BIZNOTES: 2 potential new tenants for Westwood Village

Documents in city files show early stage plans to fill two empty spaces at Westwood Village – one big, the other relatively small.

First the big: A site plan has just been filed showing a proposed Ross Dress For Less outlet in the former Barnes & Noble space next to Target.

Second: Another site plan shows America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses in the works for the space next to Ulta Beauty. The chain currently has one other store in Seattle city limits, in Ballard, but has several around the greater metro area, including Southcenter.

Site plans are filed toward the start of the process seeking permits for remodeling (etc.) and don’t yield other details, but we will be contacting both companies to try to find out more.

82 Replies to "BIZNOTES: 2 potential new tenants for Westwood Village"

  • HS July 15, 2019 (5:54 pm)

    Wow. So much opportunity and future neighborhood need. Just wow. Ross is a real disappointment.

    • AJ July 15, 2019 (7:01 pm)

      Agreed. I don’t really see the need for a Ross in addition to Marshall’s.  

  • Sixbuck July 15, 2019 (6:36 pm)

    Perhaps you were hoping for Louis Vuitton?

    • Ice July 15, 2019 (6:54 pm)

      I was hoping for some kind of housing, but that’s just a pipe dream.

    • HS July 15, 2019 (6:56 pm)

      There are a lot of families with kids and teenagers in the neighborhood. In fact, West Seattle is fortunate to have a large amount of families versus single households. Instead of a retailer selling almost the same product as three other stores in the village (discounted clothes and small home goods), I was hoping for stores that fit the WS demographic. And places that offered people something to do as commenters have previously mentioned that Barnes and Noble was a go-to place for parents with small kids. So, an arcade, a retail place with a cool family play area, a theater, a retro movie & burger place, a rock climbing gym… 

      • ACG July 15, 2019 (7:56 pm)

        A ninja gym- like American Ninja Warrior!!!!

      • Mike July 15, 2019 (8:24 pm)

        Target has a strict contract agreement with Westwood Village that blocks many possible replacements for the spot where Barnes was.I’d think an indoor go-kart track would be cool, or indoor BMX track, indoor skate park, indoor dog park, or maybe Bass Pro shop, REI

        • Swede. July 16, 2019 (12:56 am)

          And also keep in mind the rent for a space that large is astronomical, and only really doable for giant corporations. 

        • buttercup July 16, 2019 (7:23 pm)

          Mike, I thought that Target was not a part of Westwood Village since they own their own property and control their own space.

  • HS July 15, 2019 (7:00 pm)

    In addition, I think The Rat City Roller Gilrs still don’t have a roller rink to use in Seattle. A skating rink would have been cool. That B&N space has a lot of square footage.

    • Mike July 15, 2019 (11:05 pm)

      They don’t use the one in White Center?

      • HS July 16, 2019 (8:14 am)

        They were in Shoreline but the property was sold and is being redeveloped. Lots of kids and people though… that kind of foot traffic could be great for Westwood Village. Remember that the Westwood, Arbor Heights, Roxhill and High Point neighborhoods do not have a community center. So, multi-age activity’s like this is a great pedestrian draw and right across the street from a transit hub.Per KOMO news: “Rat City Roller Derby is now in its 15th season. The league has four home teams and two all-star teams, plus a youth league made up of about 180 kids. The Rat’s Nest hosts home games, scrimmages and all practices. The building had just enough room for one official derby track and bleachers.” https://komonews.com/news/local/rat-city-rollers-give-emotional-goodbye-to-shoreline-home

      • helpermonkey July 16, 2019 (9:17 am)

        the one in White Center doesn’t have a banked track, which is what they need. 

        • Rebecca July 17, 2019 (9:07 am)

          Rat City Roller Derby uses a flat track. The problem with the space in White Center is that it’s not large enough to fit bleachers / additional seating for crowds.

          • helpermonkey July 17, 2019 (10:10 am)

            ah, thanks! I recall hearing something about a banked track. 

