BIZNOTE: Ex-OutWest space’s future

Finally got a bit of info about the future of 5401 California SW, site of OutWest Bar for eight years until its closure in July. We’ve been trying to rustle up details since we started getting tips a few weeks ago that work was being done in the space. Nothing has turned up in permit files yet, liquor or otherwise. But finally tonight, we spotted someone at work, the front door open, and we pulled over to see if we could find out anything. The person who was there told us it’ll be a bar called The Box, probably not open before March as an extensive remodel is planned. Stay tuned for more.

Jim December 11, 2019 (9:31 pm)

Nice sleuthing! Thanks for the update.

David December 12, 2019 (4:02 am)

Remodeling without permits?

WSB December 12, 2019 (7:39 am)

Permits are not necessarily needed if you’re just doing interior work.

Airwolf December 12, 2019 (7:00 am)

Was hoping for a Papa Johns to replace the one that closed near there. Thanks WSB for the update

4thGen_WS_Native December 12, 2019 (8:11 am)

Was hoping for a “Jimmy John’s”…

sw December 12, 2019 (8:36 am)

Hmmm. That space really needed to be a Tiki Bar, kind of like a Polynesian New Luck Toy.

newnative December 12, 2019 (8:41 am)

Another small business instead of a tear down, that’s good news!

sw December 13, 2019 (3:59 pm)

This. All day this.

Matt P December 12, 2019 (8:47 am)

Disappointed too as the area could use more eateries.

BlairJ December 12, 2019 (11:09 am)

Maybe they will sell box lunches.

Stoked December 12, 2019 (9:24 am)

Awesome, can’t wait to try it out!This location is instrumental in the Morgan Junction to The Junction Pub Crawl (Beveridge Place or Whiskey West -> New Luck Toy -> Outwest -> The Junction)

lorik December 12, 2019 (9:28 am)

Glad another chain restaurant is NOT going to be the neighborhood. That said, a missed opportunity for a small restaurant with a few tables and robust takeout service. Another bar? Snooze. There’s a lack of food options on Calif Ave between Alaska and Morgan Junctions. Maybe the bar will have great food with takeout options – one can dream!

heartless December 12, 2019 (11:01 am)

I agree on both fronts. Glad it’s not a chain, but a bit sad it’s another bar–and this is coming from someone who really likes bars.

It seems to be a small trend, as well–even in just a few years a number of places have switched from restaurant to bar (oftentimes 21+ bars): West City Sardine is now Larry’s, that short-lived but quite friendly Italian deli in the Junction is now a 21+ bar, etc., etc.

Oh, well. It’s a silly thing to complain about, and I do hope lots of people are enjoying them.
- Gw December 12, 2019 (8:19 pm)
  
  With a lot of the new development projects and micro apartments be the norm a lot of new places will learn towards 21 and up. Most of the new neighbors in WS via development are not families but single folks and couples. I agree a restaurant would be cool but the size of available kitchen space and demographics definitely learn towards what they are doing.

Steenmango December 12, 2019 (10:13 am)

Was hoping for a metal bar.

WS December 12, 2019 (10:18 am)

Please tell me it’s still an LGBTQ bar and they are calling it The Box.

heartless December 12, 2019 (11:03 am)

I mean, I assume it will be, that name has to be intentional–either that or a really confusing coincidence?
- WSB December 12, 2019 (11:16 am)
  
  What occurred to me after co-publisher Patrick reported back on the planned name is the space itself. Small and rectangular.
RCS December 12, 2019 (12:01 pm)

My thoughts exactly!f it’s another bar going in there, hopefully it remains LGBTQ or LGBTQ friendly. I can’t imagine a complex food menu tho. The space is really small. Food storage and kitchen equipment would take up a lot of space.

Brian Feusagach December 12, 2019 (1:10 pm)

When Outwest announced its closing, the proprietor mentioned several factors which lead to the decision. The one reason that caught my eye was “… the property owners have “other plans” for its future.” Outwest was a great neighbor and we were sorry to see them go and, like others, we were concerned about what “other plans” meant. So the news of another bar at this location instead of a teardown/development is welcome. But it makes me wonder if this was indeed the “other plans” the owner had in mind.

Stephanie December 14, 2019 (1:53 pm)

Great news! For those griping about it not being a restaurant, no one in their right minds would open a full service restaurant in West Seattle right now, not with the political climate the way it is! Impossible to survive.

Mr. West Seattle December 22, 2019 (12:53 am)

The property owner never had “other plans” for it–he’s sentimental about the building and selling to a developer was never his style–and he was disappointed to say the least when the Out West Bar went out of business. The only “other plans” were merely to find a tenant who serves the community and is successful enough to be able to pay rent and stay in business. Anyone who wonders if the landlord was somehow to blame for the Out West’s closing is severely mistaken.

Sorry, comment time is over.