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UPDATE: ‘Several prospects interested’ for what was to be Whole Foods’ West Seattle store, says Weingarten

March 27, 2017 2:25 am
|      265 COMMENTS
 |   4755 Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 10:12 AM with Weingarten statement, 12:40 PM with Whole Foods statement)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:25 AM: Back in January, you might recall, we reported that Whole Foods had decided to delay its West Seattle opening in The Whittaker (WSB sponsor) until summer 2018. That was a delay from what the company told us last June, when it said the West Seattle WF would open “in the second half of 2017.” And that in turn was two years later than the original plan – when we reported in November 2012 that WF would anchor the 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW mixed-use project, the announcement projected the store would open in 2015. (A bitter battle over the project’s “alley vacation” – lots of backstory here – figured into some delays.)

Since our January report of the latest WF delay, rumors have continued to circulate that – as eventually turned out to be the case with its previously planned WS location across SW Alaska – Whole Foods might be icing the plan all together. But there were signs of life in city permit files as recent as last month, with an application and permit for sign installation.

This morning, there’s a new report – the Daily Journal of Commerce says in its Monday edition that Whole Foods has “decided to indefinitely delay its plans” for West Seattle. Note that most of the story is behind a paywall, so if you’re not a subscriber, you won’t be able to read it. We have already sent a followup inquiry to WF and will update when we get a direct update.

10:12 AM UPDATE: Our first reply of the morning is from Carrie Murray with Weingarten Realty, which owns The Whittaker’s retail space:

Weingarten Realty is actively working with Whole Foods to find a replacement for the space Whole Foods leased at The Whittaker. We currently have several prospects interested but we cannot make an announcement at this time.

12:40 PM UPDATE: Whole Foods spokesperson Beth Krauss‘s statement in response to our inquiry does not elaborate further:

As part of a careful evaluation of our growth strategy, Whole Foods Market has decided to delay indefinitely the opening of our West Seattle store. We look forward to continuing to serve Seattle with our three other area locations: Interbay, Roosevelt Square, and South Lake Union.

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265 Replies to "UPDATE: 'Several prospects interested' for what was to be Whole Foods' West Seattle store, says Weingarten"

  • JHC March 27, 2017 (4:08 am)

    All that work and now we get to look at a huge empty space for years to come. Hooray!

  • Diane March 27, 2017 (5:02 am)

    OMFG; after all the hell we went through over this

    • pjmanley March 27, 2017 (2:48 pm)

      Bless you, Diane, for saying what so many must be thinking right now.

  • Swede. March 27, 2017 (6:55 am)

    Haven’t followed the long story on this, which seams very dragged out and complicated from the tidbits here. But it seams strange to me why they wouldn’t open in the new location… Should be a good store location with all the new people here and the constant complaints I hear over both Safeway and QFC here (I have no issues with either of those myself). 

    • Robert Dlugosh March 28, 2017 (4:04 pm)

      They are not opening because the company is in trouble. Everyone is selling organic groceries today at lower prices than Whole Foods. Shopped at their Palm Springs store recently and thought the prices were much too high. 

  • JeffK March 27, 2017 (7:04 am)

    I’d love to see a small Fred Meyer or ‘Target City’ type store there instead.  Where to get some basic socks, shoes, tupperware, or bed sheets?  Sometimes Westwood Village seems like a big deal for one or two items.

    We have plenty of grocery stores in WS but not enough general retail.

    • Katie March 27, 2017 (7:33 am)

      That’s a nice idea. Smart use of the space. 

    • Julia Wester March 27, 2017 (5:48 pm)

      Yes! Although i would love a whole foods. Its either Bartells for general goods or drive a long way to Westwood Village. Great idea.

      • Dudeling March 29, 2017 (9:34 am)

        Or PCC on California.  Or Met Market on admiral..

    • happy hour March 28, 2017 (6:24 pm)

       YES  Fred Meyer gets my vote!!!!!

      ( Whole Foods is too expensive anyway)

      • Greg April 4, 2017 (5:24 pm)

        A Kroger store is within a blocj.  That would just be cannibilizing.

  • Enid March 27, 2017 (7:21 am)

    I was counting on Whole Foods to (eventually) fill in during PCC’s absence.  The other chain stores here do not have the quality or variety of organic foods I rely on.  This is a big disappointment.  It’s going to mean several years of having to shop off-island.  With all the delays, I was afraid this might happen.

    • Alki Resident March 27, 2017 (8:44 am)

      Go to Met Market , or a produce stand. 

      • Organic Shopper March 27, 2017 (9:50 am)

        Unfortunately Met Market does not have a wide selection of organic produce. They also do not carry items with a vegetarian or vegan focus like PCC and Whole Foods. MM may be high end, but that does not necessarily mean organic or healthy. 

        • AMD March 27, 2017 (10:33 am)

          There are so many farmer’s markets in West Seattle and White Center I can’t imagine feeling like we are somehow missing healthy, vegetarian, or vegan options locally.  Branch out a little and you’ll find everything you’re looking for.  

          I don’t think a national chain with a reputation for ignoring locally sourced food in favor of cheaper imports in addition to generally awful labor practices is at all worth the convenience of avoiding local markets to find the food you want.  

          I’d much rather have options that are healthy for the whole community.

          • Kristine March 27, 2017 (12:21 pm)

            Excellent points!  I am glad that Whole Foods is pulling out.

          • Big G March 27, 2017 (10:02 pm)

            Yup, we’re better off without them. They’re frauds and have been exposed as liars, that’s why their business is tanking. 

        • Ani March 27, 2017 (12:23 pm)

          MM has really improved their selection of organic produce as part of their remodel. If you haven’t been in awhile it’s worth checking out. 

        • A. March 27, 2017 (12:51 pm)

          Metropolitan Market only carries Organic produce now.

          • clh March 27, 2017 (11:13 pm)

            Re the comments that Met Mkt carries ‘mostly organic produce’ == I was in there last week out of necessity and found their produce tremendously lacking. Little organic choice  — and their ‘remodel’ of the hot food/to order is a definite step down in quality. Whoever thought it was a good idea for them to try to make pho needs to have their head examined! Like Safeway and QFC, Met Mkt, at least the one in West Seattle is just fancy packaging on mostly unhealthy food choices. I’ll be signing up for a CSA again, and traveling to small specialty locations for other items. I agree with comments that Whole Foods is tanking. It would be nice to have another quality organic option.. wish the Central Market folks would open a location here!

        • ImmaMom March 27, 2017 (12:51 pm)

          Agreed whole heartedly!   I shop at the farmers market every week, but I still need non-market foods.  In order to get enough fruits and veggies in every day, we rely on foods that are not locally produced in off seasons here.  And other items are needed too- I need a one stop shop for this and pcc has always been it.  Whole Foods was going to fill a much needed gap!!!!

      • ellen banner March 27, 2017 (12:09 pm)

        West Seattle Produce is a great place to get organic fruits and vegetables — and their produce that isn’t organic is great as well.

      • Ashley March 27, 2017 (7:12 pm)

        I love locally sourcing and supporting small business but it’s becoming difficult. The produce stand across the way from where the Whole Foods was scheduled to go to is our go to; but is scheduled to be replaced. Eating a plant based diet I had great hopes for Whole Foods to fill in the space beneath the Whitaker. My boyfriend being vegan moved into the Whitaker with that as a great selling point for him. You would think with west Seattle being such a healthy community we would encourage more healthy alternatives. We hardly have any vegan options out to eat here, and Trader Joe’s is crowded and quickly expires. Met market is awesome but a distance if you like in Morgan junction and do your part to reduce your carbon footprint. Just my two cents.

    • Fred March 28, 2017 (9:00 am)

      Stanford study:

      Little evidence of health benefits from organic foods, study finds

      https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2012/09/little-evidence-of-health-benefits-from-organic-foods-study-finds.html

      • 56bricks March 28, 2017 (10:51 am)

        Please stop trying to confuse me with facts.

      • HappyOnAlki March 28, 2017 (7:12 pm)

        But probably a lot healthier for the farmers who work those fields. That’s worth something.

