BIZNOTE: Yes, New Luck Toy will reopen

It’s the number one business-reopening question we’ve been getting for months – when will – or, will – New Luck Toy reopen? The bar/restaurant at 5905 California SW closed last November, announcing it planned to be closed for about six months “so we can make it out of this” (pandemic). Eight months have now passed and no word. We’ve made periodic inquiries. No reply. Then today while researching something unrelated, we encountered NLT co-proprietor Mark Fuller, so of course we asked. He told us yes, they intend to reopen, but need to rehire their staff, so that’s what’s taking a while – no projected date yet. (He’s working on a new West Seattle enterprise, too – separate story on that, next.)

Mike Barbre July 30, 2021 (2:07 pm)

That’s all we needed to know. Thanks!

DogMom July 30, 2021 (2:16 pm)

Hooray! I’m so glad to hear that they do plan to re-open. Thanks for the great reporting, as usual, WSB!

DumplingGirl July 30, 2021 (4:17 pm)

Great news!! Can’t wait!!

J July 30, 2021 (5:19 pm)

Ugh, thank god. Best date night in West Seattle.

CW July 30, 2021 (6:01 pm)

Yay!!! Can’t wait!!!!

Auntie July 30, 2021 (6:17 pm)

I miss the real New Luck Toy. For those of us not wanting “date night,” it would be nice to be able to get some “Chinese food” (I know it is not Chinese, OK?) somewhere in West Seattle. Besides Yen Wor Village – yikes! Any suggestions?

sw July 30, 2021 (6:55 pm)

If you can handle a drive to Burien, try ordering from King Wha. That is our go-to for Chinese, worth the drive.
rebelfalcon July 30, 2021 (7:27 pm)

Lee’s Asian is the BEST! Even after moving off of W. Seattle I still come back over for their 7 flavor beef. Worth it every time!
- sw July 30, 2021 (8:41 pm)
  
  Oh, how could I forget Lee’s! Absolutely – Seven Flavor Beef is a must. Long-time WS folks will remember Jade West and China King. Miss both those spots.
  - Bill July 31, 2021 (4:31 am)
    
    I remember Jade West – but not China King — is that one of the two restaurants that were in the current New Luck Toy Spot — which incidentally back in the 1960’s and early ’70’s was John’s Watch Shop — hence the round windows — the left one (as facing the bldg) used to have a clock in it!
    
    We liked going to those restaurants back in the ’90’s – the ones that were in the “New Luck Toy” spot!
MrsT July 31, 2021 (9:20 am)

New New Luck Toy actually does make some pretty excellent Chinese dishes. You could always order takeout.

Lisa July 31, 2021 (1:47 am)

Hallelujah!

Craig Threlkeld July 31, 2021 (10:08 am)

Chinatown is NOT that far away, and many of those spots serve until 3AM.

East Coast Cynic July 31, 2021 (10:13 am)

If one doesn’t want to go to the ID from West Seattle for good Chinese food and still willing to drive, you can check out a revelation called Wild Pepper Szechuan Cuisine–in a strip mall just off Southcenter Parkway in Tukwila. A large menu with bold flavors in their food. If Mark Fuller has a dedicated Chinese restaurant in mind as a “new West Seattle enterprise”, that would be great.

Craig Threlkeld July 31, 2021 (10:35 am)

NLT IS Mark Fullers “dedicated Chinese restaurant.”

JTiki July 31, 2021 (12:28 pm)

I visited and enjoyed New Luck Toy enough to know it is not a “dedicated Chinese restaurant.”It is essentially a 21 and over kitschy Tiki Bar serving Asian American bar food.I doubt Mark Fuller ever aspired to creating a dedicated Chinese restaurant.Critics described Fuller’s riffing on Chinese American food and Tiki Bar nostalgia. “Spin on the staples of Americanized Chinese food” was reported in Seattle Met interview with Mark Fuller before opening.For dedicated Chinese restaurants, we are forced to leave the peninsula traveling to Chinatown or the sprawling north south and eastern communities.