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West Seattle restaurants: Garlic Jim’s Pizza closed TFN

September 23, 2011 12:10 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

After WSB Forums members wondered about the status of Garlic Jim’s Pizza in The Junction, closed now for a week or so, and this afternoon, after a couple of exchanges with corporate HQ this morning, we have an official statement, saying basically that it’s closed till further notice:

The West Seattle Garlic Jim’s is closed. We are not at liberty to divulge any details of the situation involving the prior owner, who was an independent franchisee of Garlic Jim’s Famous Gourmet Pizza.

Garlic Jim’s is actively seeking a new owner but at this time we do not have a certain date for re‐ opening.

The former owner bears the responsibility of notifying his crew of his decision to close as we do not have any contact information. It is our understanding that the store was only staffed by a small part‐ time crew, although in this economy it is a tragedy when even one person loses a job.

We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused our customers as we have appreciated their business. For those who recently purchased Living Social vouchers – they can be used at any other Garlic Jim’s or you may request a refund from Living Social directly by calling 877.521.4191.

The restaurant originally opened in spring 2007, part of an Everett-based chain of franchises. It has undergone at least one ownership change since then; the most recent owners, who had a successful franchise in Snohomish County, took over last year amid some fanfare.

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33 Replies to "West Seattle restaurants: Garlic Jim's Pizza closed TFN"

  • WSFoodie September 23, 2011 (12:59 pm)

    I just called Living Social to get a refund on the Garlic Jim’s coupon I bought and it was easy. No hassle at all. I do hope Garlic Jim’s re-opens in the Junction soon though!

  • alkikmac September 23, 2011 (1:24 pm)

    The business has been listed in commerce journals as having unpaid taxes.

  • velo_nut September 23, 2011 (1:29 pm)

    Their pizza was garbage anyway. No loss.

  • AJP September 23, 2011 (1:51 pm)

    I think there are so many great places around here to get really good pizza that a mediocre place just doesn’t have a market.

  • ummm September 23, 2011 (2:13 pm)

    Didn’t this location just reopen with new owners at the beginning of the year?

  • sybil September 23, 2011 (3:09 pm)

    The main reason we almost exclusively got pizza from here was the gluten-free option. It was sooooo good. I really hope they re-open again!

  • Beth September 23, 2011 (3:15 pm)

    I agree with AJP. With places like Zeek’s, Proletariat, Pagliacci, etc., I won’t miss Garlic Jim’s.

  • villagegreen September 23, 2011 (3:32 pm)

    Besides the bad pizza, the place has the ambiance of eating at a Subway.

  • Denny September 23, 2011 (3:34 pm)

    Although you might not miss their pizza, none of us benefit from lost jobs and an empty storefront. Hope something good lands there soon.

  • Jim P. September 23, 2011 (3:39 pm)

    Based on the cagey, corporate no-speak reply, I will wager there is a dispute over unpaid franchise fees/percentages and they have yanked his/her franchise right.

    Unpaid taxes would probably result in a lien and legal notices posted, this smacks very much of “You didn’t pay us, you can’t use our name or products any further and we will re-sell the franchise.”

    If the equipment etc is leased, they take it, I’ve seen some deals where the franchise company even arranges the location so they might hold the lease on the property too.

    Just guesswork I will admit but I would not be surprised to be correct.

    • WSB September 23, 2011 (3:48 pm)

      Jim P – while a forum member (see the link in the story) said they had seen notices posted there last night, when we went to take the photo this morning, there was nothing on the door, not an explanatory note, nor any other kind of notice. – TR

  • Huindekmi September 23, 2011 (4:07 pm)

    Last night? The posted notices on the door was reported a week ago.

  • velo_nut September 23, 2011 (4:12 pm)

    Loss of jobs? They were part time employees, target is hiring, probably at a higher wage too.

  • luke September 23, 2011 (4:44 pm)

    Another big company claiming ignorance when having to deal with people and their jobs. Though there were just a couple employees it still sucks and I’m sure Garlic Jims corporate office doesn’t care.

    I love that West Seattle has so many locally owned and operated stores/ restaraunts/ auto repair places.

  • Aman September 23, 2011 (5:40 pm)

    Consumer’s in the marketplace have spoken with their hard-earned dollars and Garlic Jim’s Pizza is no more. RIP JIMBO! Hopefully, very soon a new establishment will open and with effort & luck flourish.

