West Seattle coffee: Starbucks’ local epicenter adding 4th spot

| West Seattle news | Westwood | WS beverages

You could call Westwood Village the epicenter of Starbucks in West Seattle, with a standalone shop, a stand inside the QFC supermarket, and Starbucks coffee featured in the Barnes & Noble bookstore café. If that isn’t enough for coffee-loving shoppers – city permit files show that another one is on the way: While digging through recent applications overnight, we found this project filing for 2800 SW Barton, carrying the notation: “Addition of a new Starbucks within existing food service footprint in existing Target store.” While that page doesn’t show an application date, the permit number suggests it was filed within the past week. Not a new concept, as the two chains have been working together for more than a decade, but we thought you’d want to know.

BY THE NUMBERS: This will boost the number of West Seattle Starbucks outlets, existing and planned, to 13, by our count: Along with the aforementioned four in Westwood, there’s Admiral Way, Admiral Safeway, Alki, Avalon, Jefferson Square Safeway, Junction QFC, Junction 47 (planned), Morgan Junction, Roxbury Safeway.

dcn May 25, 2015 (11:16 am)

Whatever happened to the Panda Express that was supposed to open at Westwood Village? The Hollywood video location has been closed for over 4 years now.

WSB May 25, 2015 (11:23 am)

Funny you should ask that, DCN! I was going to do a bit more research before mentioning it at some point later this week, but while crossreferencing the Westwood Village addresses in the DPD database last night, I noticed that Panda Express just renewed/re-established its permit for the space, to be valid until fall of next year, so that at least indicates ongoing interest. Still nothing on their website about a “coming soon” but many corporations seem to be bad about that … TR

Cara Starnes May 25, 2015 (11:16 am)

Lucky number 13!?

D Del Rio May 25, 2015 (11:23 am)

I was wondering about the Panda Express too. I don’t care for their food, but I’d rather see that than an vacant space at the mall.

pam May 25, 2015 (11:30 am)

I’m torn between wanting another drive through Starbucks in the area – it is so convenient though I do say I silent prayer when I drive by hoping the line is too long so I don’t ‘have’ to stop!

WSB May 25, 2015 (11:47 am)

Don’t know what area you’re in, Pam, but we do have four indie drive-throughs too … WestBay on Harbor, Portside on West Marginal Way just north of Highland Park Way, Mocha Mojo on Roxbury across from Roxhill Elementary, and Red Cup in The Junction.

sun*e May 25, 2015 (11:40 am)

Sheeeeesh! What a monopoly!

jc May 25, 2015 (11:46 am)

Yet White Center remains Starbuck Free! Except for hiding one in the Safeway, just so it will show up on the map.
Great idea to put one in the Target. It will smell way nicer that whatever that food(?)fragrance is that eminates from that area. I never see people eating there. Is there food? I am picturing nacho cheese on things, but that’s not really food now, is it?

Sources May 25, 2015 (11:47 am)

Birds told me Target and McDonalds have kill clauses with Westwood on the free standing structures and are holding things up for types of businessss and facility improvements. That’s why it’s empty so long.

joe May 25, 2015 (11:48 am)

The coffee isn’t that good give me Uptown espresso any day of the week.

Kjellvis May 25, 2015 (12:03 pm)

I’ve been wondering why there aren’t any real sit-down non fast food restaurants in Westwood village yet

jwright May 25, 2015 (12:18 pm)

Kjellvis, you need to do a better job exploring Westwood Village. Eats Market Café (http://eatsmarketcafe.blogspot.com) has been there for ages.

LatteRose May 25, 2015 (12:19 pm)

Well, I’m happy about that!

Trickycoolj May 25, 2015 (12:24 pm)

I wouldn’t count those franchise Starbucks inside grocery stores. They aren’t full service and are operated by employees of the grocery store as opposed to Starbucks employees so there’s no incentive for a consistent quality product.
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On the other hand, anything to attempt to class up our half-Target might make it nicer to stop by.

