BIZNOTE: Daiso penciled in for Westwood Village

The new-ish owners of Westwood Village have tended to announce new tenants by simply adding them to the shopping center’s site map and directory. For example, that’s how we learned last year that the burger chain Five Guys – expected to open later this month – was on the way. So we check it periodically, and discovered today that the Japan-based discount variety store chain Daiso is mapped for what looks to be a combination of the recently vacated ex-SportClips space and the 5-years-empty ex-Fresh Vitamins space, next to Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor). If you haven’t been to a Daiso store (they’re already semi-nearby in the International District and at Southcenter, plus thousands of other locations worldwide), we’d describe it as the kind of place where you find yourself buying small inexpensive things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. We have an inquiry out to Daiso to see if they’ll comment on the Westwood Village plan.

Sillygoose July 10, 2023 (1:00 pm)

This is so exciting!!! I love this store, they are going to do very well if they can prevent shoplifting!!

WS4life July 10, 2023 (1:33 pm)

I pray this is true!

anonyme July 10, 2023 (2:06 pm)

I love Japanese goods, but the last thing this world needs is tons more plastic crap destroying land and oceans. Humans just never learn, but extinction will solve that problem.

Joan July 10, 2023 (3:04 pm)

Agreed! It’s the last thing we need. Sad.
Ron Swanson July 10, 2023 (3:22 pm)

I have good news for you: you’re not required to throw any plastic items you buy from Daiso into the ocean or onto the ground.
- RayWest July 11, 2023 (8:13 am)
  
  Ron Swanson – Of course no one is “required” to dump any plastic item into the ground or the ocean, but far too much plastic eventually ends up there. I agree with Anonyme that this is bad for the environment. I would also be wary about the types of plastic being used for food and beverage containers they sell that might leach harmful chemicals into what is being consumed.
Danny July 10, 2023 (4:03 pm)

Gudetama can relate to the crushing weight of existential dread. I bet you can find him at Daiso!
Lisab July 11, 2023 (9:56 am)

I’m another one agreeing:)

Elix July 10, 2023 (2:13 pm)

I literally squealed when I read this!

Osprey July 10, 2023 (2:38 pm)

I had to laugh at your description of Daiso, WSB. This is exactly as I have portrayed the store to others since the one opened across from Uwajimaya. Yes, Daiso makes going extinct kind of fun.

SeaChasbo July 10, 2023 (4:16 pm)

Is this a foreshadowing across from new Daiso of a Uwajimaya in Bed, Bath and Beyond space? Bring some life back to this mall.
- Aria Brickner-McDonald July 10, 2023 (6:20 pm)
  
  🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
- Anywhere but here July 10, 2023 (8:08 pm)
  
  That would be amazing.
- Ts July 11, 2023 (11:24 am)
  
  How about a restaurant’? Assuming they can find staff. I miss there being a sit down restaurant in Westwood (Once upon a time I think where rite aid is) also miss a smoothie place in west seattle
- ACG July 11, 2023 (11:34 am)
  
  I wonder if another grocery store is allowed in the shopping center since QFC is already there.

J July 10, 2023 (2:39 pm)

Uh oh…Target, Marshall’s and now possibly Daiso. Goodbye paycheck.

Rhonda July 10, 2023 (2:49 pm)

YAY!!! (happy dance)

Lynda B July 10, 2023 (2:55 pm)

Music to my ears! I love their stationary offerings!

LyndaB July 10, 2023 (6:28 pm)

Gotta add that this feels like the day we found out Trader Joe’s was coming to WS! 😊
A.D. July 10, 2023 (9:14 pm)

I agree! Japanese stationary is an essential item, at least for old fashioned letter writers like me. :)

SMH July 10, 2023 (3:07 pm)

Great, a bunch of useless crap nobody truly needs.

Flo B July 10, 2023 (7:54 pm)

SMH. Considering the fact that they’re doing well enough to expand here evidently their research shows a lot of your neighbors are eager to buy “useless crap they don’t need”.
Anywhere but here July 10, 2023 (8:12 pm)

Factually incorrect. They have a lot of things people need for extremely good prices. Especially for lower income folk.
datamuse July 11, 2023 (8:23 am)

Daiso is where we got a stepstool that my mother does in fact need to get into any car that’s not a low-slung sedan.
Kyle July 12, 2023 (12:17 pm)

Hey now…. I get my fillable tea bags at the best price from Daiso. I will not stand for this slander. I also think anybody who isn’t completely dead inside would find their sticker selection to be useful for sparking joy, if you even know what that feels like.

