West Seattle businesses: Friends and Company to close in Junction

(Photo taken tonight, added 8:37 pm)
Just sent by Friends and Company proprietor Doris Goulet, via her e-mail list – she’s closing her craft store (primarily rubber-stamping) in The Junction, to focus on her newer branch on the Eastside:

Although it has been a very difficult decision to make for many reasons, I have decided, along with some family and friends, to close our West Seattle location and merge into our Issaquah location. Ironically for me, this is becoming more of a celebration. I just know that it will open yet another chapter for us. I’m confident that you will celebrate with us as this new chapter unfolds. Remember, I am closing a location but NOT closing the business.

Our West Seattle doors will be open until 24 August making this date our last day of operation. …

The e-mail goes on to mention some special deals/sales that are described as especially for the list, so we’re not republishing those, but you can certainly inquire at the store. The Friends and Company location in Issaquah opened a year and a half ago; according to the F&C website, the West Seattle store was to celebrate its 13th anniversary in mid-September.

seaview August 9, 2010 (7:51 pm)

sorry to see you go! thanks always for the wooden boat stickers a few months ago. no one else had anything remotely close.

pam August 9, 2010 (8:24 pm)

Nooooooooooooo…….

ad August 9, 2010 (9:20 pm)

What a shame. The owners/workers of this store were never particularly nice to me when I browsed or purchased items. I always figured they suspected I might shoplift since they may have had a problem with it. But it always made me feel weird, when I got strange vibes when I was there to buy a stamp for a handmade card and have never stolen in my life! However, I liked having this type of store, a local business, to support, so I’m sad to see it go! Goodluck on the Eastside.

Noelle August 9, 2010 (10:12 pm)

a very good little store. I would say 95% stamping stuff. Good luck on the Eastside!

Guest August 9, 2010 (10:38 pm)

It is so hard for businesses to survive in this economy. We really need to do what we can to support the local businesses we care about.

If you can afford it, make sure you are stopping in to your favorite stores and picking up a few things now and then.

It’s hard now and it is going to get worse once the new taxes kick in. We have to stick together and help each other out.

LyndaB August 9, 2010 (11:26 pm)

I’m so sad to hear this! I made it a point to come and buy things periodically. I told my friend to come here since her favorite placed shut down. I liked that we had a store like this in West Seattle.

3TD August 9, 2010 (11:52 pm)

I am going to get roasted for this, but I’m sorry, that space is way too prime for something that can bring a lot more to the Junction in terms of community than rubber stamps and stickers. I hope something that the entire community can utilize moves in. Look forward to seeing how that space is rejuvenated.

Celeste August 10, 2010 (12:26 am)

Doris, good luck with your store in Issaquah. Mom and I will come visit. We will try to stop in before you close.

Meghan August 10, 2010 (7:48 am)

No rubber stamp/sticker store in the Junction? Oh, no! Let’s try to pick up the pieces and move on with our lives… Maybe something viable and remotely current will open there instead.

catlady August 10, 2010 (7:57 am)

I know it’s mostly a stamping store, but I’ve used it as a school project store, a scrapbooking store, and gift shop. I will miss having this type of store in our neighborhood. All the best to you in Issaquah!

angry mom August 10, 2010 (8:29 am)

Great! Now I will be forced to go to the Paper Zone – endure construction, bad traffic, and a bunch of fair-weather-fans paying for overpriced beer and hotdogs to watch a baseball team that stinks!

This stamp store has lasted longer than the Mariners manager!

AnotherIdiotInWS August 10, 2010 (8:41 am)

Hey, maybe we can get a Whole Foods!
.
(just trying to start a new trend)

Truth Out - Get Some Truth August 10, 2010 (8:52 am)

3TD – I’m going to agree with you – I was just thinking this the other day about this store, before I knew it was going out of business.

I have picked up stuff there, but I agree the sales staff seemed a little uninterested.

