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BIZNOTE: Staples to close its Westwood Village store

October 2, 2023 12:53 pm
|      152 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo)

Thanks for the tips. Another big-box closure at Westwood Village – signs up today announce that the shopping center’s Staples store is closing November 17th. We have a message out to the company to ask why. A check of national news doesn’t show any large-scale wave of Staples closures, though the privately held office-supply chain is closing one in Massachusetts this week. Other major retailers that have closed at WWV include Bed Bath & Beyond (in the space currently temporarily occupied by Spirit Halloween) and Barnes & Noble (replaced by Ross Dress For Less), though the center’s new-ish ownership has filled other smaller spaces, and has a Daiso store on the way (as we first reported in July).

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152 Replies to "BIZNOTE: Staples to close its Westwood Village store"

  • sam-c October 2, 2023 (1:13 pm)

    Oh bummer.  Sad to see them go.  It was so nice to have a close-by place for getting prints or copies, buy school supplies, last minute office supplies, electronics, and  home stuff (TP/ dish soap/ detergent/ cleaning supplies (when I didn’t want to go to Target- due to big crowds or b/c I didn’t want to be tempted to buy a bunch of stuff I didn’t need))

    • Bill October 2, 2023 (10:20 pm)

      Ditto on all of the above!

  • Toni Reineke October 2, 2023 (1:13 pm)

    Restraining myself from using swear words!

  • Jennifer October 2, 2023 (1:16 pm)

    It would be nice to get a Movie Theater.

    • Anne October 2, 2023 (2:18 pm)

      That idea has been out there for years-nothing ever comes of it. 

    • Also John October 2, 2023 (3:43 pm)

      I’m more than satisfied with our local Admiral Theater.

      • Alki resident October 2, 2023 (8:01 pm)

        There’s no parking at Admiral Theatre

        • Danimal October 2, 2023 (10:13 pm)

          Plenty of parking in the neighborhood around it. I never struggle to find a spot. There’s also a pickup/drop off zone for those who may be disabled, right out front. And there’s also a bus that runs right by it.

        • RayWest October 3, 2023 (4:06 pm)

          I always find parking. There is also a paid parking garage one street over where Bartell’s is. I will always support the historic Admiral Theater. There’s not enough business for two multi-plex theaters in West Seattle.

    • Danimal October 2, 2023 (4:01 pm)

      We have the Admiral Theatre already. Gets lots of big-box movies, and it’s a perfectly good theatre.  Kind of awesome actually; it’s like stepping back in time.

      • John Edwards October 4, 2023 (10:22 am)

        I’d rather have a theatre closer than Admiral.  From Highland Park, it’s almost as fast to go to Southcenter to see a film.  It would be better than an empty building..

    • TTT October 2, 2023 (4:10 pm)

      We have a west seattle movie theatre- the Admiral.

      • Kt October 2, 2023 (6:14 pm)

        For people who live in White Center who don’t have a car, it is a long slog via  bus to the Admiral District.

        • Bus Rider October 3, 2023 (5:17 am)

          Yeah, from White Center, it’s like 3 busses to Admiral. Connections in West Seattle suck. I hope Metro shakes things up one day. 

          • Amd October 3, 2023 (9:31 am)

            You can take the 128 from 15th/Roxbury all the way to the Admiral Theater.  It takes about 40 minutes, but can be done with one bus.

    • Falcon October 2, 2023 (7:14 pm)

      I’d rather have an art store. So tired of having to go all the way out to SouthCenter every time. We have 0 options around here.

      • Jen October 2, 2023 (10:52 pm)

        Northwest Art and Frame

      • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (8:13 am)

        We definitely need a good one and  more local art supply stores in West Seattle. Northwest Art and Frame is primarily gifts to go and framing. Only about 15% of their retail area is art supplies, which equals as incidental, not being an art supply store. The problem is that retail rent fees and taxes on small business in the City of Seattle is outrageous. 

      • RayWest October 3, 2023 (4:12 pm)

        I would love a full-blown art store as well. NW Art & Frame is limited, and,  as noted, mostly gifts and framing. I love their store, but does not fulfill what I need. Falcon, have you tried Daniel Smith Fine Art Supplies on 1st Ave. South? Great store and closer than Southcenter and easy to get to now that WS bridge is reopened.

        • Ginger October 4, 2023 (12:22 pm)

          Daniel Smith store on 1st Ave had closed a few years ago.  You can purchase their paints online or through Dick Blicks.

