Cycle University‘s West Seattle branch is getting out of the retail business – but you’ll still be able to shop there, as another bike shop takes over the retail space, while Cycle U continues with cycling-fitness classes, bike-fitting, coaching, and bicycle-skill classes. Cycle U proprietor Craig Undem says they’re partnering with Woodinville Bicycle, which will open its second shop at the Cycle U WS location as Westside Bicycles. That’ll be in an expanded retail space on the main floor at 3418 Harbor Ave. SW, while Cycle U’s offerings will be in a remodeled basement studio, starting in early October. In the meantime, Cycle U’s having a “blow-out liquidation sale” of its merchandise. Undem says in the announcement, “I can’t thank the West Seattle community enough for the support and patronage these first 6 years from our start at the Senior Center and the Huling Brothers Jeep location. We always wanted to offer more bikes and accessories but were working with a limited budget. Woodinville Bicycle has been one of the top shops in the region for 10 years and has the resources to really outfit a top level bike shop. This will allow us to focus on what we do best.” Cycle U moved to Harbor Ave. in 2012. (King County Assessor’s Office photo)

This Saturday, three independent local businesses are teaming up for the first-ever West Seattle Gear Grab. Reid Curry, manager of Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor), calls it “a GIANT year-end clearance sale on outdoor gear,” featuring EWA as well as West Seattle Cyclery and Mountain to Sound Outfitters. Curry adds, “While this is in essence a giant parking lot sale, it is also an unprecedented partnership between three of the premier outdoor retailers in West Seattle…establishing West Seattle as an up and coming destination for a variety of specialty outdoor stores and representing the strong and ever growing community of outdoor enthusiasts in West Seattle.” It’s happening on Saturday (September 19th) from 10 am to 4 pm at the north end of The Junction’s parking lot along 42nd SW south of SW Oregon, right across from EWA’s shop. From the announcement:

If your thing is catching sea run cutthroats off Lincoln Park, cycle commuting to get your workout in as you slog through the work week, or SUPing and kayaking with resident harbor seals off Duwamish Head, or heading up to ski and snowboard in the Cascades, this is an event not to miss. … We will be clearing out our storage spaces, back shops, and selling demo gear to get ready for the upcoming winter season and keep the retail wheels rolling. … Deals will be had, and this event will occur rain or shine. So come out and celebrate the amazing area we live in, and support your local specialty shops which call the Junction and Triangle neighborhoods of West Seattle home. Then cruise on down to check out the amazing grub and suds right in The Junction; what a cool way to spend the afternoon in one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle.

Four biznotes to share:

LIKA LOVE’S LOCATION: After reverting to all-mobile for a while when its previous storefront in The Junction became Pagliacci Pizza‘s expansion zone, Lika Love Boutique has a new permanent bricks-and-mortar location, at 6031 California SW in Morgan Junction.

NOBLE BARTON ABOUT TO OPEN: The new bar/restaurant in downtown White Center opens tomorrow, our friends at nearby Caffé Delia report, tweeting these preview photos:

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The space was briefly Meander’s Kitchen‘s first WC location and, before that, Papa’s Pub, at 9635 16th SW. NB is planning to be open 10 am-11 pm tomorrow – a little earlier than usual so you can see the Seahawks game.

THUNDER ROAD GUITARS CLOSED SUNDAY: Your next chance to shop at Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) in The Junction will be Tuesday – proprietor Frank Gross sends word TRG will be closed tomorrow (in addition to its regular Monday closure) for renovations. Some rearranging has to be done, he explains, for a new infusion of inventory in the bass department.

CAFE OSITA SUPPORT: As reported here earlier this week, the Sunrise Heights coffee shop has been hit by burglars, again. The shop reopened the next day but a patron wants to help beyond just encouraging everybody to give Cafe Osita a business boost – so Jason Sturgeon has set up this “buy Café Osita a cup of coffee” donation drive.

