Another Fauntleroy Way chunk on the market

Jan November 18, 2007 (2:04 pm)

and another West Seattle institution will bite the dust…lol..I remember my ex telling me that Tervo’s was where they all went as 14 year old kids to score their cigarettes. Except for Tervo’s being there since the beginning of time, the other two business locations next to it have been mostly bad luck locations…I won’t complain if they’re gone …

willow November 18, 2007 (2:26 pm)

Jan – Tervo’s used to be where the Great Harvest? in the Junction now is (California Ave, for Newbies – NOT CALI), until circa 196?, 197?. (I’m old, do not remember history too well)

And,if that’s the beginning of time, (I wasn’t even alive at the beginning of time), please send all of your donations to WSB, i/co, willow.

I will appreciate them, and, ever so wisely, spend them.

AND, it’s about time someone did something with that part of the WS Welcome signs. JEEZ, you all talk about Huling Bros as a welcome!

WSB November 18, 2007 (2:35 pm)

Willow, you may be pleased to hear we stopped using Cali a month or two back when we belatedly realized it meant that if we wrote about a certain address on California, it wouldn’t come up in a search on Google etc. if we had only described the address as “xxxx Cali.” Which reminds us, we need to go back and fix all the archived posts where we abbreviated the street name that way!

willow November 18, 2007 (3:05 pm)

That is your call, but, probably, readers will understand, it’s just that if you want people to understand WHAT WS was, refer to it as it WAS.

Do not continue to complain about what it is —-
If you do not like what it was, move. Shut up. It will change, and change, and change.

Nostaligia has no meaning if you weren’t here, at the time. Hindsight is great, unless you LIVED here at the time.

IT was, has been, and hopefully will not be, a dump. Thank you, your monetary contributions will be appreciated.

Gina November 18, 2007 (3:25 pm)

Before Great Harvest, wasn’t that spot Dogmeats? And before that it was the 5 and 10, okay what was the name of it, I can visulize the family that ran it, went to school with the son…

All that keeps popping up in my mind was the Hallmark in the building that was torn down for the bank where KeyBank is now. And the Hi-Yu Arts and Crafts store in the other block that became Northwest Art and Frame.

Anything before 1968 I get really fuzzy about unless it was in the Admiral district.

It does seem like Tervo’s has been there since the beginning of my noticing things outside my immediate neighborhood days.

Jan November 18, 2007 (4:20 pm)

Gina, if I remember correctly Dogmeats was further down, perhaps where the Japanese restaurant is now near Husky Deli.

Also, Willow, if I remember correctly, Great Harvest was once part of Morton’s, before it divided itself up. I’ve only been here since 1975…not a native, so only know what ex hubby told me. I think he mentioned that there was a place of Tervo’s ilk somewhere right in the vicinity of Morton’s/Key Bank. I remember Tervo’s being in it’s present location when I moved here. Ex mentioned that it was NOT a place to go for lettuce or meat :)

I’m not lamenting the loss of Tervo’s, although it’s sad that it took the suicide of the present owner to spur it on. I think that the gateway to West Seattle will be much improved by a new building there. And lucky for the future “live there’s”, having such a good Thai restaurant so close by. Now…if we could only get Alki Lumber to clean up it’s act a bit :)

Jan November 18, 2007 (4:24 pm)

Gina…I remember when HiYu Arts and Crafts was in the block north of it’s present location as NW Art and Frame, and yes, the 5 and 10 cent store where Art’s West is located now. I almost forgot about the Hallmark store….I think you’re right about it’s location…and there was a pub/tavern on the corner where Key Bank is now…can’t remember the name, but it moved to Westwood Village for a while. I remember that it always smelled on that corner right around the doorway. Change is definitely inevitable…

miws November 18, 2007 (4:24 pm)

Gina, The spot where Great Harvest is, used to be part of Morton’s Drug Store. It was other things before Morton’s expanded into it in the ’80’s(?) I’d have to do research and/or think really hard to remember. (I think waaaayyy back, it was a Singer Sewing Machine Store, and at another time, in the ’60’s a Gilly’s Sub Shop.) I remember hearing of Tervo’s being in that area, but don’t remember it myself.

Dogmeat’s/Turnabout occupied the southernmost chunk, next to Poggie’s, of what is now ArtsWest Playhouse, the largest part of ArtsWest was Meredith’s five and dime.

I too (vaguely) remember the card shop where Key Bank now is.

I should be able to remember the old Fire Station in the Farmer’s Market lot, but do not. I do remember the Ernst Hardware on the Wells Fargo site.

Mike

miws November 18, 2007 (4:35 pm)

Jan, The tavern was the Pickwick Pub. That’s another thing I don’t actually remember being there myself.

