First license granted for recreational-marijuana store in West Seattle

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By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

More than three years after our state’s voters approved the initiative allowing recreational-marijuana stores, West Seattle is finally about to get its first.

The state Liquor and Cannabis Board has just approved the first license for a West Seattle address – 5440 California SW.

The address belongs to an old Craftsman home converted to professional space, and now about to be transformed to retail space. (It’s almost right across the street from the spot where medical marijuana first came to local attention, at 5435 California SW, also the site of a recreational license application.)

The just-approved recreational-retailer license is in the name of LTC LLC, which had posted the license application notice two months ago. We talked with proprietor Maryam Mirnateghi this afternoon.

She told us that, pending city action on their permit applications for the remodeling work – which she says will not be extensive, because the space has many attributes already as a “cool old house” – they hope to have the store open within about two months.

Another thing needed first: A name. Maybe something reflecting The Junction, though they’re a few blocks south, said Mirnateghi, who has worked in real estate in the area (and purchased the future store location).

This won’t be Mirnateghi’s first shop; she already owns Fusion, a medical-marijuana outlet, which she says will be adding recreational marijuana, on Dexter Avenue downtown.

In the meantime, as for West Seattle: “Let everybody know, we’re working on getting it open.”

Her store might not be the only one in this area for long. At least two other applications are in the pipeline – one for Northwest Patient Resource Center, open almost five years as a medical provider at 35th/Roxbury, and one for Origins on the city side of 14th/Roxbury – you can see them and others on this map that’s been linked in WSB comments before by its creator “Question Mark.”

Last month, the city finalized zoning changes governing where marijuana stores can be located, including buffers of at least 1,000 feet between stores and schools/playgrounds, and at least 1,000 feet between any two stores.

62 Replies to "First license granted for recreational-marijuana store in West Seattle"

  • M February 13, 2016 (6:17 pm)

    Should call it “High” Point 

  • Mr. B February 13, 2016 (6:30 pm)

    I second “High Point” for the name. 

  • 4thGenWestSide February 13, 2016 (6:58 pm)

    “Gateway Drugs.”

  • Ken February 13, 2016 (7:26 pm)

    The Junction Joint

  • chemist February 13, 2016 (7:32 pm)

    I guess if you can have the Fauntleroy Lofts open up S of there (in Seaview and on the other side of California near Graham St), then I guess you can name a Fairmount Park cannabis shop “High Point”.

  • cj February 13, 2016 (7:46 pm)

    Sweeeeet!  

  • kg February 13, 2016 (7:48 pm)

    In Dave Chappelles voice:

    Weed ‘R’ Us (backwards R)

    Weedapotamous

    Four Score and 7 Weeds Ago

    Gonjalicous

    Ye Olde Time Weed Store (So good even the first President grew it)

    Weed Forest Cafe

    The WeedSport

    WeedStix

    Terrible Weedty

    micro Weedgression

    Sustainable Weeds

    Buds

    The West Seattle Marijuana Emporium

    Potent Potables

    • KM February 14, 2016 (8:08 am)

      Thank you. Amazing. 

  • Jeannie February 13, 2016 (8:22 pm)

    While I’m no fan of pot (the stench alone is revolting), I’m happy to see that this pretty Craftsman home is being preserved. 

    High Point would be a great name, or Viva Sativa. 

  • Looky February 13, 2016 (8:26 pm)

    Debbie downer here but man do I hate the smell. It’s everywhere now. In neighborhoods, in nearly all parking lots, even at the gym and the alley behind a popular church in West Seattle, parks where kids play… Everywhere. For the record I hate the smell of cigarette smoke too. 

    • Joe February 14, 2016 (9:54 am)

      It’s illegal to smoke weed in public but not inforced or observed by pot smokers. All they hear is it’s legal to smoke pot. I have no problem with pot other than people not following the law around its use. Just another example of the larger ignorant/entitled issue we have in society today.

      • Casey February 14, 2016 (2:05 pm)

        Meh, I run into more people with their dogs off leash at the park than people token up.

  • Dc February 13, 2016 (9:04 pm)

    I hate the smell as well.
    Ugh

  • Marty February 13, 2016 (9:10 pm)

    I LOVE the smell!!

  • Francis February 13, 2016 (9:24 pm)

    Oh,  good one Jeannie, viva sativa! 

