More West Seattle beverage news: Tully’s Morgan Junction to close

Tully’s Coffee has just confirmed what we first heard from a barista yesterday – they’re closing their Morgan Junction store next month. Tully’s marketing VP Scott Earle tells WSB that the lease was up, the traffic reconfiguration in the area isn’t working so well for them (among other business factors), so they decided not to renew, and will close the store. He says it’s a store-specific situation and stresses two things: The Alki Tully’s is alive and well, a store they’re “very, very proud of” and “excited about” – and in fact, they’ve just renewed the Alki lease. Second, he says, they’re continuing to look at possible new locations in this area and elsewhere, though nothing’s locked in. The store at Fauntleroy/California is scheduled to close March 28 (that’ll be its last day); he says the company is trying to place its employees in other stores. The location, meantime, is listed as available for lease, with a multi-page flyer already describing the space as a “former coffee house.” The Tully’s store has been at California/Fauntleroy almost a decade – replacing a “Cafe Starbucks,” as briefly noted in this March 2000 Seattle Times column by now-City Councilmember Jean Godden. (Added: Earle says both stores opened in April 2000.)

66 Replies to "More West Seattle beverage news: Tully's Morgan Junction to close"

  • John February 18, 2010 (10:42 am)

    I’m sorry to see any business not continueing in this economy. I’m suprised they hung around this long. It always seemed empty inside. It would be especially difficult having Starbucks across the street. I don’t drink coffee, but I know Starbucks appears to have the ‘cool to be seen’ factor going for them. Another dog friendly eating place would be nice. I don’t own a dog, but I do enjoy seeing how they put smiles on peoples faces when they enter places. I’m enjoying what’s new at that intersection.

  • Brian February 18, 2010 (10:52 am)

    Not a big fan of Tully’s, but this store was open durring the big power outage a few years back and had a fireplace, power and wi-fi for those of us that were cold and suffering from internet withdrawl. They also were giving out free coffe and pastries. So I wave goodbye with a fond memory of this particular store.

  • Koni February 18, 2010 (10:53 am)

    This is a complete bummer…I am a regular at that Tullys and for a reason! The coffee is much better than Starbucks and the people who work there are great! I will have to drive a lot further now to find a good cup of coffee!

  • Donuts for all February 18, 2010 (10:59 am)

    Any chance we could get a great donut shop?

  • coffee February 18, 2010 (11:50 am)

    Koni, lots of good local places to hit up for coffee and all within a mile or so. I can understand why that place is saying the traffic flow. You have to use Thriftway parking lot which is a complete pain in the bum on the weekends to get in and out of.

  • westseattledood February 18, 2010 (12:03 pm)

    How about a cute, teeny tiny vegetarian cafe in that spot? We STILL don’t have one on the peninsula, ya’ know :].

  • ABH February 18, 2010 (12:12 pm)

    I vote for a molly moons!

  • The Hepcat February 18, 2010 (12:19 pm)

    Trader Joe’s ?

    Sorry, just wanted to be the first one for a change….

    Donuts would be nice……..

  • dawsonct February 18, 2010 (12:29 pm)

    oh no.
    where will we go for coffee now.

  • sam February 18, 2010 (12:41 pm)

    too bad they are leaving- hopefully the building won’t be empty long.
    There is a barista inside the Thriftway- I’ve found it to be tasty.

  • SarahScoot February 18, 2010 (12:48 pm)

    sam… I understand what you’re saying, but please know that a barista is the person who prepares your coffee, so describing the barista as “tasty” is perhaps a bit more salacious than you intended to be.

  • marco February 18, 2010 (12:56 pm)

    @Scott Earle: Come up the hill to High Point!

    Alternatives: Thriftway has coffee and it’s 4 blocks to C&P and 3 to Cafe Ladro

  • dog February 18, 2010 (1:05 pm)

    how about a game shop

  • A February 18, 2010 (1:18 pm)

    yes to high point ! It needs a coffee shop

  • sw February 18, 2010 (1:21 pm)

    Traffic reconfiguration? I fail to see how the lane configuration project could adversely affect their business.

    I vote for Voodoo Donuts.

  • Jacob February 18, 2010 (1:23 pm)

    :(

  • dog February 18, 2010 (1:23 pm)

    no more coffee shops

  • sam February 18, 2010 (1:26 pm)

    :)

    good one

    that’s how rumors get started !

    (I’m not referring to the article, but the SS “fail!” on my poor grammar)

  • Mike February 18, 2010 (1:29 pm)

    Thank goodness I got my money back from them when they offered last year. And a doughnut shop would be nice.

  • Debbie February 18, 2010 (1:42 pm)

    I’m not sure how the traffic/road change would affect them at all – it is still 2 lanes into their parking lot. How about a pizza place? (wink)

  • dog February 18, 2010 (1:47 pm)

    old country buffet

  • Donuts for all February 18, 2010 (1:51 pm)

    Donut shop that delivers to the curb as you drive by.

