West Seattle biznote: Thunder Road Guitars booming, seeking bigger spot – and suggestions!

(King County photo)
Can you help Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) upsize? Proprietor Frank Gross explains, “We are busting at the seams in our current location, looking for a larger storefront in West Seattle and are having a tough time finding something that suites our needs. We currently have 800 square foot and ideally would like double the size.” Maybe even a trade, Frank says: “If someone with a larger space is looking to downsize, we would be open to swapping.” Thunder Road Guitars opened at 3916 California SW more than two years ago after being online-only for its first year. If you have a suggestion (or offer!) for Frank, e-mail him at frank@thunderroadguitars.com.

I. Ponder February 9, 2015 (12:52 pm)

Seems to me all the cool stuff is now in White Center and maybe this shop would be a nice addition to the mix. I expect upcoming new businesses in the Junction may include such things as DOG YOGA and a GLUTEN-FREE shop.

underthebridge February 9, 2015 (1:12 pm)

I guess looking for a bigger place is a good problem to have eh? Love looking at some of the inventory. Personally, the Junction, unless its only food and drink doesn’t serve my needs. I don’t yoga and not into gluten-free etc..etc..It’s drab for me, but who’s counting?

miws February 9, 2015 (1:37 pm)

There’s a building I immediately thought of, as I walk by it once or twice a week, and knew that it was vacated last year, and a Real Estate sign had been up ever since.

Zillow lists it as having just gone off the market, so it was for sale, instead of for lease/rent, which is what my guess was, so obviously I didn’t remember/notice the details of the sign.

Anyway, this would cover both staying in West Seattle, yet come about as close as possible to going with I. Ponder’s suggestion of White Center.

Even thought it’s off the market, maybe it would be worth calling JL Scott, to see if it is now being offered for (hopefully a long term) lease/rent:

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1615-SW-Cambridge-St-Seattle-WA-98106/2106088286_zpid/

Note that the Sq Ft shown on Zillow, is the land, according to Parcel Viewer, the bldg Sq Ft is 1,907, a little more than double of Thunder Road’s current location.

Mike

DBurns February 9, 2015 (1:56 pm)

Wish you’d consider Westwood Village!! The Chiropractor has gone and I was actually thinking how great a music school would be there (private rooms already installed!) and a music store would be such a great compliment!!
Another suggestion, my husband opened a business last year in the retail space at Arrowhead Gardens and there is still some open space there as well; great landlords, great price and parking!
Best of luck and congrats on a thriving business!!

Gene February 9, 2015 (2:45 pm)

What about some of the vacant retail space in several of the new builds(even the not so new builds that have never been rented) up & down California Ave? Is parking a must? Depending where on California-parking can be ok-or non-existent-most is 2hr limit until 6pm. There’s one space-south of WS Nursery on East side of California-used to house Holiday crafts during Christmas season but has been empty a couple of years now-it’s a “newer” storefront & as I recall was a decent sized space.

RB February 9, 2015 (3:08 pm)

I agree that Westwood village could make a great location since people going there are in shopping mode.

G February 9, 2015 (3:34 pm)

Hope you find a great location, good luck!

WSB: On a completely unrelated but important note: TAX SCAM! If you get a call from someone pretending to be from the US Treasury and claiming they will seize your assets for evasion, it is a SCAM! I called the Tax Advocate to verify. Don’t know if they are targeting certain area codes or not, but don’t fall for it!!

Thunder Road Guitars February 9, 2015 (4:00 pm)

Thanks so much everyone for your comments and suggestions. Ideally we would like to stay on California and would like to be a closer to or in the junction.

The WS community has been really great to us and we have zero intentions of leaving, just need more room.

Silly Goose February 9, 2015 (4:18 pm)

Come on down to the Morgan Junction Area, the Pink Gorilla recently closed their shop on California Ave and I think there is also another vacant space across the street in the new building, by West Seattle Wine Cellar.

mr. the horse February 9, 2015 (4:25 pm)

thunder road may be the best retail store in the dubsea. the guys are great, they carry great gear and they’re super pro. i wish them all the best of luck. they sold a vintage sled of mine no problem and all their stuff is drool-worthy. now, with a bigger space, maybe they’ll carry banjos!

–don’t hate on me guitar players… i’m just sayin’!

Lauren February 9, 2015 (4:35 pm)

What about West Seattle Runner’s current location? They’re moving next week and last I checked, their space is still for lease.

CM February 9, 2015 (5:24 pm)

Glad to see your business is doing so well. Totally tongue in cheek, but I’d be more than glad to store any excess inventory in my dining room, it just might get lightly fondled “occasionally” :) Do you ever get any metal top reverbs?

Oh, and please sell that violin bass soon…I don’t have that much scratch, but I bought one from a pawn shop in Mass in college for $50, and sold it for $40. Dummy.

TK February 9, 2015 (5:48 pm)

What about the former Firefly Crepes location or Implant Dentistry office?

John February 9, 2015 (6:09 pm)

I love that the current location is between work and home for me, making it super easy to pop in for strings, but I would love to see more of this kind of retail in the Junction.
.
Maybe the new building next to The Sneakery? I’m sure most of the new construction is asking for top dollar rent, but remember that everything is negotiable. Hopefully the developers are getting pressure from the community to rent to local independently owned businesses.

m February 9, 2015 (6:39 pm)

Second the Morgan Junction.

Alphonse February 9, 2015 (6:44 pm)

Looks like the empty retail space in the Oregon 42 building is 1378 sf. Not sure what Thunder Road’s budget is, but this place has been for lease for a while. Pricing is in the listing. http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/18068018/4502-4516-42nd-Ave-SW-Seattle-WA/

John M. February 9, 2015 (7:56 pm)

I am SO happy to hear that you guys are doing so well, and I’m also glad that you want to stay in West Seattle. Love the Strat I bought there several months back, and I’ll probably be in again soon to look at pedals! I hope you find a quality space.

newnative February 9, 2015 (8:36 pm)

I second the soon to be former West Seattle Runner location. First place I thought of.

M February 9, 2015 (9:53 pm)

No! Don’t move to far, you just got here! :^)

Mr Eliott February 9, 2015 (10:16 pm)

Morgan County Crossfit moved out of their space (and currently for rent)…

WSB February 9, 2015 (10:25 pm)

Hadn’t heard that, Mr. E., aside from the suggestion for TRG, thanks, sounds like another biznote.

Eric February 10, 2015 (5:21 am)

Good luck Thunder Road. Now with a bigger space, you can get some lefty gitters in there, don’t forget about us :-)

coffee February 10, 2015 (9:12 am)

From what I understand Westwood Village is insanely expensive to rent in.

tickingtimebags February 10, 2015 (11:32 am)

That Morgan Crossfit building looks huge, but with its particular look it WOULD make a pretty badass (giant) guitar shop. I bet it would sound awesome in there.

Fiwa Jcbbb February 10, 2015 (12:54 pm)

Maybe with more room you could expand into…..gasp…..drums? :)

M. February 10, 2015 (10:13 pm)

I remember that building way back when. Mom gave me some cash and sent me there to buy the Beatles LP Let It Be. It was then called Bob’s Record City. I might have stopped at Low Mart on the way home to buy candy with the change!

Admiral Gal February 16, 2015 (3:42 pm)

Seconding WS Runner or Implant Dentistry space across the street from it–those townhomes going in the Charlestown Cafe space might even bring some eventual new customers. The dentistry corner space is pretty visible too for drivers, walkers and bus commuters alike. Awesome you’re doing so well, love to hear that!

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