BIZNOTE: West Seattle Nursery expansion work starts next week

| Gardening | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

That’s a rendering of the new expansion building that West Seattle Nursery is about to start work on next door. We reported on the expansion plan early last year. Nursery owner Mark Smith owns the old house on the site and had hoped to give it to someone who would be interested in moving it to another location, but that didn’t work out, so it will be demolished next Monday. The expansion is designed by Parie Hines of LD Arch Design (WSB sponsor) will include “a new houseplant and gift shop; a coffee bar; a classroom; storage; and office space.” (Find more details of the building, especially its sustainability features, on the LD Arch Design website.) This will clear the way for the original WSN building to have an expanded garden center with more tools, accessories, and furniture. The project – to be built by Ventana Construction (also a WSB sponsor) – is expected to be finished by the end of March.

Lindsey October 7, 2015 (2:29 pm)

This is awesome! I’m looking forward to the progress and the new set up. I love buying my plants at West Seattle Nursery. They may be a bit more expensive, but the quality is by far superior than the other places you can get plants in West Seattle. Plus I like to support the small business.

Jon October 7, 2015 (3:00 pm)

They’re tearing down the dragon penis house aren’t they? Im sure the neighbors will enjoy the bump in their property values, but on the other hand, Im sad to see another minor artifact of Seattle Quirk and Kitch fall to the cultural clear-cut that’s happening in this boom.

And yes, I am aware how alone I am in my appreciation of things that are universally considered “poor taste.” Poor taste is an acquired taste after all.

Google Streetview:
http://bit.ly/1Mfp5jV

WSB October 7, 2015 (3:06 pm)

No, this involves the house to the north of the nursery on California, as per the link to our previous coverage, which shows the house that’s going.

Jon October 7, 2015 (3:09 pm)

Huzzah!

Jeanie October 7, 2015 (3:13 pm)

Jon, you’re not the only fan of the dragon penis house. I’m glad it will still stand tall and erect. Those carvings have an appealingly nightmarish quality. I think it would make for an interesting story, but I’d be afraid to knock on their door! Plus, we don’t want crowds of curious gawkers driving by. I don’t quite understand the mountain of dirt at the front of the house, though.

WSB October 7, 2015 (3:20 pm)

We’ve reported on the house, years ago. Another angle emerged a few years after that, but when we contacted the owner, he made it very clear he did not wish to be interviewed.

Jeanie October 7, 2015 (3:14 pm)

Will the chickens still be roaming about? They are cute.

Marie October 7, 2015 (3:55 pm)

To respond to Jeanie: the chickens will not be roaming about during construction. They are enjoying a comfortable retirement at the home of one of the nursery employees. We plan to welcome a couple more “spring chickens” into the fold when the new building is up.

anonyme October 7, 2015 (4:14 pm)

The fact is that West Seattle Nursery has some of the best prices in town. Do an apples to apples comparison at Swanson’s, and I think you’ll be shocked. I work in the business, and have found WSN to be anywhere from par to -30% in comparison to other nurseries. They also have good service (as compared to none most places) and the merchandising is really lovely.

This plan looks amazing, and I can’t wait for the unveiling in March!

Kristi M October 7, 2015 (5:11 pm)

I have shopped at West Seattle Nursery since they opened 25+ years ago. I love their variety, quality, service and prices and also like to support a local business. As previously mentioned, go to Swanson’s, Wells Medina or Bellevue Nursery, all three are much higher for the same plants.

Mr. B October 7, 2015 (5:44 pm)

Wow… amazing. Can’t wait to see the finished building.

scully October 7, 2015 (7:13 pm)

It’s a great nursery. Sure hope they improve the parking.

flower child October 7, 2015 (7:15 pm)

One of my favorite plants in my yard is an azalea I bought from WS Nursery nearly 20 years ago.

Paul October 7, 2015 (7:56 pm)

We love West Seattle Nursury and are happy to see it expanding as well. Although more parking would be welcome. It’s difficult to park far away when you have a full load of plants and other materials!

Kravitz October 7, 2015 (8:02 pm)

How sad that a perfectly normal and fairly well taken care of house will be demolished, yet that eyesore of a hovel behind the nursery remains – complete with tarped roof, carved dragon stumps, incomplete moat, dirt mound, disabled trailer, exposed rebar, nude chimney fairy, digital room-for-rent-sign… shall I go on?

MsD October 7, 2015 (8:44 pm)

I buy from them every year. They are very patient with my 2-3 trips pacing around indecisively until I eventually buy a bunch of stuff. And if you hang around there for a while, you’ll overhear the most entertaining conversations between every type of couple in West Seattle. They should hold a “Negotiating With Your Significant Other” class there.

Jim October 8, 2015 (6:33 am)

Personally I miss Herfys… But I guess I’m just showing my age. Their brick building is a sister to the Jack in the Box building up on Admiral Way. The Herfys building in Auburn actually has a reborn Herfys in it.

Steve Winston October 8, 2015 (8:56 am)

They could resolve much of their parking problem by not giving such a high priority to trucks. They have the biggest loading zone in Seattle which they vigorously enforce. Many merchants on California delegate trucks to the two way left turn lane. It has kept me from making spontaneous stops many, many time.

Marie October 8, 2015 (12:24 pm)

Just to let people know, the nursery did whatever possible to salvage or recycle materials from the house. Second Use came in and took the doors, door frames and fir flooring. All of the windows, appliances, light fixtures, cabinets and wood paneling have found new homes. Literally everything BUT the kitchen sink was recycled (no one wanted that).

B October 8, 2015 (12:36 pm)

Regarding parking, it would also be nice if somehow the asphalt parking strip next to the store on Brandon could be changed into parking spots. On weekends in the spring, it seems there’s always a gardener or two parked in that not-terribly-well-marked NO PARKING zone. Cutting the curb back to the sidewalk would make it possible for people to use those spots and allow cars to pass.

me October 8, 2015 (7:30 pm)

I like to shop for plants here, but a coffee shop? Really? I go for plants, not coffee, you can’t swing a dead dog without hitting a coffee shop here. geez.

au October 9, 2015 (8:38 am)

I just wish they would voluntarily stop selling invasive plants, english ivy, butterfly bush, holly…

anonyme October 9, 2015 (4:33 pm)

I think the coffee shop is a great idea, especially for the pros who shop all year round and may appreciate a warm-up before heading to their next damp, chilly job. Dabblers may not understand that landscapers don’t usually have time, nor are they dressed for, dining out or visiting coffee shops. It’s not unusual for people to spend several hours shopping, and hopefully none of them will be swinging dead dogs.

MJP October 9, 2015 (11:29 pm)

I too have fond memories of WSN. My wife and I purchased an incredible weeping pussy willow tree there over 20 years ago for our very first little house just to the north of the Kenny Home. Years later, we loved driving by to see the tree in the front yard until a couple of years ago when the new owners removed it :(

Deborah October 12, 2015 (8:37 am)

I love the West Seattle Nursery. I spent many a wonderful spring and summer day shopping for lovely plants. I miss the nursery. This is be a nice expansion for them. They really needed more space. :)

Sorry, comment time is over.