  • West Seattle Hipster July 15, 2019 (7:12 pm)

    Ross would be an excellent addition to Westwood Village, hoping it becomes reality.

  • Sandy Adams July 15, 2019 (7:34 pm)

    Disappointed about Ross.  Was hoping for something a little more upscale (not as upscale as Louis Vitton!).  Or a food court (such a dearth of restaurants in that area).  Oh Well, at least it isn’t another pizza place..

  • MJ July 15, 2019 (7:52 pm)

    Get you new eyeglasses so you can see what you are buying at Ross!

  • Eddie July 15, 2019 (8:03 pm)

    HS, bring a business plan that somehow generates a positive return on investment for arcade,  play area or rock wall, and I’m sure somebody will invest in it. If those things don’t pencil out, a biz owner would be a fool (and soon a much poorer fool) to chase those pipedreams.

  • Yma July 15, 2019 (8:08 pm)

    Wow – that place is going down fast.such potential- sad

  • Yma July 15, 2019 (8:13 pm)

    Let’s see – what might be nice? A craft place? One of those paint ceramic places? And we no longer have a fabric store – that would be fab. A local owner bookstore, please. Perhaps a bead store?

  • Alki resident July 15, 2019 (8:26 pm)

    I’ve never seen such a more boring shopping center in my life. 

  • John F July 15, 2019 (8:51 pm)

    I say they build a Portos Bakery there the best Cuban bakery in SoCal that I have tried or a Latin resturant would be nice there!!!

  • J July 15, 2019 (9:04 pm)

    I’ve seen other properties managed by Madison Marquette and Westwood just seems to be their lamest. A massive shopping center right next to a transit hub  could be so lively if it wanted to be. I guess all the stores serve a purpose, but would it kill them to mix it up a little and throw in something unique? 

  • LyndaB July 15, 2019 (9:06 pm)

    Are they trying to push Marshall’s out?  Is it near the end of their lease?  Dang…

    • Dustin July 16, 2019 (8:48 am)

      Maybe they didn’t consider it? I’ve been questioning how well Westwood Village is being managed. If you already have a vacancy problem, pushing out existing tenants with rent hikes is probably a bad idea. It doesn’t seem like they had a clear plan for this space when they ousted B&N.

  • Sad July 15, 2019 (9:09 pm)

    Nothing against low priced threads for families with less, but the only store more mundane than a Ross is a Marshall’s – Hobby Lobby is too deep down the spectrum to be compared.I was hearing rumors of a PCC – so this is a let down, but at least it’s not another mattress store.

  • Lodi July 15, 2019 (9:31 pm)

    Trader Joe’s would do well in the old B&N space.

    • KBear July 15, 2019 (10:43 pm)

      Wouldn’t work for Trader Joe’s. Too easy to park there. 

      • Swede. July 16, 2019 (12:59 am)

        Best comment award winner!

  • Josh July 15, 2019 (9:41 pm)

    Wow. 2 Ross-type stores plus Target. Definitely did not see that coming. I can’t understand how ANY eatery couldn’t make it work there. There must be 100 people alone who work at Westwood, a place for a bite and beer seems to make sense. And those waiting for busses etc.That’s a cool corner building for a Ross. Darn it. 

  • justme July 15, 2019 (9:41 pm)

    A Joanne’s Fabric would have been great. Darn.

    • Baffled July 16, 2019 (6:23 am)

      Pun intended? ;)

    • RayWest July 16, 2019 (6:38 am)

      I love the idea of a Joanne’s or other craft-type store. I’m tired of having to commute to Southcenter for craft and fabric supplies. WS Art &  Frame has limited craft merchandise.

  • Joe Z July 15, 2019 (10:33 pm)

    There is already so much good food close by in White Center…if you are already in your car driving to Westwood Village just head over there. 

  • mariem July 15, 2019 (10:37 pm)

    we have a marshalls. IMO we don’t need another discount store in WW village.  I was hoping this successful Target store would invest in its facilities and expand the size of the store AND upgrade the quality of the store.If not, a Fred Meyer might do really well.

