BIZNOTE: New plan for the former-and-future Shack

| Luna Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

When we reported last month on the closure of The Spot, the property owners told us, “Another small business is already slated to open (in that space at 2920 SW Avalon Way) in the coming months.” Tonight we know what that business will be. In harmony with a historic sign atop the little building, the business there before The Spot was called The Shack – and that’s its future name too. This time, it’ll be operated by veteran restaurateur Heong Soon Park, who bought Luna Park Café next door last fall. His plan for The Shack? Park says, “We are planning to open a coffee and matcha cafe and still call it The Shack to continue the legacy of the building. We do not have the timeline yet, but we are hoping to open the door by June.” They’ll keep operating Luna Park, too, and are planning on a Luna Park Festival this summer – more to come on that.

Derek March 17, 2025 (8:44 pm)

As someone who literally walks by this place daily, I welcome it!

Local March 17, 2025 (11:15 pm)

I might be wrong but isn’t that what it used to be?
- Derek March 18, 2025 (12:04 am)
  
  I am welcoming Mr. Park taking over…
- Pelicans March 18, 2025 (1:23 am)
  
  I may be remembering incorrectly, but back in the 80’s weren’t the original Shack and sign located further north on Harbor Ave. where some of the taller bldgs. are now? I think it used to be a burger stand. Wish Miws was here-he’d know ;-).
  - Marcus March 18, 2025 (4:17 am)
    
    Yes, the Shack was further north as early as the 1960’s maybe earlier. The landscape has changed with so much new building and maybe someone else can identify more closely where it was originally.
    - Chuck March 18, 2025 (1:15 pm)
      
      It was next to the Alki Tavern
  - Kt March 18, 2025 (6:09 am)
    
    Yes, the Shack was a hamburger restaurant/stand a couple doors down from Alki Tavern and the Thai restaurant right next door to it. The owners of the Thai restaurant operated it at the time and lived on Beach Drive, when I worked there in high school (West Seattle High). It was a blast working there as a teenager. Alki Tavern’s Taco Tuesdays/Thursdays where the nights that bikers lined the streets of Harbor Ave and was the busiest nights at The Shack. People would grab hotdogs or hamburgers and all be hanging out enjoying the views. The week of Fourth of July when the street lined up with bike nights was the craziest. One of my favorite memories growing up. So happy they kept The Shack sign. Brings back great memories every time I drive by it. Nice to see that Heong will keep it local and rename it the Shack. Keeps our history and our community strong. Something I’m curious about. When The Shack shut down on Harbor Ave. I remember my friend’s grandmother mentioned that where The Shack sign is now was the original spot before Harbor Ave?
  - Todd March 18, 2025 (7:44 am)
    
    The Shack used to be a burger stand – you are correct! It was where California comes down to meet Harbor Ave, but a series of mudslides damaged a bunch of buildings and they actually had to do a re-route of the roadway and they had to tear down The Shack to make it happen. Driving by now, the footprint is obviously too small for anything to go there, but I cruised the beach in the mid-80’s and I remember it (along with a lot of other things that aren’t there anymore, but that’s for another day…)
  - Will o Wisp March 18, 2025 (8:25 am)
    
    I have lived around here since the late 70s and the sign was at aproximately 1333 Harbor Ave. I ate there only once and it was just another take out burger joint to me.
  - Curious George March 18, 2025 (11:37 am)
    
    Yes you are correct on The Shack being a burger stand. Also near The Embers and the world famous Alki Tavern.

Helpermonkey March 18, 2025 (6:31 am)

Back in the 90’s it was Java Bean coffee shop.

Kalo March 18, 2025 (7:27 am)

Pelicans, you are correct! The Shack was a burger joint down on Harbor Ave., owned by Larry and Alice (don’t remember their last names). It was a few doors south of the Alki Tavern. A condo called Harbor Landing now sits on its former property.

helpermonkey March 18, 2025 (8:53 am)

Back in the 90’s it was Java Bean coffee shop.

K.S. March 18, 2025 (11:37 am)

Sorry for the fussy photo but yes, The Shack was a hamburger/hotdog stand on Harbor Ave back in the day, starting from the left on the right side of the street; The Shack (sign at the top of photo), Thai, Alki Tavern, Embers nightclub. It was a blast working there during high school (West Seattle High, yah). This photo is Alki Tavern’s Taco Thursday one of my favorite nights along with 4th of July weeks. It’s a blessing the sign was preserved and moved to its current location when the condos took over. I enjoy it when I drive by it. Thank you so much Heong for keeping our West Seattle history and community strong. I believe, by word of my friends grandmother, where The Shack sign is now was it’s original location before West Seattle Bridge was built and it moved to Harbor Ave many moons ago.

Steve Pardy March 18, 2025 (8:48 pm)

Back in the 50s, early 60s I think the Alki Tavern was called the Red Fox. Or The Fox and Hounds. Not sure. The Embers was a 3D aquarium shop and at the other end was a grocery store called The Harbor Superette owned by Mark and Lois Brown. They lived on that little road south of Lowman Beach.They sold food of course but they also sold a ton of bait to all the boat owners across Harbor Ave at one of the many boat houses that lined it. Had to be careful which cooler you opened looking fo ice cream! The Don Armeni boat ramp was a single strip of blacktop cut between the slag heaps from the steel mill. Mr Brown opened The Shack next door. I remember he had the coolest machine that would stamp out hamburger patties.

Scott March 19, 2025 (7:32 am)

Is it coincidental their outdoor patio was destroyed by that big wind event a few weeks ago? I bet that was costly and the landlord wasn’t happy about it.

The Earl March 19, 2025 (9:29 am)

Who can forget the beach comber or the super big huckster. Shack classic burger joint. When they switched to thai food. Not too shabby. Then the Thai took over the harbor Superette. Sad to see that neighborhood store go. As with most of the city. Harbor avenue neighborhood of 2025 is not even remotely recognizeable to the harbor avenue of 60’s- late 80’s

JC March 21, 2025 (4:13 pm)

The Shack originated as a hamburger stand in the Denny Regrade. It was built and opened for the 1962 Seattle Worlds Fair. It never did very well. After the fair was over the owners sold the building and iconic sign to new owners. It was then cut down and reassembled on Harbor Avenue.😎

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