BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: One more week for Admiral Bank of America

That photo sent by Ray reminded us that we should remind you the Admiral Bank of America branch is closing as of one week from tomorrow. B of A announced the February 11 closure plan way back in July of last year. As we noted then, it’ll be the second Admiral Junction bank-branch closure in less than a year, after Wells Fargo shuttered there last March. That building has since sold, and the ex-bank space in it remains for lease; that’s the plan – as you can see from the signage – for this building too. As for B of A’s two remaining West Seattle branches – in The Junction and at Westwood Village – both are in the city building-permit system right now for various exterior work such as bollard upgrades and parking-lot maintenance.

Jake February 3, 2025 (1:15 pm)

Bring back some kind of sitdown restaurant…

WSB February 3, 2025 (2:17 pm)

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Could happen but keep in mind that there are at least seven restaurants within a block already.

valvashon February 3, 2025 (1:16 pm)

I am amused at the “Now Open” and “For Lease” signs existing simultaneously. It’s been that way for a while now.

Joe February 3, 2025 (2:30 pm)

That’s one business that probably won’t be missed.

Peter S. February 3, 2025 (4:59 pm)

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@Joe: I for one, disagree. Not that I’m a huge BoA fan, but I need to do business with them. Not only is this branch much more convenient for me than the other WS locations, it’s far less busy and the staff is much friendlier than the Alaska Junction branch. I’m guessing the former is one of the reasons they’re vacating the space.

bkh February 3, 2025 (2:36 pm)

Looks like a great place for a bagel shop….

Nw mama February 3, 2025 (3:31 pm)

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Yes please!!!!!
Laraine February 3, 2025 (3:53 pm)

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OOH yes I agree…or maybe I better not. There is a shop in Georgetown that we have yet tried…maybe this week.https://seattlerefined.com/eat-drink/restaurants-bars/bloom-bistro-and-grocery-georgetown-bagels-breakfast-vendors-community-marisa-figueroa-brass-band-cafe-hub
- West Seattle Mad Sci Guy February 3, 2025 (11:08 pm)
  
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  Bloom bagels were fantastic the one time I got one. Definitely gonna go back
B February 3, 2025 (6:34 pm)

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Can we get 5% 6-month CD’s with those bagels? LOL
ken February 3, 2025 (10:28 pm)

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I still miss Zatz!

le0pardparent February 3, 2025 (3:30 pm)

Level it and build a parking lot for drop-off and pick-up at Lafayette. Parents need more options when this city already takes so much away.

Churro strength February 4, 2025 (6:03 am)

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No one is putting a parking lot in prime real estate. You know the bus goes right by there and there are things called school buses that transport children to and from school, you don’t NEED to drive. And we certainly don’t need more parking lots

Me mama February 3, 2025 (3:34 pm)

Admiral junction is emptying out with this, the cleaner on the corner, the old Wells Fargo on the other corner…. I hope these landlords get a clue and lower the rent! Speaking for the nearby residents- we’d love to frequent some local businesses!

WSB February 3, 2025 (4:19 pm)

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The cleaner and Wells Fargo were owned by those businesses, so it wasn’t a case of high rent – they were their own landlords.
- Me mama February 3, 2025 (11:09 pm)
  
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  Point taken, the cleaner is for sale but both bank properties are for rent. High rent. Vacancies are not good for the hood, lower the rent and get a tenant in.
Bradley February 3, 2025 (7:31 pm)

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Why is it the landlord’s fault? How about the tax and permit rates in the city/state?
- Nolan February 3, 2025 (10:56 pm)
  
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  Why wouldn’t it be the landlords’ fault? Why else but the landlords would the property sit empty, making no money for its owners and making the community worse?
  - Bradley February 4, 2025 (5:00 pm)
    
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    There’s lots of reasons. But you can’t just focus on the same one over and over. There’s business plans, loan rates, capital, going concerns of a need for the success of a new business. Look around, there are so many businesses that have had to call it quits. It not always a landlord issue as so many people seem to want to land on.
    - WS Res February 4, 2025 (6:51 pm)
      
      Occam’s razor – the #1 fixed expense for most businesses is rent. And rent has increased disproportionately to inflation over decades as real estate prices have.
- Derek February 4, 2025 (6:36 am)
  
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  Because, the landlord has all the power here? Why should they get special breaks you and I don’t get?

22blades February 4, 2025 (3:47 am)

I had a dealing with the property manager of the Wells Fargo building. They. Do. Not. Care. As long as Wells or BoA cuts the check they don’t care. I finally had to call HQ assets in San Francisco to get any response. Honestly, they were better to deal with than the property manger. When they did show up, he was beyond annoyed to be there. He might have gotten a talking from Wells. I believe the property managers can be the worst link in keeping a neighborhood vital.