West Seattle, Washington
17 Friday
The facade signage is gone and that hand-lettered sign on the door confirms that the only Rite Aid-owned West Seattle drugstore NOT converting to a CVS is officially closed. We first reported two months ago that the Westwood Village Rite Aid store would be closed as of today; the center’s owners have listed the space as available for lease, but no hint of a new tenant so far.
Of the other three Rite Aid-owned West Seattle drugstores, the former RA on California SW has already converted to a CVS; the two Bartell Drugs stores are set to do so within the next two weeks. Meantime, the South Delridge Walgreens – kitty-corner from the closed-and-sold ex-White Center Bartell store – is set to close September 10, as we first reported earlier this month.
Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) has an upcoming end-of-summer sale with a twist – actually two: It’s donating part of the proceeds on Saturday, August 30, to the West Seattle Food Bank, while putting TRG proprietor Frank Gross in a dunk tank! Here’s the announcement, in video and text:
Announcing the Thunder Road Summer “Dunk Frank in the Tank” Event. Join us Saturday, August 30th, for amazing one-day-only deals and your chance to win a FREE Gretsch ’57 Duo Jet courtesy of our friends at Gretsch Guitars.
We decided to partner with the West Seattle Food Bank for this event and will be donating 10% of our sales on the 30th to the food bank. We are also going to have Frank in a dunk tank all day…. Just how do you dunk Frank in the tank, you ask? Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank or purchase a guitar, amplifier, or pedal. Either one of those gets you 3 throws at our fearless leader and a limited TRG shirt for the event (while supplies last). So join us August 30th, 12-6 pm, for a day of insane deals and help us raise some money for the WS Food Bank.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Uncertainty.
That’s the word that arose again and again during a West Seattle small-business roundtable discussion this afternoon, led by Seattle Port Commission president Toshiko Hasegawa with state Commerce Department director Joe Nguyen. They talked at Gary’s Place on Alki with the arcade’s owners Elyssa and Matt Cichy, Greg Whittaker of Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) and Alki Kayak Tours, Dave McCoy of Emerald Water Anglers, Julie Mierzwiak of Realfine Coffee, Dan McKisson of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Rachel Porter of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Chris Mackay of the West Seattle Junction Association, and Jordan Crawley, who operates Alki Beach Academy and is on the WSCC board.
The purpose of the by-invitation gathering was to find out how tariffs are affecting small local businesses. This is how it began, starting with an explanation by Lindsay Wolpa of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, the cargo-shipping joint port authority of Seattle and Tacoma – and continuing with remarks by Hasegawa – whose port presidency also means she’s co-chair of the alliance’s managing members – and Nguyen:
The uncertainty really hits hard as businesses try to plan in advance, not knowing what will be happening, how things will be changing, how prices will be changing. You can get some of the sense of that listening to this excerpt of the conversation, starting with Whittaker, whose shop focuses on seasonal merchandise – mountain and water gear:
McCoy said he deals with about 140 vendors, and around 120 of them have raised prices from three to 11 percent “since the tariff war began.” Some have tried to absorb it, but have warned that they eventually will have to pass it on. And less revenue for businesses, because of higher costs, means less money to employ people. McCoy, whose shop is focused on fishing and other outdoor gear and apparel, said “volume” is all that’s been keeping him afloat.
The tariff situation isn’t just a matter of one country here and one country there – McCoy and Whittaker talked about merchandise made with materials from a multitude of countries: “It’s so complex, I don’t feel like I have any control.”
For the Cichys, buying what they need to run arcades is a challenge too. “We’re blowing our budget to get what we need,” said Elyssa. Matt added, “We don’t know what kind of price increase we’re going to face. … It’s stressful.” So far, they are trying to avoid passing price increases through to their customers. “We’re trying to make an accessible place for everyone.”
It’s not only about prices/costs, observed some of the participants. “Uncertainty decreases innovation,” Whittaker said.
Hasegawa and Nguyen asked the business owners what kind of resources they use to find out about tariffs, about loan/grant opportunities, and other information vital to keeping their doors open. The two business organizations represented at the gathering – the Chamber of Commerce and the Junction Association – talked about how they try to help their members with that.