    • Goddess Andraste July 16, 2019 (9:44 am)

      That’s what I was hoping for. The recent Southcenter Target remodel was fantastic. I work just around the corner from that one, so I just go there now instead of WWV.

  • Jim P> July 15, 2019 (10:55 pm)

    At least neither one is a check caching place, payday loan store or pawnshop.With the riffraff from downtown dropping by for their suburban retreat via the transit “mall” and that handy park, I’d have not been surprised.I’ve started noticing evidence of people sleeping in doorways of some of the empty stores/sites ans camping out on the benches to panhandle/drink.  Does Westwood have 24 security?  They seem to need it these days.The QFC cut its hours back when this all started as they had too many problems in the store with theft and harassment of customers and staff and now have their own security onsite.  Starbucks seems to have cut their evening hours almost completely. The area has definitely gone down in quality.Empty stores attract vagrants as they know there’s fewer people around and a temptation for the owners to skimp on security.

  • West Seattle Hipster July 16, 2019 (5:16 am)

    The space is large enough to support a “Gilley’s” type of country & western bar.  Perfect location and ample parking.

  • RentonReader July 16, 2019 (6:00 am)

    Most of what y’all want is just down the road at the Renton Landing! I know it takes a passport to leave West Seattle and all, but we even have housing right across the street. 

  • Wsrez July 16, 2019 (6:21 am)

    Ewwww Ross? Why not Nordstrom Rack? 

  • RayWest July 16, 2019 (6:34 am)

    VERY disappointed to hear Ross is going in. Poor quality merchandise, just like at Marshall’s. Do we really need that? Too bad this space could not have been broken up into smaller ones so that multiple specialty retail shops and food court/arcade could go in (at affordable rents).  I miss B&N and Pier 1. They added some reason to go to Westwood Village. Target has gone downhill over the years and Bed, Bath  Beyond has lost its luster, and will probably be gone before long. 

  • OhHowIknow July 16, 2019 (7:41 am)

    Me too… miss Pier One!

  • WSMom July 16, 2019 (8:09 am)

    Ross? Can’t they do better than that? No thanks.

  • Dang July 16, 2019 (8:16 am)

    And it’s not even a regular Ross, it’s a Ross Outlet. Nothing against the store in general, and I will probably check it out. Bargains are fun, I get it. But add me in to those who were hoping for something nicer and/or interesting, and not so mundane (and redundant, with Marshalls just around the corner). Disappointing.

  • ImNotSparticus July 16, 2019 (8:24 am)

    I may be the only person in WS who is happy about Ross – I like their stuff and I like Marshall’s too. A craft or art supply store would have been my first choice too, but as someone else said, you have to be huge to afford the rent on a place like that. I can’t wait for Mod either; love their food! I guess you can’t please everyone!

  • ca July 16, 2019 (8:54 am)

    well that sucks, more theft going and crime going to happen. Wish was a craft/fabric store. super random ross next to marshalls and target 

  • KT July 16, 2019 (9:07 am)

    @SandyThere are lots of great restaurants in White Center:Barton Noble, Queen’s Deli, Zippy’s, Drunky Two Shoes, Bok-a-Bok Chicken, the Salvadorean Bakery, Proletariat Pizza, Bisquit Bitch (opening later this summer), Anju Bar, Dottie’s Doublewide, Flours Bakery, Patrick’s Cafe and Bakery, Drawfish House, Pho Aroma, Greenbridge Cafe, Young’s Restaurant, Little Woody’s, 

    • Gene July 16, 2019 (11:27 am)

      Have gone to many of those great spots you listed-  doesn’t mean we can’t have more in WV- 

  • wscommuter July 16, 2019 (9:09 am)

    I worry about WW … I remember the last cycle when businesses like Ernst left or folded in the 80’s/early 90’s; the rejuvenation with QFC and Target and such brought a much needed face-lift and new tenants.  But the larger issues of brick and mortar becoming obsolete in the face of Amazon, etc. is the real concern now, I think.  The fancy shopping malls can sustain upscale retail (U-Village, Bellevue Square) and the large regional malls can do the same (Southcenter).  But the sub-regional, second-tier malls like WW are in a tough spot.  I don’t as much care who goes there as much as I hope we don’t end up with shuttered stores that become a blight.  This is a real possibility.  