          • raywest October 6, 2023 (2:00 pm)

            Daniel Smith closed? Bummer. It “was” a great art supply store.  I just checked their online selection, and it is mediocre. Okay, now we really need an arts & craft and also fabric store in West Seattle/White Center area. When I worked at the UW, I shopped at University Bookstore, which has a good art supplies section, but now it’s not convenient to go there. Would really love to have a Michael’s here, but apparently they would be banned.  I just “love” how QFC and Target rules Westwood Village.

        • LS October 5, 2023 (8:18 am)

          I think that Daniel Smith has much less in the way of art supplies now (mostly watercolors I think), and the store is mail order only.  Sad to see their amazing art supply selection go away (I think it was a couple of years ago now), and especially no longer able to go there to browse.  Loved their paper selection and sale areas.

          • RayWest October 11, 2023 (10:51 am)

            Daniel Smith also offered open figure drawing sessions, of which there is nothing in the West Seattle/White Center area. I would love to see an art store that also offered regular figure drawing sessions.

    • Bill October 2, 2023 (10:21 pm)

      What for?

      • sam-c October 3, 2023 (7:18 am)

        I think Jen was filling the request for art supplies.  Yeah, that is another thing I will miss with Staples being gone.  A whole row of all sorts of Crayola activity books/ projects/ art supplies for all types of projects.  Much better selection than Target.  NW Art and Frame is good for that too, but their art supplies lean more toward older artists, with prices to match.  (prices more geared to the gift/ specialty shop that it is).  Really nice art supplies (pens, other drawing tools, and sketchbooks, etc)  but not ones that I’d splurge on for a preschooler.

    • Landon. E October 3, 2023 (4:36 pm)

      This idea would be a delight.

    • Michelle October 3, 2023 (5:10 pm)

      We have a movie theater… Admiral theater, support local small business. 

  • Buttercup October 2, 2023 (1:32 pm)

    Lots of smaller stores, Chicos, Pier One, Carters kids wear, Radio Shack, pet stores, Vantammas( I know it’s spelt wrong)liquor stores, lots of others. Some from business closings, some for other reasons. As a consumer it’s difficult and combined it’s the social issues happening there I now prefer to head south. Very disappointed in Westwood Village management.

    • Colby October 2, 2023 (2:35 pm)

      Chicos, Pier One, Carters, Radio Shack, Bed Bath & Beyond all filed for bankruptcy. Has nothing to do with Westwood management. 

    • datamuse October 2, 2023 (7:58 pm)

      That Radio Shack was awful, though. 

      • Bill October 2, 2023 (10:24 pm)

        Not when it was still an actual Radio Shack!

    • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (7:27 am)

      We all know all small shop & chain retail has been gobbled up by modern no consequence monopolies. Most chain retailers fo over a decade,  diluted/stopped stocking shelves, telling us to go on-line. Nothing will replace brick & mortar retail experience with live people. 

  • Jake October 2, 2023 (1:39 pm)

    Fine with this. Economy is in the tank. Not surprised. These stores are all going to lose to the Amazon monopoly.  More proof that the “Crime Panic” crowd is wrong and it’s actually the economy/union busting/fair wages causing staffing issues keeping these Amazon competitors alive.

    • Annie October 3, 2023 (6:45 am)

      YES that is the issue, amazon is too easily to let everyone just sit at home and buy.  get out and shop and support your neighborhood!

  • LyndaB October 2, 2023 (1:49 pm)

    And there goes the closest place to get pre-check TSA enrollment appointments.  The closest one is Renton Landing or Port Orchard.

    • CC October 2, 2023 (7:12 pm)

      Exactly my thought. -_-

    • LS October 5, 2023 (8:22 am)

      Couldn’t one just go to the Staples in Burien?  There used to be one at the small complex near the Starbucks just N of Costco on 4th Ave too.  Did that one close?

  • KSJ October 2, 2023 (1:56 pm)

    Such a bummer as they had become a hub for more than just office supplies. You could do package returns, TSA precheck applications and other stuff there too.

  • Keenan October 2, 2023 (1:59 pm)

    I visited this store recently for the first time in a years to return something I ordered online.  It was dead.  I felt bad for the people working there, but as a society we need to move past big box warehouse stores like this and let them die out.  They take up entirely too much space, require too much parking infrastructure, and are a blight on the landscape when they inevitably go out of business.  We need better urban planning with walkable neighborhoods and retail shops and not lifeless strip malls and box stores people are forced to drive to.