But ultimately, it would be ideal if this weren’t happening at all, said Nguyen: “What’s frustrating is that this is all so unnecessary.”
Further up the supply chain, McKisson talked about how longshore workers are affected. Port cargo traffic has been “volatile,” it was noted earlier, and that volatility translates into work uncertainty for those whose jobs depend on shipping.
He wasn’t the only one who talked about how the situation has affected employees – their wages don’t go so far because of the rising prices in the greater economy, and they have to focus on essentials, maybe even get a second job. Hasegawa expressed admiration for their efforts to keep their businesses going and keep their staffs employed. “So much resilience,” she observed, then asking: What kind of community support are you getting/giving?
Business owners talked about encouraging customers to support other local businesses too, trying to find ways to help people understand the importance. Business organization leaders spoke about the events they’ve organized to bring people into local businesses, such as The Junction’s festivals and Wine Walks.
When a chance for media Q&A arose at the end, we asked Hasegawa what she planned to do with/about all the stories she’d heard during the roundtable. She said the port and NWSA are continuing to directly communicate with the federal government about the effects that tariffs and other policies are having, and that’ll also happen during a trip next month to D.C.
But ultimately, local advocacy and support will make the biggest difference, Nguyen suggested: “We can’t control what happens in the White House, but we can control what happens in our neighborhoods.”
Il Nido, the restaurant that operates in the landmark Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge building at 2717 61st SW, has just announced a temporary closure for emergency repairs. Here’s the announcement they sent us to share with you:
Dear Il Nido guests: We are closing Tuesday, August 26th to Monday, September 1st for emergency repairs to our kitchen floor. Please pardon this inconvenience, it is always our pleasure to welcome guests, but this is an unavoidable occurrence. We are hoping to reopen on Tuesday, September 2nd.
If you would like to help us reopen Il Nido by purchasing a Gift Card online, we would love your support! Your purchase will cover costs for labor, food, and beverages as we finish repairs. Once we reopen, redeem your Gift Card for dinner with us. Despite being busy, our margins are slim and this closure is financially challenging. We aim to complete repairs quickly without borrowing money. Many Seattle restaurants have closed recently, highlighting industry challenges. The Il Nido team values being part of the West Seattle community and wants to keep welcoming you to the historic Fir Lodge cabin.
Cameron Williams & Chef Katie Gallego
Il Nido Restaurant at the Alki Homestead
Owners-Partners
(The hard-hat crows are a reference to the restaurant’s logo, which includes a crow; “Il Nido” is Italian for “the nest.”)
Need material for an outdoor project before the colder, darker season rolls in? West Seattle Landscape & Stone Supply (WSB sponsor) wants to share the news that they’ve upgraded their online ordering for you:
West Seattle Landscape & Stone Supply keeps growing!
Paul here with West Seattle Landscape & Stone Supply to tell you that our website keeps growing. Your best option for bulk material delivery, keeps getting easier!
-Up-front pricing on every product by the cubic yard or ton
-Filter & sort our entire catalog by type, price, color, and size
-Estimate quantities with confidence; every product page shows coverages per yard or yields per ton
-Request your materials with a few clicks, no commitment necessary, totally free!
-See for yourself at www.westseattlestone.comPaul & Jeff still do old-school customer service by following up with you to confirm everything and answer any questions you have before we set up payment and your delivery appointment.
There’s still plenty of beautiful summer weather left, so grab your shovel and get in touch – we’re ready to rock & roll!
With gratitude,
Paul & Jeff206-763-7625 | wslandscapesupply@gmail.com
A reader texted us over the weekend to say, “Looks like Nucor is getting a dark green paint job. Looks great!” No photo, so we went over to have a look late today. Our photo shows the south side of the steel-recycling mill, along SW Andover, visible from West Seattle Health Club. We asked a spokesperson for Nucor (which is a WSB sponsor) about the repainting – here’s what we heard back:
We are in the midst of painting the buildings at our local mill this summer and anticipate doing an additional round of painting next year, including building roofs. This investment is part of our overall work to maintain our mill responsibly for our teammates and our neighbors. We chose green to help reflect the character of our neighborhood. The last time the mill was painted was about a decade ago and it was time for a fresh coat. We look forward to making additional investments at the mill, like the removal of the old, decommissioned smokestacks and the current painting project.