  • Annaeileen March 27, 2017 (7:30 am)

    We don’t need a  Whole Foods in West Seattle because they are an overpriced out of state owned chain and we have enough of those with QFC and Safeway.   We have such great places like West Seattle Produce (across the street!), The Fish Company, Thriftway, the PCC and many other smaller local places to shop.  

  • Wendell March 27, 2017 (7:33 am)

    The big hole is now above ground.

  • cjboffoli March 27, 2017 (7:38 am)

    I can’t say I’m surprised about this. Whole Foods’ business has been circling the drain for almost the last two years.  They over-expanded with too many new, large stores. At the same time they’ve lost around 10 million customers.  And it’s like someone tied a brick to their stock, which is down more than 40% over the last two years.    

  • RPH March 27, 2017 (7:38 am)

    We don’t need no Whole Foods in West Seattle! PCC, Met Market, and Morgan Thriftway already have the overpriced, albeit high quality and specialty, grocery model covered.  I agree with JEFFK, the greatest deficit in the Junction is the lack of general retail. Bring on Fred Meyer! If not, PCC would be the perfect alternative, with their current location soon being disrupted.

  • brian March 27, 2017 (7:41 am)

    Whole Foods isn’t going to open in this space at all. Best bet is to shop it to Target or a similar retailer.

    Interesting Side Note: I only just recently realized that the developers were leaning pretty hard on this guy’s name to prop up the legitimacy of this behemoth development: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Whittaker 

  • Rick March 27, 2017 (7:45 am)

    If Freddy’s showed up here I might be tempted to stay.

    • WSMom March 27, 2017 (11:20 am)

      A Fred Meyer would be fabulous. 

    • sb2780 March 27, 2017 (3:37 pm)

      Fred Meyer is never going into that space. It’s Kroger owned, just like QFC. They’d basically be cannibalizing their own profits.  

      • WSobserver March 27, 2017 (5:47 pm)

        That hasn’t stopped Starbucks.

  • Trickycoolj March 27, 2017 (7:52 am)

    I’d take Walmart Marketplace or Winco. I’m tired of having to abandon my cart in Trader Joe’s because there are so many empty shelves it’s like trying to shop in East Germany. I don’t make the fancy dual income required for organic fancy foods, we need affordable groceries. 

    • dawsonct March 27, 2017 (9:33 am)

      Winco yes, Walmart? Hell NO!

  • lvbebe March 27, 2017 (8:05 am)

    @trickycoolj LOL – SO true!

  • CaptAdmiral March 27, 2017 (8:22 am)

    By my quick count, there are currently 7 grocery stores between Admiral Junction and Morgan Junction. And then there’s Westwood Village QFC, Target grocery, and Roxbury Safeway. There’s a farmers market every Sunday. Also, there is Amazon Fresh. West Seattle is in no way hurting for food outlets.

    I think we’ll survive.

    • ImmaMom March 27, 2017 (12:54 pm)

      Uh, have you tried met market on a Friday night or PCC on a weekend?  Packed.  We (maybe not you) need another quality grocery store.  

      • IveALife March 27, 2017 (8:41 pm)

        Maybe choose another time to shop.

        • ImmaMom March 27, 2017 (9:42 pm)

          Aren’t you lucky?  We work. 

    • Linda March 27, 2017 (9:53 pm)

        

        Here here! Another retail outlet full of Chinese manufactured goods is  certainly not needed in West Seattle! (or anywhere in the USA)

  • sw March 27, 2017 (8:22 am)

    Perhaps PCC should just move into that space.  Solves two problems.

    • Chuck March 27, 2017 (10:47 am)

      Yup. That was my thinking, too.

      • Xenscooter March 27, 2017 (12:28 pm)

        Me three. We don’t lose PCC, WF is OUT… 

        Put the Target City in the ex-PCC site. 

    • WGA March 28, 2017 (2:55 pm)

      I’m guessing that PCC is tied to a lease in the new space. The only way out would be if the new building was delayed, like the original Whole Food space was.

  • JB March 27, 2017 (8:32 am)

    I’d love to get an Uwajimaya over here!

    • Sassy March 27, 2017 (11:38 am)

      Yes, Yes! Uwajimaya!!

      • patt March 27, 2017 (2:33 pm)

        Yes!!! Uwajimaya or any other ethnic market

        • Pinhead March 28, 2017 (7:16 am)

          Yes to that!

        • AmandaK(H) March 28, 2017 (1:33 pm)

          There are literally 5 “ethnic supermarkets” in White Center.

  • David March 27, 2017 (8:34 am)

    I LIKE the idea of PCC in that space.  NICE!

  • Chaz March 27, 2017 (8:47 am)

    A Fred Meyer in West Seattle would be a dream come true if they have the space for something like that…

  • Thistlemist March 27, 2017 (8:48 am)

    Sorry to burst the Fred Myers bubble (I grew up in Oregon and love them) but both Fred Myers and QFC are owned by the same company, so I doubt they would move a FM into a space so close to QFC. I for one would love it if a craft store like Ben Franklin moved in but that is my own wishful thinking!

    • GAnative March 27, 2017 (9:15 am)

      Or JoAnn’s!

      • Cb March 27, 2017 (1:33 pm)

        Yes! Joann’s or Michael’s!

      • AJ March 29, 2017 (4:46 pm)

        Yes, a large fabric and craft store would be great! I miss the Hancock Fabrics that used to be next to the Jiffy Lube. 

  • K'lo March 27, 2017 (8:58 am)

    @sw – my thought also! PCC into the triangle!

  • montanapup March 27, 2017 (9:11 am)

    Vote for Uwajimaya!!! WF can go back to where they came from………

    • westseattlebob March 27, 2017 (11:17 am)

      yessss!!!! that would be incredibly awesome!

  • Peter March 27, 2017 (9:12 am)

    This is an excellent opportunity for them to reconfigure the space for smaller retail businesses.

    • Peter March 27, 2017 (9:26 am)

      Or not. The space was sold to Weingarten Realty Investors, which specializes in large-scale retail. Weingarten still lists this as a Whole Foods, and is only listing the smaller spaces on Fauntleroy as currently available for lease. Looks like Whole Foods is still coming.

      • WSB March 27, 2017 (9:33 am)

        Weingarten has *always* been in charge of the retail in The Whittaker’s space – we have reported that since first word of the project five years ago, and have quoted reps numerous times – so the “sale” mentioned by the DJC (and, I noticed while researching early this am, the PSBJ) is basically a paperwork technicality. I am still waiting to hear directly from WF but also hope to confirm with Weingarten that WF still has a lease. There is a document on file with the county from just a few weeks ago that seems to suggest it does. – TR

  • Dale March 27, 2017 (9:14 am)

    Whole Foods did the same thing on the Interbay site back in 2008. They successfully renegotiated the lease. Recall they were supposed to be the major tenant for the original “Hole” across the street. They left that project too. 

    • WSB March 27, 2017 (9:20 am)

      That’s noted in the story above, which links to our 2010 report from when WF announced formally that they were no longer part of the project – but that was a different situation; the project was not being constructed, and therefore eventually violated the terms of their lease, which said they would have a space to occupy by a particular date … when they announced they were out, the site was still The Hole. It was a few more years before the site was bought by Madison at foreclosure auction; they built the project as per the last pre-excavation design from previous owners, but filled the retail space with LA Fitness. – TR

      • WGA March 28, 2017 (2:59 pm)

        That is why PCC is not a good fit here for them. They would have to break their lease with the developers of the their new building if they wanted to move into this space.

        Not to say Weingarten might not agree to pay any costs for PCC to break their current lease!

  • North of Admiral March 27, 2017 (9:25 am)

    A Target would kill it in that location…but may be a little small. 

  • Lola March 27, 2017 (9:43 am)

    Not a big loss since we already have many food stores in WS.  A Fred Myer I would love.

  • West Seattle Hipster March 27, 2017 (9:46 am)

    More retail please, not enough store that sells overpriced food.  How about a Hobby Lobby or a Michaels.

