Why West Seattle’s Hotwire Coffee is doubling as a TV studio today
Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) proprietor Lora Lewis is pulling an all-nighter right now – not because she, oh, say, drank too much of her own product, but because she’s got a shop full of special guests:
Those are a few members of the video crew that chose Hotwire as the backdrop for what’s known as a “satellite media tour” – here’s the uplink truck parked in the Hotwire courtyard to facilitate the “satellite” part of the phrase:
So what’s the occasion? On behalf of Norton from Symantec, Los Angeles-based “Internet safety advocate” Marian Merritt will be doing three dozen live interviews with TV stations around the country – including Q13 here in Seattle – to talk about the “Top 10 Riskiest Online Cities” list the company just released. Just so happens, Seattle tops the list. So why do the interviews from Hotwire? A producer explained, “We found them online!” (Of course.) Anyway, they’ve got interviews booked starting at 3:10 am our time and continuing up till 9 am, overlapping with Hotwire operating hours (which start at 6:30 am) – so when you drop by for coffee this morning (maybe a Peeps beverage?) don’t mind the TV crew. And be kind to Lora; she’s been at the shop just after midnight, when the crew needed to start setting up – even on the patio:
(next photo added 9:40 am – the producer with the info sheet as they prepared for the Q13 interview)
P.S. As of this writing, we can’t find Symantec’s “riskiest cities” list online … but the producer gave us a printout, so read on if you’re interested (PLUS, added 11:36 am, our video interview with Lora as this all wrapped up):Read More
Another new West Seattle business: The Beer Junction
Thanks to Alison for spotting the liquor-license notice at 4707 42nd SW, across from the north end of Jefferson Square, between Limber Yoga/Seattle Integrated Martial Arts (WSB sponsor) and AAA Travel. We subsequently tracked down and spoke with Morgan Herzog, who plans to turn the space into The Beer Junction: “This will be a specialty beer store. We’ll be focusing on beers all around the world, with an extra focus on beers of the Northwest, local beers … we’ll also probably have a small selection of wine and cigars, but that’s not really our big focus.” Read on for more of what’s planned at The Beer Junction, and a request for your suggestions:Read More
West Seattle’s Hotwire Coffee brews up text ordering – plus Peeps
That sign on the door at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) is for a new first-of-its-kind service launched by Hotwire proprietor Lora Lewis – it’s Textwire; text Hotwire your beverage order and the time you’re arriving, and the drink will be ready when you get there. You have to pre-register so they have your name and, if you want, prepayment info on file – then, there’s a special text-only number you’ll be able to use to send the info. Sign up at hotwirecoffee.com or at Hotwire, and while you’re there – with three weeks till Easter, drinkable Peeps are in the house. 
Lora sent the photo at left and explained, “Our much anticipated Peeps drinks are back along with the ‘peep hunt’ for a third year in a row. This year we added a salted caramel lavender Peep beverage. Our Peep hunt is for the kids but let’s face it, who doesn’t like a treasure hunt? so all ages welcome. Find all the pictures of the Peeps at Hotwire and win, well, a Peep.” Four flavors are available – besides the salted caramel (etc.) there’s honey-vanilla, peppermint and strawberry-white chocolate.
New Junction wine shop Bin 41 sets Tuesday for “soft open”
(Photo courtesy Ben Shaevitz)
Six weeks after we first heard from Bin 41 proprietors T. Frick and Jon McNamara, their Junction wine shop is right on track with the plan they outlined at the time. They sent an update late last night – they’re getting ready for “soft opening” at 11 am Tuesday: “This will be a casual opening to allow us to interact with our customers and to work through any hiccups that will inevitably occur. We wanted to note that we are not opening with our full anticipated portfolio. This is intentional because we want to get to know our customers to allow us to evolve based upon their input and palates.” They expect the “portfolio” to keep growing as they work toward an April 1st grand opening: “This is a special day, as it is the 15-year anniversary for West Seattle Cellars and the first day for our shop. We are planning some fun tasting events for the grand opening which is scheduled for Thursday, April 1st through Sunday, April 4th.” They promise to keep the updates coming on the Web at bin41wine.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. If you’ve been through The Junction lately, you’ve no doubt noticed their signage; they’re adjacent to KeyBank on California just south of Alaska.