  • TheKing February 13, 2016 (9:33 pm)

    Seattle SuperChronics

    • RJB February 14, 2016 (10:49 am)

      Love “Seattle SuperChronics”!

      Also love ‘Quasimodo’  for a name.

  • dsa February 13, 2016 (9:49 pm)

    That lovely historic building does not look like it is handicap accessible.  How did it get approval to be converted to public use commercial?  Does someone check for ADA compliance?  Maybe there is a back way in in, but I doubt it.

    • Maryam February 13, 2016 (10:40 pm)

      The building really IS lovely. The city has pretty a complex permitting process for changing the use of a property. They address accessibility along with a host of other factors. 

  • Maryam February 13, 2016 (10:30 pm)

    Thank you for the name suggestions, they’re so creative. Keep ’em coming! 

    We are thrilled to be serving West Seattle. I’ve been a resident of West Seattle for almost a decade and am absolutely in love with this community. 

  • Lynn February 13, 2016 (11:07 pm)

    Rats. That’s the last thing we need in West Seattle.

  • dsa February 14, 2016 (1:14 am)

    So Maryam, what is the answer about the ADA question?  Is this building accessible for all West Seattle residents or isn’t it?  

    • Ari February 15, 2016 (9:52 am)

      This is my concern to.  I would visit the store, but I cannot do stairs.  I hope they’ll post an answer to your question.

  • cj February 14, 2016 (2:24 am)

    I was thinking  Dream Weaver might be a good name.  

  • Rcl February 14, 2016 (6:19 am)

    Awesome! Now all we need is the right for every adult over 21 to be able to grow there own MJ at home ! Especially since the state is NOT testing for and pesticides – http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2016/02/11/23553397/washington-state-fines-two-marijuana-growers-for-using-prohibited-pesticides – how many other state growers are using poisons like these 2? Homegrow for all!

  • Jill February 14, 2016 (7:45 am)

    Another real estate agent turned legal weed dealer. I like your point rcl – Thanks for the link. What about parking?  It’s already a major problem on California and thinking about people running across the street or more crosswalks is annoying. ADA questions are yet to be answered… With the pesticides poisoning us from retail grow facilities, it feels like the only safe way is home growing. 

  • flimflam February 14, 2016 (8:54 am)

    RCL – I agree completely. I voted against the legalization for a few reasons, even though I enjoy it myself. after the liquor privatization mess I knew it would without a doubt become expensive. seeing what has become of tobacco (simply a plant, once) – filled with chemicals, some to purposely get you addicted – I figured the less gov’t and business was involved, the better. it should be perfectly legal to grow your own for personal use.

  • Wendell February 14, 2016 (9:58 am)

    The Skunk & Roach.

  • DawgtiredWS February 14, 2016 (10:29 am)

     How about “High-You” (Hi-Yu).

  • Donald Barrie February 14, 2016 (10:44 am)

    Take a line from an old 1960’s song and call it, “California Dreaming”.

  • B-Check February 14, 2016 (11:31 am)

    Keep it simple: “Weed Junction”

    I can’t say I am thrilled by the smell, but it also doesn’t bother me that much. I have no problem with this kind of store opening. If anything, enforce smoking in public, but otherwise get over it! As someone who enjoys/appreciates beer, pot seems far less dangerous overall than alcohol and it always seemed very hypocritical to me the way our alcohol/drug laws functioned.

    Cheers, happy puffing, and welcome to the neighborhood!

  • Cubby February 14, 2016 (11:40 am)

    Gold Rush would be an appropriate name for the retail weed store. It would reflect our history during the Alaska gold rush and contain a drugs reference as well.

  • D February 14, 2016 (11:41 am)

    High Stank

  • Maryam February 14, 2016 (11:42 am)

    DSA, we are currently engaged in the permitting process, once the work is completed we will be accessible to everyone. We want everyone to feel welcome and be able to visit us!

    • Dan February 25, 2016 (8:50 am)

      Maryam, there are several residential properties located on this block and surrounding areas, how will you address their concerns about neighborhood safety, parking, and just increased foot and vehicle traffic around their homes?

  • Cubby February 14, 2016 (11:44 am)

    I have a friend who is expert in the restoration of Arts & Crafts home. If profits allow he could assist you in the process of putting the house in its original splendor.

