BIZNOTE: ‘Psychic Barber’ moving soon, about to be displaced by development again

(WSB file photo)

You might know Rick Cook best for his iconic “Psychic Barber” neon sign (read the backstory here), but he’s also known for getting displaced by development. It’s happening again, so he’s sent this announcement of his impending move:

I will be moving Rick’s Barber Shop once again for “progress” (38 micro apts.) from 6016 California Ave SW to 4845 California Ave SW. Former home to a hair place and a psychic place. I love irony. Phone # will remain the same, move will be last week of May. A bit more than of a block north of Rite Aid, (my old location) and two buildings south of 7-11. (Soon to be 60+ micro apts.with no parking). Hope this is my last move for “progress.”

Rick’s been in his current location a little over six years, and he’s been in business in West Seattle for 40+ years. We asked if the “Psychic Barber” sign will go along in the move; yes, he said, “But I’ll have to get a new one made to accommodate the window.”

just wondering April 18, 2019 (8:15 pm)

So micro apartment people have no cars? Right!!!!

Swede. April 18, 2019 (9:56 pm)

Yes they might, but they sure don’t get anywhere to park them!
Peter April 19, 2019 (9:38 am)

House owners always park in their garages and not on the street? Right!!!!
- Rick April 19, 2019 (10:04 am)
  
  What? They don’t have the same right to street parking as you do? Just because they PAID for their garages, unlike many others. Government dependence destroys societies.
- j April 19, 2019 (10:11 am)
  
  Homeowners usually fit all their cars in the footprint bordering their property? Right? Not spill over to other homeowners 5-10 houses away. Right!!!?

AJP April 18, 2019 (9:41 pm)

He should have seen it coming.

JeffK April 19, 2019 (6:16 am)

I think we all see it coming!
Cid April 19, 2019 (7:50 am)

I see what you did there.

Swede. April 19, 2019 (12:29 am)

After reading the old story about him and the sign I now know what that ‘mystery’ cement pad next to the Turkish restaurant was. Some ‘progress’..!

Rick April 19, 2019 (10:00 am)

Yeah,so now haircuts are now a hundred bucks and will be out of business soon. No problem! Happy to be able to stay in the neighborhood after 41 years making West Seattle beautiful one haircut at a time! The cement pad is actually underground parking. Project apparently went south real quick.
- Swede. April 19, 2019 (1:48 pm)
  
  I’ll pop in and get a cut! I love supporting local businesses, especially long time ones!

Brian Hughes April 19, 2019 (7:52 am)

At some point, the money always wins. That’s not a good or bad thing, more like the physics of water… it flows downhill. Any small business that rents an affordable space this area is at risk. Need to own the dirt, if at all possible.

Jort April 19, 2019 (10:03 am)

And people say that I’m sarcastic!

MadinWESTSIDE April 19, 2019 (10:45 am)

Pretty soon you’ll have to be Psychic to find a parking spot in West Seattle near the junctions. Each unit should have one parking spot for at least 75% of the units in EVERY new building in West Seattle. Stop handing over our quality of life to people to developers! TIme for new Council and Mayor!

Tsurly April 19, 2019 (2:32 pm)

My quality of life is substantially increased by riding my bike and walking to places and not having to stress about parking.

Steve April 19, 2019 (11:59 am)

I prefer to see housing for people and not housing for automobiles, which will just encourage more driving on our already warming planet. As long as the city continues to encourage citizens to store their private automobiles on the public right of way for free on a large percentage of public right of ways, people will do so. Whether the owners of these autos live in apartments or single family homes is irrelevant.If all the spots are filled up, that is an efficient use of the space provided. If you want more available spots, simply charge a rate that ensures approximately 15% of the spots are empty at any given time. If you would like to read more about parking, please check out the book “The High Cost of Free Parking” by Donald Shoup.

my two cents ... April 19, 2019 (6:23 pm)

@Steve … I understand where you are coming from with your viewpoint. That being said, you have to be realistic and pragmatic with respect to a change in car culture in the US. Change does not occur overnight or with a sweep of a hand.

Rick April 19, 2019 (1:47 pm)

Gotta love the collective. Government charges you a tax and then spends it for you. And another tax. And another…. irrelevant, I suppose. Unless it’s YOUR money. Then it gets your attention.

Hmmm April 19, 2019 (3:22 pm)

So Steve. Where do you park YOUR car???

FreeParkingCosts April 19, 2019 (8:41 pm)

HMMM, It does not matter where Steve parks his car if he is in favor of monetizing all public parking, as he would also have to pay anytime he parks on the street. As Steve pointed out, doing this allows the rates to ensure a few places are always available. This has several benefits including traffic congestion and pollution as drivers circle blocks in search of parking. another benefit is some folks might clean out their garages to store their vehicles. It is lack of political will that prevents Seattle from addressing at least some of our automobile problems.

Rick April 20, 2019 (9:10 am)

I see it as more of a people problem than an automobile problem. Lived in West Seattle since 1969, before we crammed folks into every nook and cranny.

me April 20, 2019 (4:24 pm)

I always thought I needed a car but then I found out I just thought that. Now I think I don’t need one and I’ve been car free for over 10 years. In West Seattle, everything is withing walking distance. Anything I can’t carry, I can have delivered. I am in such great shape from walking everywhere, I know it’s not truly possible for everyone, but if it interests you at all, just try it!

Sorry, comment time is over.