BIZNOTES: Whittaker, Shug’s, Swinery

We’re continuing to watch a long list of local spaces. Notes to share today:

THE WHITTAKER: As Whole Foods gets ready to open, two more of the remaining spaces at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW have tenants. We noticed these in building permits, and the complex’s online map confirms them: Ziva Nails (which permit documents refer to as “Pink Polish II”) next to CityMD and City Sweats, an “infrared wellness spa,” next to BECU.

WHAT’S UP WITH SHUG’S? When we reported last October that a mini version of the popular soda fountain was headed to 3800 California SW, co-proprietor Colleen Wilkie said they hoped to open “spring/summer.” With summer almost over, a few readers asked us what’s up. We pinged Colleen, who replied: “We are STILL waiting on the City of Seattle for permits. We had lots of fun serving ice cream at The Alki Art Fair and nice encouragement from the community. It is nice to know we are supported as we go through this process. Wish we had better news to report.”

And one more note:

THE SWINERY: Co-proprietor Kim Leveille wants you to know that the butcher shop/café at 3207 California SW is now closed on Mondays.

Apey August 14, 2019 (1:43 pm)

I always look forward to your business updates. I’ve been wondering about Naked Crepe and Biscuit Bitch (I guess I have breakfast on my brain!).

WSB August 14, 2019 (1:51 pm)

The crepe place is an odd case. Two recent Sundays, we noticed while at the Farmers’ Market that they appeared open, so we went in and asked when they would start regular hours. The reply in both cases was Wed. On both such Wed’s we went by … closed. So we’re just back on “check daily” patrol. As for BB, they’re definitely in the space working. We’ve spotted the door open on a couple afternoon drivebys but the one day we went over with the deliberate intent of stopping to ask questions if the door was open … it wasn’t. So we keep trying.

The Truth August 14, 2019 (1:50 pm)

The City has got to fix their terrible permit system. It is making a lot of small businesses decide not to invest because it can burn so much capital just paying rent while sitting around. It used to be you could negotiate 2-6 months of “buildout time” so you could get permits and build without paying rent or at least a reduced rent number. With this market landlords don’t have to do that because of demand. This can burn 10-50k in capital just waiting for permits. Then businesses are opening with extreme stress or under capitalized. This shouldn’t be how we operate!

KM August 14, 2019 (4:40 pm)

Wouldn’t it be beneficial for the city to get these business up and running, if only to collect the tax revenue? Seems like a really wacky process that benefits…no one.

Babs August 14, 2019 (3:54 pm)

Any update on when Phoenicia is going to open in the old Alchemy space?

WSB August 14, 2019 (3:59 pm)

No but they’re definitely working on the buildout. Their estimate was “summer” and we have about five weeks of that left :)

newnative August 14, 2019 (4:31 pm)

I noticed the unusual activity at the creperie as well. It looked open, as there were people sitting at a table and the door was open. They received some kind of food and walked out but then someone else went in and were told they were closed.