Feedback Lounge is open and rockin’, even during sidewalk work
By the time the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) celebrates its 1st birthday next month, the sidewalk out front will be brand-new – the city says the work should be done by March 19; . In the meantime, the sidewalk repair/replacement work’s a little daunting to look at – this is the view out the front door (the city’s working to protect the street trees):
But Feedback proprietor Jeff Gilbert says they’re still open, regular hours, regular food and fun (as of a few months ago, they’ve been open for lunch, starting at 11 am, and their online calendar lists the weekly special features, like the now-famous Sunday Ribs) . You just need to go ’round back to get in, till the sidewalk’s done.
Another coffee closure: Admiral District’s Revolution Coffee/Art
Last week, we reported the impending closure (after March 28) of Tully’s Coffee in Morgan Junction. Today, another impending closure has been confirmed – Revolution Coffee and Art in the Admiral District. Revolution owners Jason and Pam Douros, who took over Revolution last year, have put up two announcements on its Facebook page this morning. From the main announcement:
We regret to inform you that on March 5th 2010 Revolution will close its doors for the last time. This decision was not easy for anyone involved and it was thought through thoroughly and many options were explored. Unfortunately, due to factors beyond our control we are unable to sell the business at this time and are left with the option of closing and liquidating our assets.
And a separate note “from the barista,” from Pam:
I have been told not to feel too bad that something like between one third and fifty percent of new businesses fail in the first year. Somehow being part of this statistic only makes me feel worse. I wish I could have been more to the community than another statistic. However for what it’s worth, thank you friends and community for being a part of our journey and I am sorry that the trip didn’t last longer.
In the meantime, Revolution is open and invites customers to come in for coffee. They’re at 4217 SW Admiral Way. (Thanks to Jennifer Lynn for the original tip on this.)
West Seattle nightlife: The return of “Corner Inn Lynne”
This June, it’ll be two years since the Corner Inn closed its doors at Fauntleroy/California, the space now transformed into Zeeks Pizza. But the spirit of the Corner Inn has lived on here and there around West Seattle – and here’s the latest incarnation: We got a note from “Johnny Roadkill” about a new Ladies Night starting up at The Bohemian this Sunday night, with the bartender known best as “Corner Inn Lynne” mixing the drinks Sunday nights, hoping to create a new tradition. Click the image at left to see the flyer full-size; Johnny says, “There will be music, ladies’ drink specials and fun times.” But everyone’s welcome – guys too. (Lynne got mentions in the comments when we covered the Corner Inn’s shutdown in June 2008.)
More West Seattle beverage news: Tully’s Morgan Junction to close
Tully’s Coffee has just confirmed what we first heard from a barista yesterday – they’re closing their Morgan Junction store next month. Tully’s marketing VP Scott Earle tells WSB that the lease was up, the traffic reconfiguration in the area isn’t working so well for them (among other business factors), so they decided not to renew, and will close the store. He says it’s a store-specific situation and stresses two things: The Alki Tully’s is alive and well, a store they’re “very, very proud of” and “excited about” – and in fact, they’ve just renewed the Alki lease. Second, he says, they’re continuing to look at possible new locations in this area and elsewhere, though nothing’s locked in. The store at Fauntleroy/California is scheduled to close March 28 (that’ll be its last day); he says the company is trying to place its employees in other stores. The location, meantime, is listed as available for lease, with a multi-page flyer already describing the space as a “former coffee house.” The Tully’s store has been at California/Fauntleroy almost a decade – replacing a “Cafe Starbucks,” as briefly noted in this March 2000 Seattle Times column by now-City Councilmember Jean Godden. (Added: Earle says both stores opened in April 2000.)