  • dog February 18, 2010 (1:56 pm)

    no thank you

  • brandon February 18, 2010 (1:59 pm)

    California could always use another nail shop. How could parking be that bad when SBux is much worse.

  • dawsonct February 18, 2010 (2:02 pm)

    Yeah! And fried in real lard. I mean, c’mon! It isn’t as though anyone eats a doughnut as a healthy alternative anyway. And if it IS an improvement over your traditional breakfast, then you wouldn’t be the type to complain about it in any case.

    Maybe the master doughnuteer behind Doughnut Star in Auburn would consider opening another location, hint, hint.

  • dog February 18, 2010 (2:08 pm)

    no no no no how about a nursing home

  • sad February 18, 2010 (2:11 pm)

    It will be a bummer to see this go – although I know the pioneering-hearted West Seattleites will make into something awesome (witness Beveridge Place, Zeek’s, Feedback etc.) As much as I wasn’t a fan of the road reconfig myself I too disagree that this would have anything to do with their move. I live a mile away and have been driving by this store for years (I even worked at Starbucks when it first opened in 1996 before we even moved out here). I have noticed Tully’s changing things up a lot (taking things away) in the last few years. And in the ‘boom times’ they were rumored to have a strategy of setting up shop across from any Starbucks they could find. I guess Starbucks won the Morgan Junction battle. I myself vote for Cafe Lladro – just a hop, skip and a jump South on Cali. Onward and upward – good things will come!

  • Jennifer February 18, 2010 (2:20 pm)

    Krispy Kreme should go there, YUM!

  • hg February 18, 2010 (2:37 pm)

    I vote for Taco Bell. Please bring me a sweet delicious taco bell.

  • dog February 18, 2010 (2:39 pm)

    yes to taco bell

  • Sue February 18, 2010 (2:51 pm)

    Although I’m sorry to see the Tully’s go, I’ll admit that I usually went a few blocks south to Cafe Ladro.

  • Jennifer February 18, 2010 (2:52 pm)

    Taco Bell? Disgusting

  • hg February 18, 2010 (3:02 pm)

    Taco Bell= Fantastic. We don’t all have to get along, but peace is possible—–with Taco Bell.
    I will write my letter of proposal to Taco Bell this evening. Cross Your Fingers!!!

  • KBear February 18, 2010 (3:32 pm)

    Thriftway sells shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, ground beef, sour cream, tortillas, and ketchup. With those 6 ingredients, you can recreate the entire Taco Bell menu at home and feed a family of 10 for the cost of two meals at Taco Bell. Don’t burn your tongue on the ketchup. It’s way spicier than Taco Bell’s sauce.

  • cakeitseasy February 18, 2010 (3:47 pm)

    KBear, don’t feed the troll ;)

  • westseattledood February 18, 2010 (5:17 pm)

    On the other hand (I am omnivorous ;)), a gourmet hot dog “stand” might work beautifully in that space too. In and out dining, so parking wouldn’t be such an issue.

    Btw, I don’t recall. Whatever happenned to that hotdog street vendor with his cart? Is he coming back?

  • DBurns February 18, 2010 (5:19 pm)

    Not to go off topic, because I, too, think it is sad to see businesses close, and truly hope the space fills up asap – – but I just want to make sure that all of you die-hard donut fans know about Original Bakery, (not far from Morgan Junction, just next door to Endolyne Joe’s). They have quite possibly the best donuts I’ve ever eaten… JUST wanted to be sure you know it’s there… It’s really important when you need a good donut.

  • dog February 18, 2010 (7:02 pm)

    how about a bank

  • Hg February 18, 2010 (7:22 pm)

    Hot dog on a stick? That would be good. Actually, awesome.
    And I will miss tully’s.

  • Civik February 18, 2010 (7:35 pm)

    I second that vote on the game/hobby store. there just aren’t any in west seattle.

  • dog February 18, 2010 (7:49 pm)

    a toy store or pet shop

  • MargL February 18, 2010 (7:51 pm)

    Nope – it’s gonna be a nail salon or a Payday Loans.

  • dog February 18, 2010 (7:53 pm)

    something for boys and girls

  • dog February 18, 2010 (8:04 pm)

    game shop i knew it was going to a game shop because im the dog and im awsome!!!

  • neighbor February 18, 2010 (9:25 pm)

    how about a
    Schultzy’s (same as in U dist)??

  • Denise February 18, 2010 (9:59 pm)

    I’d like to see a nail salon, a hair salon, a second hand shop or some combination thereof. We don’t have any of these in West Seattle yet, and certainly not on California anywhere…

  • Krystal February 18, 2010 (11:26 pm)

    The Bluth Banana stand with George Michael and Maybe and Gob in charge.