I patronized the Westwood location several times. Great way to kill time after shopping was finished, and there was time to kill before the next bus.

*At the Pickwick, looking at watch. Nuts! Just nmissed the bus! “Another pint of Rainier, please!”* :)

Mike

Jan November 18, 2007 (4:38 pm)

Ah, yes, the Pickwick…real classy joint…hehe.

And the Meat market/fish market where Taqueria Guaymas is now…wow….

willow November 18, 2007 (4:40 pm)

HEY, thank you all, there are some people that were here —when WS was. I will get back to you, after I eat. I am a hyper/hypo glysemic person, and, I am now both,neither. All I know is, I must ,eat right now.

Rick November 18, 2007 (5:00 pm)

Ok, Kress,Sportsland,Ernst,McPolands Drugs,Carlisle Furniture,Teagues Jewelers,Groves Men’s Shop,West Seattle Hospital to name a few. Is somebody getting old(er) or what? WAAH!

IsleWrite November 18, 2007 (5:19 pm)

Well, we could REALLY go back to the early 60’s, when there was a Wigwam store in the middle of the Husky’s block…Puerta Vallarta-ish, perhaps? Before LaGrace expanded to the cupcake corner and had an entrance only on Alaska….Children’s Corner/”Leigh Dunn” had a side entrance on Alaska, next to the Elite Beauty Salon (where the little ethnic markets are, next to Wells Fargo). And when our little Junction could support any number of women’s dress shops (Louise North, Margaret’s Apparel, La Grace, Johnson’s), not to mention a Penney’s and the long-lost “Topper Shop”! And Vann’s (Maharaja) had the cool curved booths that I would kill to have right now, as well as the best french dips and potato salad. :-)

That said…I remember the smell of popcorn at Kress’s and the little dishes of candy on the counter at Russell’s Jeweler’s. And every time I walk into Lee’s, I glance warmly at the little alcove just inside the door, to the left. I spent a LOT of time there on a bench seat at a little slanted desk, reading Little Golden books while my mom shopped for fabric.

I love West Seattle….

Bob Loblaw November 18, 2007 (5:43 pm)

So, nostalgic folks, come back to the present day. What should go there?

It’s a tough spot for parking, but could be made better. It’s at the start of town, so it should be accesible, but not the be all and end all that stops folks from exploring.

Nobody wants a townhome/condo project. It’s not polically correct to re-open Sambo’s. And the tile roof from the Granada is now on top of Mr. Loblaw’s house :-)

Personally, I think it may be one of the toughest calls we can collectively make. But with all the nearby activity, stuff should start tying in before it begins to unravel.

willow November 18, 2007 (5:49 pm)

Thank you all, especially, the Pickwick Inn people. I had forgotten — , that is where we used to get our underage beer. They sold to anyone—glad they are not here anymore.

Rick – you been around a LONG time.

Jan – You are right— but someone had to tell you. It was long ago, not 13 years.

Jan November 18, 2007 (6:02 pm)

OMG…Sambo’s…I remember when that was…well…south of the Junction. Wouldn’t exactly be PC now, would it?

What should go on that corner? Well, now…parking could be made better by putting some underground…but you’re right, it’s hard to call. We don’t need more condos…and who would want to live along the main drag right there anyway. But I bet that developers of condos and/or apts. will definitely give it a try because of the zoning. Before anyone else brings it up, here it is = Trader Joe’s – lol. I can think of at least another business that wants to relocate elsewhere from their junction location, but I’d hate to jinx the spot, so I won’t say (dog biscuit, anyone?). I’d like to see mixed use…maybe some apartments, but not 79 like is in the advertisement…and I suppose the area could use some specific retail, as long as it’s done tastefully.

It’ll be interesting to see what come’s of it, for sure.

Todd in Westwood November 18, 2007 (6:52 pm)

Wasnt there a Herfy’s in W.S. also? On California? mAybe where the West Seattle Nursury is now?

T

WSB November 18, 2007 (7:02 pm)

that one, we know. Actually, where Jack in the Box is now (on Admiral). If there was another one, it was before we got here in the early ’90s.

Forest November 18, 2007 (7:04 pm)

I sometimes try to place Bandwagon Music, where grade school kids in West Seattle would go to buy or rent their musical instruments. Was it in the space that’s now occupied by the Blackbird Cafe or was it somewhere else in the Admiral Theater block?

miws November 18, 2007 (7:10 pm)

Wigwam was where Sleepers in Seattle is now. And way way back that spot was a Tradewell Grocery, and add that to the list that I don’t actually remember myself. Petco was an A&P Grocery and later became a Tradewell. That was my store to shop at when I moved out on my own in 1978 into one of the apartments above Barnecut’s Law Office. (Then Venable & Wing).