Today we welcome Mailbox West as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s what its new owners want you to know about what they’re doing and what’s ahead:

Mailbox West has been a part of the West Seattle community – in one iteration or another – serving mailbox, shipping, and business-services needs for 27 years. As the new owners, Vince Harrelson (above) and Erin Coopey are proud to be part of this long-standing local business. While Vince is primarily running the store (along with our incredibly knowledgeable and friendly employee, Natasha), Erin is busy writing cookbooks and teaching culinary classes.

We have lived in West Seattle for 8 years now and absolutely love it! We definitely ascribe to the “local first” mentality. We rarely ever leave our lovely little West Seattle neighborhood. In fact, I’m so local to Mailbox West, my commute is 4 blocks. Best commute I’ve ever had! What does it mean to have a “local first” mentality? It means you look to your neighbors and fellow local business owners for what you want/need before you go anywhere else. There is nothing like the personal touch of a face-to-face conversation with someone who is friendly, informative, and ready to help!

That’s what we pride ourselves on at Mailbox West: Being a friendly, helpful, community-focused small business.

What does our little local business do? We provide private mailboxes with 24-hour access, mailing and shipping, business services, notary services, packing supplies, gift boxes, gift bags and wrapping supplies, and a growing stock of locally sourced greeting cards. We hope to offer some fun gift options (e.g., small locally made gifts and food items to local art pieces) later this year.

We really do believe we are part of the West Seattle neighborhood and try very hard to make you feel a part of the “hyper-local” Mailbox West family. When you come in, we really do want to get to know you and to help you with whatever it is we can. We get to know your faces, your names, and your pets’ names. Don’t forget, we have really yummy treats for your dogs, too!

A business like Mailbox West is just a store until you give it character and personality. How do you do that? You have caring owners and a great staff that offer great quality services and products, extraordinary customer service, and to forge long-lasting ties to the West Seattle community…that’s how you make a place special. Being an independent, locally owned and operated local store gives us the power (and opportunity!) to be able to bend over backward for our customers.

Please stop by anytime for your mailbox, mailing/shipping, notary, business-service, and greeting-card needs … or just stop by to say hi and introduce yourself and your pet. You can find us at 6523 California Avenue SW (across the street from Thriftway at Morgan Junction) and on the web at MailboxWest.com.

We thank Mailbox West for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Today we’re welcoming Second Gear Sports as a new WSB sponsor! Here’s what they would like you to know about their business:

Second Gear Sports is dedicated to providing the community with high-quality, discounted sports and recreational gear, and offering customers an outlet to reduce, reuse, and recycle their gently used sporting goods.

“We offer everything from apparel and outerwear to footwear, bikes, water sports to winter sports, and more,” owner Mark Bremen says. “Our selection changes as the seasons change, and we add items based on customer requests. In fact, our inventory has expanded to include new items, such as soccer gear from Franklin sports, Diamondback bicycles, the popular FiveLo ArmSox, Strideline socks, and Seahawks fan-wear!”

Mark opened Second Gear Sports in September 2013 after enduring two mass layoffs in five years from the medical-device industry. “The actual idea of opening a sports consignment store came to us from a dear friend whose son kept outgrowing his soccer cleats and they wanted to save without buying new,” Mark said.

Mark and his wife Ellen and their two children believe that a small business is the soul of a neighborhood, and are proud that their store is located in Morgan Junction, just minutes from their family’s home. The Bremens believe in serving the community and local schools; Second Gear Sports regularly donates to school auctions and area organizations.

This young business has received impressive attention, including:

*2014 Westside Emerging Business of the Year – West Seattle Chamber of Commerce
*2015 Top 10 Best Sporting Goods Store – KING 5 Best of Western Washington
*2015 Finalist for a Golden Teddy Award for Shopping & Services – Parent Map Magazine
*2015 Finalist for Drive Your Business Forward Contest – Fast Company Magazine & Mercedes-Benz

“Opening Second Gear Sports is a passion for our whole family,” Mark says. “We love working with this community!”

Second Gear Sports is located in Morgan Junction across from Thriftway at 6529 California Ave SW. Hours are Monday – Saturday 10 am -6 pm and Sunday 11 am – 5 pm. You can find them on Facebook, or e-mail info@secondgearsports.com, or call 206-935-3552.

