BIZNOTES: Admiral Baskin-Robbins mystery; plus, what’s going into Junction ex-computer-store space

Two biznotes:

ADMIRAL BASKIN-ROBBINS: We’ve been getting questions daily all week people wondering about the Admiral Baskin-Robbins ice-cream store’s status, saying they’ve gone by only to find it closed and dark, no explanatory note or sign. That’s what we found on a visit just before dusk today, and while the fixtures remain inside, the menu boards are blank; the phone goes unanswered, no voicemail. As we’ve mentioned to those who contacted us, the business has been up for sale for a long time – more than a year and a half, according to the listing on the Commercial MLS site (which links to this flyer). We also note that the Baskin-Robbins website doesn’t list this location, whether you search for 98116 or for Seattle in general. Will it reopen, under current ownership or someone new? We’ve checked business license, real-estate, and permit databases, no hint, and we’ve also sent a note to the broker with whom the business has been listed. We’ll update if/when we find out anything.

REAL ESTATE REPLACING COMPUTERS: Two months after West Seattle Computers and Mobi Repairs vacated 4522 California SW and moved to The Admiral District, we know what’s going into its old space: Neighboring West Seattle Windermere is expanding into it, confirms branch manager Larry Johnson, Jr. He tells WSB, “As the West Seattle real estate market continues strong, our market share continues to grow, and we are expanding to meet the needs of our agents and clients.” Details are still being worked out, but there’s an early-stage permit application for some remodeling.

19 Replies to "BIZNOTES: Admiral Baskin-Robbins mystery; plus, what's going into Junction ex-computer-store space"

  • MJ January 7, 2018 (8:33 pm)

    The Baskin Robbins did not renew their lease, per my inquiry with Starbucks staff. 

    I have no idea what is going into the space, but a Quiznos sandwich shop or equivalent might make sense.

  • Xana La Fuente January 7, 2018 (9:49 pm)

    Well maybe Starbucks should just expand and add a drive in. Hate to say that but its that or add another one on the next block. That location in the morning is a nightmare, the other drive thru- impossible in the morning. While I try to support Red Cup as a local business, they don’t open as early and I work someday at 7 a.m. Sad about 31 Flavors. My uncle ” Cookie ” in New Mexico owns the Santa Fe location so I grew up eating that ice cream. 

    • WSB January 7, 2018 (9:58 pm)

      Since you mention two coffee drive-thrus, please note that there are three others in West Seattle, all three local and independent – West Bay (2255 Harbor SW), Portside (6720 W. Marginal Way SW), Mocha Mojo (on SW Roxbury across from Roxhill Elementary).

      • Trickycoolj January 7, 2018 (11:07 pm)

        While there are some other drive thru coffee options not many cater to shift workers that need to be at work by or before 7am. But I suppose even the daily traffic post doesn’t come up until 7am either so I guess not many people do shift work in this part of town anymore. 

        • bertha January 8, 2018 (7:51 am)

          Portside opens at 5, Mocha at 5:30 and West Bay at 6. I find most of the drive thrus are open  by 6 at the latest. 

  • justme January 7, 2018 (9:59 pm)

    It’s sad for me to see the computer shop go, and no retail to fill the space. So many banks and real estate offices now. Junction is heading toward boring.

  • Tony S January 7, 2018 (10:06 pm)

    Perhaps a pizza place would be good there. We could use one or two more…

  • TJ January 7, 2018 (10:34 pm)

    Cowgirls Espresso on 4th is great, and I think would do well here. It is a small drive-thru tho, and that building is too big, and obviously next to Starbucks wouldn’t work.

  • McFail January 7, 2018 (10:54 pm)

    I did see that Just Poke is opening a restaurant in West Seattle.  I assumed that it will be in the retail of a  new apartment redevelopment…

  • Trickycoolj January 7, 2018 (11:06 pm)

    Funny that’s exactly what happened to Green Lake B&R. Shut down one day never reopened. Now it’s the Green Lake outpost of Ballard bar Shelter. 

  • Tony S January 8, 2018 (8:07 am)

    Spent many an hour working at B&R in the early 1980’s; Corky Engler was the owner, then. He had to sell in 1982 or thereabouts and the new owner cut our pay (we were getting a whopping $3.50 an hour). Had some really good times there, it was a great place for a 15-16 year old to work. Although I’ve never been able to eat ice cream the same way since…

  • Villagegreen January 8, 2018 (8:18 am)

    Sad news about Windermere expanding into that space. With John L Scott commanding that huge building up the block and the credit union going into the ex-Radio Shack (right next door to Chase Bank) the Junction is slowly becoming more and more sterile. Seems all the interesting stuff is happening in White Center these days. 

    • Guy Olson January 8, 2018 (3:14 pm)

      Yeah real “interesting”, I’m not a big fan of shootings I guess.

  • RayWest January 8, 2018 (9:18 am)

    VillageGreen – How right you are. The W.S. Junction is either about eating/drinking or service-oriented business (financial, real estate, salons, etc.) and less and less retail shopping.  I have little incentive to go there anymore except for a meal and go to the bank.

    • AT January 8, 2018 (11:44 am)

      Retail as we knew it is dying.  That’s why WS blog is always reporting on package thefts – everyone shops online! 

      • WSB January 8, 2018 (11:58 am)

        The “funny” (not ha-ha) thing is that, retail isn’t dying. Some companies are thriving. But if you value the ability to shop in person, and the businesses’ presence in our community, please use them! Many of them are so much more than just physical showrooms for stuff you think you can get online too … they participate in and sponsor events and community organizations … they feature locally created/themed items, which in turn supports local makers/artists … Also, when you can, browse a bit and you might discover that more is available here than you realize – some businesses are multitaskers – just one example, our WSB salon sponsors Illusions, VAIN, and Brunette Mix all also offer unique merchandise that’s beyond hair care! I could go on, but gotta go get to another story … about a local business. – TR

  • MJ January 8, 2018 (5:53 pm)

    Tony S good one, another pizza option is sorely needed in WS, is it April 1st already?

  • ang January 14, 2018 (11:48 am)

    I did not know it was ever for sale. I would be interested in re-opening. 

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