Morgan Junction liquor store closing

Got first word of this late last night from Thomas, who spotted it on the Aaron’s Bicycle Repair blog — where the store proprietor wrote that the Morgan Junction liquor store next door (6527 California SW) is closing next month, and that Aaron’s will be moving into the expanded space by early December. (Read the details, and see the shop plans, here.) Couldn’t find corroboration on the state Liquor Control Board website so we called Olympia this morning to inquire, and the LCB communications team just confirmed it (news release to follow, they promise) – they say the landlord chose not to renew the lease, so they are indeed closing the Morgan Junction store September 20th. Once this closure takes effect, the two nearest liquor stores are in The Junction and White Center. The LCB says it’s looking for “a new location in the area.” ADDED 1:19 PM: Here’s the official news release, though it doesn’t add any details to what we reported above:

State Liquor Store No. 104, located at 6527 California Ave. SW in West Seattle, will close at the end of the business day on Sept. 20. The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) is searching for a new
location in the area.

The store will maintain its current hours until it closes. The hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The store phone number is (206) 933-3415.

Until a new location is announced, West Seattle customers can visit nearby State Liquor Store No. 43, located at 4513 California Ave. SW in West Seattle. The store hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The store phone number is (206) 933-3416.

Customers can also visit nearby State Liquor Store No. 53, located at 9822 15th Ave. SW Bldg. A in White Center. The store hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The store phone number is (206) 764-4020.

B August 26, 2008 (10:36 am)

Being a cyclist, I’m happy to hear that Aaron’s business is expanding! His type of bike shop is a rare find, one that focuses on quality service and repair rather than selling you the latest and greatest crap.

I love vodka martini too, but I don’t mind driving a little farther for “supplies”. :)

JenV August 26, 2008 (10:39 am)

yay for Aarons! Congrats!

Rick August 26, 2008 (12:14 pm)

Once again, more square footage to be treated rudely at! Aaah, the new West Seattle!

B August 26, 2008 (12:28 pm)

so you are against small business or something? I don’t get the comment.

Rick August 26, 2008 (12:32 pm)

Against arrogance and rudeness and I won’t go there anymore but I believe opnions are still allowed unless I missed something.

4thGenWestSider August 26, 2008 (12:35 pm)

Aaron’s does tend to be a bit on the elitist side, and they are a bit cliquey in there when us recreational cyclists go in with our kids and ask questions that appear to be “dumb”. Although they do very good work on our bikes. I just wish they were a bit more “consumer” friendly. Maybe it’s just me.

Rick August 26, 2008 (12:44 pm)

Naaah, it’s probably just me. And a few hundred others. By the way B, I’ve had a small business in West Seattle for 30 years and unfortunately I’ve seen a big change in attitudes. Once again: welcome to the “New West Seattle”.

cruiser August 26, 2008 (12:49 pm)

Nope it’s not just you, I live 2 blocks from there but bring our bikes to Stu at Alki Bike in Admiral.

CMP August 26, 2008 (12:51 pm)

I’ve never been to Aaron’s but one of my friends brought her bike in for a tuneup and they turned her away, saying she didn’t need one yet. They taught her how to adjust the brakes herself and sent her on her way, free of charge. For those of us who know very little about bike maintenance, I appreciate a bike shop that will actually turn people away for unnecessary services. Regarding the liquor store, I’m sad to see it go, but I live closer to the Junction anyway :)

islanddweller August 26, 2008 (12:53 pm)

I too am one that is ecstatic about Aaron’s expansion. Not to steal from a current national ad campaign, but “Woo-Hoo!

JimmyG August 26, 2008 (1:00 pm)

Dayum!

My stumble to and from the liquor store for more whiskey will be twice as long now that I have to walk to the Junction for a fill-up.

And no more pit stops at Beveridge Place Pub on the way.