    • Danimal October 2, 2023 (4:03 pm)

      I disagree. There is definitely a need for these big box stores than little retail shops cannot fill. I recognize the need for little retail shops as well. But I have used that Staples dozens of times.

    • KM October 2, 2023 (9:46 pm)

      Amen. And I used to shop at this Staples! The model is broken for the reasons you said, and more.

    • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (8:30 am)

      We already have the best walkable that’s going to happen in West Seattle. You are surrounded by water, everywhere. As buses rip through our walkable neighborhood, security for local businesses slashed, peoples personal and small business properties destroyed or stolen, the big guys keep on getting fatter. As the world churns, your children or families future children will not have a yard to play in or a safe place to ride a tricycle. Let’s just develop every square inch of West Seattle, stack the people living crates high and make it a concrete jungle of nothingness? Do you really see developers and corporate funded government care about making a utopian city?I would love that Utopia. But research the layers. All the development is geared only to density to calculate tax dollars per square foot. City of Seattle and King County have shown their truth. Stack it and fill it in with concrete! 

  • East Coast Cynic October 2, 2023 (2:04 pm)

    This is terrible news.  Don’t have fax capacity at home and Staples has been very valuable to me to be able to go there and fax out important information under deadline pressure.  Great for office supplies for home use as well.

    What is WWV management going to give us in its place? A knitting supply store? A key ring shop?

    • Matt October 2, 2023 (8:25 pm)

      All WS library branches have fax services, but Staples certainly has better hours for it.

    • Jen October 2, 2023 (10:54 pm)

      UPS at Jefferson Square will do faxes. 

    • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (8:37 am)

      Nope, reseach the investor that owns the project. It’s not a local ownership. It’s now owned by Shopcore, the affiliate of Blackstone Group, the largest real estate holder-investor in the world. Blackstone doesn’t care about the needs or wants of West Seattle neighborhood. They are scraping our city, pulling out it’s roots and will leaves decay of rolling heads. 

    • MrWatters October 3, 2023 (10:35 am)

      TJ Maxx for the trifecta.

  • Michael Walso October 2, 2023 (2:13 pm)

    Arg! Staples is were my on-line buying wife returns UPS and Amazon returns. Not sure where to go now. It can’t be for lack of business, it is always busy when I go.

    • AMC October 2, 2023 (9:07 pm)

      Try the UPS store in Jefferson Sq. That’s where I’ve always taken mine.

    • Jennifer October 2, 2023 (10:58 pm)

      Whole Foods takes Amazon returns. 

      • Mike October 3, 2023 (3:46 am)

        Used them yesterday, Amazon returns is the only thing we do at Whole Paycheck.  I was going to get coffee there, but it was $5 more than PCC (also the only thing I buy at PCC).

    • TJ October 2, 2023 (11:03 pm)

      Try Mailbox West in Morgan Junction. You can drop off returns easily and if they’re labeled already, you don’t have to wait in line. 

    • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (8:40 am)

      I have a great idea. Let’s start our own trade- exchange co-op for office and art supplies. We don’t need box stores anymore. Plus, most of us have extra of something stored away..

      • AMC October 3, 2023 (11:57 am)

        I wouldn’t have the skills to organize this but definitely have supplies to swap and would be interested in something like this!

      • LS October 5, 2023 (8:25 am)

        My neighborhood Buy Nothing group functions well in that capacity.  I’ve gotten / given art supplies and office supplies through that, and everything is free.

  • AMD October 2, 2023 (2:25 pm)

    All I’ve ever wanted for WWV was a craft store.  

    • Falcon October 2, 2023 (7:16 pm)

      I’ll happily take a Michaels or JoAnn’s. But if it was gonna happen, it likely would have happened at the Bed Bath and Beyond spot. I’m not holding my breath, but I agree with you!

    • 1994 October 2, 2023 (9:39 pm)

      How about checking out 

      • datamuse October 3, 2023 (10:49 am)

        Fun store but as an outlet their selection is really hit or miss.

      • Amd October 3, 2023 (2:01 pm)

        I LOVE Pacific Fabrics, but there are a lot if craft items they don’t carry because they are focused on sewing and fabric. 

    • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (8:45 am)

      Michaels only goes to regional locations with big powerhouse, other large box stores and factors 10 plus mile radius to not cannabilize itself.  Joanns tried to get in, but Target and QFC rules the property with extraordinary exclusives of use. Focus and manifest a local craft and art supply store. 

  • RX October 2, 2023 (2:42 pm)

    I wish I could feel hopeful for what comes next here, if anything even does. So far the new management’s two largest tenants have been Ross and a rotating cast of RV encampments. What a disappointment.

    • Derp October 2, 2023 (5:18 pm)

      I don’t believe i have seen any rv’s in Westwood. They are on the street outside the village,  which is City of Seattle,  Not Westwood village. Tell me if i am wrong

  • Graciano October 2, 2023 (2:43 pm)

    I’m hoping they bring back Sea Galley. lol

    • The King October 2, 2023 (4:22 pm)

      Oh man Sea Galley was awesome .The Keg wasn’t bad either. We probably won’t be seeing much good move in with crime and surrounding environments the way they are now. 

      • Plf October 2, 2023 (4:53 pm)

        Remember the Red Baron?before Qfc it was luckys and the front faced Barton 

        • sugar pop October 2, 2023 (8:28 pm)

          Before QFC it was Food Giant, and before that Luckys and Mayfair. 

    • Ken October 2, 2023 (4:30 pm)

      And Red Baron as well.

  • Alki resident October 2, 2023 (2:51 pm)

    Carters is going strong in Southcenter. It has not filed bankruptcy. Staples in WWV and Burien is always dead when I go there. I’d love to have our old thriving WWV back that we had in the 80’s and 90’s. We had such great restaurants and stores back then. It doesn’t even have the free Santa pics anymore. 

    • Colby October 2, 2023 (4:28 pm)

      You’re correct, did not file for bankruptcy, but has closed around 25% of their stores that were under performing. 

  • Dustin October 2, 2023 (2:52 pm)

    I’ve been dreading the possibility of this happening for years. Anyone have  recommendations on other places to get documents printed in West Seattle?

    • Rhonda October 2, 2023 (3:20 pm)

      SW Seattle library branch at 35th and Henderson.

    • Karen October 2, 2023 (3:56 pm)

      I’ve used UPS in Jefferson Square several times through the years, but not recently.  

    • Brian Feusagach October 2, 2023 (3:57 pm)

      I use Sky Printing at 35th & Fauntleroy (https://skyprinting.net/). Quick service and I can submit most print jobs to them online … then just pickup when ready. They also do walk-in copying.

      • Matt October 2, 2023 (5:43 pm)

        Westwood Village has been going downhill for a few years now.  I don’t blame the management, it’s the neighborhood –  car break-ins, open drug use, rampant shoplifting.  Practically every store there now has hired security, no wonder people don’t want to shop at Westwood anymore.  As long as there are no consequences for crime there’s no reason to expect conditions to improve. 

        • mike October 2, 2023 (11:34 pm)

          Much like Admiral, it seems:

          https://westseattleblog.com/2023/10/west-seattle-crime-watch-multiple-admiral-north-admiral-car-prowls-vandalism/

        • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (8:53 am)

          The current affiliate ownership is Shopcore aka Blackstone Group, one of the largest global conglomerate. They don’t care about our neighborhood, they don’t understand its roots, culture or diversity. All or most of those box stores originally created and  owned by USA Creatives is now owned by the gluttenous. How about we only support local or USA created, currated and operated businesses? 

        • yes, Ulta October 3, 2023 (9:46 am)

          Yes, I’ve seen so much shoplifting at Target lately!And I was at Ulta last night with my daughter, and a fellow came in and just started grabbing everything he could.  The staff just told him “sir, you need to leave”.  So he ran out with tons of merch.  It was disgusting to witness, a little scary, very sad, and even the tiniest bit funny.  (sir you need to leave, indeed!).

      • LS October 5, 2023 (8:29 am)

        YES!  I use Skye Printing in Burien also, and the woman who owns it is really nice.  Great service.  Love small businesses like hers.  Not a fan of Staples, but I did recycle ink cartridges there and sometimes process package returns (but I think they no longer do Amazon returns).

    • Danimal October 2, 2023 (4:05 pm)

      Yes, Sky Printing on 35th right off the WS Bridge.

      • sam-c October 2, 2023 (4:29 pm)

        Does Sky Printing do large format printing (like 24 x 26 sheets?)