    • Xenscooter March 27, 2017 (12:31 pm)

      H*bby L*bby is in the same class of PNG as Mall*Wart. (Besides, we’d never get one of the latter here, they’d actually have to pay people! )

      Michael’s? Now we’re talking.  

  • sunnyday March 27, 2017 (9:51 am)

    Fred Meyer?? Target?? Walmart?? Hobby Lobby?? How about something that isn’t a chain…or cheap.?? Sometimes it’s just good to get out of West Seattle.  Those are for suburbia.

    • JHC March 27, 2017 (10:19 am)

      Unfortunately, anything that isn’t a chain wouldn’t survive there. The space is too large for a small business to take over.

  • TAD March 27, 2017 (10:10 am)

    Incredibly disappointing. 

    I hope they figure this out ASAP, and with a good tenant. 

    • WSB March 27, 2017 (10:16 am)

      Have just received a statement from Weingarten and have added to end of story. “Several prospects.”

  • Lindsey March 27, 2017 (10:17 am)

    3rd vote for Uwajimaya! I’d also be happy with a Freddie’s, but I think the space would be too small for one.

  • sam-c March 27, 2017 (10:31 am)

    Count me  as one who was surprised by this announcement, and then, disappointed.  

  • TC March 27, 2017 (10:35 am)

    all this retail in the junction what about north Delridge?? 

    • Gail March 27, 2017 (5:43 pm)

      Yes! Delridge most certainly needs a grocery store. Wouldn’t be a bad idea if there was also one on 35th Ave. Way too many in the junction – spread the wealth!

  • Dave March 27, 2017 (10:36 am)

    Amazing news!   Best possible outcome would be a retail space that stays vacant for a few years.  Hopefully that would scare away potential would-be developers from the Junction in the near future.

  • Ron Swanson March 27, 2017 (10:41 am)

    Just about the right size space for a Walmart Neighborhood Market.  Wouldn’t that be a fine comeuppance for the UFCW after all their protests and arm twisting over WF.

  • wsgal March 27, 2017 (10:49 am)

    Walmart? Who are you people?

    • Happines1 March 27, 2017 (1:37 pm)

      I think the people who are voting for a wal-mart, are people like my husband and I. We are middle class in a very expensive city; unable to afford the trendy grocery stores, unable to afford the sky rocketing rent, etc, etc, etc.  Families making under a certain income who love living in the city can’t afford it anymore. Not everyone is an overpaid tech hipster. You would find most of your teachers, construction workers, elderly, and middle class shopping at a walmart because we can’t afford spendy pcc and met market. 

      • wsgal March 27, 2017 (4:24 pm)

        I am not a high paid tech worker, in fact I get paid less then a teacher so sorry I don’t fit the bill of what you believe West Seattle is turning into, nor does my husband who works community service. I was more referring to the support of such an awful company. Walmart is awful, they hide criminal acts, they are extremely discriminatory,  they draw a disturbing clientele. Target is down the street, fred myer not too much further and I too, have a tight budget and do fine in West Seattle. 

      • Kathy March 27, 2017 (11:37 pm)

        For clothes shopping, I would take Goodwill over Walmart any day. That’s where I do my shopping, and I’m not poor.  The quality, diversity and prices are much better than anything you can find at Walmart or Target as long as you have time to hunt for what you need. But we know that won’t happen. Everything  else you can get on the internet and don’t need a huge retail space for.  Wrong demographic in that area for those big box retail stores. Uwajimaya, maybe. It’s pretty pricey and somewhat limited, but I do shop there every week because it’s on my bike route home. Once again, do we have the demographic to support it? I seriously doubt it.  

        Count me among ones who will miss PCC big time while it’s being remodeled.

        I’ll have to check out The New Improved Metro Market, because what I really want/like is a great bulk foods section and as I recall, they were weak in that area. With bulk foods, you save money while saving the planet by reducing packaging. Win-win.

        I just noticed QFC on Alaska has repositioned their bulk foods more prominently into a square configuration in their produce section. That was a smart move.

         

  • WSFanBoy March 27, 2017 (10:55 am)

    I vote for Walmart.

  • WSFam March 27, 2017 (11:07 am)

    Great news for PCC and Met Market. I like the idea of Uwajimaya!

  • JanS March 27, 2017 (11:08 am)

    I, personally, do not want anything associated with the name Walmart in West Seattle. It’s bad enough they pay a poor wage, so employees have to use food stamps, etc.   None of us need to support that kind of company, and make them richer on the backs of low income people.

    • Swede. March 27, 2017 (11:36 am)

      Totally agree! 

      It’s surprising with how humane/liberal/or-whatever-you-like-to-call-it Seattleites are and still have so little knowledge for how Walmart is. 

    • Ron Swanson March 27, 2017 (11:43 am)

      Walmart, would, of course, be subject to the same incremental $15/hr minimum wage scheme as every other large employer in Seattle, so I’m not sure why this would be an issue. Especially to all these other commenters pining for a Target, every bit as much an exemplar of paying as little as possible.

      • Happines1 March 27, 2017 (1:40 pm)

        So true.  Target employees are not paid amazing wages either….and great point, walmart is subject to the same wage laws passed. Just because target looks cuter, let’s face it, it carries the same products…i have never bought a piece of clothing from target that didn’t fall apart in 1 year….

    • Cb March 27, 2017 (1:36 pm)

      Seriously! Walmart would ruin West Seattle. 

    • Alki March 27, 2017 (4:31 pm)

      I agree no Walmart 

  • TAD March 27, 2017 (11:10 am)

    God, I hope it’s not a Walmart.

  • westseattlebob March 27, 2017 (11:15 am)

    all the more reason to hate whole paycheck!! once the PCC close for construction i will be found at the farmers market where all of you who think there is nothing organic to shop for veggies should go!!!

  • Sarah March 27, 2017 (11:25 am)

    Please God, make it a NEW SEASONS!!!

    • sam-c March 27, 2017 (12:12 pm)

      +1 for new seasons

    • trickycoolj March 27, 2017 (12:57 pm)

      +1 New Seasons! Parent recently moved to Oregon, love shopping there when I visit.

    • jenni March 27, 2017 (1:18 pm)

      New Seasons, YES!

    • LarryB March 27, 2017 (2:40 pm)

      New Seasons would be super-awesome! They’re already on Mercer Island.

    • AlkiGrl March 27, 2017 (9:42 pm)

      New Seasons?  Ugh.  No way.  We do not need any OUT OF STATE,  non-union grocers when this area is already saturated with food options.  Bring on a mini non-food Fred Meyer please. 

      • trickycoolj March 28, 2017 (11:58 am)

        @alkigrl Have you ever shopped at New Seasons?  Portland is about as local as you can get.  Freddy’s was originally an Oregon (out of state!) company bought out by Kroger (also out of state!) anyway.  New Seasons supports local artisans, tons of organics, great deli, and had a fantastic gluten free Thanksgiving dinner that my mom purchased since we were only cooking for 3.  And it’s laughable to think that New Seasons wouldn’t pay on par or better than a union store, lucky for them they don’t have to shell out for dues to get those benefits.  Maybe a New Seasons across the street would get Trader Joes to do better inventory.  My last 3 trips have required a side trip to QFC to get things that they didn’t get enough stock of for the week. 

  • bolo March 27, 2017 (11:32 am)

    How about Hancock Fabrics (as was promised for the the original Hole Foods location across the street)?

  • sunnyday March 27, 2017 (11:32 am)

    Stop with the Walmart. Not even funny. Nor is Fred Meyer. 

  • dude March 27, 2017 (11:34 am)

    ++ Fred’s or Uwaj

    — Walmart (ugh)

  • WSFoodie March 27, 2017 (11:46 am)

    I just want a decent salad bar in West Seattle.  It’s not too much to ask.  

  • Susan Staples March 27, 2017 (11:47 am)

    Not WallMart or any other big out of state chain store. West Seattle needs to support its in state businesses. Whole Foods has never been really committed to West Seattle. Let’s find a Washington based business who can successfully take this space and thrive.

