FOLLOWUP: What ex-Walgreens site’s new owner plans to do immediately

| Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

As reported here on Monday, the former Walgreens in South Delridge has a new owner. Subsequently visiting the site (15th/16th/Roxbury), we noted the signage announcing that it’s up for lease. But new owner James Tjoa has more immediate plans to activate the site, we learned from a spokesperson who returned our call today because Tjoa is traveling. He’s hoping to use its lot as a food-truck site, with one truck scheduled to set up there within a few days, El Gran Taco, and “we’re talking to others,” hoping ultimately for “three or four” to set up there. The spokesperson says Tjoa already owns property in the area – the site of the White Center Dollar Tree store a few blocks south on 15th – and “loves” the area, considering the ex-Walgreens site “a great corner.” Though Tjoa is a developer as well as broker and real-estate investor, redevelopment is not expected on this site – zoned for mixed use up to four stories – any time soon; the building is in good shape, they explain, only about 20 years old, so “tearing it down wouldn’t make sense” – at least for another 10 years or so.

Rat City February 3, 2026 (5:43 pm)

Sounds promising but worried about that area around the intersection… I’ve been harassed while inside the Wells Fargo atm there and the abandoned Bartells and bus stops nearby have a reputation. Feels relatively safer only a couple blocks away at 15th SW and SW 98th.

k February 3, 2026 (5:54 pm)

Bummed it’s not being developed, but love the food truck idea! That parking lot is massive; it will be great to put it to some use!

Derp February 4, 2026 (9:04 am)

Reply

Please read the story, it tells you this is temporary and not a long term use.
- Another Kyle February 4, 2026 (1:04 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  And so what? You can still be glad we’re getting food trucks even if they’re not long term. Better than the whole lotta nothing right now.
- k February 4, 2026 (5:36 pm)
  
  Reply
  
  Hi Derp. I did read the story. It says “redevelopment is not expected on this site”. Therefore I’m bummed that it’s not being developed. Nothing else in the story precludes my excitement for the food trucks, and making use of the ridiculously oversized parking lot.
  - WSB February 4, 2026 (7:06 pm)
    
    Reply
    
    No, I did not write “redevelopment is not expected” – this passage boils down to “redevelopment is not expected for 10 years or so”
    
    …redevelopment is not expected on this site – zoned for mixed use up to four stories – any time soon; the building is in good shape, they explain, only about 20 years old, so “tearing it down wouldn’t make sense” – at least for another 10 years or so.
    - k February 4, 2026 (8:23 pm)
      
      I feel like we all agree on what is being said here. They’re looking for tenants instead of knocking the building down. I’m disappointed. Bummer. Genuinely confused why my comment is eliciting so much response. I’m not the first person to be bummed when they had hoped for better use of a particular parcel, and the announcement says it’s staying as-is. For whatever length of time. *shrug*

HTB February 3, 2026 (7:10 pm)

Food trucks? Can we please get a real business in here?

WSB February 3, 2026 (7:57 pm)

Reply

As reported yesterday, they’re working on that. The food trucks are an attempt to keep a huge empty lot from being a huge empty lot in the meantime.
Adam February 4, 2026 (8:23 am)

Reply

Plz explain how a food truck is not a real business. If they have the proper permits, is it not “real” because they’re on wheels?

Kyle February 3, 2026 (8:08 pm)

Good trucks sound way better than what we currently have going on there.

Lauren February 3, 2026 (8:16 pm)

Food trucks sound like an awesome “in between” solution.

Neighbor February 3, 2026 (8:24 pm)

How do these trucks plan to compete with the tent that illegally operates out of the old Bartell’s lot every night?

Dp February 4, 2026 (12:02 am)

Reply

I’m so tired of all those illegal stands. None have permits or anything.
- Derp February 4, 2026 (9:06 am)
  
  Reply
  
  Nobody is forcing you to go to either spot. If you don’t like it, great. They do have great tamales
west seattle res February 4, 2026 (12:54 am)

Reply

Maybe they can make better food.

Rob February 3, 2026 (8:56 pm)

Open up a indoor flea market.

Alayna February 3, 2026 (9:14 pm)

Please bring El Camion back to West Seattle!!

Joe February 3, 2026 (10:39 pm)

Work nearby. I have not missed my 4 tacos de asada every Friday for lunch in 9 years from El Semental/Los Potrillos. A Taco truck right across the street from an actual mom and pop authentic taqueria? Not very neighborly. Pretty soon the entire block will vacant buildings. Hard pass👎👎👎

Adam February 4, 2026 (8:25 am)

Reply

If they have the proper permits and operate legally, then competition shouldn’t be feared by anyone other than those that cannot compete. If you like those places (huge upvote for Los Potrillo’s for great food AND service) then just keep going, right?
tim February 4, 2026 (11:08 am)

Reply

food truck growth and restaurant growth are positively correlated. you’d be hard pressed to find any evidence of restaurants closing their doors because a food truck moved in across the street..
Ajar February 4, 2026 (5:59 pm)

Reply

There are 9 (count them 9) Mexican restaurants/trucks in the 2 block area south of the old Walgreens. Adding a 10th will have negligible effect on the amount of competition.

Alki resident February 4, 2026 (7:37 am)

There’s Mexican joints and burger places directly across from each other everywhere. It’s a matter of choice.

Arbor Heights Neighbor February 4, 2026 (8:36 am)

This sounds awesome. Maybe this will be a start towards something like what Portland has going on with all their awesome food truck pods.

Pearl February 4, 2026 (8:40 am)

I worry about the location. 15th and Roxbury has been a problem for as long as I can remember, and that’s before Bartell Drugs and Walgreens shut their doors.

Marco February 4, 2026 (9:00 am)

I wonder how the nearby restaurants will feel about the food trucks?

Foop February 4, 2026 (12:06 pm)

Reply

Are we really lamenting the idea of having more options for dining?
Westwood February 4, 2026 (5:13 pm)

Reply

As a consumer, I’m never concerned about having more options to spend my dollars on. If they want my business…they have to earn it.

Goddess Andraste February 4, 2026 (2:30 pm)

I knew something was up a week or two ago when the graffiti was cleaned up, the parking lot was pristine, and de-icer had even been applied. The trash explosion is already back, though.

Rat City Runner February 5, 2026 (12:39 pm)

Thanks for the follow-up on this. Happy to hear that it’s not about to sit vacant like the former Bartell’s across the street. Please keep us updated on this one!