BIZNOTES: Of closures past and future

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | Westwood

Three quick notes:

NO MORE SEE’S CANDIES: The temporary See’s Candies shop at Jefferson Square extended its stay until Valentine’s Day, but tonight we noticed that it’s officially gone, with a thank-you note on the door.

The Jefferson Square website lists the 1,400-square-foot space as “available.”

BED BATH BEYOND’S FINAL DAY: When the Westwood Village store’s closure was announced after Christmas, no date was given. But now the countdown is on, and posters in the windows are even announcing how many days are left. We stopped in today to ask; February 26th is the last day, they told us.

KAMEI STILL OPEN: You might recall that the Japanese restaurant at 4512 California SW announced back in October that it would close “early this year.” But so far, into the second half of the second month of 2022, they’re still open. So we asked this week if they have a date yet. Short answer, no – they’re awaiting an update on the development plan for the site. (The most recent construction plan in city files suggests that work could start as soon as April.)

(FRIDAY UPDATE: Commenter Michelle C. posted a photo of a sign that’s gone up since our conversation earlier this week – it now says the closing date will be March 15th.)

HTB February 17, 2022 (9:32 pm)

So why did See’s even bother opening?

WSB February 17, 2022 (9:38 pm)

Because it was intended as a temporary outlet shop, which they apparently have done elsewhere. They didn’t do much interior improvement – some shelving and a counter – so I suspect the startup costs were relatively low.
Justducky February 17, 2022 (10:01 pm)

I spoke to one of the workers there, they said they were testing that location out as a potential permanent store location since they closed the one downtown and the other closest one is in Tukwila.If they do decide to open there, it would be about a year to build out.
- Erithan February 18, 2022 (12:38 am)
  
  I was told this as well, super hoping to see them with a perm spot here eventually!
- Bea February 18, 2022 (2:51 pm)
  
  I was told by an employee there that space was always unsuitable as a permanent location because it had no back door for receiving goods.
  - AMD February 20, 2022 (11:51 am)
    
    Someone should let them know there are some great locations in White Center with great loading door opportunities!

Anw February 17, 2022 (10:59 pm)

Thanks for letting us know about Kamei! We’ll order from them soon!

carole February 17, 2022 (11:45 pm)

I stopped in near Christmas. Very limited selection and the two small courtesy chocolates they handed me turned out to be stale and inedible.

anonyme February 18, 2022 (5:55 am)

Any word on where, or if, Lee’s will open elsewhere during construction? I will miss them a LOT.

Anne February 20, 2022 (4:27 pm)

I am so sad to see Lee’s closing. I hope that they will relocate. Lee’s on Friday nights has been a famil tradition for years in our home

CarDriver February 18, 2022 (7:01 am)

I also stopped in before Christmas. Got the items i would have had to drive to Tukwila for. The handout chocolates i got were great.

Cat Mom February 18, 2022 (8:55 am)

I received a box of chocolate for Valentines day and it was delicious!

Savannah February 18, 2022 (10:27 am)

On the See’s Candies store topic … I’ve only had top notch experiences at the little site (including the giving away of samples (yes tasty), which is really quite a nice gesture these days), customer service, you name it. What I was told during one visit was that they could not permanently set up shop at the temporary location b/c there is no back of the store delivery way of working to handle the pallets of chocolate that need to be brought in. Kind of a pain to bring in through the front door. ;)

Chasbo February 18, 2022 (12:18 pm)

Darn. Was meaning to stop by. Well, hopefully, entrepreneurs continue to develop Jefferson Square with new shops, ideas, etc.

Michelle C. February 18, 2022 (6:09 pm)

Saw this sign outside Kamei today. Feel free to use for updates wsb!

WSB February 18, 2022 (7:02 pm)

Thanks. That’s new since we talked to them by phone earlier this week.

Auntie February 18, 2022 (8:47 pm)

Any news on anything else moving into Jefferson Square? Seems like it would be a prime location for a small biz.

WSB February 18, 2022 (8:52 pm)

We’ve already reported on businesses that are on the way including the AT&T store and Asurion (formerly ubreakifix) https://westseattleblog.com/2021/10/biznote-another-new-business-at-jefferson-square/

Just Ed said: February 18, 2022 (11:04 pm)

I enjoyed having the See’s temporary location around during the holidays. The samples and friendly customer service was just like I remembered. I bought a box of Bridge Mix in memory of dear old mom. Hopefully, they generated enough business to seriously consider opening a permanent location somewhere in our neighborhood.

Hrmmmm February 19, 2022 (10:56 am)

I’m really wanting to know about Lee’s with this. I frequent often and haven’t heard anything. Been going there for nearly 20 years, and Lee’s is the ABSOLUTE BEST and they’ve always been so nice and good to me. Their food is wonderful. I’ll be devasted is they are fully closing too. As much as I wouldn’t want a temporary closure, that’d be better than the alternative.

Lynda B February 19, 2022 (5:04 pm)

I hope the space where Bed Bath Beyond is can become like a trampoline place. That would be a great family place.

dhg February 20, 2022 (3:59 pm)

Kamei was one of those places we wanted to love but there were issues. The final straw was when they served my partner his order but mine was not ready. I sat with a miserable little bowl of miso while he finished his dinner and then finally they are bringing out my bento as I am saying no way, this is way too late. They looked genuinely surprised and although they took back the plate, they charged me for the miso. I never went back after that.

Sorry, comment time is over.