  • dawsonct February 19, 2010 (12:10 am)

    Krispy Kreme in Sodo is close enough if I ever get a craving for an over-rated national chain donut.

    How about a noodle shop. Hand-shaved
    noodles. Tempura. Katsu. Yakitori, with at least a gas grill. Wood fire would be better.

    Or maybe a M. Eastern or N. African place. Goat, lamb, falafel.

  • turn February 19, 2010 (7:14 am)

    how about a sports stadium -or another airport-doesn’t that just crack you up? Seriously though, I think all you coffee heads will survive without Tully’s….and they’ll survive without you! you might even save a buck

  • austin February 19, 2010 (8:47 am)

    I heard a mini TJ’s was going in here.

  • d February 19, 2010 (9:36 am)

    Yes, Neighbor, like Schultzy’s and more! Check out all of the other dog stands in the city @ yelp.

    http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=hot+dog+stands&find_loc=Seattle%2C+WA

    Looks to me as if West Seattle is the only
    neighborhood to not have a stand. Matt’s Chili Dog in Georgetown is the closest, I think.

  • nuni February 19, 2010 (9:47 am)

    is it really 54k a month to lease that place? Wow!

  • DBurns February 19, 2010 (10:07 am)

    I heard $36/per square foot which isn’t quite 54K but still a lot!!

  • westseattledood February 19, 2010 (11:07 am)

    Wow is right nuni and DBurns. So, I am thinking a small hot dog stand would not likely be able to cut the mustard. Yikes.

  • brandon February 19, 2010 (12:34 pm)

    Ice Cream. Never enough ice cream.

  • dawsonct February 20, 2010 (8:09 am)

    You are quite the fuhlawsuffer, turn.

    You know, if you don’t use your keyboard it will last longer.

  • sarelly February 20, 2010 (11:06 am)

    That’s terrible. The Morgan Tully’s is my favorite one. The staff is great, and they have tons of laptop outlets. The one at Alki hardly has any outlets. It’s okay, but not nearly as nice as the Morgan store. BUMMER.

  • kayd February 20, 2010 (7:39 pm)

    wine bar!

  • dawsonct February 20, 2010 (7:48 pm)

    YES!!

  • giddy.up February 21, 2010 (1:30 pm)

    i think a zoo would fit nicely there…..ha ha

    or a bookstore…

  • Sara February 21, 2010 (3:40 pm)

    NO to pet store, nail salon, krispy kreme (ugh) and no way to a small Trader Joe’s!! What are they going to put in there, 1.5 aisles? The space is small and the parking lot sucks.. I would literally go to Thriftway much more if it wasn’t so darn hard to get in and out of that place.

    I would love a bagel shop with soft, big bagels — Zatz is overpriced and 3 miles down the road. Or a candy shop (candy by the pound). A drive-through sandwich shop would be awesome, but I doubt any kind of drive-through would work in that corner.

    I am intrigued to see what will go there eventually …

  • by the see February 22, 2010 (3:29 am)

    i’m sure it won’t take long to rent that space..but it’s gotta be soooooo expensive don’t ya think? I always thought that Tully’s looked drab and kinda empty all the time… a boutique would be nice..put some nicely dressed manequins in the window. fun to look at when your waiting for the light to change. A good idea ! no donuts please

  • lori February 22, 2010 (3:42 am)

    No, we definetly need another coffee shop there and as many more as we can fit in West Seattle.. NOT!!!

    and by the way…does ANYBODY cook at home anymore? we have plenty of grocery stores where you can buy everything you need. no more cafes… i second a boutique.

  • caveman February 22, 2010 (7:53 am)

    i can’t believe even one of you suggested a nail salon…are you freakin nuts? there’s only 20,000 already in this area…jeez ladies, think of something else besides yaw nails!! Everytime i turn the corner there’s a new nail place. i’d take a flower shop before another nail salon. At least it would smell good on that corner.

  • dawsonct February 22, 2010 (9:12 am)

    Lori, please do not discourage people from eating in restaurants. Thank you.

    Caveman, really!? Every time I see a suggestion for another nail salon, I take it as a joke, and I am sure I am right 99% of the time.

  • tracy February 25, 2010 (12:15 am)

    The coffee bar at Thriftway has been my daily go-to place for caffeine since I moved to West Seattle three years ago. I’ve been a long time fan of Cafe Vita coffee and this place with it’s AWESOME staff made this new neighborhood feel very welcoming. Lisa is a total barista-rockstar and we dish all the time (she makes THE.BEST.AMERICANO.EVER!). Jenni, JamieKay and Ashley are friendly, fast and most importantly, pour KILLER shots. I appreciate the neighborhood vibe, the sincerity and the familiarity, I don’t want to be an anonymous customer, I want to be a part of a community and this place feels like that to me. I bring my neighbors, my family when they are in town and I shop there too! Maybe they can just take over Tully’s and keep the sweet fireplace!

Sorry, comment time is over.