We reported on the smokestack removal back in May.
P.S. The repainting’s not done yet, so you can still see the previous beige-ish color on part of the building.
(WSB photo, earlier today)
Behind those doors, the Menashe and Sons Jewelers owners and staff were working today to get ready to reopen tomorrow for the first time since Thursday’s high-noon smash-and-grab robbery, shown on security video the family-owned shop has released:
They were working today on inventory, continuing to catalog what had been stolen so police would have photos to circulate. The shop stressed in a statement on Friday that no jewelry or watches left by customers for service had been taken. They plan to be open 10:30 am to 5 pm tomorrow.
Meantime, we asked SPD if they had any updates on the investigation – short answer, no; longer answer, they say they’ll “release information when/if arrests are made.” If you have tip(s), the hotline is 206-233-5000 and the incident # is 25-233180.
From Jade Nguyen, proprietor of recently reopened Bonjour Vietnam and adjacent speakeasy The Alley in The Junction, where Be’s Restaurant – operated by her mom – used to be:
To our West Seattle Neighbors, Family & Friends
(WSB photo, 2020)
For those who remember Be’s, it was a cherished diner in the neighborhood since 1986. Built by Be herself, and for decades it was more than just a diner – it was a home. She created a space where strangers became regulars, and regulars became family. Since her retirement, her daughter had introduced a new vision, bringing Vietnamese cuisine to the space while honoring that same spirit of connection.
In recent years, Be’s health declined, and it is with heavy hearts that we share her passing.
As we honor her memory, we’ll be rebranding and looking ahead to continue serving the community she loved so dearly. We appreciate your kindness and patience as we take time to grieve this loss.
With love and gratitude,
Bonjour Vietnam, formerly Be’s
We will be hosting a casual Celebration of Life September 14 , 6 pm, 4509 California Ave SWIn honor of my mom’s favorite pastime, we will be hosting karaoke at 8 pm
Regarding the rebranding, Jade adds, “I am planning to rename the business back to Be’s, in honor of her memory.”
Those are the winners in this summer’s first West Seattle scavenger hunt, Summer Scramble, coordinated again this year by Alice Kuder as a way to have fun and support independent local businesses. Today Alice sent us the wrapup report!
More than 175 West Seattleites participated in the 3rd Annual Summer Scramble Treasure Hunt from July 31st to August 3rd. Young and old, families and individuals, long-time residents and newbies, all reported experiencing fun and laughter while making lasting memories. In all, 58 teams submitted 232 selfies to compete for four treasure chests.
Contents of the chests were donated by these generous (and playful) business owners (listed in alphabetical order):
Angora Rugs & Decor – 4517 California Ave SW
Charcuterie by Annalise – 6032-B California Ave SW
Fine Baking Company – 6969 California Ave SW
Good Sister – 6059 California Ave SW
Great American Diner & Bar – 4752 California Ave SW
Hagosa’s House – 4800 Delridge Way SW
Inner Space Design – 6031-B California Ave SW
Just in Case, Disaster Preparedness – justincaseplans.com
Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar – 6503 Calif Ave SW
Nepenthe Massage – 9447 35th Ave SW
Panterelli’s Patisserie – 4210 SW Alaska St
Seattle Style Salon – 7350 35th Ave SW
Snapdragon Bakery – 4500 California Ave WA
Space Bar Wellness – 2705 California Ave SW
West Seattle Runner – 2743 California Ave SW
Willow West Seattle – 4536 California Ave SWThe above-named businesses joined the more than 100 local businesses that have supported the eight Scavenger Hunts I have sponsored in the past five years. One more reason to declare that West Seattle is the Best Seattle!
Please show these fabulous merchants your appreciation for their presence in our neighborhoods by patronizing their shops. Shopping locally really does strengthen our community.