B August 26, 2008 (1:13 pm)

Rick – Seriously, that wasn’t a slam and I wasn’t being rude. I don’t understand your comment. It it because the liquor board didn’t renew the permit? I know their is a lot of sensitivity about small businesses being forced out by big box companies. Instead we have a local business who is actually growing! (and the bike industry is a very tough one to succeed in given all the internet retailers who will undercut you). Maybe I’m slow today, but I just didn’t get where you were going with your comment.

flowerpetal August 26, 2008 (1:57 pm)

I have few feelings about the expanding bike shop. They must be doing something right for their customers if they have the ability to expand.
I am disappointed that the State couldn’t do a better job on keeping a third store location in the West Seattle area. The parking lot at the White Center store is cwazy! The Junction store is fine and with nice people working there, but inconvenient for some of us.
I wonder how many months the State knew that they would be moving out of this site. Most businesses losing a lease have a several month period to find a new location. Hmmm, think they’ll have a “Lost Our Lease” sale? ;~)

Teneighty August 26, 2008 (2:00 pm)

Cool, glad I still have just a short walk for parts, service and verbal abuse! Aaron taught me how to adjust my rear D with some pretty sweet tricks.

islanddweller August 26, 2008 (2:20 pm)

I also find them to be quite rude and arrogant, but they have mad skills when it comes to tweaking my ride so I can “kill these hills!” ;-)

Rich August 26, 2008 (2:22 pm)

I guess Aaron can be a little rough around the edges sometimes, but his staff is outstanding. I have had numerous annoying questions and tasks for these guys and have received nothing but stellar service.

People are so sensitive these days, if the guy who works on your car was grouchy, would you post whiny comments about him as well?

B August 26, 2008 (2:32 pm)

Ah…I get it now. (told you I was slow). Yes, Aaron can be a little rough around the edges until you get to know him. But his work is top notch. I worked my way through college at a shop similar to his and my boss was the exact same way. I think a lot of it comes from years of having people buy stuff online and then bring it to the local shop to fix and/or install rather than buying it locally in the first place. Aaron does a lot of hands on stuff and takes time to fit people properly on their bikes so sometimes people don’t see the value in that.

Teneighty August 26, 2008 (2:33 pm)

Aaron’s rep as a curmudgeon came through many years of hard work. We’d be doing a disservice to minimize it. And his skilllz as a crack mechanic did not just appear overnight, either. I’ll take with a smile the ocassional verbal wire-brushing for waiting too long to change my chain.

paul August 26, 2008 (2:57 pm)

why doesn’t the liqour store move just north to the east side of the street in the apartment building that has had the street level open for, well since the building was built. We looked at that space 5 years ago! At least it would still be in the area.
Saw the sign in the store about 3 weeks ago saying they were going to close.

jiggers August 26, 2008 (3:01 pm)

Where in da hell am I going to buy my bottle of Quintennsiential Gin now dagnamit!!

JD August 26, 2008 (3:07 pm)

I’m with Cruiser & Rick on this one. I live up the hill from Aaron’s, but take my business to Alki Bike& Board. Unfortunately, Aarons customer service makes you feel like you are bothering him when you enter the store. He should use the extra space to build a back room so he is not seen by customers.

WB August 26, 2008 (3:21 pm)

It would be nice if Tim Eyman would do something I could get behind like getting rid of the State Liquor stores and allow for private liquor stores, or liquor sales in grocery stores. I hate having to plan on making that extra trip on those occasions when I want something other than wine or beer.

coffee geek August 26, 2008 (3:49 pm)

An excellent bike mechanic is priceless, but bikes ain’t rocket science. If you’re an avid rider, a decent set of tools will set you back the cost of 2-3 visits to a shop. Most bike repair/tuning info can be had online…again, for free. Check parktool.com, click on ‘repair help’.

westside B August 26, 2008 (3:56 pm)

Hey B, if you’re such a cyclist, and you think is’t such a great thing for the bike shop, how about you ride your bike to the further location’s instead of drive? I prefer to walk but now I ‘will’ have to drive.

westside B August 26, 2008 (3:57 pm)

Sorry. Typo. it’s

Cheers August 26, 2008 (4:12 pm)

Focus people, Focus!! We’re losing a liquor store!!! I feel confident that I have done my share of purchases at this location, plus many others around the area, and am deeply saddened at the loss of this one. It’s been so convenient having it by the Thriftway for snacks and mixer. Only the Burien one provides such a handy placement. We should all raise a glass to this sad development. I might even raise several!

islanddweller August 26, 2008 (4:23 pm)

I too hate to see this place go. It was so convenient and “user-friendly” :-0

B August 26, 2008 (4:40 pm)

Cheers – I’m laughing out loud. You bring up a good point…I’ll buy you a drink to ease your pain. :)

Westside B – I actually live closer to Alki but I prefer to go to Aaron’s because they tend to have what I’m looking for. Nothing wrong with Alki, it’s just a mater of preference as I built up a relationship with the guys that work there.

margaritaville August 26, 2008 (5:02 pm)

Jiggers:

I-booze.com and amazonfresh.com deliver beer and wine as long as you are home to sign for it.