        • AMD October 2, 2023 (5:44 pm)

          Oh, yes.  And much bigger even.

        • Danimal October 2, 2023 (5:45 pm)

          That I don’t know, but I suspect yes. You should give them a call, give them a Google.

        • LS October 5, 2023 (8:30 am)

          I’m pretty sure they do.  I was in there one time when she was printing something large format for another customer.  Just call.  Super nice owner.

      • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (8:58 am)

        Super nice, professional and worthy local owner. Please support them. We all need to walk away from the crack. If the majority of us stop shopping at a global chain, it shuts down. That’s what happened to WWV Staples. Bad service, empty shelves, being told to shop online instead and global investors sucking the life out of it. Staples treated their employees and customers like crap. There is now room for a local office supplies store. 

    • 1994 October 2, 2023 (9:35 pm)

      Seattle Libraries provide copy machine service. I think each week you can print 10 pages at .15 per basic print job, $1.50 a week with your library account. 

  • Tracey October 2, 2023 (3:04 pm)

    That expains why Amazon didn’t offer Staples as an option to make my most recent return.  They offered a lot of services to the community that didn’t involve shopping.  Printing, copying, ecycling, passport photos, package returns.  Where do others do their ecylcing in West Seattle if not at Staples and semi annual events?  RePC is a bit of a commute.

    • biankat October 2, 2023 (11:35 pm)

      Petco seems to be the new go-to for Amazon returns. And Goodwill does e-recycling.

      • Tracey October 3, 2023 (10:57 am)

        So, I can send my broken printer to good will?  I thought they resold working items?  How do they differentiate?

        • Amd October 3, 2023 (2:03 pm)

          As I understand it, Goodwill has a contract with SPU to bulk recycle certain items (including electronics and clothes) that are not re-sellable.  So you can donate old or broken electronics and socks with holes in them and that is not only allowed but encouraged.

        • biankat October 5, 2023 (8:21 am)

          Correct. They accept electronics destined for recycling and not resale. Pull up via the donation line as usual.

  • Big Bird October 2, 2023 (3:13 pm)

    Red Robin.. Yummm!!!

  • TJ October 2, 2023 (3:16 pm)

    Sorry Keenan, this is the way it is. The suburbs even more so. It isn’t going to change unless the consumer drives it. People are free to start a mom and pop store if they want. And regarding Westwood, it has been dealing with these issues for 45 years. It needs a whole new rebranding and change of vibe. University Village did it. Even if has issues, but that place is packed and has lots of good dining options. 

    • East Coast Cynic October 3, 2023 (9:00 am)

      I suspect that it was easier for University Village to provide many of the options than WWV i.e., dining because there is a larger demographic of middle to upper middle class people in the surrounding area – more people with money to dine out and spend in stores and less crime to deter patrons IMO.

      • wscommuter October 3, 2023 (10:15 am)

        ECC – you’re right; U-Village adapted to the demographic nearby and has flourished, but it is not comparable to the demographic of White Center/W. Seattle/N. Burien.  One would hope that WWV’s management would give that some thought.  Brick and mortar retail – from shopping to dining – could be reimagined to service this neighborhood.  One need only look to the ongoing revitalization occurring a few blocks away on 15th/Roxbury.  I was picking up a pizza at Proletariat the other day and the vibe with families walking around/patronizing businesses there was really nice.  I don’t know anything about WWV’s overhead costs/debt burden, but looking at what ROI they could get with filled spaces versus empty spaces is something I’d hope they are re-thinking.  

    • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (9:05 am)

      Absolutely truth! Now that Shopcore Properties aka Blackstone, one of the largest conglomerates in the world gobbled up WWV, rarely shop there. I AM NOT supporting a conglomerate that is deafening city governments with greed. Blackstone gives a rip about people, it ALL about profit. Almost every commercial property ownership has a fake mask with a global conglomerate or foreign majority ownership. That’s why we are feeling like nobody cares, because they don’t! 

  • Sue H October 2, 2023 (3:18 pm)

    I’m disappointed, but not surprised.  For many years  (even pre-pandemic), almost every time I go in there’s no one in there. Seemed like a waste of space. But, like others have said, I liked being able to drop off packages and do TSA precheck stuff there. It also came in handy for small quantities as buying online often requires you to buy multipacks. Also came in handy when it was the beginning of the pandemic and I started working from home and needed to buy a home printer right that second.