This year, the non-business clue sites were all designated Emergency Communication Hubs. If you aren’t aware of the hubs, I encourage you to check them out so you know where to go for information when a natural disaster happens.
*Pictured above* are the four teams who won the treasure chests through a combination of solving the clues, sending in selfies, and being chosen in a random drawing of others who did the same. From left to right, the team names are: Mad Hunters; Thompson Team; Super Squid Muffins; and Lucy & Annie’s Big Adventure.
If you weren’t able to participate in Summer Scramble as it was happening, you can still download the clue sheet and map and Scramble on your own. The free downloads are available at wondersinaliceland.com.
The 4th Annual Summer Scramble will happen July 30-Aug. 2, 2026. And don’t miss the 6th Annual Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt, coming Dec. 5-14.
(Filigree & Shadow’s James Elliott, in 2023 WSB photo)
Filigree & Shadow (WSB sponsor) is a unique West Seattle business – proprietor James Elliott creates fragrances, in a studio south of The Junction. He’s announced his studio will close at the end of September because the building’s been sold, so you are running out of time to make an appointment to visit. Here’s the announcement he sent us:
It has been a joy to welcome so many of you into the space over the years, whether you came in to discover a new fragrance, attend a workshop, or simply share your love of perfume. West Seattle has been a wonderful home for Filigree & Shadow, and I’m deeply grateful for the support, encouragement, and friendship this community has shown me. I’ve always loved being able to share my fragrances — and the fragrance collections of my friends and colleagues around the world — and to help demystify the art of perfume, making it more accessible. Thank you, everyone, for coming along with me on this journey of smelling what often seemed impossible possible.
If you would like to visit before closing, I encourage you to schedule an appointment in September, as availability will be limited. Orders placed through the website will continue to be fulfilled until the closing date of September 30, 2025.
Thank you for being part of this chapter of my journey. The experiences I’ve had here have given me the confidence to look forward to what comes next, and I hope the fragrances created in this studio continue to bring you joy for years to come.
James opened this studio 2 1/2 years ago, after seven years in business online.
(WSB photo, Thursday)
One day after the noontime smash-and-grab robbery that police say netted $2 million in merchandise in 90 seconds, Menashe and Sons Jewelers in The Junction asked us to publish this new statement with a revised reopening date:
To our valued customers and community,
We want to assure you that all customer jewelry and watches are safe and were not among the items taken during the recent robbery at our store.
Your trust means everything to us, and we are grateful to share this important news with you.
As we work to assess, regroup, and repair the damage done, Menashe & Sons will be closed on Friday, Saturday, and Monday.
We will reopen on Tuesday, August 19th, ready to serve you with the same care and dedication you’ve come to expect.
We are deeply thankful for the outpouring of support from the West Seattle community and from all those who have reached out with kind words and encouragement.
Your support means the world to us during this difficult time.
Thank you for being so understanding and continued trust.
We look forward to welcoming you back soon — stronger than ever.
Warm regards,
The Menashe & Sons Family
The robbery carried out by four masked robbers armed with hammers followed two crash-and-grab attacks on two other Junction businesses in the previous week (August 7 and August 8). The Menashes’ store was hit in the same way on Christmas Eve 2022. So far, no updates from police on the investigation of Thursday’s robbery; 206-233-5000 is the SPD tipline, and 25-233180 is the incident number.
The Mariners‘ celebration of Ichiro‘s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame brought other M’s legends back to Seattle, including another Hall of Famer, Randy Johnson, whose visit included a trip to Easy Street Records, according to the photo and anecdote sent to us by ESR proprietor Matt Vaughan:
Randy “Big Unit” Johnson made a visit to his favorite record shop . He was in town to celebrate Ichiro. He went on to tell us, “Did you know that for every home game I was wearing a rock tee under my jersey, usually always Soundgarden.” We let him pick out the playlist for an hour…Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Queensryche, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath.
Randy was the most dominant and intimidating baseball pitcher of his era. 2 No-Hitters, World Series MVP, Perfect Game at age 40, Baseball Hall of Fame, multiple All-Star appearances, 22 seasons !
