Seen during a holiday stroll

| Safety | Seen around town | West Seattle businesses

From Admiral Junction to Morgan Junction on foot, much to be seen. Including:

-Dangerous driving at Cali/Genesee and Cali/Fauntleroy. At the former, a car turning right/north onto Cali (by Divina) almost took out a bicyclist that the driver would have seen with a good look south before the turn. The bicyclist shouted indignantly for a while, the driver paused, then both finally continued on. At the latter — a car almost took us out, turning right/west onto Fauntleroy (by the Corner Inn) as we stepped into the crosswalk. We’re not much for shouting so we just glowered.

-Banner up for a new business in the mixed-use building at 5446 Cali: “On the Way Maternity.” According to its city business-license classification, it’ll sell clothing. Doesn’t look too close to opening; various renovations are under way inside.

-In The Junction, the former Hollywood Video etc./future megaproject site along Alaska now has a “coming soon/Office Depot” banner on the fence. (Why not “coming soon/QFC” too?)

chas redmond September 3, 2007 (9:11 pm)

I thought the “why not QFC, too” question but then pondered – QFC already has one store here (Westwood) and therefore already has WS cachet and name recognition. Office Depot has to fend off several years’ worth of Staples steadfastness and quality service. They may be girding for an onslaught. Can’t imagine Liberty Printing not being responsive to a closer print shop, either. Even when there were a choice of three (plus Office Max), I always thought Staples was the Target of that genre. Plus, the locals at Westwood already know me and my deadlines. Maybe they’ll have a Costco-like photo service, that would draw me inside.

jissy September 3, 2007 (9:42 pm)

I heard that the QFC deal fell through for that project ….. rumor pending of course.

Jan September 3, 2007 (10:08 pm)

now that’s an interesting “pending rumor”..oh, that it would be true..how many grocery stores do we truly need between Alaska and Admiral?

WSB September 3, 2007 (10:40 pm)

We’ve heard that rumor before over the past half-year or so, but as of the Design Review Board we covered two months ago, QFC was still in. Hard to tell what’s happened since then; we are still working to uncover more and more ways to try to find that sort of information online. Anybody want to start a rumor that if QFC was out, maybe THAT would be the perfect space for the long-longed-for, Holy Grail of specialty groceries, TJ’s? Hmm.

Jan September 4, 2007 (12:25 am)

hehehe…yay for TJ’s – lol…that would be funny right down the street from Whole Foods

jj September 4, 2007 (8:48 am)

I think every store in WS has had a “it’s going to close” rumor about it. I worked at a Junction establishment and would get asked every few months if the place is going out of business. The owners said they get asked often and are not sure why the rumors start.

JT September 4, 2007 (11:20 am)

How about a Larry’s Market? Oh wait, that’s not a rumor any longer.

Flowerpetal September 4, 2007 (11:59 am)

I know I am going against the flow, but am I the only one who is not enamored with T.J.s? Their wine selection is inadequate; the produce packaged; and there are aisles of ready-made foods for people who don’t know how to cook (or are “too busy”). I’m quite happy with the Safeways, Thriftways and QFC.
And Staples in W-wood is on my “do not shop” list after more than one rude employee’s comments. And I am an easy-to-get-along-with kinda person. But not at Staples. Our household travels out of WS for office supplies.

Todd in Westwood September 4, 2007 (12:01 pm)

why not another Starbucks? I mean, heck, there is not one on that block. It is WAY too far to walk across the street and up the stairs at Jefferson Square or down the block to Cupcake Royale. Market saturation baby.

Miss Teen South Carolina September 4, 2007 (5:51 pm)

I personally believe that US Americans are unable to do so things such as make up their minds such as office depot and south africa and such everywhere. Trader Joes , QFC and Starbucks and the iraq all have a place in West Seattle and such as.

Lous Wife September 4, 2007 (7:46 pm)

Of course, the views of Miss Teen South Carolina require that Trader Joes, QFC, etc. can find West Seattle on a map that the school kids simply do not own.