West Seattle, Washington
18 Saturday
Lately we’ve received questions about several local service businesses that seemed to vanish – or so it appeared to the former customers, since these were services you might not need often, so weeks or months might have elapsed between the last time you visited and the discovery that they’d closed. Such was the case for Ann, who emailed us today wondering what happened to Mobi, the tech-repair shop at 3215 California SW (where it had moved five years ago). Ann raved about Mobi’s service and said she was “absolutely floored when I called the shop today and got an automated message ‘this number is no longer in service’.” We managed to find an email address for Mobi’s owner Nathan Wong, and he replied to our questions quickly. He began, “We didn’t have much time to tie up loose ends with our clients,” and went on to explain what happened:
It all happened rather quickly. It was getting really difficult for us to remain open for various reasons, but primarily due to decisions made by large manufacturers such as Apple or Samsung.
For example; serializing different phone parts to prevent third-party repairs unless with original manufacturer parts (which were often incredibly expensive). These decisions began to affect our repairs, and soon enough I began to lose faith in the quality of parts we COULD afford. I no longer felt confident in the quality of repairs we were able to provide. It is unfortunate as Mobi took great pride in our workmanship and reliability.
Due to the instability of the industry I began to pursue a different career, and so did my employees (as I encouraged them to).
When the time came for me to move forward in my career, I no longer had the time or resources to keep things pushing with Mobi. The amount of work needed to keep up with popular franchises was exhausting and often discouraging. I ultimately wanted to sell Mobi to another repair franchise that perhaps had the resources to invest into Mobi’s success, but my property manager pulled the rug out from under us a few weeks before the deal closed. The owner of the building sold the building, and we were forced to vacate by the end of our lease in June, effectively shutting down any interest the buyer had.
County records do not yet show the building’s new ownership. Wong said he wanted to reply with details because “Mobi always advocated for transparency in our business.”
Highland Park Corner Store has announced a dream event for West Seattle wine fans:
HPCS proprietor Meaghan Haas tells WSB, “We’re really excited about this one. We now carry wines from all of the wineries here in West Seattle – part of our effort to support other West Seattle businesses. They told us they’d never had a tasting event where they all were together under one roof, so we decided to host one with them! And add in a couple of nearby wineries that are owned by West Seattle families.” It’s happening at HPCS 4-7 pm Saturday, August 19th. Participating wineries:
– Darby Winery
– Nota Bene Cellars
– Pine Lake Cellars
– T2 Cellar
– Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor)
– Welcome Road Winery
Tickets are $20 advance, $25 day of event, available at highlandparkcornerstore.com. 21+ only – they’ll be verifying when you arrive at HPCS (7789 Highland Park Way SW).
6:06 PM: Three and a half weeks after we reported
speed humps/cushions were on the way to SW Thistle and other streets around the Sealth/Denny campus, installation has begun. We noticed the fresh asphalt protrusions while headed eastbound on Thistle a bit earlier. It appeared the eastbound installation was further along than the westbound side.
8:11 PM: Going back the other way, we were able to see that the sets on Thistle are complete. We weren’t able to check 27th, 25th, or Kenyon.
This Thursday brings the West Seattle Art Walk, accompanied again this month by The Art of Music, free performances at multiple local venues. Three this time — Epiphany of Time in The Junction in front of KeyBank (SW corner of California/Alaska), MoonGirl in the Admiral District at Soprano’s Antico Pizza and Pasta (2348 California SW), and Natalie Paige in Morgan Junction at Whisky West (6451 California SW). The performances are concurrent, all scheduled 6 pm to 7:45 pm. Find out more about the performers and shows by going here!
Reader Tracie asked about the status of Admiral Vision, which is going into the second commercial space at Admiral Station (2715 California SW), next to West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor). We reached Dr. Peter Wu via email; he tells WSB, “I don’t have a firm date set but I plan on opening Admiral Vision in a month.” He says it’s a “brand-new practice,” not an expansion from elsewhere, though he “grew up in Seattle originally.” Dr. Wu says Admiral Vision will be a full-service optometry clinic including eye exams, contact-lens fittings, and “a great selection of independent glasses-frame lines.”
Three reports:
GUNFIRE DAMAGES SCHOOL: From Seattle Police report summaries, this Monday discovery on the Highland Park Elementary campus:
At 10:32 [am], staff observed two children handling a spent casing in the playground area. The staff member then observed bullet damage on the building. Police responded and noted ballistic damage to a floodlight and on the exterior of the building where the floodlight was located. Staff indicated the light was functioning Thursday (8/3) and found damaged Friday (8/4).
If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 23-225299.
STOLEN SPORTAGE: From Molly: “We unfortunately woke up to our 2022 white Kia Sportage stolen from our driveway this morning in Gatewood. With the string of people joyriding and swapping Kia/Hyundais, we are really hoping it is still in the neighborhood.” License plate CAC0282.
ANOTHER BROKEN-WINDOW CAR PROWL: From Brigid:
Woke up to our driver’s-side door smashed Friday, August 4th. Parked on 29th Street SW in front of our house, between Cloverdale and Trenton. Nothing inside to steal, pure vandalism entertainment. Rash of cars’ windows being broken in our Westwood neighborhood :( Neighbors think it could have been between 530 am-700 am? Submitted police report.
(Photo by Rosalie Miller, who explains, ‘Flower Crab Spider ambushes Western Honeybee’)
Here’s what’s on the list for the rest of today/tonight:
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Here’s the list of local sites where free food is available for kids on weekdays this summer, 11:30 am-1 pm lunch, 2-3 pm snacks.
E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION MEETING: Noon at Pier 69 downtown and online – find the stream and agenda/materials here.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm stories and activities for kids at the Delridge P-Patch, weekly throughout the summer. (5078 25th SW)
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
NEW TRIVIA: Zeeks Pizza West Seattle recently launched a Tuesday trivia night: 7 pm, teams of up to 6, free to play, happy-hour food and beverage specials. Hosted by Geeks Who Drink. (6459 California SW)
MORE TRIVIA: Three other places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
You can look into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
This is the fourth day of this year’s West Seattle Glass Float Hunt, with 19 of the first 50 still waiting to be found. Of those that have been found, one was hidden almost afloat:
That’s Jonah of Alki Kayak Tours “hiding” a float on a piling – note the tide (and weather!) difference when float hunter Phil found and retrieved it:
Of the remaining 19, organizers say:
All of them are in businesses and none are outside. Here are the found locations (which will not be repeated):”
Alki Kayak Tours
Beveridge Place Pub
By & By Skate Shop
C&P Coffee
Cupcake Royale
Dumplings of Fury
Easy Street Records
Emerald Water Anglers
Hotwire Coffee
Launchpad Coworking
Log House / Historical Society
Meeples Games
Next to Nature
Princess & The Bear Wines
Starbucks
The Alley
The Grove
Three 9 Lounge
WEND Jewelry
Marination
Me-Kwa-Mooks
By the nursery
Whale Tail
Jack Block Park
Belvedere Park
Schmitz Park
Lowman Beach Park
Dakota Place Park
Totem Pole Park
Madison Middle School
Hope Lutheran
If you’re just finding out about this, backstory is in this preview from last week.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, August 8th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny today, rain possible tonight, high in the mid-70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:56 am; sunset will be at 8:33 pm.
ROAD WORK
On West Marginal Way SW, “quiet zone” work continues – as previewed here.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – regular schedule – check here for advisories.
Water Taxi – regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service. Check Vessel Watch to see where the boats are.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
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