Go Mariners!
The “Big Unit” also posted a photo from his Easy Street visit here. (Matt says the men with him in the photo above are “local boys Josh and Noah Lange.”
Yes, really, we have two reasons to mention Halloween today, even though it’s more than 2 1/2 months away …
HALLOWEEN STOCKPILE SALE: Patricia wants to be sure you have plenty of advance notice that she is having a sale because she’s getting out of the Halloween-decoration business after many years of delighting neighbors and visitors – the reader-contributed photos above and below are just a few of those we’ve received spotlighting her past displays. She is selling her stockpile to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank: “I am retiring from the ‘business’ of Halloween home decor. Over the years I have amassed a substantial number of decorations and hope to turn those items into much-needed cash for the food bank.”
Patricia’s all-Halloween WSFB-fundraiser sale is set for 9 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, at 2752 38th SW – cash only.
HALLOWEEN STORE: A concerned reader contacted us recently, worried that Spirit Halloween wouldn’t be returning to Westwood Village’s ex-Bed Bath Beyond for a fourth season, since it wasn’t on their website, though other 2025 stores were, and there was no signage on the storefront (at least as of last we looked). We found job listings that had been posted this past spring for fall 2025, which seemed like a hint they would indeed be returning, but now there’s no doubt – the WWV seasonal store has been added to . No opening date listed, but the past two years, they’ve opened by the last week of August.
Tomorrow’s your first chance to learn about two of three ways West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) will help you train for this year’s Seattle Marathon (November 30). The announcement:
West Seattle Runner is providing FREE training programs for the Seattle Marathon. We will have 3 different options:
–FULL Fit, a free group training program for the Seattle Marathon, for beginners and intermediate as well. The kickoff date is August 9th at 8 am. The info session is August 6th at 6:30 pm
–GET Fit, a free group training program for the Seattle marathon for getting people off the couch to do a half marathon. The kickoff date is August 16th at 8 am. The info session is Aug 6th at 7 pm
–GOT Fit, a free group training program for the Seattle marathon for intermediate to advanced half marathoners. The kickoff is August 23rd at 8am. The info session is Aug 20th at 6:30pm
All info sessions and kickoffs are starting at West Seattle Runner. All programs are free – email lori@westseattlerunner.com with any questions!
Easy Street Records, it seems, is known for softball hits as well as music hits. Proprietor Matt Vaughan sent the photos and report:
The Easy Street Wreckers won the ISL Softball Co-Ed City Championship . This marks the 4th time in 6 years! They are also celebrating 20 years as a team! Trailing by 5 going into the last inning, Easy Street rattled off 12 unanswered runs to take the trophy. The ASA Industrial Softball League includes 16 small businesses throughout Seattle. Big props to The Lariat, great bar/ lounge in White Center. Seattle’s first and only pro-wrestling-themed bar! Congrats to Georgetown’s 9 LB Hammer – they won the 2nd Division trophy.
MVP went to South Seattle College Political Science Professor and avid record collector, Larry Cushnie.
Crews are changing the signage on the facade of the 5217 California SW Rite Aid, first of three West Seattle drugstores set to be taken over by CVS over the next several weeks. What was a “CVS Pharmacy coming soon” banner on the left side now says “open during remodel,” and CVS-branded signs are on the posts in the parking lot too. The other two local stores that will convert to CVS are the Admiral and Jefferson Square Bartell Drugs; the Rite Aid in Westwood Village is currently scheduled to simply close. Meantime, as we reported over the weekend, same industry though different company – Walgreens has announced it’s shutting down the store at 9456 16th SW on September (corrected) 10.
Almost a month ago, we reported that the 9456 16th SW site of West Seattle’s southernmost Walgreens store was for sale. Now, the company is announcing the store will close as of September 10. The company didn’t answer our request for comment on the store’s status after we found the “for sale” listing, but we’ve received two tips today (thank you!) about the closure announcement online and in postal mail sent to customers (image below is an excerpt from that):
This is the second standalone drugstore closure coming up in south West Seattle; the Westwood Village Rite Aid is due to close in late August (while the three other local Rite Aid and RA-owned Bartell stores are converting to CVS).
