Junction development-site business updates: Mind Body Spirit, Super Supplements, Rocksport, Rubato

Four updates on businesses losing their Junction locations because of the impending start of Equity Residential construction (Alaska/California/42nd):

MIND BODY SPIRIT’S NEW LOCATION: Walking in The Junction the other day, we noticed Mind Body Spirit appeared to have cleared out of its storefront on the southwest edge of the future Equity Residential development site – but there was no sign. Now, there is (thanks to Brian Presser of TouchTech Systems for the photo!) – it says MBS has moved north to 3258 California SW, “above the West Seattle Natural Medicine clinic.”

SUPER SUPPLEMENTS’ LAST JUNCTION DAY: It’s been six months since first word that Super Supplements is moving to the old Blockbuster location at 6451 Fauntleroy Way SW (just east of California SW), Today is their last day in The Junction; they will be closed till their scheduled reopening on Friday (July 13th), with a “grand opening” event planned for July 21st.

ROCKSPORT AUCTION: As first reported here in May, Rocksport Bar and Grill is closing after the final day of West Seattle Summer Fest, Sunday, July 15th – no new location, they’re just going out of business. The Rocksport website now has information on the auction they’d mentioned would be held – it’s set for 10 am July 24th (after an 8 am preview) with James G. Murphy Co., the same famous auctioneers who handled the auctions for other local longtime venues including the Charlestown Café last year and the Corner Inn in 2008.

RUBATO RECORDS: No new location yet, according to their Facebook page, which says they’re also closing after July 15th.

OTHER BUSINESSES: We published this recap/update eight days ago, after AAA confirmed its Jefferson Square move. As for when construction of the two-building Equity Residential project will begin – our inquiries still haven’t been answered. Online city records do show they’ve applied for a demolition permit.

The July 7, 2012 (6:13 pm)

Good riddance rubato. Customer service was awful and they were surly if best when I was in there ready to make a purchase. Made easy street seem so much more appealing

Diane July 7, 2012 (6:22 pm)

re Equity demolition; “Ground Disturbance–YES”
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that’s an understatement; I think most residents of WS have no idea what is to come re major construction disturbance in the junction, very soon

PAMF July 7, 2012 (7:57 pm)

Sad we are losing local business to build yet more condo’s.

Jiggers July 7, 2012 (8:43 pm)

I can’t believe after 17 years the Rock is closing. How sad. No more football or trivia there. Just like the song Big Yellow Taxi says,
“you don’t know what you’ve got until its gone.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94bdMSCdw20

John July 7, 2012 (9:05 pm)

This is why I left Ballard.

It fills me with disgust when an equity company from an entirely different part of the country comes in and just Godzilla-stomps across our neighborhoods.

kate July 7, 2012 (9:41 pm)

I know change is hard, but at least our neighborhoods are thriving unlike some of the neighborhoods in the Midwest which have turned into abandoned ghost towns over the last few years.

add July 7, 2012 (9:41 pm)

Just drove through the junction tonight and was lamenting what that huge corner will become… ugh!!

fj July 7, 2012 (10:13 pm)

That building is the ugliest thing in those blocks. I’m glad it’s going!

bsmomma July 7, 2012 (10:35 pm)

No matter how ugly the buildings may be, that’s a big chunck of WS to lose. :( Sad Sad Sad………

Herman July 8, 2012 (3:11 am)

Here’s what companies like Equity Partners do. They work out a development formula that succeeds in, let’s say Atlanta and San Jose. By “succeeds” I mean it’s a development plan and design that turns them a good profit.
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Then they cookie-cutter it into whatever area of the country has the best price-to-rent ratio at the time. Which in this case is West Seattle.
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The local residents are shocked at first. The development plan has no roots in the community. It makes no sense.
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But eventually, building after building, the development changes YOU. The community loses all unique characteristics and becomes interchangeable with Atlanta, San Jose, Bellevue, and everywhere else. By the time they open a Cheesecake Factory here, you’ll wonder how we got along so long without one.
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Only a token, inexpensive symbol like a mural will be offered, without any regard to what the original murals themselves depicted.

Kgdlg July 8, 2012 (8:30 am)

I highly doubt these will be condos. No investor is building a for sale condo product right now. Likely they will be higher end rentals that can be converted to condos later on. These projects are being built precisely because we are a thriving urban village – lots of people, not enough apartments and an amazing business district. These factors make ws a desirable place to invest. And as I have said here a million times, real estate development, whether you like it or not, is an investment class now. So capitalism means that a place like Seattle, with continued job growth through a recession, will be a highly desirable place to invest. Personally I see both sides. Change is so hard especially when schlock gets built. But, on the other hand I love he benefits of density, such as a trader joes in ws and lots of different shopping opportunities.

WSB July 8, 2012 (9:29 am)

Kg – Thanks – as you point out, *everything* being built right now is apartments. People use the “condo” misnomer all the time but even buildings designed as condos – Youngstown Flats in North Delridge – are being built as apartments. … TR

DW July 8, 2012 (10:44 am)

Did Rocksport every clarify why they are not moving to a new location? Seems like there are a lot of spots that would work — Porterhouse, Chuck and Sally’s, Charleston, etc.

Heather July 8, 2012 (10:53 am)

Sorry to hear that not all of these businesses are re-opening. It sounds like the business owners really had to assess and make tough decisions about the future of their enterprises. :(

Kgdlg July 8, 2012 (11:01 am)

It is one of the reasons these buildings can get such high rents – many are built with condo amenities like stainless appliances and granite counters so just in case owners want to “flip” when the condo market returns. People can complain about density all they want but people are renting these apartments and liking them, from everyhing I have heard! Sweet views I bet!

Jiggers July 8, 2012 (11:16 am)

A lot of 20/30 something year olds are making close to six figures working in the tech sector now and can afford to waste away $1,500 a month for a tiny apartment. The Rocksport has probably been in due-dilligence mode in looking for a viable spot to re-open. But it won’t be for a long time is what I’m guessing.

Kgdlg July 8, 2012 (1:07 pm)

Jiggers, I agree. Gentrification is happening swiftly to places like cap hill and west Seattle because lots of tech engineers choose these neighborhoods. And these buildings cater to young single urban professionals. I keep thinking, when will this market be tapped? Not for a while apparently.

Questioned July 8, 2012 (1:42 pm)

That building is disgusting, I for one am glad to see it replaced by anything. Those griping about “gentrification” I guess would prefer the urban decay that this blight of a building brings to the junction. I would prefer those types be priced out of My neighborhood.