REAL ESTATE: Ex-Roxbury Auto Parts listed for sale

(WSB file photo)

Four and a half years after Roxbury Auto Parts was forced to close, the site has just been listed for sale. In 2018, the building at 2839 SW Roxbury was “red-tagged” by King County (it’s just south of the city limits), declaring the building was unsafe and that its back wall was in danger of collapse. The store’s third-generation owners – who leased the site – had to close, and never reopened. The building has sat vacant and vandalized ever since. It’s on a half-acre site described in the listing as “Perfect development site with 155 feet of frontage on SW Roxbury. … Great location for chain restaurant or other commercial/mixed use applications.” Asking price: $1,375,000.

34 Replies to "REAL ESTATE: Ex-Roxbury Auto Parts listed for sale"

  • KT March 20, 2023 (4:40 pm)

    Excellent news.  Hoping for some moderately priced apartments with retail/restaurant space below.

    • K March 21, 2023 (6:48 am)

      Yes, please!  And hopefully a family-owned restaurant or shop.  We have enough chains in the area.

  • valvashon March 20, 2023 (5:14 pm)

    Hopefully I can finally get my rotors back…

  • Bonnie Stewart March 20, 2023 (5:23 pm)

    Chain Restaurant? Dick’s ! Please Dicks!!!

    • Brian March 20, 2023 (10:59 pm)

      I second that emotion!

  • Mike March 20, 2023 (5:37 pm)

    Could make a nice overflow parking lot for Roxbury lanes/casino

    • Bill March 21, 2023 (5:05 am)

      The only common sense comment!

      I’d vote for a Chinese restaurant.

  • tim March 20, 2023 (7:15 pm)

    Missed and not forgotten. Hope something nice replaces it.

  • Rick March 20, 2023 (8:12 pm)

    Another starbucks!

    • Rob Bob March 20, 2023 (9:21 pm)

      A good spot for a  Wendys…

      • Auntie March 20, 2023 (10:34 pm)

        There used to be a Wendy’s on 16th, a few blocks south of the Taco Bell on the east side of the street. When it closed, it became a few other restaurants, none of which survived. It would be nice to have a Wendy’s back in the area again. 

  • 937 March 20, 2023 (8:50 pm)

    How about a pizza place for us southenders??

    • Anxious Driver March 20, 2023 (9:45 pm)

      A Pizza Mart is just down the street at the intersection of 35th and Roxbury.  You can thank me later.

      • NotOnHolden March 21, 2023 (4:59 pm)

        The spicy chicken tandoori pizza was an expected delight!

    • SS March 20, 2023 (10:06 pm)

      There is a Zeek’s pizza and Proletariat pizza and Mod Pizza nearby and possibly a few others… (or are you joking?).

    • Dpilon March 20, 2023 (10:34 pm)

      God no!!! No more pizza places!!!!

    • shotinthefoot March 21, 2023 (8:15 am)

      @937, allow me to share with you the Gospel of Proletariat Pizza. You just have to cross that scary line into White Center. 

  • Graciano March 21, 2023 (3:34 am)

    KC red tagged it in danger of collapse, yet the building is still standing. Wonder if the fuel tanks are still in the ground back when it was a gas station? Roxbury auto parts was my goto place for parts.

  • Jeepney March 21, 2023 (6:39 am)

    How about a nice boutique shop that offers gluten free artisan crafted merlot flavored frites?

  • Disco Stu March 21, 2023 (7:54 am)

    Bring back Shakey’s Pizza! Or Godfathers.

  • momosmom March 21, 2023 (8:00 am)

    How about a Japanese Restaurant…Sushi, Tempura…, and were the underground gas tanks ever decommissioned/removed?

    • WSB March 21, 2023 (8:27 am)

      There is a notation on the listing about something done in 2012.

  • T Rex March 21, 2023 (8:09 am)

    I miss the couple that operated this store that operated this location, and the cat that adopted them. I hope they are doing well. 

    • Friend O'Dinghus March 21, 2023 (10:36 am)

      I too hope the owners are doing well. That counter cat was some rough looking, but was always as docile as could be.

      • Rhonda March 21, 2023 (3:43 pm)

        We loved that greasy shop cat. It was a purrfect match for that place.

    • ACG March 22, 2023 (11:13 am)

      I agree. They were the nicest folks (and the kitty, too!). I hope they are doing well wherever they are. Their kindness and excellent customer service is definitely missed. 

  • Flaunt-Leroy March 21, 2023 (9:12 am)

    We could really use a legit automated car wash in WS, not a gas station mangle machine or self service.

    • waikikigirl March 21, 2023 (9:28 am)

      Fauntleroy…There is one…it’s my husband and he keeps our vehicles looking good! 😀 I know thats not what you wanted to hear.

  • Dunno March 21, 2023 (10:31 am)

    Bill is at the South center Costco last time I saw him.  My vote, bring back Roxbury Auto parts.  Kathy and Bill were customer friendly! 

    • Paul March 21, 2023 (2:34 pm)

      I saw Kathy working there during the pandemic also.  Is she still there?  I wish they were back in business, best place ever to get parts or advice.

  • BlairJ March 21, 2023 (11:04 am)

    How about an all night diner with Marilyn Monroe and James Dean impersonators for the waitstaff?

  • LAME! March 21, 2023 (2:01 pm)

    So the building was too unsafe to occupy so they drove out a 3 generation business and then let the building rot so they can wait for the perfect time to sell for an outlandish price?  King County is so nice to business owners. Ya’ll know it going to be condos with crap retail on the first floor. Nail salons, Teriyaki and/or Pho. More of the run-of-the-mill boring garbage. Hopefully something fun and new will pop up. 

  • Lee March 22, 2023 (11:16 am)

    Brown Bear Car Wash station in West Seattle and White Center . We need one.

  • MikeE March 22, 2023 (2:25 pm)

    I second your comment, Lee. A Brown Bear Car Wash would be great in West Seattle…  driving to Renton or Des Moines is not always convenient.Also, I hope someone saves that cool neon sign! I’ve always loved that.

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