P.S. We would be remiss to not note that, kittycorner from this Walgreens, the White Center Bartell closed almost two years ago.
Two local businesses are inviting you to upcoming anniversary celebrations:
DINNER PARTY FOR MIOPOSTO ADMIRAL’S TENTH: Mioposto in Admiral (2139 California SW; WSB sponsor) has hit a milestone, 10 years in business, and invites you to celebrate next Tuesday night:
Join us at Mioposto Admiral on Tuesday, August 5th from 6-9 pm for food and drink specials and live music from Shaun Crawford from 6-8 pm! You may have seen Shaun gracing the stage with local acts RUB, Stephanie Anne Johnson, Bearaxe, Acid Tongue, and many more. Now you can catch him solo and vibe to his unique mix of soul, indie, and southern charm. Come bask in the sun, raise a glass, and help us celebrate 10 great years.
The restaurant opened a decade ago in a space that had previously housed a longtime antique shop.
SWEET 16 FOR CHERRY CONSIGNMENT: Also in August, proprietor Nyla Bittermann is celebrating another year in business for Cherry Consignment – 16 in all!
That photo is from our visit to the shop on the north edge of The Junction, 4142 California SW, two years ago, when she was celebrating 14 years in business. Now it’s Cherry’s “Sweet 16” and the party’s on Saturday, August 9. Nyla’s invitation: “We’ll have all the fun things to ring in sixteen years, with snacks, sips, steals, and surprises. Thank you for making this happen – come let us celebrate you!”
Today we’re welcoming our newest sponsor, Seattle Window Cleaners. Here’s what they would like you to know about what they do!
Meet Seattle Window Cleaners: West Seattle Roots, Citywide Reach
When Martin Skarra acquired West Seattle Window Cleaners in 2021 from longtime West Seattle residents Matt and Becca Bay, he made a clear promise: to continue providing the same care and quality service that the West Seattle community had grown to trust — and to bring that same level of service to homeowners and businesses across the city.
Martin leads a dedicated team committed to delivering excellent results, honest communication, and a hassle-free customer experience. For over 15 years, Seattle Window Cleaners has helped clients maintain beautiful, safe homes and properties, no matter the season.
What We Do
Whether you’re a homeowner in West Seattle or manage properties across the region, our team is ready to help. Our services include:
● Window Cleaning (inside and out)
● Gutter Cleaning
● Roof Cleaning
● Pressure Washing
Although our heart and headquarters are in West Seattle, today we service all of Seattle, as well as Snohomish and the Eastside, and we’re always just a message away if you need a free quote or have questions about your home’s exterior maintenance.
What Makes Us Different?
Our work is done by employees who have gone through some of the most extensive training our industry has to offer. This allows Seattle Window Cleaners to ensure the highest quality, safest practices, and consistent customer experiences across every job.
We are mostly known for our window-cleaning service, but many customers also use us for recurring maintenance such as gutter cleaning and roof cleaning in the fall and winter. In the last few years, we have also started installing Christmas lights under the brand name Seattle Lights.
We’re proud to have earned 603 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating, and we believe that reputation is built on doing the small things right — being on time, cleaning up after every job, and treating every customer like a neighbor.
Ready for a Fresh Look?
If your home or building needs a seasonal refresh or you’re preparing for summer gatherings, let us take care of the exterior work so you can focus on what matters most. Our team is happy to provide a quote or schedule a walkthrough.
Request a Free Quote or reply to this post — we’d love to help.
We thank Seattle Window Cleaners for choosing to advertise their business by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in doing the same? Please email WSBAdvertising@wsbsales.com – thank you!
We’re in the heart of summer and there is no better time to get out on the water. Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) are offering a new way for you to do that – here’s the announcement that Alki Paddle Club has launched:
Alki Paddle Club is a new membership-based community club aiming to connect West Seattleites on and off the water. Membership includes access to three tours or specialty classes, a 50% discount on any rentals, and exclusive member-only events. We offer three sea kayak tours daily: an Alki Lighthouse tour, an Elliott Bay tour, and a Sunset tour. Our classes include an introduction to stand-up paddleboarding, an introduction to sea kayaking, and a sea kayaking rescue and recovery class.