  • rb October 2, 2023 (3:19 pm)

    I am surprised by this. i asked the store manager a while back how the store was doing and she told me it was #1 in the state for sales.  I guess numbers have gone down or something else. 

  • Brandon October 2, 2023 (3:42 pm)

    Not much I can imagine that would take its place that would maintain a presence. Michaels? Best Buy? Petsmart? Hobby Lobby? Joann’s Fabric? It’s too big for an Albert Lee Appliance. Whatever else would go beyond someone’s needs when they’re limited to the bare minimum in a down economy and they get that from the qfc grocery store or department store target/ marshalls/ ross.

    Restaurants would be great, but the building isn’t meant for that.

    Got it. Someone contact Dave and Busters.

    • Canton October 3, 2023 (7:18 am)

      Dave and Buster’s for the win… Something for the kids to do. Although, doubt they could handle the 3000 kids around after school.

    • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (9:07 am)

      All of those companies are prohibited from being there due to their own corporate policies. They require to be lined up with other Big Box stores. Big, not medium or small. They only go to regional locations close to regional malls. 

  • Alki resident October 2, 2023 (4:01 pm)

    There’s a Staples right in Burien , right on a bus line

    • ThatCarSewerLife October 2, 2023 (5:41 pm)

      Yeah, 40+ minutes to go to visit a Staples in Burien and the Junction has “character.” This is the life.

      • Alki resident October 2, 2023 (8:05 pm)

        Not sure why it would take 40 minutes to drive there unless you’re taking a bus. Never taken me that long. 

        • Rusty October 2, 2023 (9:23 pm)

          You said right on a bus line. That’s how long it takes from central WS to get to Burien. 

          • Bill October 2, 2023 (10:47 pm)

            Assuming good connections — 

      • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (9:14 am)

        This is the Rapidride campaign by King County. Lie to residence into believing we are getting more adequated public transportation. Put in the commuter bus, Rapidride, remove most of the legacy bus stops, buses & services. Take away parking, don’t require adequate parking in apartment projects. Then allow big conglomerates to gobble up most local retail, to monopolize competition. Then control pricing and squelch the job market. That’s the normal for City of Seattle and King County now – profit over people. 

        • Wrong October 3, 2023 (3:47 pm)

          Where have you seen any parking taken away? Removing bus service is an issue of funding for PT. Apartments being built with less parking is the market adjusting to demand. Do you not want the market to determine how structures are built? You’d rather the government force the developer to do something that the consumer will have the end up paying for? Big corps have been rapidly gobbling up everything ever since the ’08 crash. Profit over people has been the centerpiece of the U.S. since its inception.

  • Kanti October 2, 2023 (4:11 pm)

    This is terrible news, so many services offered there! I miss ERNST! Not much has survived there since. So where can one go to get the services that Staples provides??

  • Rhonda October 2, 2023 (4:37 pm)

    Bring back The Keg!

    • The King October 3, 2023 (3:25 am)

      There’s one left in Lynnwood. 

  • B October 2, 2023 (5:03 pm)

    The Keg, haha hell yes! Way back! Ironically, there’s a Staples out in Burien @ 148th that used to be….The Keg! Lol

  • DucLy Bui October 2, 2023 (5:17 pm)

     We need the Chuck E. Cheese  in West Wood Village.The party fun for our young children . Thanks

    • AMC October 2, 2023 (9:23 pm)

      Try the Alki Arcade. Offers parties and similar games but missing the creepy animatronic characters that I somehow have nostalgia for! 

    • Dragonfly October 3, 2023 (9:21 am)

      Put in a big chain pizza place instead of going or supporting a locally owned restaurant?  How about taking your children to a park or children’s interactive art museum or workshop?  Pick up or have the pizza delivered while your guiding and allowing your children to be Creative? 

      • Westwood October 3, 2023 (11:55 am)

        How about not telling people how to raise their children?

      • RayWest October 5, 2023 (4:53 pm)

        We already have enough pizza places in West Seattle and White Center and don’t need more. Something different, please.

  • Need a New Pharmacy October 2, 2023 (5:47 pm)

    I bet the Rite Aid @ WWV is next. 

    • Tracey October 3, 2023 (10:54 am)

      Well, all the prescriptions from Bartells in White Center just got transferred there, so I doubt it.   But yes,  Rite Aid front store seems dead.  