Saints win the Super Bowl – Hotwire Coffee customers called it
You might recall, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) was running an informal Super Bowl poll – offering two special drinks, either of which you could buy to cast a vote for one of the Super Bowl teams. We took the photo above while visiting Hotwire late this morning; proprietor Lora Lewis says the Saints kept the lead even before the game – so Hotwire customers called it! (Saints 31-Colts 17 was the final, in case you’re checking in from a football-free zone.) P.S. One other Super Bowl note if you haven’t seen this a zillion places already – you can find The Commercials in this special YouTube collection.
West Seattle Super Bowl mania: Predict the winner at Hotwire
Longtime WSB sponsor Hotwire Online Coffeehouse usually offers seasonal beverages (right now a Valentine’s group is among the offerings) – and in the short run, there are two Super Bowl drinks, accompanying a prediction contest – just in from Hotwire proprietor Lora Lewis:
Is it possible to predict the Super Bowl just by a coffee beverage? The customers of Hotwire Online Coffeehouse think so. Starting today customers will begin purchasing the coffee shop’s two Super Bowl beverages in an attempt to predict the outcome of this Sundays game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. The staff will keep track of the beverages purchased and tally up the sales as each drink is sold.
Customers can also leave their name and e-mail address along with their vote. If they pick the winning team Hotwire will give them a free 12 oz Americano and a free hour of Internet surfing. Says Lora Lewis, owner of Hotwire Coffee, “We were able to predict the outcome of the Presidential election with our ‘Barackacanno’ and our ‘Average Joe Biden’ (vote was 65 to 11) why not the Super Bowl?”
The Super Bowl drinks will be available through the third quarter of the Super Bowl Sunday then will be removed for final tally. Winning Customers can pick up their free beverages starting Monday.
The Super Bowl drinks are the New Orleans Saints ‘who-dat?’ special (dark chocolate/cinnamon mocha) and Indianapolis Colts special (blueberry/white chocolate mocha). They’ll be available through the third quarter on Sunday. Hotwire’s at 4410 California, just north of the Junction post office. As for watching the game – no big screen at Hotwire but here’s our list of where you can see it on TV in West Seattle (with food and beverage specials listed as well as TV-screen sizes).
“We’ve crossed the hump”: Mission celebrates 5 years
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Sixty percent of new restaurants fail within three years. But Mission Latin Restaurant & Lounge, 2325 California SW, is about to celebrate completion of year five.
If there’s a secret to Mission’s success, Eric Cozens, who owns the restaurant along with Peter Morse, says he doesn’t know what it is.
“We feel very blessed to have had it work out,” Cozens says. “I don’t know what the formula is. It was a lot of things coming together: the right place, timing, personalities, economics.”
It helps that Cozens and Morse complement each other in skills as well as personality.
Read More
A place to play: New West Seattle “game afternoon” starting up
Starting one week from today, there’s a new chance to get together and play games – the old-fashioned analog kind – with friends and neighbors. Darlene, a supervisor at Morgan Junction Starbucks (California/Fauntleroy), e-mailed today to say that as of February 7, they’re starting a weekly “game afternoon,” 3 pm Sundays. She adds, “We will have a few games to choose from, but are encouraging people to bring in their favorites to share and play.” In case you lose track – we’re adding this to the WSB West Seattle Events calendar. (Any other regular game afternoons/evenings we should have on the list? editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)
Happening this afternoon/tonight: West Seattle Beer Dash
From Rebekah via Facebook – just in time for you to either join in or at least know what the people in the purple shirts are doing:
It’s that time of year again. The Beer Dashers are taking on to the Junction this afternoon at 2. 2-10 pm. Be forewarned or join in! Here’s the low down:
2:00 PM Alki Tavern
3:00 PM West 5 Lounge
4:00 PM Talarico’s Pizzeria
5:00 PM Table 35
6:00 PM The Rocksport
7:00 PM Poggie Tavern
8:00 PM Maharaja Cuisine of India
10:00 PM West Seattle Beer Dash 12 ends. Ride home with your designated driver or take a taxi.