  • Trickycoolj July 16, 2019 (9:10 am)

    Dang Ross just duplicates Marshall’s and if the Northgate Ross is any indicator it will be like shopping on the floor of a teenagers bedroom. Craft store or an outdoor store like REI or an expanded sporting goods store beyond Big 5 would have been nice. All things I have to go to Southcenter for. Heck even something like Old Navy would have hit the target market better but I suppose that would compete with Target. And Target? Why don’t they expand? Our store is a pit compared to the remodeled Targets in the region!

  • helpermonkey July 16, 2019 (9:19 am)

    I for one am excited about our new Russian Outlet SuperStore!

  • AN July 16, 2019 (9:44 am)

    We need food! And a place to have drinks. I miss SeaGalley and Red Baron!

    • RayWest July 17, 2019 (6:35 pm)

      I agree that there needs to be a moderately-priced, full-scale restaurant at WWV in addition to the fast-food places already there. One that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. WWV as a whole needs a complete redo. 

  • Jort July 16, 2019 (9:58 am)

    I’ve been told many times that the one and only key to the success of the West Seattle Junction is the plentiful free parking (despite actual survey evidence that shoppers rank it as their least important factor in choosing to visit).  So here we have Westwood Village, with enough parking for nearly the entire population of King County, and I’m just shocked — SHOCKED, I tell you — that another ugly, low-rent discount chain store is moving into the big box, and not a small, locally-owned business that supports our local community.  The Westwood Village shopping center idea is going down the path of most American malls: death. I look forward to the inevitable outcome of this decline: when Westwood Village is razed to the ground and in its place is a multi-use housing/shopping/eating/dining community hub. Until then, have fun buying cheap clothes, parking lovers! 

    • Anne July 17, 2019 (8:28 am)

      Thanks-I am a parking lover & while I’m disappointed that a Ross is going into that space- I like your idea of what WV future could look like-a community hub-with adequate parking of course-since not everyone can ride a bike or walk to a bus stop. 

      • ARPigeonPoint July 17, 2019 (10:34 am)

        JORT is consistently anti-car in a holier-than-thou manner.  I’m with you, Anne.  

  • Matt July 16, 2019 (10:03 am)

    Nordstrom Rack isn’t a bad idea. Was hoping for the Ram or Red Robin in the B&N space.We need something that will attract people besides Target. Or tear it all down and do something similar to U Village. There is money in WS. It doesn’t have to be a pit.Westwood Village could be so much better than it is..

    • sw July 16, 2019 (12:44 pm)

      Indeed – Ram or Red Robin would have been great for that space.  Frankly, I’m surprised that Marshall’s allowed Ross to come in at all, guess they don’t have a very good lease.  This version of Westwood is vastly better than the one 25 years ago, but the changing retail climate is taking its toll.

    • RayWest July 18, 2019 (5:49 am)

      There may be money in West Seattle, but not enough to support WWV as an “upscale” mall. The core clientele is mostly in the middle and lower-middle income range from the Delridge, White Center,  and Arbor Heights areas.  They would be out-priced on higher-end merchandise and forced to shop elsewhere for essentials. Those with money likely spend it in tonier neighborhoods. 

  • Wes C. Addle July 16, 2019 (10:29 am)

    Nordstrom Rack would be a shoplifters dream in that location.

    • Anne July 16, 2019 (2:14 pm)

      Anyplace  could be a shoplifters -shouldn’t prevent any retailer from co I get to WV.  Would have been a great spot for a Target expansion( including pharmacy) or a Nordstrom Rack. Another opportunity missed.