We thank Second Gear Sports for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Sometimes, businesses close quietly … not even a note on the door. Not the Feedback Lounge in Morgan Junction. Almost three weeks after its proprietors announced its days were numbered, the closing-night party to end all closing-night parties is under way right now. We stopped in for a few photos – above, co-proprietors Paul Larkin and Jeff Gilbert; below, co-proprietor and award-winning mixologist Matt Johnson:

The Feedback opened in spring 2009, showing personality even earlier – like a sign outside promising “opening soon-ish.” It sported rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia as part of the decor, and eventually got around to live bands, with two performing tonight:

We got there during Dead Letters‘ set (above); The Black Bangs was to follow. Many will remember the Feedback even more for its community spirit, hosting benefits for causes big and small, each one with a poster created by Gilbert, a prolific graphic artist – who told us tonight, “West Seattle can’t get rid of me!” so expect to keep seeing him around. As for the space at 6451 California SW, which was home to Beveridge Place Pub before its move across the alley, and to Full Moon Saloon before that – somebody’s moving in, but nobody’s saying who, yet.

Here’s a new way for your kid(s) to spend part of the rest of their summer: Learning “life skills” with Patricia London. We’re welcoming her as a new WSB sponsor, and here’s what she would like you to know about what she is teaching:

Patricia London is the Executive Director of LiNKS Independent Living Services and a certified Etiquette Factory instructor. Patricia has been employed in the Social Services field for over 10 years and Educational Training Field for 6 years. Additionally, she worked in varied settings as an Independent Living Services Director, Supported Living Director, Activity Director in a Rehab setting, and as a special-education teacher. She brings a broad base of experience and enthusiasm for children of all ages with varying learning abilities.

As a a Certified Etiquette Instructor and ILS and Social Skills Professional, she will help children learn manners, communication skills, social and life skills, with a strong focus on respect and value for others, integrity, and putting people at ease. The goals of what she offers include:

– To provide children with organized and structured recreations activities which contribute to intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth.

– To provide a variety of activities, which educate, empower, entertain, and motivate children.

– Promote each child’s appreciation of fair play, advocacy and consideration of others.

– Provide experience, which will allow each child to increase one’s self-esteem and self-confidence.

More than 50 different Life Skills will be covered, using games, role playing, props and kind discussion.

Exclusive Program:

Introductions
Kindness
Personal Space
Proper Hygiene
Self-Advocacy
Dealing with “Bullies”
Empathy
And Much, Much More

To register for upcoming sessions and/or find out more, call 206-551-4436 and/or e-mail linksilssummercamp@gmail.com.

We thank etiquette/social-skills instructor Patricia London for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

(Ventana Construction photo: Proprietors Anne Higuera and Clarence Higuera)
Two notes tonight about and from longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction. First – they’ve received a prestigious national honor in the industry, joining the “Big50“ this year. From the announcement:

Ventana Construction, has been selected by REMODELING magazine to join the REMODELING Big50. The Big50 awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Remodeling Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. The 2015 Big50 winners were featured in the May issue of REMODELING, a national trade publication read by more than 130,000 professional remodeling contractors, with longer profiles of the winners posted on the REMODELING website, remodelingmag.com.

Each year since 1986, the REMODELING Big50 inducts 50 owners of remodeling companies that have set exceptionally high standards for professionalism and integrity through exemplary business practices, craftsmanship, and impact in their community or the industry at large. Big50 remodelers run successful, often growing, companies of various sizes that have taken the lead in raising industry standards.

The Big50 selection process has become increasingly rigorous in recent years, and the result, REMODELING editors believe, is one of the strongest classes to date.

Second – Ventana invites you to its next free workshop for people interested in remodeling or custom homebuilding – next Saturday (August 8th), 2-3:30 pm, described as “an informative workshop about remodeling and custom home construction. Learn from experienced professionals about how to get started, what to expect, and the steps you can take to make your project successful.” Call 206-932-3009 ASAP, to RSVP so they’ll save you a space; it’ll be at Ventana HQ at 5458 California SW [map].

(Customers Shelly and Casey, sitting at the window in Pellegrini Italian Market)

By Randall Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

For months, people have been asking what’s going on at the former La Romanza Bistro site at 4521 California SW in The Junction – especially once mosaic tile started to cover the facade.

