11:02 am)

    Yes to the floor!!!  Really hate that thump, thump, thump thing :)

  • jonesy October 13, 2016 (11:26 am)

    Isn’t it funny the things that bother people…

  • Nancy R October 13, 2016 (11:26 am)

    I agree about the floor!

  • Tom S October 13, 2016 (11:57 am)

    Love the Met Market! The improvements look great. 

    Olive samplers will be happy to know they can still easily dip their fingers in and taste a couple. It always amazes me that people do that.

    The ‘Real Change’ guy outside is funny and friendly, but I am noticing more pan handlers hanging around the front. Hopefully they can work to curb that behavior.

  • CMP October 13, 2016 (12:07 pm)

    If you haven’t noticed the tile floor then you must not either use a shopping cart or are completely oblivious.  Grab a cart next time you shop there and wander the middle aisles; it will become obvious pretty quickly I think!  

    • newnative October 13, 2016 (3:01 pm)

      wow, I’m just completely oblivious! Thanks!  Really, I rarely use a cart because I only buy what I can carry on my back or in my arms.  I understood the complaint to be about uneven flooring, like a hazard or obstacle, not a noise problem.  

  • Joan October 13, 2016 (12:18 pm)

    Doesn’t matter how much they remodel. It’s still too expensive.

  • Rick October 13, 2016 (12:44 pm)

    You make being oblivious sound like a bad thing.  Really,it’s not.

  • sam-c October 13, 2016 (1:46 pm)

    I like it;  you can tell how quickly someone is coming up behind you (about to clip your heels) , and if you need to think twice about pulling away from the shelves and into the middle of the aisle.

  • Elton V Pinto October 13, 2016 (1:53 pm)

    The happy hour looks enticing but isn’t the storm supposed to hit tonight? 

    • WSB October 13, 2016 (1:56 pm)

      The wind is due VERY LATE tonight (midnight-ish) as per our current top story.

  • Chris October 13, 2016 (3:09 pm)

    Whole Foods anxiety?  

  • Jenny October 13, 2016 (3:33 pm)

    I really wish they’d include a bulk foods section one day! Safeway made theirs smaller, and while PCC is closed bulk pickings in the area will be slim!

  • Jissy October 13, 2016 (8:06 pm)

    Well that’s interesting!!!!  And see, you learn something new every day… I never knew about the floor, I just thought I always got the ONE crap cart with the wonky wheels!  Silly me.

  • Diane October 14, 2016 (2:44 am)

    apparently also oblivious; never noticed the floor; and true, I never use a cart; I walked through entire store the other night, checking out the remodel; guess I forgot to look down

  • William October 14, 2016 (11:34 am)

    MM had plastic flower pots sprinkled all over the store on the floor today – catch drips from a leaking roof!  Watch your step!

  • Helen Neville October 17, 2016 (6:06 pm)

    Hi Metropolitan Market West Seattle customers! Helen Neville
    here –  thanks so much for all your
    feedback about the remodel process for the store on Admiral. Your input helps
    us create the best possible shopping experience, and we want to make sure we
    address all of your concerns through the remodel. The weather this past weekend
    caused multiple leaks at the store, so we have a plan to replace the roof while
    also working to repair the leaks. I’d love to hear from folks with any other
    concerns, or to help explain more details of the remodel. We are very excited
    to bring new programs and products to your Admiral store. Please feel free to
    reach out to me with any comments or concerns: hneville@metropolitan-market.com.
    Thanks so much!

  • coffee gal November 2, 2016 (8:15 am)

    I love the espresso at MM, just wondering  about them moving it out of the old area  where there was seating  inside and out? Will the seating go away? Loved browsing the kitchen shop while waiting for my coffee. The coffee shop is the main reason I come to MM.

    • WSB November 2, 2016 (8:30 am)

      They told us the plan includes expanding the center bar area where there had been a few seats on the other side of the soup area, so I believe the thought is that it would serve coffee/bakery as well. I haven’t been through the west entrance/exit in a while but I recall seating out there, and then there’s the plan for more seating on the east side of the store. Don’t know specifically though if the tables/chairs up by the old coffee-bar area were staying or going.

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