  • heather February 14, 2016 (12:20 pm)

    All Ways (walk all ways)

  • me on 28th ave sw February 14, 2016 (12:25 pm)

    mellow

  • a February 14, 2016 (12:34 pm)

    Seattle Superchronics is a really good one! Here’s another one- 

    THC 

    The House of Chronic

  • Wsgal February 14, 2016 (12:36 pm)

    Friday

    west Seattle greenery



    Puff puff give and set up some community donations and give 5% or whatever chosen amount to local charity




  • AT February 14, 2016 (12:41 pm)

    Fantastic, now we never have to leave the peninsula at all!

  • dsa February 14, 2016 (1:06 pm)

    I did not say I wanted the store here.  I’d prefer there was no location that fits the state’s criteria.

    • Qbert February 14, 2016 (4:06 pm)

      Too bad we have a little bit of freedom now! 

  • Marty February 14, 2016 (2:51 pm)

    Well, looks like it is here. LOL!

  • Subaru February 14, 2016 (8:49 pm)

    Now there is no reason to leave the island.

  • Eric February 15, 2016 (5:43 am)

    West Sativa Cafe

  • Phil February 15, 2016 (8:20 am)

    +1 California Dreamin’

    West Seattle Pottery

    Mary Jane’s Greenhouse 

    Reefer Madness

    • chemist February 15, 2016 (12:06 pm)

      ‘West Seattle Pottery” will be a nice compliment to the nearby West Seattle Nursery.

      • Matt S. February 15, 2016 (1:24 pm)

        Agreed: “West Seattle Pottery” is location-specific, entirely original, and even kind of adorable. Bonus points for collaborative promotions designed to entice the stoned gardener.

  • becca February 15, 2016 (10:54 am)

    I would rather see dispensaries in my neighborhood than another bar where the cigarette butts litter the ground outside.  Or another convenience store selling cheap malt liqueur and their patrons outside in the alley consuming.  I love to smell too and NO I do not smoke it.  And yes its awesome to see another craftsman being saved & used, and not being leveled to contruct more town-homes.  “Gateway” you say?  That study was debunked after the Reagan Admin. 

  • LC February 15, 2016 (11:25 am)

    Dopehaus.

  • wsn00b February 15, 2016 (11:37 am)

    Name suggestion: Pothole

    (as a hat-tip to the perennial state of our roads too)

    • LC February 15, 2016 (11:52 am)

      Oh that’s a good one

  • sue February 15, 2016 (1:13 pm)

    I’d sure rather see this than all the liquor stores which are allowed to have any kind of alcohol in their windows for every kid to  see. Why isn’t that restricted? Why is it ok for alcohol to be pushed in our faces at every corner and yet pot, which is now way near as destructive as alcohol, is treated as this evil monster? 

  • Lashanna February 15, 2016 (5:12 pm)

    Welcome to the neighborhood. I wish your new spot much success.  ðŸ’œ 

  • Meyer February 15, 2016 (7:11 pm)

    Very excited to have you in the neighborhood! It’s much better to have that stuff regulated and taxed then sold freely in a back alley.

  • Question Mark February 15, 2016 (8:22 pm)

    Thanks, for the shout-out, Tracy … ;-) …

  • Laura February 16, 2016 (7:50 am)

    SeaWeed

  • Helihu February 16, 2016 (11:22 am)

    Fit with the theme of the block: Jon B. Mellow?

  • merry February 17, 2016 (8:29 am)

    Congratulations Mary!  As a grower on Vashon I urge you to resist the temptation to use Green in any form in your name, including emerald, or, even though you have a legit right to it, Mary.  How about Nordstroms? Oh, right, it’s taken, but it seems to work.

    Also, while I am giving out my expert free advice, as someone who goes to a lot of stores, the world doesn’t need another mj store decorated in reclaimed wood.  Just sayin”..

    Welcome to WACA by the way!

  • Mike Lindblom February 18, 2016 (11:22 am)

    This marijuana store sits right on the C Line, in a walkable neighborhood, instead of encouraging more vehicle miles traveled to shops in White Center and Sodo.  So in that sense it’s “green.”

  • Cherie February 23, 2016 (9:15 pm)

    I like Daberhashery.  You know, like Haberdashery, but for dabs and hash.

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