B August 26, 2008 (5:02 pm)

And to clarify, I think it IS a good thing for Aarons. :)

Bonnie August 26, 2008 (5:46 pm)

I went in to Aarons a few weeks ago looking for something in particular but not bike related. They told me where to get it and was very helpful. I thought they were nice.

I will miss the liquor store being there though. I hope people didn’t lose their jobs.

AP August 26, 2008 (6:23 pm)

Nooooo! Not my neighborhood liquor store!

Capers, my favorite lunch spot, stops serving food and drink. Now my martini supplier is leaving as well?

I guess I’ll have to ride my Aaron’s-tuned bicycle all the way to the Junction to stock the liquor cabinet, but I’m NOT happy about it. I love the idea of the liquor store taking space in that “vacant forever” spot just north of Morgan Junction (or “MoJo”, as I like to call it).

Sure, Aaron is a bit…gruff, but his work ethic is excellent. It’s the bitter with the sweet.

WSB August 26, 2008 (6:33 pm)

Perhaps if the liquor store moved into the ex-Corner Inn it would be poetic justice …

RC August 26, 2008 (7:32 pm)

Well, I kinda grew up in the Corner (Knobby’s)since 1974 and also live next door to the liquor store so maybe this last year in rehab has had an effect on both of ’em.

add August 26, 2008 (8:30 pm)

I feel kinda lame complaining about the liquor store closing, but I sure liked the convenience of EASY parking (unlike the Junction) and being right across the street from the Thriftway … two errands in one stop!

JEFF August 26, 2008 (9:22 pm)

How many times dose the bike shop have to move…
can’t he find the right spot the EIRST TIME.IT COULD BE THE $$$ HE MAKS YOU PAY….

M August 27, 2008 (12:08 am)

Great to hear about Aarons, sorry to see the liquour store moving.

Aaron is the best, and the shop is overflowing with experts, advocates and hard to find parts. We are lucky to have him in our community.

The Mayor of West Seattle August 28, 2008 (11:14 am)

Ok. Now we are onto something. Picture this…Aaron’s with more space! He’ll have room to store bikes for repair!!! And maybe some form of a SYSTEM to greet and handle customers? A friendly system that is efficient? If that happens I’m hooked. Is is me or does Aaron’s remind you of Paris? Crowded and rude but fabulous.

Aaron September 4, 2008 (11:11 pm)

I too am sad to see the liquor store going a way. But, they had their chance. They did not want to sign a new lease and have been month to month for about a year now. I offered to sign a lease and my landlord took my offer!

It pains me to know that people think I am rude. I don’t mean to be, I just get so busy and get a little short in the busy times. I am working on that. I have heard all of your comments and will take them to heart to be better.

As for high prices at my shop, I base them on what it costs to do business here in $eattle. I also pay all of my employees a living wage. I have the highest paid bike shop employees in the industry. All of my staff loves their job and we all work really hard.

I will mention to eveyone about not being “cliquey” and and to make people feel more welcome. One thing about my shop, is you are waking into a working, busy repair shop and sometimes we forget that sometimes.

Now a little about the new shop. It will double our space! Our shop has just become too small for the things we need to carry to meet people’s needs. Everyday people want to buy a bike from us, so we are going to stock new bikes. We are also hiring another full time mechanic. And we have a new system in place for greeting folks and to handle rushes. All we ask is patience. (We know everyone waits in the parking lot until there are 20 of you before everyone comes in!) Just kidding!

It seems that concern about climate change (global warming) and high gas prices are really driving business into bike shops. Every shop in town is booming as is the rest of the industry. Bring on the $5 a gallon gas!

Sorry, comment time is over.