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Rave - W. Seattle family businesses

Started 1 year ago by V M
Latest reply from Homer

V M
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Anyone For Family Business?

As a long time West Seattle resident I would like to pass on my comments about a new family business by the name of West Seattle Produce Co. It is located on the old Huling Brothers lot at 4721 Fauntleroy Way SW, just 100 feet South of the intersection of Alaska and Fauntleroy. The friendly and helpful owner, Bruce McPhereson, has a wide variety of fruit, veggies, dairy products, breads and food gifts.

I asked why he didn’t have bigger signs and learned the city presents large financial costs that make it hard on a family start up business. He doesn’t compete with the Sunday Farmers Market, as they are only present four hours a week. Bruce and family work from 7am to 7pm daily.

I hope everyone on Vashon and West Seattle will enjoy his reasonable cost on delicious produce. I doubt that his and other small businesses can survive against many odds the city places on them.

We have lost many small family businesses, so I hope you will support these hard working folk. You won’t be sorry.

A happy customer,

Mr. and Mrs. Zig Michelsons and family

Posted 1 year ago #
Donna Ryan Photography
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This place is awesome - such delicious and fresh produce at really reasonable prices.

Posted 1 year ago #
lisatown
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Thank you for the reminder! Next 'grocery shop' will include a trip to our 'West Seattle Produce Co'!!

Posted 1 year ago #
WSFamilyZone
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West Seattle Produce is also family friendly. You can call ahead with an order and estimated arrival time and the nice folks at WS Produce will bring your groceries to you in the parking lot and help you take care of the transaction. A HUGE help for families with little ones when it isn't easy to haul the kids into the store! Their phone number is (206)906-9727 and this service is available any time they are open.

Posted 1 year ago #
flowerpetal
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I guess I need to take another look! I was there only once with a list of produce I needed for the week. Every item was priced higher than what I ended up paying at Tony's and Safeway... on that day. I'm willing to give them a try again. Thanks V M!

Posted 1 year ago #
hooper1961
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i remember starting my business and my first letter letter from the city telling to pay taxes. i bitched to the city regarding the letter's tone and recommended that a positive tune be put into the first letter. but i suspect nothing has changed

Posted 1 year ago #
miws
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hoop, who would pick up the extra cost of hiring poets to scribe tax bills in such dulcet tones that you'll all of a sudden get a lust in your heart to pay such taxes, and perhaps more?

Rose are Red
Violets are blue
Pay your damn taxes
Or we'll come after you.

Mike

Posted 1 year ago #
hooper1961
Member Profile

it could have simply said how much did you make send it in; kidding.

how about congratulations on starting a business and then list the typical taxes and regulations and then provide the city phone numbers for questions.

it's all about order and tone, not rocket science

Posted 1 year ago #
Sonoma
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Great place, friendly people, and nice selection of produce.

Posted 1 year ago #
V M
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West Seattle Produce is now across the street from where it used to be. You can still find great produce as well as additional local items in this larger space, inside, completely indoors.

When you are heading NORTH on Fauntleroy Way towards the West Seattle bridge, it is on your RIGHT side. The Mexican food truck relocated to the EAST side of Fauntleroy as well.

Unfortunately the city makes small businesses pay huge fees to hang new signs. Please note these same great businesses are now ACROSS the street from its former location.

Now that there is a bigger location you can find amazingly inexpensive antique furniture, locally-made wooden toys, plants, flowers, dairy, bakery items, honey from West Seattle, nutrition bars made in West Seattle, other baked goods, artisan bread, coffee from Vashon Island, photo cards by a local West Seattle photographer, and much more.

I was happy to see this photographer captured an image of a lesser known area of Lincoln Park which is the EXACT spot where I learned to ride a bicycle. It brought back floods of memories and I was glad to find this and many other Lincoln Park memories.

Thank you, Bruce and staff of West Seattle Produce, for patronizing other local businesses in your store.

Lots of space on the EAST side of Fauntleroy, but folks need to notice how to turn into the new parking lot.

Posted 3 months ago #
V M
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Just found this timely article by West Seattle Blog staff: http://westseattleblog.com/2011/12/west-seattle-produce-now-open-at-new-location-across-the-street

Thank you W. Seattle blog staff! Good article.

Posted 3 months ago #
amalia
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miws: heehee

Posted 3 months ago #
JayDee
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I encourage folk to shop here -- Right now the winter farmers market is shy of produce, and if you have a hankering for imported (CA) but good produce shop here. They have Seattle Bagels, Vashon Coffee (beans/ground), and herbs, mushrooms, and if you don't see what you need, ask. Yes, I may not get the loss-leader deals like some chains, but my overall veggie bill is lower and the staff is friendly and helpful. Got a problem with a recipe? Ask Brian for recommendations. Need a bunch of greenhouse basil for pesto? They can get it for you.

Posted 3 months ago #
RarelyEver
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I shop there every week now that I'm doing a 28-Day-Vegan Challenge. The bill for a week's worth of fruits & vegetables is around $25, and everything is fresh and delicious. Also try their specialty vinegars (I think the brand is 11 Olives?) - they have a tasting bar at the back of the store; the Traditional Balsamic is the best I've ever had - so worth the $17!

Posted 3 months ago #
service dog academy
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We dont have an external sign for the same reason. Its like $5000 to put up a small external sign. Stupid city taxes and permits place a very large burden on struggling small businesses. I just found out I owe more than $1.50 per hour out of my pocket for each hour my employee works. I have not paid myself a single DIME since opening Service Dog Academy. :(

Happy Tails To You!
Mary McNeight, CPDT-KA, CCS, BGS
Service Dog Academy, Seattle WA
Owner/Head Trainer
http://www.servicedogacademy.com
mary@servicedogacademy.com
206-355-9033

Posted 3 months ago #
lohoho
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Agree Service Dog that it is very difficult and sometimes confusing. We want to hire a graphic designer for our family owned print shop and I spent many hours researching how to do it. I was taken back that the business has to match the Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and Fed Income tax taken out of the employees pay check. Those extra costs really add up. BUT still love owning a small business!! There is nothing like it.

Posted 3 months ago #
elisabethf
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I acquired a taste for golden beets. Try them, they're awesome! Plua they look lovely. WSP didn't have them. They said they were gonna get some in the next couple days. So I checked back. They said Brian viewed what was available and declined. He thought they were not up to standard. Gotta say, I really appreciate the standards that Brian sets. I don't buy produce anywhere else these days. I'd rather have no golden beets than crappy ones. Brian and all his staff are a pleasure to deal with.

Posted 3 months ago #
Homer
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Does West Seattle Produce carry organic produce too? If so, a lot or just a few items?

Posted 3 months ago #