Finally a sign went up. And then, Pellegrini Italian Market opened for business quietly during the recent West Seattle Summer Fest, just in time to take advantage of the additional pedestrian traffic traveling casually along California Avenue.

The venture is brought to you by the Pellegrini family, proprietors of Beach Drive restaurant La Rustica. Aimee Pellegrini – “official daughter,” as well as the marketing arm of the family’s business operations – says the Pellegrinis took into consideration the changing face of the neighborhood when deciding on their concept for the space.

“We thought, ‘What’s missing in West Seattle? Well, there’s not really an Italian market in West Seattle,’ explains Pellegrini.

Read More

A hint of a new business, noticed tonight while we were in The Junction for Summer Fest Eve:

That sign has popped up in the window of what was Terra Cole Butchery – The Hydrant, “a gathering place for people and pups.” Hoping to find out more this weekend!

P.S. Speaking of new businesses, we have it from multiple sources that the new Pellegrini Italian Market, in the ex-La Romanza space, will be open for festivalgoers to check out.

Thanks to Brian for this photo of the new sign at California/Holly in Morgan Junction:

Plans for changes at that corner first hit our radar a few months ago, when a building-permit filing mentioned plans for at least some of the office space to be converted into an apartment. We checked back then with the travel agency that had long been in the space, Expedition Trips, and found out they were moving to 5932 California SW. The move was still a ways away at the time, so we saved it for future mention. Now, Expedition Trips has made its move, and the new sign on its former space reveals a health-care clinic called GoodMed is on the way, planning to open next month. According to its website, GoodMed is led by naturopathic physicians Drs. Ryan Campbell and Wendy Hueners, who are moving from other West Seattle clinics, and will have a membership model, explained here.

No, that wasn’t a Segway tour rolling through The Junction earlier this evening. The two-wheel travelers were members of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, visiting businesses to drop off copies of its brand-new directory.

Above, that’s Chamber CEO Lynn Dennis (at center, Segway-less) with Clay Eals from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and Katie Krause from Daystar Retirement Village, pausing for a photo op. You can get a copy of the directory at the Chamber’s office, or stop by the Info Booth at West Seattle Summer Fest (in the heart of Walk-All-Ways at California/Alaska) this Friday-Saturday-Sunday.

P.S. We’re told the Segways did come from the Admiral District business that offers the two-wheeled tours you’ve probably seen around the peninsula, West Coast Entertainment.

We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor today, Red 27 Engraving. As a new local sponsor, they have the opportunity to share some information about what they do:

(Red 27 Engraving owner Dana Perreault)
Your local WEST SEATTLE source for trophies, unique gifts and corporate awards, Red 27 Engraving owner Dana Perreault is happy to help you! Ordering is easy! There are 1,000s of awards to choose from and engraving options for one-of-a-kind specials.

Dana is a resident of West Seattle and began his business at his house. When he was ready for a shop and retail location, West Seattle was his only consideration. “I enjoy our community and want to be part of the economic growth as well as supporting a wide variety of my neighbors.” Dana is a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, sponsors youth sports in the area, and is always looking for situations that deserve an award!

Red 27 Engraving is located behind Caffé Ladro in south Morgan Junction, with open hours Tuesdays – Fridays 9 AM-5 PM and Saturdays 10 AM-2 PM at 7009 1/2 California SW; come in and let us help you personalize your awards today! Correct spelling guaranteed – Dana will work with you to make it right. RUSH orders, too: For a minimal charge, Red 27 Engraving can work with you to get your customized awards when you need them. Call 206-854-7328 or e-mail red27engraving@gmail.com.

We thank Red 27 Engraving for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

(1st four photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
It’s opening day for the newest shop in The Junction, Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) at 4736 California SW. And proprietor Frank Gross tells us he’s “ecstatic.”