  • M March 27, 2017 (11:47 am)

    Devastated. This is horrible news. Please just don’t put a drug store in there. 

    • WSB March 27, 2017 (12:20 pm)

      At one point, a drug store was planned for the south building (the one facing Fauntleroy). Their prospective tenant needed a drive-up; the drive-up met resistance in various reviews, so the drugstore didn’t happen and that space is now multiple smaller tenants. And of course, if anyone missed our story some months ago, the CVS planned across the street, which would have had a drive-up, is dead too. – TR

  • AL March 27, 2017 (12:03 pm)

    Seriously WF. Glad they aren’t coming. We have enough grocery stores in  that area.  Omg no walmart please!  Those are the creepiest stores ever!

    ive l

  • Stephanie March 27, 2017 (12:06 pm)

    Amazon Go store! No more standing in line. 

  • Eric March 27, 2017 (12:23 pm)

    I’m not a big fan of Whole Foods.  I stopped patronizing them a couple of years ago after I received Bad service a few times in a row.  

  • KM March 27, 2017 (12:24 pm)

    Waitrose

  • Sunuva March 27, 2017 (12:27 pm)

    IMO, it would be great if the space could be re-purposed into a small mall that could support several smaller local businesses. That is what WS should be about; supporting local business. Another chain grocery store, especially one so expensive as Whole Foods was definitely not needed there.

  • Old Friend March 27, 2017 (12:31 pm)

     March Madness Indeed..we might as well start a blog gambling pool… I’ll put $10 on PDX based New Seasons.

  • Adrian March 27, 2017 (12:45 pm)

    Din Tai Fung is my vote.

    • longtimeresident March 28, 2017 (1:22 pm)

      OMG, can you even imagine?!!!! As I was reading all the comments and practically choking on some, yours was a vision of delight. Maybe is we wish upon a star……

  • really? March 27, 2017 (12:45 pm)

    West Seattle Trader Joes is like shopping in East Germany?  Not enough organic produce in west seattle?  Wow.  Sounds like some really upper class, first world problems.  There are 5 supermarkets in a 2 mile radius (6 if you count PCC), and a Sunday Farmers Market, and everyone is crying because they don’t get a Whole Foods?  Why dont you go try to buy organic produce in White Center or South Park.  Open your eyes to the privilege of living in WS.    

    • ImmaMom March 27, 2017 (1:14 pm)

      Geez.  Stop giving us a hard time.  Unless you have the privilege of shopping on off hours, grocery stores around here are BUSY! We need another good one.  WF also has awesome quick food/mostly made meals for us busy (+privileged?) people. They are nice stores with yummy food. 

    • Winnie March 27, 2017 (5:12 pm)

      +1. I shop after work frequently. I have never. Never seen qfc or Safeway so busy that I have to wait more than 5 minutes or so to check out. 

      • East Coast Cynic March 29, 2017 (2:36 pm)

        @Winnie, from my experience shopping after work at QFC and Safeway in the Alaska Junction as well as the Safeway in White Center, I have waited more than 5 minutes for a checker on occasion.  Not the fault of the checkers, but the stores do get busy in that time around 6pm. 

         

        Face it, our growing population on the peninsula needs a variety of grocery options:). 

    • trickycoolj March 28, 2017 (12:04 pm)

      Yeah really? Try shopping on Monday or Tuesday after work.  Whole bread section empty one week.  No bananas in the whole store another week.  No shampoo the next week.  Zero cabbages the week of St. Patricks day.  These did not occur during the days of Snoqualmie Pass being closed and preventing their supply truck from arriving (that week included giant empty sections in the refrigerators and freezers and a severe lack of produce).  And yes, I do shop at Roxbury Safeway from time to time to enjoy my free plastic bags, but I found myself digging through rotting produce too many times to pay $afeway prices.  QFC at Westwood is like the step child to the beautiful QFC at the Junction, at Westwood Village you get to dodge store security just to walk in the door and also have to cross your fingers to hope their produce is actually stocked.  Thriftway prices are astronomical which is unfortunate considering it’s the closest store to High Point, they only get my business when I’m absolutely out of milk or eggs and don’t have time to deal with the parking at WWV or the Junction.

    • AmandaK(H) March 28, 2017 (1:39 pm)

      I’m with you Really – the whining is intolerable.   Delridge (you know the other half of West Seattle) doesn’t have an grocery store.  Until you get to Westwood Village and White Center.  The Delridge Co-Op has been trying to open for 6 YEARS because of a lack of funds.  But yes, let’s complain about the lack of another grocery store that sells organic produce.  Wow everyone.  Wow. 

  • Katie March 27, 2017 (12:46 pm)

    New Seasons would be great in that space. They have one on Mercer Island  and one in Vancouver WA now, and should be expanding. Its my favorite grocery chain in Portland.

  • skeeter March 27, 2017 (12:51 pm)

    My family does not shop at PCC/Whole Foods/Met Market/Thriftway.  Folks earning (and spending!) $250k/year have plenty of places to shop.  I’d like to see a Target or Walmart – a place that the 95% can afford.

    Of course the rent on that location must be insanely high.  So it’s likely whatever they put in there will be outside of our budget. 

    side note – I’ve never understood people who love Target but think Walmart is evil.  Same business model, folks. 

     

     

    • Happines1 March 27, 2017 (1:43 pm)

      Soooo true!!!

    • LarryB March 27, 2017 (2:43 pm)

      Target is a much better employer than WalMart. WalMart actually helps it’s very badly paid employees file for welfare.

    • Who's Running This Place March 31, 2017 (3:56 pm)

      Don’t forget to include Amazon in that category as well.  Workers in their fulfillment centers are treated much like Walmart workers.

  • James Guest March 27, 2017 (1:14 pm)
    We got way too many super markets in West Seattle.  It’s crazy.  I’m glad Whole Foods is leaving, they would not do well here.  There are two Safeways, a Thriftway, QFC, PCC, Metropolitan and Trader Joes!

    Yes!
    – Fred Meyer
    – Uwajimaya or any other ethnic market
    – Target
    – Amazon Go
    – Mini library like the one in Southercenter mall

    No!
    – Walmart
    – PCC
    – Whole Foods
    – Restaurant (Sorry I love Din Tai Fung but they would not generate enough business for it to be sustainable here.  Restaurants like Shelby’s couldn’t even make it work on Ca Ave.)
    – No niche business like yarn or fabric stores


    • Happines1 March 27, 2017 (2:16 pm)

      Let’s not forget all of the rich people who use Amazon Prime! There is so much money here, many people never step foot in a store anymore….

    • LarryB March 27, 2017 (2:44 pm)

      Way too many grocery stores? Just ask anyone who lives east of 35th about that.

      • James Guest March 27, 2017 (3:33 pm)

        How would having a supermarket here help you?   This location is west of your location and happens to be right next to a Trader Joes, Safeway and QFC :)

      • Gail March 27, 2017 (5:51 pm)

        Exactly! Need at least 1 grocery store somewhere in the Delridge area – and 35th Ave,too. I remember when the U Haul place used to be a grocery store and that big building on 35th and Roxbury used to be a grocery store, too Why don’t we (people East of 35th) have anywhere to shop?? As for the Whole Food pulling out – no one has mentioned a Home Goods Store – nearest one is Federal Way!

    • Jackson Longfellow March 27, 2017 (5:29 pm)

      So you complain of too many supermarkets but say yes to Fred Meyer and Uwajimaya, which are technically also supermarkets. Your logic does not compute.

  • Jon Wright March 27, 2017 (1:17 pm)

    How about Dick’s? I hear they’re looking for a location somewhere south! ;)

  • Cb March 27, 2017 (1:23 pm)

    NOOOO!!!! We’ve been waiting so long and were SO excited. What terrible news! It’s ridiculous we have to go so far to get to a Whole Foods. I know there are lots of people who were against it, but being on the southern end of WS, it’s frustrating not having more natural food stores nearby. Gonna go cry myself a river now.

