“Atomic” era about to begin in Admiral District

Thanks to Heather for letting us know she spotted signs of a new business moving into the above-pictured space on the south side of Admiral, just west of California. Research led us quickly to co-owner Kent Sadow, who answered our e-mail just as quickly:

We have bought out “Hart’s Cards & Gifts” and will be opening a new, really fun store. It will now be Max & Quinn’s ATOMIC BOYS Shop-O-Rama. We will still have cards and party supplies; however, the new store will be heavily themed towards retro and nostalgic games, toys, novelties, & candy. If it reminds us of when we were growing up and even before, we will try to carry it.

We are really excited to have this opportunity to open a store in this location, since we live just a few blocks away, our kids go to school next door, and have always loved being part of our community. … We hope to be open by week’s end.

Jan January 27, 2008 (2:47 pm)

very cool…I live a block from there…welcome to the neighborhood :) I’ll be sure to come by…sounds like a fun store…

Gina January 27, 2008 (3:06 pm)

If only the retro prices would come with the retro theme.

Will they stock Gold Rush chewing gum? (little nuggets of gum in a bag.

Ron Burgundy January 27, 2008 (3:18 pm)

We have 3 boys and live very close. Look out neighborhood, here we come!

tippy January 27, 2008 (3:34 pm)

This is going to be a great store. We eagerly await the opening.

Admiral Janeway January 27, 2008 (4:09 pm)

I never went in Hart’s, but I’ll take a peek inside the Shop-O-Rama. Sounds interesting!

acemotel January 27, 2008 (6:13 pm)

We have three boys too, even though they are probably too old for toys and candy, but we live behind and a few blocks north of the Admiral Theatre, near by, and very much looking forward to the new shop. But what happened to the current owner? did he sell? retire? It is always nice to see him sweeping the sidewalk in front of the store along with the owner of Quality Cleaners and the nice people who work there.

Trd and Lisa Johnson January 27, 2008 (6:28 pm)

We just met Kent walking by the shop this evening…He opened the door we looked around the entry wondering what happened to Hart’s.
The shop should be a great addition to the neighborhood the retro retail styling should keep us from having to go to Fremont for such objects.
As the small business owners of Admiral Healing Arts just 2 blocks north on 44th Ave -its great to see new energy coming with new local small business shops–Welcome! -we’ll come in with our 11 Y.O. soon!

Joe January 27, 2008 (6:34 pm)

Stretch Armstrong and Rock’m-sock’m-robots!

Yeah, baby!

Jessica January 27, 2008 (6:37 pm)

Oh, this looks like a lot of fun. YAY! You’re never to old for fun toys and candy!

boatingbob January 27, 2008 (6:54 pm)

There’s definitely a market for this sort of thing. I’ll be most interested to see what they carry.

carraig na splinkeen January 27, 2008 (7:12 pm)

How fun, can’t wait! The youngest member of the household is atomic happy at the news of a nearby toy store.

Keith January 27, 2008 (9:24 pm)

I was in Healdsburg, CA recently and discovered a store there that stocked only retro, random and they-still-make-that? kinda candy… it was jam-packed and they could barely keep up with the customer demand.

Adam on Alki January 27, 2008 (11:28 pm)

Am I alone in thinking that for all these years, Harts has been some sort of money-laundering front? I mean, there is no WAY that place made enough money to hold that property for that long.

Jo January 28, 2008 (8:33 am)

Are they going to have stuff like Archie McPhee’s carries, I wonder.
Rubber chickens?
JP Patches Bobbleheads?
Red clown noses?
Wind-up toys?

miws January 28, 2008 (9:09 am)

acemotel,

Boys are never too old for toys or candy. It’s just that as we move out of childhood, our definitions of toys and candy change. ;)

Then, around the time we hit 40, we may have a desire to revisit the toys and candy of our youth! :)

Mike

West Seattle Friend January 28, 2008 (1:58 pm)

VERY excited for this new store! Can’t wait to see what little treasures this hot spot will have!

Gina January 28, 2008 (2:24 pm)

Hart’s didn’t have a closing sale. Do you suppose the new store will sell the same stock, but now it is retro because it is old stuff?

MOe January 28, 2008 (2:28 pm)

Remember when this place was a dentist office?
Dr. Knowlton. A genuine WS character.

cami January 28, 2008 (4:18 pm)

Remember when TOM GREEN filmed a bit for his show at Hart’s? I think he asked to be shipped in a barrel or something.

Stephanie January 29, 2008 (8:29 am)

Congrats Kent & family on the new venture.
We can’t wait to check it out!!!

Praying Man-tis-i January 29, 2008 (12:59 pm)

This is really cool! I love toys and nostalgic things, and as someone above said, it’s especially better, if the prices are retro as well. MIKE, you hit the nail on the head. I certainly wish this new store much success.

BB January 29, 2008 (6:01 pm)

I know Kent and Son just a little bit… Good luck to you, sounds like a WAY fun store! Radio Flyers and pop rocks for everyone!

Pam February 9, 2008 (9:35 pm)

Loved the Hart’s! Alway so nice when I’d bring my childare kids in for a visit and to pick up a few art supplies. We’ll miss them but we’ll stop by the new store Monday morning to check the new guys out!

Pam February 9, 2008 (9:36 pm)

oh and I totally remember Tom Green coming in and asking him to wrap the big barrel to ship out – he handled it like it was something he was requested to do every day!

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