Todd, yes that’s where a Herfy’s was located, and later a Arby’s (which I sorely miss!) There was also a Herfy’s in Admiral where Jack-in-the-Box now is.

Mike

Jiggers November 18, 2007 (7:14 pm)

What a great locale for a business. I wish I had millions lying around..

miws November 18, 2007 (7:16 pm)

I should have mentioned that Wigwam may have been up the street at an earlier time. Sounds vaguely familiar to me, but I only clearly remember the other location.

Mike

Bonnie November 18, 2007 (7:28 pm)

How fun reading all this! I have only been here for almost 20 years but do remember some of this. My FIL used to bring Herfy Burgers home all the time. We (hubby and I) used to work at Admiral Thriftway long before the days of Metropolitan Market, and the West Seattle Nursery used to be an auto parts store (but was probably some sort of burger place before that). I remember getting a haircut at the Beauty School before Capers came in and going to JC Penney’s to shop. To make me really old I remember when Lucky’s used to be Admiral Thirftway/Metropolitan Market!

Jan November 18, 2007 (7:40 pm)

Mr. Willow dear…I’ve been here for 32 years…yes, I remember Tervo’s from back then. My ex is now 55 years old, and he went there for ciggies when he was 14/15. I remember the Herfy’s south of the Junction, and Arby’s….and there was a Pizza Hut, too. And, Bonnie, I’ve actually shopped in the Lucky that was the forerunner to Admiral Thriftway/Met Market.Remember Miriam and Doris? There was a Dairy Queen, which became a Pizza Haven, which became a private coffee roaster in their parking lot before it became Adm. Thriftway.

And, by the way…does anyone remember Steve Athan’s, where Elliott Bay is now?

Jiggers…I wish you millions…local ownership is good :)

Jim November 18, 2007 (7:53 pm)

Whilst we are remembering businesses past…

What was the grocery store that used to occupy the entire Hancock Fabrics / Schucks building? I vaguely recall it being an A&P maybe? My mother shopped there when I was a kid.

I think the store safe from that place is still there, just inside the door…

willow November 18, 2007 (8:30 pm)

PETCO was A&P. I do not remember what that grocery store was (Hancock)– but, yes, it was.

Bonnie, actually, it was originally Websters (now what is called Charlestown Cafe), after moving way north, and for a while, it was Eggscetera, of the Capital Hill fame.

And, yes, it was auto parts for awhile. And, what is now Charlestown Cafe (Websters) used to be Country Cousins.WHOPEEEEE?

IsleWrite November 18, 2007 (8:35 pm)

When I was really little, the hancock/schucks building was a dairy. Foremost, perhaps?

Do you guys remember Bison Creek Pizza, there across from the current nursery? Damn, was there any pizza cheesier than that? And I truly miss having the Pizza Pete across from the stadium. Used to go there all the time in high school…shrimp salads and garlic bread to die for. Legends occupies the spot currently.

My friends and I made pilgrimages for cheap chinese to Fong Fongs, which was right next to the Laundromat at the Junction, in a long skinny space. There was no point in ordering anything other than the numbered specials. As a joke we always tried ordering pea pods with beef, and no matter what time of year it was, the response from the old man was the same: “Pea pod not in season!” :-)

Bonnie November 18, 2007 (8:44 pm)

Jan, yes I remember Doris! I don’t know if I remember Miriam though but I remember Doris and Blanche. I worked with them at Thriftway!

Bonnie November 18, 2007 (8:47 pm)

My husband used to work at Websters years and years ago! (back in the original space)

KM November 18, 2007 (8:57 pm)

Oh I loved the Pizza Pete pizza! And I recall the Winchell’s doughnuts that used to be at 35th and Morgan…I’d walk down the hill with my grandmother, from her house at 35th and Myrtle, we’d each get one doughnut then walk back home (her theory was we worked the pastry off with the walk). :-)

What was the “head shop” that used to be across from WS Highschool, where (I think) Circa is now?

Christopher Boffoli November 18, 2007 (9:00 pm)

While I’m not a big fan of the demographically-tested blandness that passes for much of the new “development” in Seattle these days, I’d welcome something new to replace the horribly ugly, pedestrian-unfriendly sprawl that greets everyone who drives off the West Seattle bridge.

Admiral Janeway November 18, 2007 (9:03 pm)

Back in high school, I remember going to Shakey’s Pizza (where Taco Time is now) after football games at W.S. stadium. I thought they had good pizza back then.
My neighbor told me that back in the 60’s the Schuck’s on California Ave (kitty corner from the Charlestown Cafe) was a Safeway.
As for the property up for sale, I wish Buddha Ruska would buy it and build themselves a bigger restaurant.

