Les Schwab finally discusses under-construction West Seattle site

About a block from where one former Huling Brothers Auto site is being transformed into West Seattle Trader Joe’s at 4545 Fauntleroy Way, another, as we’ve been reporting since January, is being remodeled to house Les Schwab Tires, at 38th/Alaska. We’ve long had a request out to the company for some information that city files didn’t reveal – such as, when are they expecting to open? Les Schwab had declined comment till all the permits were in, but today we have a few official details, directly from the company for the first time:

1. The new store will open in September. The final date is not yet determined.

2. The store will employ 10-12 people and additional employees will be hired based on the volume of business.

3. The store manager will be selected from an existing pool of Les Schwab employees, based on the company’s promote-from-within policy.

4. The retail space is 12,000 square feet with six service bays and there
will be an additional 4000 square foot basement that will be used for warehousing product inventories for customer tires, wheels, brakes, shocks and alignments.

As is the case with the TJ’s project, this one is neither demolishing nor constructing a building – an existing structure on the site is being remodeled.

5 Replies to "Les Schwab finally discusses under-construction West Seattle site"

  • out for a walk June 17, 2011 (9:03 pm)

    Les Swhwab…. welcome to the neighborhood!!!…. BUT!….Please make your store front and curb VERY appealing… Warm, fuzzy, hip West Seattle-like…and please NOT just a tire-car shop!

    Somehow, with West Seattle’s history, Fauntleroy at the intersection of Alaska Street became the dreaded CAR ZONE with very helpful auto-type stores but dreary unappealing store fronts.
    By occupying this precious location, which actually is West Seattle’s FRONT PORCH, your business is one of several that gives a very important impression as to what West Seattle is all about. PLEASE… give your front door and your curb some West Seattle excitement. It doesn’t have to cost you money, just be creative and keep it clean and neat. This will create a buzz and bring you more customers and help make West Seattle the place I think all of us think it is…. that is,… in our minds. West Seattle is such a very, very special placeā€¦. and we need to help the newcomers appreciate this.

    Best of wishes in your new location.

  • 22bladeson June 18, 2011 (12:35 am)

    Glad to hear they are re-using an existing structure. Re-using and adapting is green and it helps retain the feel of the neighborhood.

  • MrTeach June 18, 2011 (5:05 pm)

    Did you read the first reponse, Alki Lumber?!? When you clean up your business’ street appeal will be the very day I support your store!

  • Mike June 19, 2011 (1:13 am)

    MrTeach, Alki Lumber probably wants to say “get off my lawn” to you since they’ve been there long before you were born.

  • Mrteach June 19, 2011 (8:09 am)

    And they are entitled to say that….and I am entitled to not use their business….as a member of a community, things may need to change, like the crappy upkeep of a business that sits at the entrance of said community. Just because you have been lacksidazical for a long, long time, does not mean that the community should overlook your lack of respect towards it. I love west Seattle, and you are right, I have only lived here sixteen years. This being said, I am always annoyed and embarrassed with how poorly Alki Lumber maintains its’ street frontage and always surprised that more people do not mention it with posts, letters, or their wallets.

Sorry, comment time is over.