  • Mr E March 27, 2017 (1:33 pm)

    My wish list:

    • Natural Grocers! They only location in Washington state is in Vancouver, and the store carries a wonderful selection of bulk items, organic produce, and other offerings at incredibly low prices.
    • A co-op like the one in Mt Vernon! That store is one of my favorite places to stop and shop whenever we travel to Bellingham or Vancouver.

    Anything but QFC, Fred Meyer, Safeway, Michael’s, Marshall’s, Target, Walmart, Bed Bath Beyond, or JoAnn Crafts & Fabrics.

  • Fess March 27, 2017 (1:49 pm)

    This is a great line of commentary on WS’s privileged food sources. Your population is twice that of the residential count in downtown Seattle. Yet WS has now three times more food stores than DT which has a full line Target CICTI, a smallish Kress/AG, that old Saveway in Pioneer SQ, the Pike Place Market (85% food service) and multiple mini-marts for late night snack food. DT residents with cars can get to expanded choices on Queen Anne, the ID and Uwajamya, or chain stores on Capitol Hill. They are content enough with more walking and fresher produce and Amazon Direct or Meals on Wheels. But I don’t speak for all 30K of them.  

  • Junctionite March 27, 2017 (1:56 pm)

    Seems like a Total Wine or BevMo might be a possibility.

  • cristyptown March 27, 2017 (1:59 pm)

    Fred Meyer!  Fred Meyer! Fred Meyer! 

    • Gittel March 28, 2017 (11:47 am)

      A Fred Meyer would allow us to buy everyday items without having to go to Burien or Fremont, as now, or to Westwood in hopesTarget has something. It’s not that we need another grocery store as much as we need a General Store. I’m still grieving the loss of Hancock with their deep inventory of sewing notions.

  • West Seattle since 1979 March 27, 2017 (2:06 pm)

    Uwajimaya would be great! 

  • steve March 27, 2017 (2:31 pm)

    how about a movie theatre?

    • dawsonct March 28, 2017 (11:49 pm)

      Four theatres in the Admiral Dist. isn’t close enough?

  • D Del Rio March 27, 2017 (2:40 pm)

    Winco for us poor common follk that were here before the hipsters!! I am sure it woyld be packed, and I am sure Safeway or Qfc in the Junctuon would go under if they came in. 

    • dawsonct March 28, 2017 (11:53 pm)

      Winco IS the superior choice for those looking for Walmart prices without America-destroying business practices.
      A good regional chain that treats their employees very well.

  • LarryB March 27, 2017 (2:46 pm)

    I’d love to see a store operated by Town & Country, like Ballard Market or the Central Market in Shoreline. When I lived in the north end, I could do all my shopping in one place. In West Seattle, I need to go to two or three stores to fill the same market basket.

    • Rider March 27, 2017 (5:56 pm)

      Central Market would be tops. I haven’t been to any local yet but the one in Texas took all my money :)

    • Brian Engler March 27, 2017 (7:47 pm)

      A Central Market would be my first choice, I love the one in Shoreline; great seafood, great produce, really good prices and locally owned. 

  • T.A. March 27, 2017 (2:53 pm)

    Not sure how reliable this is, but a friend who is a realtor says it’s most likely going to be the PCC. I hope that’s true. 

    Also, hell no to a Walmart. Don’t you put that evil on West Seattle. 

  • Soccer1 March 27, 2017 (3:00 pm)

    What about a Nordstrom Rack or something so we don’t have to go to Southcenter or Downtown? Nordstrom is local and the clothing is way better than Target…just a thought. 

    • wsgal March 27, 2017 (4:28 pm)

      Someone finally speaking my language

  • Lucia A Robinson March 27, 2017 (3:12 pm)

    Too bad PCC can’t move in there and just stay.

  • Jort Sandwich March 27, 2017 (3:15 pm)

    This seems like a great opportunity to provide temporary housing to homeless people under the West Seattle Bridge. Perhaps we could set up an indoor “tent city” in the Whole Foods space? 

    Let’s get creative!

  • Jen March 27, 2017 (3:26 pm)

    I don’t get the frustration at all, I really don’t. We are all so privileged (even those of us living over here in Highland Park!), yet people are getting their panties in bunch because we’re not getting another grocery store, to add to the several that we already have within a few mile radius? Seriously? Not enough of an organic/vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free/half caf/double shot selection?!? There are so many other things we could be discussing and frankly, worrying about, in this world than the fact we won’t be seeing Whole Foods in this neighborhood any time soon. I’m saddened to read many of these “me/me/oh yes and then ME” posts.

  • LD March 27, 2017 (3:59 pm)

    PCC!!!  I just called their office with the news.  Hope it can happen.  I think lots of folks are not aware that PCC is way more than a ” grocery store “.  They are active supporters of our communities, such as supporting the Farmland Trust and food banks; plus, they vet products for safe ingredients and sourcing for fair labor practices and environmental stewardship. I would never support a Walmart.  They devastated my small farming community hometown.  Ran all our local mom and pop businesses out; then, decided to build a superstore, leaving the already huge location empty.  They are not good neighbors.

    • AlkiGrl March 27, 2017 (9:51 pm)

      And pcc workers have a voice in the job and a union contract.  One of my faves,  for sure! 

  • Just Wondering March 27, 2017 (4:04 pm)

    There are famines happening in the world in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and Yemen.  

    And the need isn’t just for food but for water.

    I agree with Jen

     “Seriously?

    Not enough of an organic/vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free/half caf/double shot selection?!?”

    • wsgal March 27, 2017 (4:30 pm)

      What do you suggest go into this space at $42/sq ft? 

  • wsgal March 27, 2017 (4:32 pm)

    Playdate  West Seattle y’all!

    • Sunuva March 27, 2017 (4:54 pm)

      We just visited Playdate in South Lake Union this weekend and had a great time. Good idea! This space seems like it would still be too large for that, but I don’t see why they couldn’t reconfigure it to hold more than one business.

  • Stephanie March 27, 2017 (4:33 pm)

    Ok well perfect location to open that new Dicks Drive in now that it’s going to the South end! 

  • West Seattle Mom March 27, 2017 (4:40 pm)

    City Target?!?

  • Mike March 27, 2017 (4:59 pm)

    H-MART, please please please please please please

    • Tn March 28, 2017 (10:41 pm)

      H mart  w a food court— i would be sooooo happy

    • AJ March 29, 2017 (4:55 pm)

      H-Mart would be awesome, and probably more likely to happen than Uwajimaya, considering our proximity to the I.D. 

  • Josh B. March 27, 2017 (5:03 pm)

    I bet it’s going to be that CVS that was slated for across the street that never happened.

  • Greg March 27, 2017 (5:11 pm)

    I realize we’re on the wrong coast, but a Wegmans in that location would be awesome!

  • Greg March 27, 2017 (5:13 pm)

    I realize we’re on the wrong coast, but a Wegmans in that location would be so awesome!

  • Jackson Longfellow March 27, 2017 (5:23 pm)

    So if PCC has to leave their current spot, why not move here? Anyone know why that isn’t a possibility? 

    • WSB March 27, 2017 (5:38 pm)

      I’ll be asking them if they have any comment. But for one … they have a lease. The 2749 California SW project so far has been designed around them as the ground-floor tenant and exclusive commercial tenant. Would SEEM unlikely they could just say “Hey, landlord, it’s been real, but we have a better prospect!” One other thing … the WF space in The Whittaker is much bigger than the planned new PCC space.

      • Sam-c March 27, 2017 (7:26 pm)

        Well sure, but wasn’t the whittaker spot ‘designed around’ whole foods moving in there? Loading docks, delivery access and what-not? Same diff?  If whole foods can back out, couldn’t pcc back out of their admiral location? Same difference

      • HappyOnAlki March 27, 2017 (8:19 pm)

        Maybe as an interim tenant? Maybe?