Herman November 18, 2007 (9:07 pm)

Some as far back as I remember, 10 years.

Godfather’s Pizza->Guppy’s->Ovio->Ama-Ama.
West Seattle Feed & Seed->Bickram Yoga
Skippers->Uptown Espresso
Alaska Junction->??->JaK’s Grill
Shaffran’s->Matador
Game shop(?)->Bobby’s Hobbies->Shoofly Pie
Burger King->Dave’s Burgers->Viking Bank
Bank(?)->Allstar Gym->Urban Fitness->Super Supplements
Shoes(?)->The Old House Store(?)->Cupcake Royale
Poggie Tavern->Poggie Tavern->Poggie Tavern

WSB November 18, 2007 (9:17 pm)

Herman – don’t forget Ben & Jerry’s between Old House and Cupcake Royale. As for the space now inhabited by Jak’s – there was actually a Two Dagos in there for a while – also a Mexican restaurant we really, really, really liked – this would have been somewhere between 1991 and 1996.

Admiral Janeway November 18, 2007 (9:47 pm)

I do remember the jingle for Wigwam’s.

“Your dollar buys more at the Wigwam store. Wigwam!”

miws November 18, 2007 (10:27 pm)

Admiral Janeway, The grocery in the charred Schuck’s was an IGA Store.

That was the only corner, of that intersection back then, that didn’t have a gas stationsitting on it.

Mike

Mags November 18, 2007 (10:32 pm)

Let’s not forget Jaffe’s shoes and G O Guy and Bartell’s before it moved to Jefferson Square. No one mentioned Gil’s and their 19 cent hamburgers where Taco Time is now. Does anyone remember Eskimo Delight on Delridge? We used to stop there on the way home from school to get Green Rivers. How about the Riverside Inn? I guess Poggie’s and Husky are probably the winners for being the constant in the junction.

Jan November 18, 2007 (11:34 pm)

Bonnie…Miriam was the checker who always shook, her head, her hands…..you’d almost start shaking just like her while you were standing in line..

Penny’s Doghouse, anyone? where Charlestown Cafe is now.

Mags…loved Gil’s…went there all the time…really good burgers…wow, I’ve been in WS a long time…

scian November 19, 2007 (1:37 am)

>

At $2.9 million that would be !!! ALOT !!! of pad thai and curry orders to sell dontyathink?

I will admit to a fantasy that when the convenience store is ultimately demo’d that the crappy little cleaners on the same side of the street finds life unbearable and becomes history somehow as well… I won’t complain either, Jan.

Gina November 19, 2007 (4:09 am)

The Schucks/Hancock building on Fauntleroy and Alaska by the bowling alley was a Luckys store.

Yes, Doris at Luckys by the library and the Dairy Queen in Admiral. I remember thinking I was going to petrify while my mother gossiped with Doris as she was getting her groceries. Luckys had a soda pop machine in the back, and a refrigerated water fountain! That was exciting! Cold water!

I remember when the Jack in the Box/Montarey Jack/Herfy’s spot was a Christmas tree lot.
And when there were two drug stores across the street from each other at California and Admiral.
The line up on the one side was Sheppard’s Drugs, Houlihan’s “Little Deli”, The S&Q Grocery (with an instore butcher that would grind a pound of ground round while you waited, and the Glass Store. Safeway, and the arrangement is fuzzy for the stores on the other side, The dentist that moved his building by the Admiral bridge, an office that had a lot of turnover, and a beauty shop on the corner.

And at the Admiral Way 7-11 spot? There was a milk store? It had a neon sign that portrayed a cow jumping over the moon. That was a big landmark when Mrs. Johnson took our kindergarten class for a walk around the block to teach us group manners and how to share the sidewalk. The Quality cleaners was popular to look at too.

Also in the Admiral District, the N&N. Memorable for the display of giant women’s underpants and other unmentionables in one of the windows.

Thread? The Tervo’s spot would be ideal for a pet shop or an accountant.;)

Kayleigh November 19, 2007 (5:36 am)

I really enjoyed this thread!

Most of my childhood memories extend further south, but I do remember shopping at Penney’s (now the antique store) as a little girl (the stairs were cool somewhow). And buying my mom a sweater at La Grace.

I do remember Artic Cicle (35th & Roxbury) kitty-corner from what used to be a Safeway. It was somehow important to ask for the dipping sauce, which was just ketchup and mayonnaise.

I remember when Westwood Village was a little dying strip mall, with an old video store, a Tom McCann shoes, a Lamonts, and a Pay & Save. Oh and wasn’t QFC a Lucky?