  • glutenfreeneeds September 23, 2011 (6:05 pm)

    Darn, I have a $10 credit with them.
    I agree with sybil though, we ordered GJ’s because they have gluten free pizza and they always have great specials. Their GF pizza crust has improved over the past year as well. (before it was hit or miss).
    I’ve had the opportunity to speak with the owner, I think his name was Jeff or Larry, a few times and he was always very nice and helpful. I was trying to organize a lunch pizza party at work and he was going to open just to accommodate us.
    I hope everything gets worked out and they reopen soon.

  • Norah September 23, 2011 (6:14 pm)

    Even if they were only part-time jobs, they’re still jobs and we hate to lose any of them in this economy. Someone may have been working 2 or 3 part-time jobs in order to survive and losing one of them might put them on the street. Maybe they don’t have the right experience to work at Target.

  • Jim P. September 23, 2011 (6:22 pm)

    Whoever comes in, I really hope they offer a good deep-dish Chicago-style pizza. All this tomato sauce on a cracker you guys call pizza up here just doesn’t satisfy. :)

  • Mike in the Junction September 23, 2011 (6:35 pm)

    New owner had it on the market for 125K- he paid way less than that from the last owner Bob. Unfortunately he bit off more than he could chew and tries to get greedy on the asking price.

  • george September 23, 2011 (6:52 pm)

    I won’t miss their racing drivers.

  • DTK September 23, 2011 (6:54 pm)

    The reason is simple. With tax, tip, and delivery charge, a pizza costs $30. You can’t survive with this delusional price point.

  • Mike September 23, 2011 (10:00 pm)

    “I won’t miss their racing drivers.”
    .
    Same, I was nearly hit by one passing me on California Ave SW. He was doing at least 50mph and nearly lost control of his POS car trying to overtake me in the on comming traffic lane. I followed him for a while, keeping a far distance. What amazed me most was when he started to tailgate SPD. He must have realized it fast cause he pulled off and stopped near an apartment complex, shut his car off and sat there.
    .
    I called to complain to the manager of the store, but the manager yelled at me for being upset. Unbelievable, absolutely insane!

  • datamuse September 24, 2011 (10:05 am)

    I have friends with celiac and Garlic Jim’s was pretty much their only option. Other pizza place owners should take note.

  • goody September 24, 2011 (2:16 pm)

    Hey Jim P….deep dish pizza is good but REAL pizza doesn’t need a crust 3ft deep…pizza is Europe is always thin crust with a QUALITY crust of course and the best of the best toppings….even a simple “Margarita Pizza” over there blows the socks of your Chicago deeep dish…but having said that, I find it hard to find a extra delish one around here!

  • Liz September 24, 2011 (2:22 pm)

    Crappy cardboard pizza if you ask me. I’awanna areala pizza! Enough of all the cardboard.

  • cakeordeath September 24, 2011 (11:19 pm)

    We need for gluten free options in WS. Restaurant owners take note!

  • alki_2008 September 25, 2011 (10:55 am)

    luke – the Garlic Jim’s was locally-owned, by a couple in Western Washington. It’s a FRANCHISE. The corporate offices do not run franchises. They do not hire or fire the employees, they just provide the marketing/advertising, materials, and other aspects of the name (eg, “Garlic Jim’s). The franchisee (in this case, the couple from Western Washington) are responsible for running the business.

    It’s ridiculous to blame the corporate office for this location closing down.

  • John September 25, 2011 (11:00 am)

    The same owners own the edmonds store also and it is also closed and was taken of the garlic jims website.

  • Holly September 29, 2011 (9:50 pm)

    It’s the same for us. While I’d love to give my business to true small business pizza places, none of them offer a gluten free crust. And the very few that have offered them are absolute garbage. Garlic Jim’s was the only pizza that was reasonable (for gluten free), tasty, and delivery.

    While I can’t fault small businesses for not being able to offer options to the small sect of the population with food intolerances/allergies, it would still be nice to grab a slice with my family.

  • Brian October 9, 2011 (12:17 pm)

    Garlic Jim’s in West Seattle made delicious gluten free pizza. It cost just under $20 to pick up a large specialty pizza ordered online. The reason they closed was apparently not financial. Per a conversation with someone from a different Garlic Jim’s, the reason they closed was for a personal reason that I will not disclose since it is not my business to do so. I wish the owner’s family well and have been grateful for delicious, appropriately priced gluten-free pizza.

  • sam-c October 9, 2011 (3:31 pm)

    for those who mention it- Olympia Pizza and Pasta in WS advertises that they have gluten free dough. I’ve thought their pizza to be pretty good. (though I haven’t had gluten free)

    • WSB October 9, 2011 (3:56 pm)

      I’m actually mentioning that in a restaurant roundup that hopefully after being days in the making will be up shortly :)

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