Speaking of restaurants … ‘South’ wins Dick’s Drive-In poll

So busy with other news this morning, we forgot to check in on the midmorning announcement from Dick’s Drive-Ins about their South vs. East new-location poll, until Matt mentioned it on Twitter. The winner … South, potentially including West Seattle. Now they’re taking suggestions for specific locations … but given the criteria, might be hard to find a spot in West Seattle:

Anyone who would like to share a specific location in the South region should e-mail newlocation@ddir.com. Dick’s Drive-In is interested in purchasing a parcel that is approximately one acre in size, close to high schools, colleges, nightlife and busy highways.

Dick’s says it received 177,645 votes plus 4,000+ e-mails “suggesting everything from a city preference to a specific address.”

Eddie March 27, 2017 (1:05 pm)

I hear the “Whole Foods” Site at Alaska and Fauntleroy is available and has lots of parking.

Swede. March 27, 2017 (1:14 pm)

Hahaha!

That was my first thought also!
Chemist March 27, 2017 (4:32 pm)

Parking ? Does Dicks do garage parking ?

They might just put it in White Center, to avoid any potential soda tax and draw from the “south” base.
- Swede. March 28, 2017 (5:29 am)
  
  Good point with the tax. Harder for restaurants to avoid but there might be a few that leave Seattle for it. Unlike the tax stuff they put on guns and ammo, was only 2-3 stores and all but one left…

Nunya March 27, 2017 (1:27 pm)

Please don’t come to WS, we like it here.

Mad Max March 27, 2017 (1:39 pm)

Please come to West Seattle, we like it here!

Chas Redmond March 27, 2017 (1:47 pm)

I believe Westwood Village, which has room for many more tenants, fits the criteria Dick’s has laid out.

Amanda March 27, 2017 (3:31 pm)

Yes, please!

RoseB March 27, 2017 (1:53 pm)

the location where Charleston Street Cafe used to be would have been perfect for a Dicks…..too late now.

J March 27, 2017 (2:18 pm)

I hope they consider Westwood Village! Lots of space there

T.A. March 27, 2017 (2:55 pm)

What about the empty check cashing place next to Jiffy Lube on Alaska?

J242 March 27, 2017 (4:49 pm)

“What about the empty check cashing place next to Jiffy Lube on Alaska? ”

That’s already a nightmare trying to turn into if you’re east-bound on Alaska or turning Eastbound from that area after a Jiffy Lube oil change. No thanks. The PCC location in Admiral would be perfect! A separate side road w/ a dedicated light, big parking lot, two in/out drives, all around better and would have a lot less impact on our traffic.

Wes C. Addle March 27, 2017 (4:16 pm)

Well West Seattle and Tacoma would really be the only places with “nightlife” on the South End.

Millie March 27, 2017 (4:23 pm)

Westwood Village would get my vote – plenty of parking.

Les March 27, 2017 (4:24 pm)

Burien would be a good location maybe on 1st Ave s. or Ambaum No soda taxes there.

Trickycoolj March 27, 2017 (4:25 pm)

Upton Flats in High Point has a commercial space.

4thGenWestSide March 27, 2017 (4:33 pm)

From what they have said, they need a minimum of 1 acre or so of property, close to schools (start ’em young), along with fast access to freeways. The only site that fits the bill in West Seattle is Hiawatha play field. Don’t think that will happen, but who knows. I love Dick’s WAY too much to want it in West Seattle. It’s already JUST far enough away that I don’t make it there TOO regularly. Wherever it goes, you will see the average girth of the neighborhood grow steadily. Glad they are expanding though. Sounds like the family business is still doing well. That’s a good thing. How about knocking down the Steel Mill instead? Win-win-win!!

dawsonct April 1, 2017 (12:17 pm)

I certainly hope that last comment was tongue-in-cheek. Sure, Dick’s is a good company that treats their labor (read: source of wealth) well and provides good benefits. They are NOT, however, high-paying union jobs that really help our community, as are provided by heavy manufacturing.

Chuck March 27, 2017 (4:55 pm)

Is Dick’s planning to do ANY R&D on their own, or just crowdsource their expansion planning? #Lazymarketing

Maria March 28, 2017 (6:54 am)

Based on the buzz here and on the radio all month, Dick’s knows how to leverage modern social marketing for the whole business regardless of where they end up on the south end. Smart, not lazy.
- WSB March 28, 2017 (7:46 am)
  
  Well … once every six years, anyway.
My two cents ... March 28, 2017 (1:03 pm)

It’s not lazy marketing, it matches up with the culture of Dick’s …. create a system where the community feels that they have involvement, or a say in the direction of where they are going to expand. South of Seattle and the Eastside a rather large areas — it’s not like either one of the options haven’t been vetted for a feasibility.

Another factor? To vote you have to enter an email address, although you can opt out for future marketing opportunities… If you don’t… Well, increased market exposure. Seems to me pretty smart and inexpensive way to increase your presence.