What we need in West Seattle, now that Hancock is gone, is a general crafting/fabric supply store – not one just gearing towards scrapbooking.

dw August 10, 2010 (9:00 am)

Unfortunately, we’re going to see more and more businesses opt for locations outside of seattle as the current administration piles on more taxes and fees. There’s much more pro-business sentiment on the Eastside and much less of a burden to operate.

CandrewB August 10, 2010 (9:15 am)

Yawn DW, like which new taxes and fees? Also, Seattle is still where most of the people live…

villagegreen August 10, 2010 (9:29 am)

Meghan – You never fail to amuse! I know you’re all pro-development/density and stuff (which I am too), but don’t you think the Junction would lose some of it’s quirky charm if all of these “non-current” stores went out of business. I kinda like the fact that there are some stores up there that I really have no interest in, but that others probably love.

J August 10, 2010 (9:51 am)

How about we convince Blue Highway Games to open a WS store?

JW August 10, 2010 (10:04 am)

I’m sad to see any business leave the Junction. I like the variety and love to bring friends and family down to shop. There is no way to please everyone all of the time, but I think it’s the variety that keeps WS funky and a fun place to live and shop. Best of luck, Doris!

add August 10, 2010 (11:41 am)

And the bummer is that there are already a bunch of empty storefronts in the Junction. Doesn’t seem like new businesses are rushing to come in.

Stargater August 10, 2010 (11:49 am)

THIS IS A SHAME!! I fear it is just the start of businesses that we may be losing in the Junction. No matter what people’s feelings are, The Junction is unique because of the businesses like Friends. For those who say something better will be there… hope you like restaurants. In case you have noticed, as businesses close, it is restaurants that have been moving in.
Take this as an example that it is important to shop local. The next business to close might be your favorite. Think of that when shopping at a chain store or online.

To Doris and crew – BEST OF LUCK in Issaquah. I hope this works for you and that that store flourishes. You will be missed!

Gina August 10, 2010 (12:17 pm)

If the rent/lease is priced right, you will have a waiting list of people wanting to locate at your Juction retail space.

nighthawk August 10, 2010 (3:00 pm)

>>but I’m sorry, that space is way too prime for something that can bring a lot more to the Junction in terms of community than rubber stamps and stickers.>>

Prime like what, another bar. There are many shops that I think are fine in the junction even though I don’t necessarily shop at them because they aren’t what I need.

Just because you do not happen to do any kind of arts and crafts does not mean that it should be there. In this kind of economy though the extras like craft supplies are going to suffer. As a frequent visitor to the store I will be sad to see it go but understand why.

Carol August 10, 2010 (4:19 pm)

Hancock . . . what IS the latest? i understood that they OWNED that property with the now-forever (W)hole. Might they take over one of the Huling spaces? Do/don’t they WANT to come back?

newnative August 10, 2010 (7:28 pm)

Variety craft store would be good, quirky and current. Ben Franklin like.

Guest August 10, 2010 (11:54 pm)

DW and ADD are correct; sadly, we will see more businesses failing. Our unemployment rate is near 10%, which means people have less money to spend, then comes along the candy/bottle water tax, and next up is the proposed sales tax… So people are buying less with what little money they have… and if you scratch enough for your business to break even or make a profit then you’ll be looking at the proposed income tax. Yes, the junction will lose a lot more businesses if we don’t change course soon.

lashanna August 11, 2010 (11:21 am)

boo…what a sad day! it’s my favorite favorite store in the junction. i guess i will be doing some driving to support my favorite ladies. it is such a bummer… there are soon to be no craft stores anywhere over here. nw arts n frame- well… they can only carry so much…

@nighthawk – i am sorry but there have been lots of kids in our community who have created great art from items i’ve purchased from F&CO…. lots of adults who’ve had a blast too… it is a community building store- classes for young and old- experienced and not so much. they are always willing to teach you about something you have interest in…when was the last time an eatery gave instructions on how to make a dish?