As first reported here in May, Thunder Road is making the move from a storefront about a mile north, where it was “busting at the seams” after two and a half successful years – the business started online in 2011. Biggest thing about the new shop is, in fact, its bigness – tripling the square footage, 2,500 feet now, up from 800 sf before. That means more instruments – about 200 on hand at any time – but also more services and partnerships. Another West Seattleite, Chad Beeler of The Bass Shop and Bass EFX, is now partnering with Thunder Road:

Also new: TRG will be offering lessons starting next month (there’s studio space in the back) – watch for more on that soon. In the meantime, even if you’re not a musician, it’s fun to browse the selection of fine vintage and used guitars – acoustic as well as electric – and other instruments and equipment, including amps.

Thunder Road has new hours as it launches the new storefront – there today 10-6, which is the Tuesday-Saturday schedule; on Sundays, when you might want to stop in as a side trip while at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market in the next block to the north, they’re open 11 am-4 pm. And you can’t miss the sign:

(Thanks to Michael for this photo!)
Besides visiting in person, check in online – on the Web. TRG is also fun to follow on Instagram, for the regular “Today’s Catch” feature.

Four West Seattle biznotes this afternoon:

THUNDER ROAD GUITARS SETS THE DATE: Last month, Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) announced its plan to move to 4736 California SW in The Junction. Today, Michael shared that photo of the signage being painted on the new storefront, and TRG proprietor Frank Gross confirms they now have the moving schedule:

We will be open at our current location (3916 California) through this Saturday. We will be closed next Monday – Friday as we will be moving and we will be open for business at the new location on Saturday, June 27th, at 10 am. Also, our hours will change slightly. Our new hours will be Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday 11 am – 4 pm, and closed Monday.

The storefront became available when The Sneakery decided to consolidate back into its original Ballard location. Even before then, TRG had put out the call for help finding bigger digs.

STARBOOZE? Several people pointed out the liquor-license application posted at Junction 47, where, as we’ve reported, Starbucks is opening a shop. Company spokesperson Haley Nieman answered our inquiry by saying, “The liquor license application is the first of many steps we take in considering if the Starbucks Evenings menu is the right fit for any market, including West Seattle. We’re so excited that the Junction store is being considered for the Starbucks Evenings menu, though we don’t have any details to share on when that may happen. If you’re not familiar, the Starbucks Evenings program offers customers a new occasion to gather with each other over an expanded menu of shareable, warm and savory small plates that are paired with our coffee, tea and a selection of craft beer and wines.” Here’s where the company does that now.

IAN FITNESS EXPANDING TO WEST SEATTLE: Noticed activity at the former Morgan Junction Crossfit at California/Juneau? Following the weblink on a banner hung outside the building, we discovered it will be home to the fifth location of Ian Fitness, which offers boot camps in Magnolia, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Laurelhurst.

THE GENERAL STORE SEATTLE’S FATHER’S DAY EVENT: Claire E. Jones of The General Store Seattle (3400 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) is giving away a Father’s Day T-shirt to the 10th customer this weekend (the counter starts ticking both in the store and online 10 am Saturday). Never been? Stop by!

While a long-running business in The Admiral District has just closed – another is about to open.

(Photo courtesy Zelda Zonk Consignment)
Tomorrow is opening day for Zelda Zonk Consignment for Women at 2210 California SW, previously home to West Seattle Fabric Company (which has gone mostly online) and, before that, Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor, long since moved to The Junction). Proprietor Carrie Zimney explains, “Zelda Zonk is the name Marilyn Monroe went by when she was incognito so I thought it was very fitting.” Consignment is a form of recycling, and Carrie says, “I’ve been having a ton of fun with renovations and I’m so proud to say that I built my sales counter out of old pallets, and my clothing racks out of tree posts and old pallets. I also constructed my dressing rooms using old doors I purchased at Second Use in SODO.” As for the actual consigning, “Zelda Zonk does not brand-discriminate but we are really looking for current items from brands like Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, J. Crew, Theory, Ann Taylor and BCBGMaxazria. We will also carry special designer items from designers such as Prada, Oscar De La Renta, Burburry, and Chanel.” Starting tomorrow, she plans to be open 10 am-7 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-6 pm Sundays, closed Mondays. If you’re interested in consigning – she says, “I do a 40/60 split or in-store credit of 50%” – call 206-932-0961.