ACG May 25, 2015 (12:33 pm)

kjellvis- I know what you mean. But I love EATs Cafe. I know it isn’t true sit down fancy fare, but I consider it WAY above “fast food”. It is really good food. My favorite option when I am at WWV.

payrollgirl May 25, 2015 (12:38 pm)

I personally like the SB in QFC way better than the “store” one, QFC baristas make a way better cup of coffee!

And in WC there’s Rockin’ Robin’s in the Chevron parking lot on 16th/Ambaum makes a pretty good cup too.

jacb matthew May 25, 2015 (12:40 pm)

I wish Umbria would open a coffee shop in West Seattle. I hate to admit it but I love the dark roasts like Starbucks . None of our independents make that blend in my opinion.

cj May 25, 2015 (2:59 pm)

Oh why Starbucks why? You just remind me of the days when you had food and drink worth buying. Cheapening the menu is a good way to loose customers but it sure seems to be a trend around here. The only positive thing is that the incoming Starbucks at Alaska Junction may well draw in customers from Cupcake Royal who have horrible cupcakes with fancy frosting. I know … who eats the actual cake?

Out for a walk May 25, 2015 (3:01 pm)

I LOVE Eats Cafe for lunch. Great good and good service with reasonable prices.

West Seattle Hipster May 25, 2015 (6:11 pm)

If only we could have an abundance of quality establishments in West Seattle, Starbucks doesn’t quite qualify….

sam-c May 25, 2015 (7:30 pm)

jc- that smell is the burnt popcorn. My husband eats it. Makes me want to toss the bag on the floor.

and Eats is great. It’s been about 7 years since I had some of their tasty chicken salad, but one week since I had one of their AMAZING chocolate chip cookies. (perfect texture: slightly crispy on the outside, and chewy on the inside. I wanna know how they did that!)

Bob May 25, 2015 (8:31 pm)

This has gone completely unmentioned… https://youtu.be/7OYnzqiss0I

John May 25, 2015 (9:04 pm)

Great to see Eats mentioned. That is one of my favorite restaurants in West Seattle. Please go check it out and support local businesses!

Julia May 25, 2015 (10:20 pm)

I’ve been wishing Westwood would get a “real” Starbucks — with a drive-thru and more space for seating. I can never find a seat in the current, tiny one. I know, it’s not PC to like SB, but I patronize the independents plenty, too.

DarkHawke May 26, 2015 (2:09 am)

@Kjellvis: So Giannoni’s and the Thai place north of QFC don’t count? Okay, only two places, but neither are chain restaurants, have seating and are open in the evening. Asking more than that may be expecting too much from our happy (?) little strip mall (yes, it’s nicer than many, but still).
.
I’m wondering what’s going on in the old Jamba Juice site. Looks like something’s going in, but no sign of what it might be yet.

Greystreet May 26, 2015 (4:49 am)

I echo the desire for a drive-thru SB to go into Westwood. I am consistently cracked up by the Seattlites who hate on SB (I can’t help but think it’s due to the whole Sonics debacle), people it’s a hometown brand! I think that maybe some of the “activity” around Westwood might also keep SB from putting a brick and mortar drive thru store too. Regardless, I’m happy I’ll have another place to get my Americano :)

sacatosh May 26, 2015 (6:04 pm)

Starbucks HQ employs about half of West Seattle. When you bag on the bux you’re bagging on the source of income for many of your neighbors, most of whom support local small businesses. It’s trendy and hipster to be all anti big business, but Sbux is actually a locally based, locally grown company. I don’t patronize the licensed locations because I don’t get a discount there. But I have zero issues with one going into the Target. At all.

Liz May 26, 2015 (6:47 pm)

This sums all of this up nicely: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gAAIQpUgwjM

eric May 26, 2015 (7:54 pm)

Starbucks cHQ employs about 1/2 of West Seattle? B.S.

Robin Todd May 26, 2015 (8:49 pm)

Thank you payrollgirl I love serving my local neighborhood and I enjoy my all my customers and future ones as well yours truly ROCKINROBINS ESPRESSO :)