BIZNOTE: Village Woodworks closes after 25 years in West Seattle Junction. What’s next for the space?

If you’ve walked past 4538 California SW in The Junction in the past few days, it’s clear that furniture store Village Woodworks has cleared out, after 25 years. Here’s the view through the front window:

We’ve been trying all week to get some details before publishing a story. Back on Sunday, while in The Junction, we found owner Brian Low continuing to clear out the space, but he declined comment at the time, saying they’d contact us by email in a day or two. We have yet to hear back via email or phone, so we still don’t know if this is simply a case of retirement, or whether there’s a new location elsewhere, or something else. But we did finally make contact with the building’s owners via email; they responded to our question about what’s next for the space:

Ownership is currently evaluating our options.

At this time there is no current tenant lined up to move in.

We are exploring our options including renting out the existing space or a redevelopment of the property.

Anything and everything is currently on the table.

(Some of the building’s history can be seen here.) As of this writing, the closure is not yet acknowledged on Village Woodworks’ online channels.

Junction Guy February 4, 2022 (12:57 pm)

Club or bar please!!! We need night life. Something that is open late! Tired of bussing into town for something to do.

Junction Gal February 4, 2022 (3:36 pm)

I think you would be better off living in Cap Hill or Belltown.
- D-Ridge February 4, 2022 (6:06 pm)
  
  Wallingford has more to do than West Seattle, we can aspire to be more lively.
  - RayWest February 9, 2022 (6:40 am)
    
    D-Ridge – Wallingford is different from West Seattle in practically everyway. The population has many young professionals living/working there. Adobe Software is smack in the middle of it and its employees can easily go clubbing right after work. Wallingford is also a stone’s throw from the UW area and students have easy access to the nightlife there. It is also easy for Ballard residents to travel over there. West Seattle is just too isolated and the population a bit too stodgy to sustain that type of nightlife for the long-term. Parking would also be an issue.
East Coast Cynic February 4, 2022 (4:46 pm)

A live alternative music venue would be a good thing. It’s in a business district and a little way off from residential buildings and homes, so they won’t be disturbed by the noise. More young urbanites have moved to West Seattle and they gotta have some culture without having to commute to capitol hill, belltown, or georgetown:)
wsres February 4, 2022 (10:40 pm)

Move then. There was nightlife in the junction before the pandemic.
- rocket February 5, 2022 (5:52 am)
  
  Alot of your comments WSRES seem to fall in the ‘get off my lawn’ category. Like why are you offended by people advocating for a more vibrant neighorhood?The more live music the better.
  - Delridge420 February 7, 2022 (1:04 am)
    
    The residents of Aegis Living are generally not bar or club patrons.
Thd3 February 4, 2022 (11:18 pm)

Yes! Perfect!
Rara February 5, 2022 (10:53 am)

I would totally support this. Live music would be awesome. Or anything in that category.
Erithan February 5, 2022 (1:07 pm)

Please no, there’s enough noise 24/7 already and a few places already play live music. There is a huge apartment complex right behind there too that would be heavily affected. We already deal with being able to hear ( and you can’t block it out with how loud it is) easy street concert noise and this one dude who blasts a radio in front of the key bank up to 8 hours a day among -many- other things. The noise pollution here is already crazy, and def takes a toll on the mental health of some of us living right here.I understand people want it more “lively”, but trust me it’s more lively then you think already, and while you only might visit the area those living here have to put up with it all the time. This used to be a very quiet area, the “”vibrancy” and city noise has been forced on those who lived here before hand. A lot of us would move if we could, but can’t afford too with rising costs.
- James February 7, 2022 (7:32 am)
  
  Sorry but I disagree. A music venue is sorely needed. It’s almost “too quiet” in the Junction for a city this size. We’re growing and we need places to be entertained. Music venue would be so good. Or a night club! I also live here. I rather have music venues I can walk to. Easy Street rarely has shows you can “hear” so I almost question whether you actually live on the Junction.

Paul February 4, 2022 (2:06 pm)

I loved that place. Have bought several pieces from them and it was all quality furniture. I was wondering the last time I was in how long they would stay because rent is not cheap.