GenHillOne November 19, 2007 (6:24 am)

What a fun thread! While we didn’t live here at the time, my grandparents did, so I remember some of these going back 30+ years. Sounds like we’ve had “too many” grocery stores in the neighborhood before! My strongest memory of WS in the 70s is the Beach Broiler (Saltys). My family would be chatting with Joyce and I’d be looking out the window (it would be light of course because we were eating at 5:00 p.m., maybe earlier really), facinated by the collection of garden statues on her patio and her German shephard (?) keeping watch. Joyce had the original WS live/work space! Or at least the earliest on the waterfront :D

GenHillOne November 19, 2007 (6:45 am)

p.s. – is there anyone out there that records this business history? I don’t recall ever seeing much more that the Log House, Homestead, lighthouse, etc. documented. We’re lucky to have so many natives/longtime residents in our neighborhood and it would be tragic to lose the information.

carraignasplinkeen November 19, 2007 (6:46 am)

Would someone be nostalgic engough to sell us a home in West Seattle at 1970’s prices? Any of the condo-bahsers maybe?
Thanks!

WSB November 19, 2007 (6:50 am)

GenHillOne, that’s a great question. There was the wonderful West Side Story history book that the Herald published, but it’s almost 20 years old now. Wonder if the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce keeps such records. Having only recently become a business, we haven’t had the chance to join them yet, but perhaps we can find someone to answer that question.

JenV November 19, 2007 (7:13 am)

man, this is bad news. I love Tervos and we go there all the time. (they have a deceptively nice wine section!) I wondered if she would be able to make a go of it after the tragic death of her husband. As for the suggestion that Buddha Ruksa buy it- PLEASE DO so they would have some parking! I live right up the street from there and I am sick to death of not having parking on a nightly basis.

Mr. JT November 19, 2007 (7:15 am)

How about your first beer in the Jigsaw Tavern ? Just North of Admiral, on California ? That place had charachter !

Gina November 19, 2007 (9:37 am)

Most of the wonderful booklets published by the SW Historical Society document the long past (pre-WWII) history of West Seattle. Westside Story is the only publication that has information from the more recent past, published in 1987.

It sure would be fun to flip through some old West Seattle Heralds from the 1960’s!

Another victim of the supermarket glut of the past, The Shopping Cart, on 48th and Charlestown, now SHA homes and a field of grass.

Thread? Tervos spot would be good for Trader Joes!

Ron Burgundy November 19, 2007 (9:56 am)

Nobody has mentioned the Caddyshack Tavern that resided in the current Mission location in North Admiral. Also, I was expecting Jiggers to chime in and mention how good a strip club would look welcoming people into West Seattle. You could stop by after your long commute across the bridge.

Jan November 19, 2007 (10:11 am)

Mr. JT….and hanging out at the Rainy City Tav, now The Mission…

Patrick November 19, 2007 (10:29 am)

I remember in the early 60’s that my folks would shop at the Meat Market in the space that is Tervo’s it was called “Fred’s Meats.

Ancient Native American November 19, 2007 (11:13 am)

Going way back, the pre-white man Seattle was pretty sweet. I remember the hand-built longhouse that was right on the ridge of where California is now. And we had expansive oyster beds that never seemed to run out and pristine salmon runs with massive salmon that we’d smoke and that would sustain us through winter. We walked and paddled everywhere. We didn’t need a Viaduct to get downtown, mostly because there wasn’t a downtown. The trees were so big you could practically build a whole village with just a few. Those were the days.

miws November 19, 2007 (11:18 am)

Another source for finding out who/what was where when, is the old City and Phone Directories at the Downtown Library. Not sure which floor they are on, as I have only been to the “new” Library twice.

The Neighborhood Libraries may have recent years copies of the directories, but at Downtown, they go way, way back, and I don’t think they do at our Local ones.

When I last worked Downtown, I was only a couple blocks away from the Library, and spent many lunch breaks at the Libray’s old building. Over time, I checked the occuapant history of all the places I’d lived, including the house I owned at the time, a 1918 little shack. The info was fairly complete, save for a few years over the decades that the place was listed as Vacant, or No Response.

I’ve also used it to look up what businesses were where at such and such time.

Remember to take a pen and paper!