  • Joan October 2, 2023 (6:06 pm)

    That sucks. I just got an HDMI cable that I needed there. It was so nice to find it there.  Otherwise…? Mail order? Best Buy Southcenter? I also get shipping supplies there. Oh well,  West Seattle is losing another service that’s needed, even if it’s once in a while. I’d rather buy small items in person than mail order. I can by online from Staples I guess. Now there will be no reason to go to Westwood, unless Target, which is even fewer times than Staples.

  • Roxhill resident October 2, 2023 (6:11 pm)

    Such a bummer. I asked the guy at the register today why they’re closing and he said that their landlord didn’t give them the option to renew because he has another business tenant that would make more money.wonder what it could be? 

    • Bill October 2, 2023 (10:50 pm)

      Sounds like a true reason!

    • aa October 3, 2023 (5:53 am)

      While it may be true, I find it hard to believe that a cashier at a large chain such as Staples would have any inside knowledge of the circumstances.  In my experience details like that, corporate decisions, aren’t shared with the workers.

  • Mel October 2, 2023 (7:05 pm)

    Bring in a craft store!! Hancock closed so long ago and I’m still sad! Though having one in south center is better for my wallet…

  • Ms. West Seattle October 2, 2023 (7:07 pm)

    Michaels? 

  • WS_Steve October 2, 2023 (8:12 pm)

    I’ve recently gotten very good service there when looking for a printer and a USB memory stick. I often drop off electronic junk I don’t need (you’re not supposed to put it in the landfill). Retail in general is in trouble thanks to online purchasing, but there are some services that can’t be done online. This is a bummer.

  • Michelle October 2, 2023 (8:44 pm)

    Aw man! I loved working with Araceli in the print shop. I understand this from the economic perspective but I’m sorry for the employees. 

    • weastseattlebob October 3, 2023 (7:20 am)

      Agreee completely!! Araceli is the bomb for taking care of everything print wise. She’s just gone on maternity leave too i believe. Really terrible this has happened to a store full of amazing and very helpful employees.

  • WS parent October 2, 2023 (8:49 pm)

    I purchased a desk at Staples for my student when schools went to remote learning in 2020 and 2021. 

  • KM October 2, 2023 (9:49 pm)

    I so wish they would remake Westwood Village. Fewer empty parking lots, housing, public gathering space, restored natural habitat, etc. The current retail model is broken and taking up ALOT of space.

  • mnwsea October 2, 2023 (10:09 pm)

    I would love to see a World Market move in here.

  • Jennifer October 2, 2023 (11:06 pm)

    That is really a bummer. There is no where else in WS to get office supplies.  Sure you can buy some things online but sometimes you need something like a chair mat that you need to see in person first or you need something quickly. Guess we are in for a longer drive now.

  • LH October 2, 2023 (11:14 pm)

     The manager at the old WV Barnes & Noble told me they were charged as much rent there as they were paying downtown for tent – Westwood Village management overcharges.

    • Pelicans October 3, 2023 (5:36 pm)

      Yes, I was also told that at the time. But from some of the comments above, WWV has a new owner now.  But doing the same thing?

  • Tomas October 2, 2023 (11:17 pm)

    This sucks.   Admittedly when I first moved here over a decade ago I never went to the staples, but once I found they price match amazon, and are an Amazon return dropoff point I’ve been going there much more often.  Quite convenient to buy bulky stuff as well….printers, chairs, bubble wrap, etc etc.

  • Elleson October 3, 2023 (12:17 am)

    Wish list for potential replacements (or additions) in WWV:

    Cost Plus World Market
    Container Store
    Dry Bar
    Michael’s (as someone else had mentioned)
    Crossroads Trading (for teen and YA clothing consignment)

  • they October 3, 2023 (4:39 am)

    Dicks drive in please.

  • Tracey October 3, 2023 (6:11 am)

    WWVillage is a central area where many errands could be completed in one trip.  For me, it was walking distance or a very short drive if I was carrying bulky/heavy items.   I vote for community services at centralized locations like this not restaurants and niche stores.  Staples was a nice community resource that I will miss.  If our goal is walkable/dense neighbourhoods, we are moving in the wrong direction by telling people to drive/bus to Burien.  

  • westseattlebob October 3, 2023 (7:18 am)

    This is sad news. The staples in Burien is terrible when it comes to large format printing, either the machine is down or they do  not have the right paper. Always have had reliable and helpful service at the print center in WWV. Have to now try and find an alternative locally. 