Johnny February 4, 2022 (2:19 pm)

seven story condos w/ no parking please!

Tessa February 4, 2022 (2:29 pm)

Please, please, not another “development.”

KBear February 4, 2022 (6:33 pm)

Your home was at one time a “development”
- Jim February 4, 2022 (8:36 pm)
  
  Not one that involved ruining a business district and turning it into a canyon with ugly buildings that block out the sun
  - CAM February 5, 2022 (4:28 am)
    
    No but it ruined something for somebody else who you’ve forgotten about by now so apparently the opinions of people who are upset by change also won’t matter 100-200 years from now. And on a smaller scale, everyone here has created change to everything while they’ve lived here. People who lived here 75 years ago probably wouldn’t like the changes you do approve of. Nobody is ruining anything. West Seattle will still be here. And it’s fine if it doesn’t look exactly like it does today or like what you think it should.
  - AMD February 5, 2022 (5:41 am)
    
    More likely it was one that ruined a green space and turned it into a parking lot of ugly buildings that displaced all the wildlife.
  - RW February 10, 2022 (6:12 am)
    
    Jim – I totally agree. Driving on California Avenue is almost the same as going through the Alaskan Way Tunnel. It’s just become overwhelmed with towering buildings that have created a dark, gloomy corridor, particularly during the winter months. We don’t need more of the same.

Mike Wallat February 4, 2022 (2:40 pm)

Very sorry to see them go- we purchased a few things from them over the years. Amazing quality products and another West Seattle gem going away. Good luck to them in their next venture.

Alki resident February 4, 2022 (2:44 pm)

We need cover bands here. Pool tables, dancing, bring life back into West Seattle

Peter February 4, 2022 (3:09 pm)

Wow. I was in there a couple of weeks ago and it seemed they’d significantly trimmed their inventory. I figured they were just de-cluttering a bit, but didn’t see any indication they planned to close.

CeeJay February 4, 2022 (3:19 pm)

A gay bar/club would be nice!

Sillygoose February 4, 2022 (3:35 pm)

So sad to see this business close. They are the only furniture company on each side of the border that sold solid wood furniture. We bought our dining room furniture here top quality all the way. Wonderful owner and employees sad to see them gone.To the previous comments, the last thing we need is another bar, if you want to play pool go to the corner pocket.

RayWest February 4, 2022 (5:11 pm)

So sorry to see them go. They were such a great asset to the W.S. Junction, along with the long-gone J.F. Henry’s. I have three nice pieces from their shop. Always great quality and service. Hopefully they’ll re-emerge in another place. West Seattle needs more furniture/housewares options. Target doesn’t really cut it and Bed, Bath & Beyond is no more.

trickycoolj February 5, 2022 (10:26 am)

Don’t knock Target. I have a 15 year old solid wood dining table and 4 chairs from Northgate Target that has held up a lot better than the hollow core stuff sold at so called furniture stores. Just finally needs a new coat of paint.
- RayWest February 6, 2022 (3:47 am)
  
  I used to love Target, back in the day, but the quality and variety of their merchandise has declined over the years. They are not the store they once were.

HTB February 4, 2022 (5:53 pm)

Misleading headline. I clicked as it made it sound like there was a plan for the space.

David February 4, 2022 (9:08 pm)

It would be a great location for West5 to relocate

Bruce February 4, 2022 (10:04 pm)

I bought several nice pieces from them, sorry to see them go. Nice people.

ttt February 4, 2022 (10:43 pm)

I will miss having a furniture store in the junction! Their amish furniture is really beautiful and well buildt.

Rondo February 4, 2022 (11:13 pm)

Ran into someone out back who was carrying furniture last Sunday and asked if they knew what had happened. They said, “they’re in transition right now and weighing their options.”

Morgan February 5, 2022 (6:13 am)

Elliott bay books and coffee bar….giant gym….bouncy ball playhouse for kids….maybe do like white center place with beer star and subdivide for take out and a bar hang out zone?it will probably be apartments. Height of new development isn’t so terrible but parking and a consistent retail and lively window flow on California are important for all west seattle neighborhood life.