Mike

MargeC November 19, 2007 (12:40 pm)

Gina – I have two of those SWSHS booklets – “West Seattle Memories” 1999 and “Memories of Southwest Seattle Businesses” 2001 – wonderful resources. Both were Memory Book Projects. I’m sure they’re still available at the Log House Museum.
Also, a website I’ve found to be very useful is an online searchable archive of the West Seattle Herald – approx years 1923-the present
http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/indexinfo.aspx?ix=stp_wsh

John M November 19, 2007 (12:41 pm)

Who remembers these (besides me) from the Morgan Junction — Adams Dime Store (Windemere), Thrifty Drugs (Starbucks), Morgan ST Bakery (Subway), Howard’s Grocery (whatever the restuarant on the corner is these days), D & E Tavern (used to be Video Vault), Farr West Mower (under the Video Vault), McDonalds Hardware (Beveridge Pl Pub), Signal Gas Station (the bank), Red, White and Blue Fuel Co (now the mini-mart), Tip Top (at Graham St), Smittys (across from the triangle on 42nd)?

Jiggers November 19, 2007 (12:43 pm)

Rocksport used to be a bank and Petco was a bingo parlor

Jiggers November 19, 2007 (12:47 pm)

I also remember that part of Easy Street(restaurant side) was Joe’s breakfast joint or something like that.

Jiggers November 19, 2007 (12:52 pm)

Talarico’s was The New Luck Toilet as we called it..

flowerpetal November 19, 2007 (1:10 pm)

I read all 51 posts hoping that someone would identify for me the Italian Restaurant which is now occupied by the sushi place, Mashiko’s.
We loved going there, twas nothing fancy but the food to us was good and the friendly lady who seemed to be the only waitress.
We grieved a long while when that place closed in maybe ’87 (?).

Rick November 19, 2007 (1:28 pm)

Hey flowerpetal,the Italian place could have been Deccio’s. The description and waitress sound familar.

flowerpetal November 19, 2007 (1:46 pm)

Yes! Thanks, we have tried to drudge up that name from our memory banks for years now. I sure miss that waitress… she was kind of like a mom away from home.

Jan November 19, 2007 (2:50 pm)

and before it was Deccio’s, it was Phoenicia….then he moved to Queen Anne, and when they tore the building down to put in the Queen Anne Larry’s Market (now Met Market), he moved back to his present place on Alki.

Jiggers, yes, Rocksport was Westside Federal Savings and Loan, aka Westside Fed…got our home loan there in 1977…

Todd (different) November 19, 2007 (3:33 pm)

New luck toilet. LOL! Yeah I only ate there one time. Totally agree. Thanks for the laugh as always Jiggers.

Light Bulbs and Sporks November 19, 2007 (4:23 pm)

So does this mean I won’t be able to buy the big light bulb that’s been in there on the right hand side since the late 70s, all covered in dust and what nots? Phooey….

Anyone else ever catch that in there for sale?

villagegreen November 19, 2007 (4:31 pm)

Anyone else miss New Luck Toy (the bar, not the food)? I think I had more fun there than any other establishment in WS – and no, I’m not an alcoholic. Although, what better place to stumble home drunk from after hearing someone sing “My Way” as done by the Sex Pistols. Karaoke at Yen Wor or Skylark just isn’t as fun.

I generally think development is a good thing, but places like New Luck Toy and the Benbow gave WS character – even if that character wasn’t for everyone.

Jan November 19, 2007 (4:52 pm)

villagegreen….and the super strong drinks in the little glasses. We always joked about the Chinese School of Mixology (yes, it’s not PC, but it WAS a Chinese restaurant). I always swore that the bartenders put the liquor in the glass and just waved the mixer over it…

Jiggers November 19, 2007 (6:03 pm)

Karaoke at New Luck Toilet was fun,fun,fun. The drinks were cheap and strong. Freddie who used to be the karaoke host of the New Luck Toilet, was the best I ever saw. He could get the crowd going with no problem. He also was a real good singer in his own right. Too bad he passed away at still a young age. Talarico’s is the oppositte of NLT, expensive, weak drinks and the the karaoke crowd has no clue who Englebert Humperdink was. The generation gap is evident.

GenHillOne November 19, 2007 (6:41 pm)

Yay Benbow! I know it hasn’t been gone that long, but is there ANY place left around here that you can order beer in a can? A charm of its own I tell ‘ya!

jdp November 19, 2007 (7:08 pm)

No mention of Skipper’s Galley, Joe Banana;a Pizza or Andresen Chrysler/Plymouth??

miws November 19, 2007 (7:14 pm)

My own time hanging out at the “Toy” was way before the Karaoke craze, back when they had a live musician. (Dick Henderson is the only one I really remember) A buddy and I hung out there regularly in the early ’80’s. His mom was a fill-in Bartender on Sundays and/or Mondays for a time.

As time went on, my visits were only occasional, mostly to stop in and say “Hi” to Georgia.

I actually liked the food, and would always order the Number 5. Almond Chicken Sub Gum Chow Mien, Egg Foo Young, Fried Rice, and BBQ Pork, if I recall.