JT March 27, 2017 (4:59 pm)

How about the Morgan junction? That old gas station/mart is being torn down. Or, buy out Uptown Espresso in the junction and set up shop there. Lastly, parking should be the least concern here. Just my 2cents…

Captin March 27, 2017 (10:46 pm)

If I’m not mistaken the city bought that and will be using it to expand the little park by Beveridge Place.

Patty March 27, 2017 (5:15 pm)

Des Moines really needs your help, c’mon down!

KD March 27, 2017 (5:34 pm)

On Michigan St. (east of the 1st. So. Bridge) on the spot where Arby’s closed about 6 mos. ago.. it’s in its way to I-5 access both ways, Airport Way, Georgetown, SODO and Industrial Area, PLUS, besides Arby’s gone, the Taco Time and the McDonalds both were recently closed down due to the King Co. Wastewater Treatment Center going in the whole big area. That leaves NO fast food as there were 3 places within 2 blocks this time last year. Georgetown has become the new trendy Belltown for night life, and the corridor goes straight to I-5. Arby’s is practically a walkin for them if they just do the ‘Dicks’ redecorating, plus it’s already a drive-thru! GOOD LOCATION for NEW DICKS!!!

Trickycoolj March 27, 2017 (5:59 pm)

Yes!! Gets a little seedy down there sometimes but really need some fast lunch spots for all the people being consolidated at Boeing Field.
dawsonct April 1, 2017 (12:33 pm)

SCREW those mediocre chain restaurants KD. Georgetown has PLENTY of fast lunch options even within a block or two of those three national corporate chain restaurants.
Katsu Burger, Kauai Family Restaurant, Calozzi’s Cheesesteak, Slim’s Last Chance/Pig Iron BBQ, Yak’s Teriyaki, Hitchcock Deli, if you want to taste a sandwich that Arby’s could only dream of producing, and etc. I haven’t even touched on all the food trucks in that area.
Money spent in locally owned business stays local and keeps our region prospering.
Besides, seriously, Taco Bell, Arby’s, McDonalds? You are lamenting their loss? That really is pretty pathetic.

d March 27, 2017 (6:22 pm)

Any west Seattle property will be way too expensive for a hamburger joint it will be in white center or Burien guaranteed

M March 27, 2017 (7:38 pm)

Yes. Because all of their other restaurants are in very low rent areas of Seattle; Capital Hill, Ballard, Queen Anne…

Gene March 27, 2017 (6:47 pm)

Well JT- Think that gas station/ mart you speak of is going to be a park space. Is the Uptown Espresso space for sale? If not- why should they move? Parking may not be a big concern- but getting in & out of the place & that impact on traffic should be.

kjb March 27, 2017 (7:48 pm)

The old Dairy Queen in White Center?

WSB March 27, 2017 (7:50 pm)

Already has a plan. Catering company.

Politically. Balanced March 27, 2017 (8:18 pm)

SODO near Ganja Goddess and Seattle Cannabis.

Baffled March 28, 2017 (6:51 pm)

LOL, that would be righteous, dude!

JT March 27, 2017 (8:46 pm)

Thanks for the info Gene – didn’t know that the property near the MJ was going to be a parking lot (appreciate the tip). Also , I don’t know the status of Uptown Espresso, but how good would that lot, and that space be for a Dick’s?? No attack on U-E, just thinking how it could work out geographically. Also, traffic will continue to be a constant problem in this city (until we have flying cars :)). Agree?

WSB March 27, 2017 (9:09 pm)

If you’re referring to the former Short Stop/cleaners site north of Morgan Junction Park, no, it’s going to be an expansion of Morgan Junction Park, and that’s always been the plan. There was some talk of possibly using it for parking as an interim use before the park is developed, but that would require work, as it’s not a level lot. Come to the next Morgan Junction Community Association meeting (third Wednesday in April) and you’ll probably hear the latest. – TR

Gene March 27, 2017 (9:33 pm)

JT agree that traffic will continue to be a problem- but think there could be many sites for Dicks that wouldn’t make it worse- the UE site wouldn’t be one of them – imho.

Jake from State Farm March 27, 2017 (11:31 pm)

Burien would be the best place to fulfill the requirements, many high schools close by (Foster, Highline, Kennedy), easy access to the high way,. There has to be a location on first ave, or Ambaum Ave. with the amount of space they need. Very easy for Renton people to get to. Football Stadium close by. Many Summer time pool location close by.

they March 28, 2017 (11:26 am)

“On Michigan St. (east of the 1st. So. Bridge) on the spot where Arby’s closed about 6 mos. ago..”

Many years ago there use to be a Dicks at that very location.

KD March 28, 2017 (11:16 pm)

Dag’s

T March 28, 2017 (1:12 pm)

The old Arby’s site in Georgetown would be a great location and they would save money on renovations. In the 1970’s, that location used to be a Dag’s Hamburger Restaurant (not Dicks per They). I went to college with Jim Spady at North Seattle College back in the days.

KD March 28, 2017 (11:18 pm)

Yep, I remember when it was a Dag’s, just like the Jack In The Box up on Admiral Way was a Dag’s also.. correct? Or was that a Herfy’s?