  • ArborRes October 3, 2023 (9:27 am)

    This is a big loss.  Thanks, WSB, for the heads up.  I work from home full-time and rely on Staples for high-volume printing and scanning (my home printer is cheap and won’t handle these kinds of jobs).  I also go there when I need tech supplies in a pinch (faster than Amazon) or have tech questions, and I was able to very conveniently get my TSA Pre-Check application done.  I have heard that there is a lot of open retail theft there, so I wonder if that was a factor?

  • Mario October 3, 2023 (9:54 am)

    I really want an indoor go cart track in the neighborhood. Who’s with me?!!

  • sad October 3, 2023 (10:02 am)

    Aw, my family is disappointed to hear this news!  We shopped at this Staples a lot (not enough I suppose).  I work from home so it was great for supply needs, school supplies for kids, office furniture, faxing, amazon returns, TSA pre check,  etc…  Bummed for the employees too, hopefully they settle in at other locations without horrible changes to their commutes, etc…  All right Amazon, I guess it’s up to you now… :(

  • Mark October 3, 2023 (2:37 pm)

    Shakey’s pizza?

  • RayWest October 3, 2023 (4:02 pm)

    Man, so bummed about this. I didn’t shop there that often, but it was handy when needed. I can get stuff online, but loved browsing the shelves. There’s just nothing worth going to Westwood Village anymore. I have no interest in Ross or Marshall’s. Even Target is not the store it once was.

  • Ryanl October 3, 2023 (8:08 pm)

    No words 

  • Pearl October 3, 2023 (9:42 pm)

    Lack of parking around the Admiral is exactly why I do go there very often.  I find it easier to drive to Southcenter, even though it’s further away.  I really miss the small Tin Room Theater.  I loved it.

  • WWVbad ideas only October 4, 2023 (11:38 am)

    This is a terrible idea but somehow I wish the space would get occupied by a sit-down Mexican restaurant. It would be cavernous and bleak but then I could get nachos and margs with the girlies after shopping at Marshalls and getting my nails done. 

  • John M Alfers October 4, 2023 (8:46 pm)

    I’d like to see Big-5 move over there and spread out their store a lot. They seem so crowded where they are at now. 

  • Juanita October 5, 2023 (2:38 am)

    I went to get my TSA precheck done there today (get it while you can $78) and had it confirmed that the landlord is booting them for “another business that will bring in more money”.  I can’t say that Staples was always packed when I went there but it was rarely dead while I was there.  This is a great loss for the community as it was truly one stop shopping for a lot of different things, especially for people who work from home.  Shouldn’t have to go to Burien to buy a ream of paper, get toner cartridges or make high-volume copies.  I don’t want to see a restaurant, theater, or any other establishment that would bring in a lot of cars late at night.  Traffic is already heavy on Trenton from 35th headed that way and people speed in both directions.  We’ve had 6 car accidents between 35th and WWV in the first 3 months of this year.  We had someone shoot off rounds from a car on the corner of 34th and Trenton, police recovered the casings on the street.  We’ve had car break ins, gas tanks getting drilled, cars getting stolen, people casing houses, and someone keeps throwing bags of garbage on the sidewalk and in the street.  Nothing against a craft store and since the Staples can’t be saved, I guess that’s the best of many available options.   Sad to see it go.There’s been some talk of WWV hopefully becoming like University Village.  No issue with that as I believe that mall closes at 8pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends.  However, there would have to be some major clean up done on Trenton and Barton which would hopefully not result in rvs moving further up or down the hill and skyrocketing housing prices because of a mall upgrade.  I didn’t have the pleasure of living here “back in the day”.  It does sound wonderful and filled with community.  Don’t think that’s what we’re going to get, but it sure would be nice.  I’d also really like to see that daycare center get a better spot, one where they could have their play space out back, tucked away and safer.

  • Thoughts October 7, 2023 (9:51 pm)

    Wwv like many places gets hit hard by people stealing goods. I can’t imagine another retailer wanting to move in with what’s happening. Landlord probably needs to market to different types of businesses besides retail. That space is not close to target or anything else really so not sure it can draw the customers it needs. 

    • AMD October 8, 2023 (7:25 am)

      I’ve seen more comments here about Staples than I’ve ever seen people IN Staples, and I think that’s the reason it’s closing.  

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