Alki Kayak Tours offers rentals of bikes, longboards, SUPs, sit-on-tops, and sea kayaks, both with single and tandem options. We provide all the necessary gear to have a memorable time on or off the water.
You can sign up for Alki Paddle Club by going here.
Website links are:
www.kayakalki.com
www.m2soutfitters.com ”
Not to say the proprietor of Harold’s Fitness is going to ignore his advice and quit working out – but Harold Calkins is closing the West Seattle business through which he’s continued to coach others well into his 80s. Longtime member Petra just sent word that the gym at 5908 California SW will be the scene of a community celebration tomorrow (Saturday, July 26) at 2 pm. Harold “has retired and the gym will be shutting down this weekend,” she explains. The party is open to “anyone who is part of that community to come pay respects to Harold Caulkins, visit old friends, and say goodbye to this West Seattle institution.” It’s a potluck, so if you’re going, bring something to share. Harold has been in the fitness business for 65 years!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Lucky Sushi is rolling toward North Delridge.
We discovered this thanks to a reader who texted about seeing that window sign somewhere on the east side of a mile-plus stretch. We’ve always loved a good mystery, so we set out to narrow it down. Within 24 hours we were talking by phone with proprietor Mikko Yamaguchi about the plan for the south space at 5216 Delridge Way SW [map].
He already runs Lucky Sushi at 5020 Rainier Avenue S., opened a half-year ago, and says he’s had many orders from West Seattle, so he says the expansion seems natural, observing that the sushi market here doesn’t seem maxed out. This is a relatively small space in a new live/work building, so he’ll offer takeout and delivery (no dine-in), focused on sushi and boba tea.
Yamaguchi expects to keep prices reasonable with relatively low operating costs (for example, he’ll be most of the labor), plus the pickup option will save you what he observes are ever-rising delivery fees. But, capitalizing on another recent trend, he plans to be open late, looking to start with hours noon to 11 pm, seven days a week. (He says all his previous restaurants have been open late, and that’s contributed to their success.)
This is sushi with another twist. He says the inspiration for the name “Lucky Sushi” comes from his background setting up sushi bars in small casinos/card rooms. He plans to have a wheel for customers to spin after orders of a certain level, and they’ll have a chance to “win” something – a discount on their current or future order, for example.
Also in keeping with the theme, the classic paw-up “lucky cat” will be part of the decor (see the photo above), which he says will overall be the “cutest” sushi shop you’ve ever seen.
Back to the food – he promises vegetarian and vegan options, which he says are popular at the Rainier Avenue location. But the most popular menu item at all his previous restaurants has been the “Chef’s Roll,” which he says includes shrimp tempura, crab, seared salmon, spicy mayo, green onion, and more.
Now, the big question – how soon will Lucky Sushi open? As with all new businesses, that depends in large part on inspections and permits. Yamaguchi is hoping for mid-September.
Perhaps the timeline will work out; he says he’s long been “lucky in life.”
SIDE NOTE: The space next door to the future Lucky Sushi is still available for lease; contact broker Susi Musi if you’re in the market (she’s also representing office and café spaces in the new Keystone development in South Delridge).
A bank lobby probably isn’t a place you’d think of as a party venue. But that’s what the HomeStreet Bank West Seattle branch (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) lobby was last night, hosting the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly After-Hours celebration, with this highlight:
At left is HomeStreet’s Bob Livingston; at right, Whitney Moore-Adams of Electric Butter Marketing. Hers was the West Seattle small business spotlighted this month at the bank, which means branch visitors in the past few weeks had the option to enter a drawing. The prize is provided by the spotlight business, and she in turn supported another local business by giving away locally crafted butter from A Butter Place. The August spotlight business is in the photo too – M & M Balloon Co., which created the island-themed balloon backdrop for the Chamber festivities.
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