My last meal from there, which was fairly rare, was just before they closed. In fact, I had planned my “weekend” several days early, and had planned on whichever day to get my Number 5 to go from the Toy. It was in the days between, that I found out they were then soon to close.

Mike

add November 19, 2007 (7:49 pm)

I remember when Azuma Sushi was a great little restaurant called the Coho Cafe – we used to come over to West Seattle from Issaquah, bringing visitors to see the great view from the Admiral viewpoint, walk around Alki and then dinner at this cozy little restaurant where you could get a bottle of wine for $10! This was in the early 90s. We would wistfully say “maybe someday we’ll move to West Seattle…” and we finally did in 1998!

Leslie November 19, 2007 (8:38 pm)

What about Uncle Barney who squeezed your toe and gave you a golden egg when you bought your Buster Brown back to school shoes – just north of old Penney’s.

What about the cavernous WS Y in the old dairy plant, then Huling, then Gee, across from Hancocks at the corner of Fauntleroy and Alaska and the warrens of rooms and the old community pool – thousands of folks learned to swim there – some of the real greats worked there – Norm Beers, Dorothy Hail, Don Nordhaus, gawd knows they kept several hundred kids out of trouble, what with swim team, sports camps, and the like.

GenHillOne November 19, 2007 (9:38 pm)

Oooh, Leslie, your talk of a cavernous Y just made me think of something for my West Seattle wish list. Ever try to find indoor tennis courts in Seattle?? There are almost none. Interesting given our weather and the fact that one almost always has to wait for a turn on our few outdoor courts in the summer. It would take some pretty creative architecture to make a structure like that into a warm “welcome” to WS, but with all the square footage opening up, I’d like to dream.

Ron November 20, 2007 (12:42 am)

IsleWrite:
That Bison Creek Pizza was an outpost — I believe the original is still open in Burien (just off the old town main drag). I ate there a couple months ago, still good.
Olarn, the Thai place that is in that location now, is quite good.
I wonder, was that originally a gas station? The restrooms are outside, around the back.
—
Nobody mentioned Mr. Bill’s (I think that’s right), the burger joint next to Shakey’s, across from Tervo’s. Also “Ted’s Place” (it’s an Aikido place now) — we used to joke that the dry ‘kleaner’ on that block should have had the slogan, “Kleanliness is next to Ted’s Place”.

Sunfish (on Alki) started in the Teriyaki place next to Tervo’s, then it became Colorado Burrito, then…

La Louisanne was in the JaK’s location for a while.

The Alaska Pipeline (I think I lost a shoe in that gooey shag carpet) is now Corner Pocket, below Easy Street. Wonder what it was before that (bomb shelter?)

Tsing Tao had the best Chinese (just south of 7-11); condos now.

miws November 20, 2007 (1:52 am)

Ron, the burger joint was Groucho’s. Very beloved by alot of people. To m it was okay. Food was fine etc. I just didn’t go nuts over it like others did.

The Mr. Bill’s name rings a bell, I just can’t place it. The only other thing I remember being there was KFC, in between their being part of Gil’s, which was at the later to be Shakey’s spot, and in their current location at the SW corner of 35 & Avalon.

Ah yes! The Pipeline. It opened about a month before I turned 21. I stood across the street, waiting for the Number 55 bus several mornings wondering what the ductwork coming up out of the sidewalk was for.

Became a regular hangout of mine. It was nice and clean back then. Kind of a novel concept for a tavern. Well lit instead of dingy, “sunken” bar (actually a raised floor). And serving what is now called “pub grub”.

Mike

Mags November 20, 2007 (6:16 am)

My favorite thing about the New Luck Toy was that I could always get a drink before I was 21 and they NEVER asked for ID (maybe because I had been a regular?) and you could never beat it in the later years for the bad karaoke..sometimes people would actually get booed..The same thing about Tervo’s, you could always get a smoke if you were under 18..no questions asked. This has been a really fun thread. How many of you were born in the old West Seattle hospital on the corner of Alaska and California? Also, remember all of the small neighborhood markets..like Quan’s on West Marginal and the one on Delridge? The safeway by Charleston cafe that closed after the earthquake in 65?

Mags November 20, 2007 (6:18 am)

Oops, I meant Chelan cafe…must be getting old, used to go to Chelan cafe after my mom played Bingo up at Mt St Vincent every Friday night. (sometimes we would go to Fong Fongs)

JenV November 20, 2007 (6:31 pm)

West Seattle was the first Bison Creek… Burien followed- they were opened respectively by Tim (WS)and Rod (Burien)- the Burien location is now owned by a former employee who is doing a great job. I used to work for the WS location- as did both my step-uncles and my step mom- and my brother briefly worked for the one in Burien. Of all WS eateries, I miss Bison Creek the most.
on another note, is it weird that my spell-check does not recognize Burien?

