BIZNOTES: Zamboanga’s last weekend, Discovery Shop’s reopening plan, Pegasus Book Exchange’s new feature

Three notes from the same block in the heart of The Junction:

ZAMBOANGA’S LAST DAY: If you haven’t been to the shop lately or see the signs, Zamboanga at 4531 California is closing – and we found out today that this is the shop’s final weekend, open until 6 today, 10-4 tomorrow. This is NOT a pandemic-related closure – proprietor Julia Ensley is retiring.

The space already has a new tenant; city files show an early-stage permit application for a real-estate office. Meantime, Zamboanga’s fixtures are for sale, and while we were there, one piece was being moved next door to the subject of the next update.

DISCOVERY SHOP REOPENING: At The Discovery Shop, 4535 California SW, you’ll see this sign:

We received the official annoouncement:

After many months and a remodel, we are excited to report that the Discovery Shop will be ready to open on Wednesday, July 29th at noon!!!!!

Following all of Governor Inslee’s Coronavirus “Safe Start” guidelines, we will have mandatory mask requirements, social distancing and occupancy limits that we will be following.

Our new and hopefully temporary hours for the shop are:

Sunday : 11-3 (normal hours)
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday thru Saturday: 12-3

We look forward to welcoming our customers back!

Again, those are the hours starting next Wednesday. The Discovery Shop is a volunteer-run nonprofit that raises money for the American Cancer Society.

PEGASUS BOOK EXCHANGE’S NEW FEATURE: We reported earlier this month on thieves hitting the Junction bookstore at 4553 California SW. They took already sold books waiting for curbside pickup. Now, we noticed while in the area today, a solution:

The sign on the side explains the new lockers are “thanks to our wonderful customers, Lora at (West Seattle Junction Association), and Verity Credit Union” (WSB sponsor that’s also in that block, 4505 California SW)

Yma July 25, 2020 (3:05 pm)

Well Dang – wasn’t planning on shopping tomorrow but we must visit Zamboanga- a favorite store.sad to see you leave. YAY on retirement.

Junction shopper July 25, 2020 (4:12 pm)

Disappointed to hear that a real estate office is taking over the Zamboanga space. Would have been nice to bring in another business that benefits more of the community.

emcat8 July 25, 2020 (5:11 pm)

Oh no! I love that store! Where am I gonna get my cute lil slippers now? It was also the only clothing place in the area with my size. I hope retirement is wonderful, though! You’ll be missed.

LAA July 25, 2020 (8:52 pm)

I was the proud first customer to use the book locker and it worked great!

Pegasus Eric July 26, 2020 (6:13 am)

Yes, you were, hope it was easy to use! Thanks for posing for the photo, I posted it to our IG/FB pages, cheers!

Melinda j-S July 25, 2020 (9:38 pm)

I’m wondering if that explains why my Little Free Library gets cleaned out periodically? It has always amazed me that such a large number of books disappear suddenly. Why and what do they do with used books? Just rhetorical questions.

Pegasus Eric July 26, 2020 (6:16 am)

People sometimes bring us books to sell that they must have taken from LFL’s, we reject them when it is obvious. We assume they either gift them to friends and family or they try to sell them elsewhere but many folks do go to LFL’s to check out new authors and titles they have never heard of. My neighbor on Alki has a great selection so many folks go by daily to see what is new, I’d say half of the people wind up taking a book.

Keri July 25, 2020 (10:30 pm)

Shame on anyone who robs or vandalizes any of these businesses during this time — and most heartbreaking about Pegasus. Set aside the incredible business of books – this is a business that excels in customer service and our community. My kids and I have loads of credit here and every time we walk in they know us by name and our book preferences

Ajax July 25, 2020 (11:09 pm)

I remember my teenage stepdaughter excitedly telling me about Zamboanga. “You’ll love it. They have clothes for old people like you!” (I was in my 40s…) But she was right, I did, and do, love their clothes. Happy retirement!