  • BK July 16, 2019 (11:27 am)

    Bring back Lamonts! ;)

  • buttercup July 16, 2019 (12:10 pm)

    An. Amazon store like the one in University Village would be great. Oodles and oodles of books, places to sit and relax, able to return Amazon merchandise and I believe a pickup point. A store similar to Joanns( although I don’t like the chain) Rei with a rock climbing wall for adults and kids. Small local business ‘s can’t afford it. I don’t think these store would put up with the local vagrants, and both Amazon and REI give back to community.They also keep their properties in cleanliness and maintain outside appearance such as trash and graffiti.  A movie theater would also be nice to encourage teens and families to stay somewhat closer to home.

  • Wsneighbor July 16, 2019 (2:14 pm)

    Was also hoping for The Ram to move in or Total Wine and More.

  • EMT July 16, 2019 (8:58 pm)

    Panera would be great!

  • JustJedSaid July 16, 2019 (11:40 pm)

    So disappointed that B&N left the week I moved to the area. Now the news of a Ross is even more upsetting. A consistently dismal, disorganized and dirty store chain. The only thing worse would be a Goodwill last chance  outlet center (with the big  foraging troughs) or a Value Village.  Better to just parcel out the space to multiple vendors if they cant get a decent anchor to commit to the large space. I sure hope this isn’t a done deal. Many of your ideas are great alternatives.

  • Super Dummy July 17, 2019 (2:36 am)

    I would like to see a Super Wal-Mart open at Westwood

    • helpermonkey July 17, 2019 (10:11 am)

      Gross. Please no Wallyworld in West Seattle. 

    • JustJedSaid July 18, 2019 (10:49 pm)

      I’d settle for a Walmart neighborhood grocery store. There was one a few miles from me in California and it was perfect for the quick, weekly grocery trip. Not as invasive or crowded as a Super W and the prices blew Target out of the water on everything. 

  • anonyme July 17, 2019 (6:35 am)

    WV just gets sleazier and sleazier.  For Arbor Heights residents it’s the only option for amenities.  For those of us who ride the bus, it’s actually simpler and more beneficial to just head to Morgan or the Junction for shopping or lunch.   I like Jort’s idea of a multi-use hub.

  • The Velvet Bulldog July 17, 2019 (8:24 am)

    As a direct neighbor of WWV, it’s clear that Madison Marquett and Target — as the landowners — could be doing a LOT more to make the area more inviting. We had to get Lisa Herbold involved in order to get Target to address ongoing issues on its property. There’s no community outreach regarding what people would like to have there (or clearly a craft store would have been installed ages ago!) and not nearly enough visible security since the bus hub was installed. I’ve tried reaching out to MM multiple times and don’t get a response. I think the company, locally or from HQ, just doesn’t care, and that’s a shame. 

  • AMD July 17, 2019 (9:58 am)

    I could single-handedly support a Michael’s at that location.

    • sam-c July 17, 2019 (11:34 am)

      I would have helped! lol  That would have been the best option at that location. In addition to heading to Southcenter to go to Michael’s, I find we go there frequently for Old Navy, and Cost Plus World Market.

  • waikikigirl July 17, 2019 (12:38 pm)

    How about an ABC Store?!

  • ACG July 17, 2019 (4:36 pm)

    Perhaps Marshall’s is near the end of its lease and will be leaving. 

  • Joe July 17, 2019 (9:35 pm)

    How about a book store ? 

    • JustJedSaid July 18, 2019 (10:52 pm)

      You mean like a Border’s Books & Music?

  • KM July 18, 2019 (8:48 am)

    Housing please. This place needs to be heavily scaled back in the retail department.

  • buttercup July 18, 2019 (1:10 pm)

    KM. Less retail. There’s not much there.No bookstore, no crafts store, other than Chicos no decent clothing, no home store. Housing, the rents would doubtfully be affordable and more reason for late night crime. Poor excuse for a mall(village). 

Sorry, comment time is over.