‘One last thing’ before new Zippy’s Giant Burgers can open

More than a month has now elapsed since Zippy’s Giant Burgers closed in Highland Park, hoping to reopen in White Center a week and a half later. We’ve updated you on the challenges they’ve faced with permits and upgrades. This morning, Blaine Cook from Zippy’s shared an update: “Well, yesterday we thought would be the last day for all of these last-minute details to be ironed out… But wait, no burgers for you. The radio system for the fire alarm calls for a permit and, yes, another inspection. Like all permits, this one will take a few days to be reviewed by the proper officials. Both the tech and the guy we deal with at the alarm company were both surprised that this last thing needed a permit.” But he feels hopeful that once this is past, “there should be no more hidden surprises/gremlins waiting for us.” In case you’ve lost track, the new location is at 9614 14th SW (map), and we’ll share the news immediately once there’s word it’s cleared to open.

24 Replies to "'One last thing' before new Zippy's Giant Burgers can open"

  • coffee May 20, 2011 (7:23 am)

    The processes in this county are so unfriendly to the small business owner, and futher, they make it so impossible sometimes.

  • WTF May 20, 2011 (8:09 am)

    “Go Zippy’s. Go!” Waiting patiently….open. Open. Open. :) So, let me tell ya about my so called permitting & inspections this city required of me. I put a fire alarm (yes, alarm) in my home as part of my security system. It could not be legitimately activated until I 1) paid an initial permit fee and 2) paid to have a so called city inspector come to my home to “inspect” ADTs installation of the alarm. This guy, literally, walked into my home, asked me where the system box was. I opened the closet door, he LOOKED at the box (didn’t open it), signed the city permit inspection receipt and left. This is not an exaggeration. I ask him, “That’s it!?” Are you kidding me!?” He said, yep. Now if that isn’t the biggest farce and waste of time I’ve ever experienced, I don’t know what is. So, not only does this city continue to sting the little guy at work, they sting us in the ass at home! So my moniker fits quite well here. WTF?

    • WSB May 20, 2011 (8:33 am)

      WTF, sorry to hear about that trouble … FWIW, Zippy’s is currently dealing with the county, not the city, since they are outside the city limits in WC. – TR

  • WSMom May 20, 2011 (8:33 am)

    Without Seinfeld, I’d have no cultural reference point…

  • Ben May 20, 2011 (8:57 am)

    our whole family is eagerly awaiting Zippy’s reopening and will be going there early and often this summer. while White Center is a longer drive for us than the old location, there’s no substitute for a Zip burger. i only hope that the unexpected and extended delays in re-opening aren’t causing financial disaster for the owners and employees – seems like a small business owner’s worst nightmare.

  • metrognome May 20, 2011 (9:28 am)

    coffee — not sure its fair to blame the government as the story indicates that the alarm contractor was unaware that a permit was needed …

  • AffordableSeattle May 20, 2011 (10:04 am)

    I am SO EXCITED! This is even closer to my home which in between the old location & the new one. Even better is that there’s a TON of parking… and I won’t have to deal with that RUDE guy from the old convenience store next door. Seriously, that guy wore a phone attached to his shirt so he could take pictures of your license plate if you were parked in the parking lot too long… even when you were the ONLY car parked in the lot. That’s psycho.

    I miss my delicious huge burgers… and Onion Rings. FEED ME ZIPPY! FEEEED ME!

  • Karl May 20, 2011 (10:55 am)

    You know if the rapture happens tomorrow (Saturday) and I haven’t had my zippy’s burger in over a month… I’m gonna be really depressed…

  • foy boy May 20, 2011 (2:45 pm)

    Metrognome, As a contractor I have been through this type of nightmare. One minute you think your covered and the inspector clesrs you, another comes out and sees things different and geuss what you end up spending more money to open or pass. I have been to king co. building dept. You take your plans in, sit an wait an hour, then someone goes over your plans an tells you they look great an will have your permit in about two weeks. You wait to weeks go in for your permit and they tell you that you need this or that and come back in two weeks And this can go on and on. When you ask them why they did not tell you this in the first place they get arogant and it takes even longer.

  • coffee May 20, 2011 (3:54 pm)

    Why don’t we all start calling the county…and I would assume that this is also a drain to state unemployment as I believe the employees are able to collect while they wait.

  • anonyme May 20, 2011 (5:35 pm)

    The permitting process is ridiculous. This has got to be taking a financial and mental toll on Blaine and crew. Rest assured, we’ll make it up to you!

  • Michelle May 20, 2011 (7:53 pm)

    I have to say closing Zippy’s in the last few weeks of a pregnancy is the meanest thing you can do to a pregnant lady! I have cravings dammit! Root beer shake cravings and of course what goes better with a Root beer shake? A Zip burger with bacon and cheese! Looking forward to having you guys open again, sorry you have had a few headaches with it. We’ll have to bring the baby in for dinner after you open again!

  • nighthawk May 21, 2011 (12:00 am)

    I don’t know if they still have any but Proletariat did have Zippy’s Rootbeer for a while. Michelle you could at least get your rootbeer fix that way and maybe make your own.

  • Alan Robertson May 21, 2011 (10:32 am)

    Karl,

    At the risk of insulting your character, I think you are looking at this incorrectly. If the rapture does happen today, that will mean shorter lines at Zippy’s when they open. It also means that we only have until October to live, so no more worries about weight or arteries. We can eat at Zippy’s a couple of times every day. Yes, I’ll have fries, onion rings AND a shake to go with that Number 11.

    If you are among those blessed in the rapture, you can now be jealous of me.

  • Lola May 21, 2011 (1:16 pm)

    Alan,
    Must question your presumption that there will be more Zippy’s customers going than left behind. If that’s the case, who’s to say Zippy’s will be here. Perhaps heavenly food gets to go to?

  • dhg May 21, 2011 (2:57 pm)

    Now THERE’S an image: little slices of fried bacon ascending to heaven with the naked people…

  • TallGuy May 21, 2011 (11:40 pm)

    HUNGRY

  • JoB May 22, 2011 (5:42 pm)

    Ok.. I will say it. I am waiting impatiently!

  • A May 23, 2011 (1:18 pm)

    The truth is they were waiting for the raptire over ther weekend..

  • Number11Fan May 23, 2011 (2:17 pm)

    Still waiting patiently – the saliva is starting to collect over here though :) Hope they are able to get the hand-cut fries up when they open too! Oh no, there goes the mouth watering again…

  • Robert May 23, 2011 (3:37 pm)

    Zippys=THUMBS DOWN!! Better food elsewhere, even in white center!

  • Elmer May 24, 2011 (12:40 am)

    Robert,

    What don’t you like about Zippy’s? And what better food is to be found “even in White Center”?

  • Number11Fan May 24, 2011 (5:00 am)

    Yes, I’m wondering that too. Care to specify, Robert? Or was that a drive-by thumbs-downing?

  • Breuklengrrl May 24, 2011 (10:12 am)

    Zippys- I heart you. Pls open already. Also waiting impatiently…

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