  • JayDee March 27, 2017 (5:46 pm)

    While it remains, Weat Seattle Produce has great prices, friendly staff, and locally sourced pasta and coffee (Vashon Roastery). TJs has great prices on meat and many other things. I remember HS kids comparing prices and they picked the Roxbury Safeway as the best deal.  Amazon PrimeNow has started sourcing stuff from NewSeasons (never heard of them before this).  Federal Way has a local organic don’t panic store called: Marlene’s Market and Deli which my southend friends like.

  • David March 27, 2017 (5:50 pm)

    New Seasons?

  • Marianne March 27, 2017 (6:25 pm)

    I love the idea of the PCC moving over to that space.  It makes perfect sense.  

  • Jennifer March 27, 2017 (6:30 pm)

    I’d love to see PCC in that space.  I have been shopping at QFC recently, because it’s closer and acclimating myself to its selection (its Simple Truth brand is healthy but limited), but there is NO other store you can walk into besides PCC where healthy people (think of all  your friends, acquaintances who have food intolerances, gluten sensitivies, and other inflammatory/disease issues OR who rely on their health for their job/passion) can walk in and buy anything without reading labels carefully or spending an inordinate amount of time vetting products. It’s not a privilege to eat food that is clean of pesticides, GMOs, additives and preservatives. It’s a right. That’s why the other stores in West Seattle have started to carry these products. I do think it’s great to utilize the Farmer’s Market as much as possible, but one grocery store focused on health food is not going to hurt anyone who prefers not to have that food. There are many, many options for you at those other stores. Besides, quite honestly it is a myth that it costs more in the long run for healthy organic food. It saves money on future medical bills AND you eat less because there is more nutrition in the meals you do eat. And most doctors will tell you it’s best for most Americans to eat less.

    Besides, quite honestly it is a myth that it costs more in the long run for healthy organic food and that it’s only for the upper class. It saves money on future medical bills, AND you eat less because there is more nutrition in the meals you do eat. Most doctors will tell you it’s best for most Americans to eat less but more healthy.  For those of you who want a Dick’s, PCC has burgers and pizza slices in its deli. But they will give your body a lot more energy because they vet all of their products. It’s a step down from the farmer’s market as far as health, but sometimes it’s the only way for some people to shop if they work on Sunday or have other commitments. Thanks for letting me have my say.

    • T March 27, 2017 (8:04 pm)

      Jennifer  and others  I must disagree with you…

      “Besides, quite honestly it is a myth that it costs more in the long run for healthy organic food and that it’s only for the upper class. ”  

      There is no myth that it costs more in the “short” run for healthy organic food, that is a fact.   The problem occurs because for so many  “short” run is the only option  available.   I am lucky enough at this point to be able to “shop” for the long term be it food, health insurance, mortgage, etc.  Previously that was not an option .   I knew that I was paying  a much larger price in the “long run” but I had no choice.  Please consider that your neighbors may be in a different financial situation than yourself and may not be able to” spend more to save later.” 

      You may also have neighbors that think/feel that you do not spend wisely!



      • Jennifer March 28, 2017 (8:58 am)

        Hi T, In response to your post which says:

        “There is no myth that it costs more in the “short” run for healthy organic food, that is a fact.   The problem occurs because for so many  “short” run is the only option  available.   I am lucky enough at this point to be able to “shop” for the long term be it food, health insurance, mortgage, etc.  Previously that was not an option .   I knew that I was paying  a much larger price in the “long run” but I had no choice.  Please consider that your neighbors may be in a different financial situation than yourself and may not be able to” spend more to save later.” 

        You may also have neighbors that think/feel that you do not spend wisely!”

        I shop for the short term as well, and I’m betting I make and have less than you to go around. We all have our priorities and health is mine which I feel is going to save me in the long run, still, which is important because I’ll be around to enjoy it. Others don’t have a say in what my priorities are so that’s fine for them to think what they want. It’s none of my business to know what others think of my personal choices as I don’t make judgments like that on others.

        I don’t ask that you accept my choices, but that you consider that you have many grocery store shelves to shop from while those of us looking for preservative free/healthy food could use an option since PCC is closing for 1.5 years. And hey, then you wouldn’t have to bump into me and my objectionable food choices in those other stores, because I’ll be at PCC shopping  so it’s a win-win!

        PS By the way, I support healthy food for all, not just those who can afford it so attacking me does you no good.
         

  • End Of The Line March 27, 2017 (6:32 pm)

    A Trump Hotel?

    I kid. I kid.

  • search the archive March 27, 2017 (6:58 pm)

    @wsb do you have a photo of the original sign when it was the pit? Someone replaced “Whole Foods” with “Hole Foods” and “coming in Fall 2010” to “…2040”?

    • WSB March 27, 2017 (7:03 pm)

      Yes, happened onto that while searching for images this morning

  • wlcg06 March 27, 2017 (7:51 pm)

    My gosh…where to begin. First of all, bravo to the reader that misses Wegmans! From Upstate here as well and miss the high quality / low prices and especially the café inside each store. No supermarket gets that idea here. Speaking of a café how about a nice affordable family restaurant with a decent menu (i.e. variety, American) in the 1st floor of the Whittaker? I’m definitely not talking Denny’s or IHOP…no, can we please entertain the idea of a real diner or two please! Aside from Luna, where can I take my spouse and 3 kids, sit down in a clean booth or table,  and order a good meal at a fair price less than $100…in West Seattle? I am tired of being meal fleeced by places along California and Alki…citizens of WS you should be too.

    • WSB March 27, 2017 (7:57 pm)

      There is a not-yet-leased-as-of-last-time-I-asked restaurant space on the east side of the south building.

    • Agrees March 28, 2017 (7:55 pm)

      wlc,

      I don’t know if it’s too far for you, but try Burien.  It has some great restaurants with reasonable prices.  152nd and 153rd are full of them.  Just to name a few:  Classic Eats, Smarty Pants, Side Street, Fish House, Greek House, Countryside Cafe, Elliot Bay.  I could go on.  All are family friendly.  

      Oh – some 21 and over spots:  The Tin Room and Theatre ($8 movies!), The Point, 909 Coffee and Wine, 913 (the place next door).  All have excellent food and cocktails.

      Usually free parking within a half a block.  I rarely bother with West Seattle anymore..

  • Whale Watcher March 27, 2017 (8:08 pm)

    Love the idea of Uwajimaya or H Mart.

  • joe March 27, 2017 (8:47 pm)

    No whole foods is a win for the neighborhood.  there is no need for another grocery store in that area.  chop it up and get some small local businesses in there. 

    Oh and by the way…  the color scheme on that entire project is terrible.  green trim over blue paint next to grey metal panel next to two colors of tan next to dark brick.  its a tragedy what they did on it.  what an ugly building.

    • Joan March 27, 2017 (9:45 pm)

      I am with you! The colors are most depressing and ugly.

  • p March 27, 2017 (8:51 pm)

    Another vote for a Central Market like in Poulsbo.  Best grocery chain in the state.

  • Heather March 27, 2017 (9:26 pm)

    Voting completely against grocery outlets and requesting a hospital. 

  • Mr. B March 27, 2017 (9:28 pm)

    Extremely dissapointed.  The grocery scene in West Seattle is a disaster.  Meat and Fish are horrible… we drive to Burien’s B&E butcher as you can’t get a fresh piece of fish in WS.  Also sick of the tired hot-food scene at our grocery stores where fried chicken and Jo-Jo’s dominate the menu. 

    This is a big setback for West Seattle which deserves the quality Whole Foods would have brought.  

    • dawsonct March 29, 2017 (12:14 am)

      No quality seafood in W. Seattle!?
      http://www.seattlefishcompany.com/

      Barring that, Uwajimaya is closer than Burien, and if you aren’t going to Mutual Fish for your seafood anyway, you’re doing it wrong.

      I DO like B&E for land animals, but this place is also worth checking out, a little bit closer, and run by the Salle’s, who’ve been butchering meat for West Seattleites for many decades now:
      http://meatthelivebutcher.com/

  • WS Guy March 27, 2017 (10:35 pm)

    How about an open farmers market like Pike Market downtown?  WS Produce and some other local farmers could set up permanent stalls there.

    Philly has a great version of that in their downtown too.