Bryan July 10, 2023 (3:14 pm)

Daiso is also in Redmond Town Center, they have the freshest Hi-Chews, soft and tasty.

LyndaB July 10, 2023 (6:27 pm)

I like their snack selection, too!

SoDelridgeResident July 10, 2023 (4:02 pm)

Best news all day

Art Lady July 10, 2023 (4:38 pm)

OMG – they have cheapo Art Supplies too, like paper, paints, and an ever changing variety of odd items you wouldn’t have thought of but are great for Teachers, Parents, Babysitters, etc.

TJ July 10, 2023 (4:39 pm)

Only in Seattle can a story about a new business elicit a comment about the environment. It’s not like this is a coal fired plant. You could have bought it and sold product made out of metal or wood or rubber. Otherwise don’t shop there, or if you do then simply dispose of the plastic responsibly.

anonyme July 11, 2023 (10:00 am)

A few facts: one, there are many, many places other than Seattle that are concerned about the effect of business on the environment, and rightfully so. The fact that you choose to remain a dinosaur on this issue (remember, they’re extinct) is not a referendum on world opinion. Second, what another poster aptly referred to as “useless crap” can, as you suggest, be made from other materials. They, however, are biodegradable; plastic is not. (I will also not get into the fact that those resources are dwindling and finite.) Nor, as you suggest, can plastic be disposed of responsibly. Much of the plastics placed in recycling bins are never recycled, as the process is difficult, costly, and in some cases impossible. Case in point, SPU’s fairly recent decision to stop allowing plastic bags in recycling. But hey Nero, you just keep on fiddling.
- Ts July 11, 2023 (11:30 am)
  
  They sell plenty of bamboo items, paper items, glass items. As a consumer I don’t buy plastic if I can help it and we can always ask “does this come in other non plastic options” until they decide to carry more. And we can find ways to reuse what needs to be plastic, ie lid markers can be glued to make great marble run toys and you can send the markers (any brand) to crayola to be recycled.
- Rhonda July 11, 2023 (11:31 am)
  
  So, anonyme, you’re picking on a tiny little 3000 sq-ft Japanese snack, art supply, and kitchenware store while ignoring the gigantic Target next door that sells mountains of plastic? Daiso is probably the least-threatening retailer with the most desirable clientele any community could ask for.
  - anonyme July 11, 2023 (12:49 pm)
    
    Really, Rhonda? Should I have mentioned every retailer and manufacturer of plastic goods in existence, or just those in Westwood Village? How do the facts change by simply restricting geography? But speaking of geography, if you’d done your homework you’d also know that Daiso stores are in 26 countries and have nearly 6,000 locations worldwide. So not a small environmental footprint by any means. Nor do my comments equate with picking on the poor little guy. What makes their clientele the “most desirable”??? Please, do tell..? That one cracked me up. Let me guess: you are one.
    - Rhonda July 11, 2023 (3:34 pm)
      
      Of course I’m a client of Daiso, anonyme. My maiden name is Nakamura and I’m proud of my family’s heritage. Likewise, much of Daiso’s domestic clientele are Asian-American as well as majority female. It seems pretty obvious at this point why you REALLY oppose Daiso joining the Westwood Village community.
    - RayWest July 13, 2023 (9:12 am)
      
      Rhonda – I really think your assumption that there is a racist reason for opposing Daiso is uncalled for and is a deflection from the actual issues people here have expressed concerned about.

AmandaK July 10, 2023 (4:47 pm)

We truly need this. Hooray!

KT July 10, 2023 (4:53 pm)

Nice. I like their candies

Bob July 10, 2023 (5:17 pm)

Is it like a Japanese dollar store?

WSB July 10, 2023 (5:43 pm)

That is one description you’ll find online, though the company begs to differ.
BlairJ July 11, 2023 (8:03 pm)

More like a 140 yen store.

fluffy July 10, 2023 (5:35 pm)

Having a Daiso within walking distance was one of the things I missed after moving to White Center. Such a great store for little household odds and ends. I love their cleaning supplies, their storage/organization items, and their coffee pourover stuff, in particular, and they’re also great for arts and crafts supplies too.