This is the 12th year, so be on the look out for the purple shirts with 12 eggs and carton on it
New West Seattle business: You’ll find wine in Bin 41
Three weeks ago, after a liquor-license application notice went up at the former Georgia Blu space in The Junction, we published this short item – noting what the license was for, and mentioning we’d reached the applicants. They told us they weren’t ready to talk at the time, but promised details when they were. Today they’ve made good on that promise, and sent this announcement to share with you:
Bin 41, the Junction’s upcoming retail wine shop which will be moving into the former Georgia Blu space, is owned by long-standing West Seattle residents, T. Frick and Jon McNamara. Both Landscape Architects by training, T. and Jon discovered a passion for wine over a decade ago that developed into an understanding of the value of wine in our everyday experiences. They are looking forward to both bringing this passion for wine to the Junction and to contributing to their local community.
Bin 41 will be collaborating with the community’s first retail wine shop, West Seattle Cellars, and other neighborhood businesses. “We want to contribute to the spirit of West Seattle through the collaboration of local business. Our goal is to work closely with our friends, Tom and Jan, of West Seattle Cellars to provide the West Seattle community with more access to fine wine. This will be a win-win for the community in that consumers will have more choice overall; in wine selection, weekly tastings and educational opportunities.”
Bin 41 will be providing retail wine sales by the bottle and wine-related merchandise. Their portfolio will have a strong focus on local wines from the Pacific Northwest as well as various labels from around the world. In their field of design, the McNamara’s have been committed to contributing to a sustainable future. We are excited to continue this commitment to reducing our environmental footprint by working in the neighborhood in which we live as well as incorporating other sustainable concepts into the shop. The proprietors hope to open for business sometime in March, with a grand opening in early April. More information will be posted as plans progress further.
We had to ask – where did the name come from? T’s reply: “Our passion for wine, winemaking and the dream to open the shop grew out of our home on 41st. So we wanted to carry the number forward. Bin represents the storage of wine.”
West Seattle beverage news: Locöl, wine & beer bar, on the way
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Kyle and Kristi Duce love living in West Seattle.
Kyle manages Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) on weekends and spent a year tending bar at Shadowland, where he got to know and love the regulars. Kristi is a graphic designer for Prentice Design on Alki Beach. The couple enjoys sharing beers and barbecue on summer nights with their neighbors in the High Point community where they live. But that’s also where they realized that something was missing.
“We’d start talking about how nice it would be if we had a place we could walk to to get a beer or a glass of wine,” remembers Kyle. “There’s 1,600 homes in High Point — it’s huge — and the whole area is such a dense residential area. The demographics are phenomenal and there’s nothing like that there.”
So Kyle, who currently manages the Oakley store in Bellevue Square, Kristi, and their friend Shane Whittall, a bartender, decided that not only should there be a place like that, they were the ones who should open it. Seven months later, the lease has been signed on 7902 35th Ave SW (map), a narrow storefront between Sharon’s Westwood Florist and Kenyon Hall.
The liquor license has been applied for, the dumpsters arrive this week, and construction is about to begin on Locöl, “West Seattle’s premier wine & beer bar.”
Read More
West Seattle Cellars, friends, and family mourn Bear Silverstein
After getting a note from Laurie with word that West Seattle Cellars co-owner Bear Silverstein has died, we went to the store to confirm it in person a short time ago – and in the meantime received this note from Sue Winter:
The family has asked me to let you know that Bear Silverstein, owner of West Seattle Cellars, passed away this morning after a prolonged illness. A devoted husband and father, Bear was involved with many community organizations, including West Seattle Helpline and Westside School. His family has set up a website at CaringBridge.org: www.caringbridge.org/visit/cheersbear, with a guestbook for posting remembrances [here]. Plans for a memorial service are pending.
Mr. Silverstein and business partners Tom and Jan (shown on this page from the WS Cellars website) have owned the store for almost a decade.
From the “in case you wondered” department: Liquor store update
A WSB’er e-mailed to ask for an update on the future Westwood Village liquor store. We thought we’d share the answer in case you were wondering too: The lease is finalized, according to the state Liquor Control Board, and they’re hoping to be open in early April. (If you missed our earlier stories – they’re opening in part of the former Famous Footwear storefront on the north side of the shopping center; it’s the replacement for the Morgan Junction store that closed in September 2008.
At left, Eric from Solar Epiphany places a big call after the
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