  • Jissy March 27, 2017 (10:38 pm)

    SPROUT’S!!!  My fav fav store in Arizona and So. California, like a PCC only better.

      

  • kk March 27, 2017 (11:00 pm)

    Uwajimaya !!!!


  • Madge March 27, 2017 (11:04 pm)

    Ditto to PCC or Uwajimaya!!! NEVER Walmart.

  • S.E transplant March 28, 2017 (6:51 am)

    How about a Publix….since we are wishing for those tenants that will never happen. 

  • Nancy March 28, 2017 (7:02 am)

    I agree with Mr. E!  How about a food co-op?  Natural Grocers sounds interesting.  How about Central Co-op?  PCC is great too.  I’d love to see something that continues to make West Seattle the enviable and unique community that it already is!

  • Jaylaw March 28, 2017 (7:17 am)

    Sorry I’m a little late to the party here but just a brief Rant…

    Walmart?  Michael’s? Or any other national chain?  What is wrong with some of you?  You’re the reason for the destruction of West Seattle!  You fell in love with our quaintness and charm but then decided, ” hmm, wouldn’t it be great with a  (fill in the blank here – National Chain) store!”  No it wouldn’t!!  What’s next, an Olive Garden or Applebee’s in the old Shelby space?  Please stop with all the nonsense on movie theaters (we have one- try the awesome new Admiral)  or craft stores-yep, got one of those too!  Not good enough for you? Drive the 4 miles across the bridge to AMC or Regal or down to Southcenter.  

    By the way at last count we have 10 grocery stores from Admiral to Roxbury (3 Safeways, Met, PCC, TJ’s, 2 QFC’s, Thriftway and Target!). Still not enough for some of you because you have to wait an extra 5 minutes to stand in line, oh your 1st world problems indeed!  How is a WF going to change that?  You will just get more people here from Burien, Georgetown or other areas not served by a WF, it won’t decrease your shop time.

    We have amazing options for fresh produce already here as well as fresh fish and meats.  I encourage you to “shop outside of the box” and visit WSP, our awesome weekend Farmers Market, Seattle Fish Co. and/or The Swinery.  

    For those complaining about how expensive it is here, either budget your money better or even better yet move to a more affordable location and enjoy your Walmart, big box chaines or soulless corporate juggernauts (Safeway, QFC, TJ’s not withstanding-lol!) someplace else. 

    Me, I’m just fine enjoying my coffee from Uptown Espresso, pizza from Talaricos and ice cream from Husky Deli, thank you very much!

    Happy Tuesday West Seattle!

    • West Seattle Hipster March 28, 2017 (10:52 am)

      Yes, hopefully another local business occupies that space without failing in 6 months or less.

      That space is too large for a “local business” to succeed in.  Hopefully a strong nationwide retailer moves in.

    • TD March 28, 2017 (6:55 pm)

      this is just about the best comment on here!

    • WS Guy March 28, 2017 (11:27 pm)

      This guy gets it.

  • JW March 28, 2017 (9:01 am)

    Retail!

    Something practical. A shoe store. With a good kid section. 

    Dick’s Sporting Goods also comes to mind. 

    A non-grocery Fred Meyer.

    Would love to decrease my reliance on Amazon Prime (but will always take that, over a trip to Southcenter or Burien).  Would never go to Walmart, however. (Besides the politics, that place just really sucks… terrible selection… having lived in a place where it was the only option).

  • Gatewood March 28, 2017 (9:03 am)

    How about a medical facility with a legit 24hr urgent care?  God forbid we get sick in this island! KP bought GH and has a ton of money to invest.  Let’s get a level of medical care that supports our population!

  • misoginger March 28, 2017 (9:29 am)

    @WSB, Do you know if WF backed out @ Broadway & Madison too? 

    • WSB March 28, 2017 (10:20 am)

      According to a tweet by our friend Justin, who’s been publishing CapitolHillSeattle.com as long as we’ve been publishing WSB, that project remains under construction and WF supposedly is opening next year.

  • SueY March 28, 2017 (9:31 am)

    No Whole Foods in West Seattle?????  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!  Where am I gonna buy my kelp noodles, my kale bread or my tofu pizza? I’m on a strict egg-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, taste-free diet and I can only eat food that’s locally sourced (within a 5 mile radius of my house), because I can’t bear the thought of my carbon footprint killing polar bears.

    • West Seattle Hipster March 28, 2017 (10:46 am)

      Hilarious, you nailed it!!

    • trickycoolj March 28, 2017 (12:06 pm)

      I hear Soylent is gaining in popularity. :)

  • JoB March 28, 2017 (11:43 am)

    i wish so many of you weren’t so quick to choose options that would basically drive local West Seattle businesses out of business… 

  • Cole March 28, 2017 (11:48 am)

    Perfect spot for the Lusty Lady!

  • 1907 March 28, 2017 (12:34 pm)

    I suspect Trader Joe’s being just feet away was the nail in the coffin:

    Barron’s: Can Whole Foods Keep Up In a Trader Joe’s World?

    I would have liked a Whole Foods there. However, I’ve been a faithful Trader Joe’s customer for 25 years (in three states), so if I had to choose between the two…

    • WSB March 28, 2017 (12:49 pm)

      TJ’s had been open for months before WF even announced it was going into The Whittaker.

      • 1907 March 28, 2017 (1:20 pm)

        I realize. A head-to-head match-up would perhaps have seemed less risky back then, before Whole Foods got weaker and Trader Joe’s got stronger.

  • Mark March 28, 2017 (12:53 pm)

    Fred Meyers.

  • RooseveltHighAlum March 28, 2017 (1:14 pm)

    Would be nice to see Walmart swoop in and take the property.  Sick and tired of having to go to Renton or Factoria every Saturday for affordable groceries and general goods.

    • Barb March 28, 2017 (11:47 pm)

      Then maybe you should just move to Renton or Federal Way.   West Seattle & Walmart should not even be used in the same sentence!

  • RooseveltHighAlum March 28, 2017 (1:26 pm)

    Raise your hand here if you don’t care at all about “locally sourced” or “local artisans” or “organic” and just want a place on the island to get cheap food/clothes/furniture/toilet paper/kitchen utensils/paper towels/office supplies, etc.

    *raises hand*

    I mean, honestly, the Top Pot donuts sold by QFC taste like garbage and I wish Kroger/QFC/Fred Meyer would start carrying Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donuts in their stores.

    • SueY March 28, 2017 (4:50 pm)

      RAISES BOTH HANDS!!!  I could care less if my eggs were laid by chickens who were free range or not.  I don’t care if the hamburger I buy is from a cow that ate grass or got pumped full of steroids.   Doesn’t concern me in the least.  I just want to have money left over in my wallet after I go to the grocery store.  

      I am so tired of food (and the people who consume it) that’s uber-pretentious and highfalutin.  My husband and I went to New Orleans last month.  Not once did we see the words ORGANIC, LOCALLY SOURCED, SUSTAINABLE, FREE RANGE, GRASS-FED or KALE (not a food but a salad bar decoration in my opinion) in any of the grocery stores or on any restaurant menus.  It was so refreshing.  And believe me, the food down there is by far the best I’ve ever eaten in my life.

      • TD March 28, 2017 (6:57 pm)

        perhaps you should just move there.

        • Marianne March 28, 2017 (9:04 pm)

          Good one!

      • Jon Wright March 30, 2017 (11:02 am)

        Louisana = 4th most obese state

        Washington = 38th most obese state

        (source http://www.eatthis.com/most-and-least-obese-states-in-america-ranked)

        Perhaps there really is something to this “eating healthy” business!

      • Angie P March 30, 2017 (9:05 pm)

        I moved here from New Orleans. That food you ate was vacation food. It’s an awful place to live. Fun to visit but terrible place to live. 

  • ivan March 28, 2017 (1:33 pm)

    I am having a hard time understanding why anybody imagines that Walmart would ever put a store where they would have to pay their employees $15 an hour.

    • erm March 28, 2017 (2:32 pm)

      Ha ha!