Jimbo July 10, 2023 (6:21 pm)

Question: awhile back I thought I heard that a fitness place was going to be where maybe the 24 hour fitness used to be. Is there any news about that??

WSB July 10, 2023 (6:57 pm)

Yes, that’s continuing to work its way through the permit process. A reader in fact sent a photo today of a sign up in the window saying “Fall 2023” (it was January when we first reported it was coming).
- Rb July 10, 2023 (9:07 pm)
  
  I went there today and I pre-signed up. They said they are confident they will open this November.

Susan July 10, 2023 (9:57 pm)

Yay! Love this store! Hope it opens quick!

DRW July 11, 2023 (9:35 am)

Come on everybody! Any store is a good store. Westwood needs to revitalized post pandemic. Im still hoping for a sports bar though.

ReaidentOfWSeattle July 11, 2023 (11:03 am)

That’s great news! Love all the new store & restaurant openings in West Seattle and surrounding areas as of the last year & post pandemic!Any word on what may open in the old Bed,Bath and Beyond store location in Westwood village? It would be great if it was a Winco grocery store, especially given the locations & how Winco stores are known for their very affordable groceries! Hope W Seattle gets a decent Chinese restaurant soon as well especially since Lee’s closed there seems to be no decent dine in or even take out Chinese food in the area anymore. Even a Korean BBQ place would do great in W Seattle! Thanks for always being on top to the restaurant & store openings in W Seattle area WSB!

Winkandnod July 11, 2023 (5:36 pm)

I told my kid last night that this was going into Westwood and she just got the happiest smile on her face. Between Daiso, Happy Lemon and Ulta – Westwood is getting cooler and cooler for her. Now she and I are crossing our fingers for a Michael’s to go into the old Bed Bath & Beyond space.

PK July 11, 2023 (6:02 pm)

Hoping for great success and continued revitalization of WWV!! Please, please, please new mall owners give us great security so customers will come back, and new businesses don’t bail.

Alki823 July 12, 2023 (7:19 pm)

I’m not seeing it on their store map. On their website it still shows Sport Clips and the vitamin store as vacant. 🤷‍♀️

WSB July 12, 2023 (7:55 pm)

Whatever you’re looking at, it’s not the correct map.

WS Denizen July 13, 2023 (12:20 pm)

Woo Hoo! So excited to hear this!

BT July 13, 2023 (5:45 pm)

Daiso is equivalent of Dollar store. Not happy they are coming to WS but oh well.

RayWest July 16, 2023 (9:18 am)

BT – I feel the same way, not that I have anything against this particular store, but it just shows how Westwood Village has declined. It was so great when, long ago, BB&B, Barnes & Noble, Pier One, etc. moved in, elevating WWV into a higher-end shopping destination. Now it’s Marshall’s, Ross, and other discount stores and fast food chains. Unfortunately, this is not an economic area that can support upscale retail.
- Barton July 16, 2023 (4:43 pm)
  
  I don’t agree that the area can only sustain discount stores. People come from areas from Admiral to Three Tree Point to Target (or used to). Would have loved a small movie theater in the old Barnes and Noble space like the one in Ballard to draw in diners, shoppers, etc. I have nothing against discount stores but in my opinion Ross was pretty much the worst thing that could have happened to WW as an anchor store. Hopefully Daiso will be a positive as it has unique charm.

RayWest July 17, 2023 (8:37 am)

Barton – Target, by their own design, has always maintained a separate identity from Westwood Village. And while they have always been a retail destination for many, including myself, I would not classify them as a “high end” store. I also have nothing against discount stores, but it was nice, while it lasted, to have the upper-level shops, which I frequently shopped at. Now I rarely go to WWV at all, even Target, as I prefer Fred Meyer and do most general shopping online. I would love to see a “Michaels” go into the old BB&B space. If WWV is ever to succeed, it needs to be completely reimagined. The general layout is rather confused, fractured, and particularly attractive or welcoming. Getting from one store to another is like navigating an obstacle course.

Barton July 17, 2023 (1:07 pm)

I wasn’t suggesting Target is a high-end store, but rather that many individuals whose budgets support more than discount stores are willing to travel to WW Village if there is something appealing at the location.