James February 7, 2022 (10:17 am)

I think there are too many “kids” places as it is. We need ADULT night life. Gay bar or gay-friendly club is sorely needed for an area this dense.

WS Resident February 5, 2022 (7:15 am)

Sad to see this close! What a wonderful store ran by such nice people. Best of luck to them in whatever comes next.

anonyme February 5, 2022 (7:29 am)

While I understand the desire for some nightlife, this would be a poor location for it. For one, it’s smack dab in the center of West Seattle’s relatively small business district. It would be a big, black hole in the daytime when most Junction business occurs, and would stifle that atmosphere. I’ve never seen a club that didn’t create kind of a dirty mess in the vicinity, due to crowds hanging out smoking outside. This spot is also fairly close to residential areas and could create a noise problem. Plus, a lot of people like the fact that West Seattle is relatively sedate. It seems like a lot of the Junction is slated for demo and re-development. Some of it needs it, but it’s unfortunate that all the character is being stripped away, and, as Jim put it, the area is turning into a dark “canyon” where the sun never shines.

James February 7, 2022 (7:36 am)

So? Night life is for nighttime. It’s a black hole at night if it’s a business in the day. Your logic makes no sense. There needs to be more music and clubs on the Junction. This is a young community.

Christine Cranston February 5, 2022 (9:09 am)

I am sad to see them go. They had beautiful real wood furniture and interesting accessories. Not a chain or big box store. I have several pieces. They were severely affected by supply chain issues. Another wonderful West Seattle business gone. I wish them the best.

Javier Reyna February 5, 2022 (10:50 am)

Well, I’m in west Seattle and my goal is to open a comedy club. This space looks fantastic! Unfortunately I’m still early in the “seed money, business planning” part. So the space may be gone by the time I am ready. I’m hoping opening a comedy club may prompt other live entertainment to join in.

Patrick February 5, 2022 (10:58 am)

Expand the Poggie

martin February 5, 2022 (4:12 pm)

haha YES!!!! Best comment EVER

wssz February 5, 2022 (7:13 pm)

I loved their furniture. The quality was exceptional — almost impossible to find anymore, and the employees were always so helpful and knowledgeable. I’m so sorry they aren’t here any more. Really hope they open in a new location!

Westseattlelite February 5, 2022 (7:26 pm)

For those asking for live music, Skylark has live music. Poggie used to but not sure about recently. Maybe the remodeled Benbow will have live music?

Auntie February 5, 2022 (8:50 pm)

And how about the Muse Fest during this Thursday’s Art Walk. Live music in a number of venues.https://westseattleblog.com/2022/02/west-seattle-music-muse-fest-at-nine-venues-thursday-night/

WestIsBest February 5, 2022 (9:39 pm)

Would some more live music options out her in Wst Seattle. We need to encourage the arts and also encourage one another to get out from time to time and live a little

James February 7, 2022 (7:30 am)

Night club would be nice!

DRC February 7, 2022 (8:05 am)

A lot of dumb ideas.

wsfunk February 7, 2022 (9:31 am)

It seems like rent is pricing out some businesses. I don’t know if it’s the case here, but I talked to the a junction business owner the other day and the price he is paying made my jaw drop. I didn’t ask about his revenue, but I gotta think that most of the month is spent trying to get enough sales just to cover the cost of a roof over their head….let alone playing employees, etc. You really gotta have your hustle on to make it in the junction unless you own the building.

Christopher B Barnes February 7, 2022 (10:46 am)

Seemed to be related to Bothell furniture…same stuff. A lot of brown wood . Not relevant to today’s tastes. Odd metal decor.

Thomas February 7, 2022 (2:42 pm)

Rents are too stupid to be support by anything other than something powered by booze sales, with or without music. The place can be soundproofed, but it is not cheap. I built rehearsal and recording studios abotu 15 years ago, and you could not hear anything outside. The soundproofing cost about half of the build out cost of 250K (15 years ago). The toughest challenge in sound proofed construction is compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It can be done, but putting in minimum 4 foot wide lobby doors and “airlock” lobbies sucks a lot of square footage. Enough booze sales could justify the upgrades.

Sorry, comment time is over.