Jan November 20, 2007 (7:43 pm)

JenV…I loved the fact that Bion Creek had whole wheat crust…ahead of their time. Wish some other local pizza places did.

And…The Chelan Cafe was mentioned by a client today…and a place down there called the Blew Eagle….which was there before the Chelan…

Mags November 20, 2007 (8:35 pm)

Actually,I believe the Blew Eagle was west of the Chelan, but still on Spokane..the Blew Eagle closed in the late 60’s I think. We used to walk past it when we would walk down to KJR when it was on that road that went kind of behind and back towards Harbor Avenue.

miws November 20, 2007 (9:24 pm)

Yes, the Blew Eagle was at 26 & Spokane.

26th Av no longer exists down there after the Port’s Terminal 5 expansion around 10 years or so ago.

Back when the twin bascule bridges were still there, there was also Nifty’s Restaurant on the Harbor Island side.

Mike

jessiesk November 20, 2007 (11:51 pm)

Delridge Tavern & Beer Parlor –> Madison’s Cafe –> Steel Sky Bistro –> Madison’s Cafe II (different ownership) –> Skylark Cafe & Club

I’ve also heard there was a place in between Steel Sky and Madison’s II, anyone know what it was?

miws November 21, 2007 (12:56 am)

Quiz: Anyone remember where Mrs. (Maxine) Barks held accordian lessons?

Mike

wsnewbie November 21, 2007 (2:35 pm)

Bison Creek is now the Papa John’s and the Thai place used to be a Taco Bell.

STP November 21, 2007 (4:53 pm)

Anyone remember “Don’t cook tonight call Chicken Delight”? Best take out food (BBQ ribs and chicken) in the juction in the late 60’s

ben February 28, 2008 (1:04 pm)

it’s been a gas reading this. Guess I’m old. Born in the WS hospital at the junction in ’58. Hung out at Speedway and WS Sporting goods a lot. First job was at Herfy’s on Admiral. Well, FIRST job was delivering the Shopping News and Herald. Who remembers the drinking fountain on the NE corner at the junction that spun around? I remember the Blew Eagle, and when KJR was down there. Remember KOL? and When KNHC was about the only thing on FM? (underground, man) Remember “Chuck Bowland, and that’s the way the ball bounces”. Who remembers hearing the hydros all the way from home in WS? That was when they were so cool; we’d drag wooden ones around behind our bikes. Wigwam, Buster Brown, Kress dimestore,Penny’s Doghouse, Turnabout, Husky, Tervo’s, Luck Toy, Sambo’s, Ernst… All too familiar. Who remembers Mac’s food store? Used to be able to buy beer there, and when the Admiral had one (big) screen… and the Granada when it used to play regular feature movies? Morton’s used to have that cool mortar and pestle thing out in front that rotated around- a kid could buy saltpeter and sulfur off the same shelf. OK, who remembers the grocery store at 48th and Charleston? It was Thriftway, Lowmart, Grocery Cart. that was before there were any big “supermarkets” around. Fun to remember all this…

TomW March 17, 2008 (8:06 pm)

Born in West Seattle in ’48. Had same nun for first grade at Holy Rosary as my dad! Sister Sabina made some kid cry in class almost every day. I quickly learned how not to be that kid.

As young teens we used to have “coke dates” at The Menu, a little soda fountain shop on east side of California Avenue just up from the “big” junction.

Bought penny candy from Mrs. Beck’s little grocery store at corner of Belvidere and Hanford.

Used to play at “Tin Can Park” (now Belvidere Park) across from the totem pole on Admiral Way.

Climbed many times up on top of the Water Tower at SW Charleston and 39th SW.

Mr. Coach was the manager at the Admiral Theater. Kind of a grumpy guy in a brown suit with a thin mustache who apparently didn’t like the packed house of enthusiastic kids at the Saturday Matinee pounding both feet on the floor over and over chanting “we want the show”, “we want the show”!

Used to cash my paycheck at Nifty’s Restaurant which is how I found this blog.

Can’t remember the name of the bar at Nifty’s – the Kayoia Room?

RobinS April 19, 2008 (5:20 pm)

Hey you guys! I am putting together a book on Historic Seattle Restaurants and Nifty Restaurant will be in it – and the Kayoia room! Wish I had more info – Did Ray Smyser own it or his daughter or his brother? 1102 sw spokane st – book will be at http://www.arcadiapublishing.com next year. Check out my Cemeteries of Seattle book there. I will check back to see if anyone has more info. tks RobinS