  • Enid March 28, 2017 (2:29 pm)

    The insults and accusations of elitism thrown at people who prefer to buy organic are ignorant and misguided.

    The organic movement is not about foodies and exotic, expensive foods, although they have co-opted it in some situations.  It is about sustainable farming methods (here AND in Somalia) and clean, healthy, local food.  (Does anyone actually believe that GMO factory farms are concerned about saving water?!!)  As a low income senior, I’ve found excellent buys at Whole Foods, especially in bulk and non-produce items. And even if I do pay a few cents more, I’m willing to do so for the benefit to the planet.  I also view simple, organic food as the one form of health care I  can afford.

    Not everyone has the time or resources (including a fossil-fuel burning vehicle) to drive from store to store or market to get the items they need, rather than shopping in one place that has it all.

    And yes, it would be great if PCC could take the space and not have to disappear for such a long time…great idea.

    • misoginger March 28, 2017 (3:56 pm)

      I agree. I get tired of folks on here trash talking those who choose to speak up for the right to choose to eat and live organically, free of GMO, and sans animal flesh its by-products. 

      • dawsonct March 29, 2017 (12:23 am)

        Or that maybe some of us take a farther view and see government-subsidized  economic exploitation of America’s working class, for the benefit of a fractional politically connected minority, as unsustainable.

  • sam-c March 28, 2017 (2:37 pm)

    speaking of business updates, any word on when Ulta will open?

    https://westseattleblog.com/2016/06/biznotes-ulta-beauty-whole-foods-more/

  • seaopgal March 28, 2017 (3:31 pm)

    I think this would be a perfect location for a car dealership.

    • AT March 28, 2017 (5:07 pm)

      And a funeral home?

      ;)

      • seaopgal March 28, 2017 (9:38 pm)

        Why, yes!!! lol

  • Rene March 28, 2017 (4:18 pm)

    Big box retail would destroy all of the wonderful local businesses that we have at the junction. I find it a little hypocritical for people to say “no Starbucks!” but will turn around and say yes to Whole Foods, Fred Meyer, Target, or REI. Heck, why not add Nordstrom Rack or Williams Sonoma to the wish list? We already have Westwood Village for big retailers.

    I also find it peculiar that people started moving to West Seattle for the vibe and small neighborhood feel. Then turn around and start hoping someone brings in a Barney’s or Saks. Y’all are HUNGRY for gentrification.

    Truth be told, we really don’t need a grocery store at the Alaska Junction. We already have a Safeway, QFC, and Trader Joes within 2 minutes walking distance of each other.

    I say split up the space and make room for more local businesses and restaurants. Just my humble opinion.

  • Brad March 28, 2017 (4:52 pm)

    I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Walgreens or CVS.

  • 22blades March 28, 2017 (8:58 pm)

    WINCO; Yes. Uwajimaya: Yes.  Fred Meyer; Maybe. Walmart; Not just no but… You know.

  • aa March 29, 2017 (6:24 am)

    http://www.melrosemarketseattle.com/

    Something like this, maybe a bit less pricey would be swell in my book. 

  • Ryan March 29, 2017 (11:50 am)

    Patagonia store or maybe Eddie Bauer or REI. 

  • S March 29, 2017 (1:19 pm)

    Wow a lot people have a lot to say. PCC has a change to get a better location. They should be looking into that location now that Whole Foods is gone. 

  • JenFin March 29, 2017 (3:09 pm)

    I second, third, and fourth PCC moving in. It’s a sore loss for WS to be without them for two years. Was counting on whole paycheck being my backup for organic/vegan during the time PCC moves out. I realize these are first world problems but one of the reasons I live in the city and pay a premium to do so, is for access to these modern day conveniences/luxuries. Super happy for all of the options we do have, even if it makes my grocery shopping take more than two trips to find everything on our list. 

  • Laura March 30, 2017 (10:56 am)

    For those that think Whole Foods is expensive, have you shopped Thriftway lately?  Crazy expensive for an awful organic selection. I have paid less at WF for a cart full of items, than I’ve paid at Safeway or QFC.  I can’t get Met Market to carry a no sugar bacon, even though I’ve requested several times and let them know which brand PCC sells. The only one that has that option is PCC.  Thankfully I can shop in Columbia City or use Amazon Prime Now to shop PCC (thank goodness).  Safeway and QFC are limited in their healthier items, especially when dealing with allergies.  I will check out the Swinery to see if they have a no sugar bacon option.  

    PCC in that location would be great, but my understanding is that they are looking to stay in the same spot. 

    Whole foods has a great fish market among other items.  Seattle Fish Co is okay, but has been out of what I’m looking for the past several trips and I get told the same thing, “first time in 5 years that they’ve been out of X”.  

    • WSB March 30, 2017 (11:17 am)

      I did ask PCC and no, they’re not changing locations – they have “secured” the spot in the new project on their current site, as we first reported last year. And their last day before the construction closure is still scheduled for May 31st.

  • aa March 30, 2017 (11:53 am)

    For those with the financial means to enjoy this, you can still ‘shop’ Whole Foods, PCC, Central Market, etc. through Instacart.com.  I have enjoyed that service for several years and think its great.  For me, the cost of delivery and tip are a worthwhile trade off to stay out of traffic and get chores done at home while I’m waiting for my delivery.  

  • HTB March 30, 2017 (12:22 pm)

    Best Buy!

  • sam-c March 30, 2017 (2:00 pm)

    What about an apple store?  Seems like every apple store I see is busy and people always need to go to the (what do they call it ?) genius bar?        

    • WSB March 30, 2017 (2:03 pm)

      Genius Bar. We’re all-Mac and would be thrilled to see an Apple Store in WS, but this space is way, way bigger than any Apple Store I’ve ever seen …

      • 56bricks March 30, 2017 (2:07 pm)

        There’s signage for what appears to be a new Apple,I-phone,Mac store next to my barber shop next to Office Junction. Service,sales,etc.

        • WSB March 30, 2017 (2:11 pm)

          The big space that was a sort of child care facility for a while? Thanks – despite our numerous trips along California and other arterials with swivel-head to look for signs of new things, missed that. We’ll check it out.

  • Shopping! March 30, 2017 (10:12 pm)

    Lamont’s!! – ha!  For you newbs, that was a homespun dept store chain with a location in Westwood Village before we got the Marshalls and BB&B.

    I’m also old enough to remember being able to have a cocktail in Westwood Village too!   Seriously though, a small department store would rock.  


  • Dale March 31, 2017 (7:31 am)

    Growth and Development
    In the first quarter, the Company opened 13 stores, including two relocations.  So far in the second quarter, the Company has opened three stores, including one relocation, and expects to open three additional stores, including one relocation. The Company also closed one commissary kitchen and will be closing nine stores and the Company’s last two remaining commissary kitchens during the quarter.  The Company recently terminated two leases and signed four new leases and currently has 93 stores in development.

    The above from Whole Foods 2/8/2017 Quarterly Earnings Announcement.

  • Sofa March 31, 2017 (8:19 am)

    How about a Buick dealer?

  • 1907 March 31, 2017 (8:49 pm)

    I mentioned earlier the possibility that having Trader Joe’s nearby played a role in Whole Foods pulling out. Perhaps the QFC down the street was an even bigger factor, based on a Tampa Bay Business Journal story published today. Here’s an excerpt:

    “A food retail analyst has concluded that Kroger Co. is likely the biggest beneficiary of the 14 million customers Whole Foods Market Inc. has lost in the last six quarters. Citing a ‘direct overlap’ between Kroger and Whole Foods’ geographic locations and natural and organic offerings, a Barclays analyst wrote in a research note this week that ‘it is very plausible that many of WFM’s lost transactions since fiscal year ’15 have been captured by Kroger.'”

  • Ashley Black April 11, 2017 (12:55 pm)

    On one hand, many of us whole foods employees live here and were hoping to transfer to this store. 

    On the other hand, most of us hate the company hate working for them, and were only hanging on for the hope of at least being close to home if we had to keep with them. So I doubt we’ll stay with them much longer. They really are dreadful to work for!

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