West Seattle, Washington
29 Wednesday
(Added: Photo by Tim Durkan)
10:54 AM: Police are arriving in an alley in the 9200 block of 17th SW [map] for a report that a person has been shot. Updates to come.
10:56 AM: Officers have told dispatch that they’ve found the victim, a man in his 30s who has a gunshot wound “to his back.” One witness told them it happened in a tent in the alley between 17th and 18th.
11 AM: SFD has sent a “scenes of violence” response as is standard when an incident is reported to have involved a weapon. Police are bringing in a K9 team and they’re setting up “containment” for blocks around.
11:05 AM: The only descriptioh details so far is male, Black, “light-skinned,” short “balding” hair, black T-shirt that might have a Nike swoosh, dark blue shirt or jacket over it, blue jeans, last seen on foot eastbound from the scene. Possibly in his teens. …
(Added: Photo first posted in a comment by MJJJr, SFD medics wheeling gurney with victim)
SFD medics are taking the victim to Harborview Medical Center.
11:39 AM: Police say a business at or near the White Center side of 15th/Roxbury saw the likely suspect walking by half an hour or so ago, wearing a dark pulled-up hoodie, headed east.
(Added: Photo first posted in a comment by Todd, officers with K9)
12:40 PM: No arrest yet, but police believe they know who they’re looking for, and they’re still searching. Neighbors, meantime, say the encampment, on a vacant lot, has long been a problem; our archives show the site had an abandoned house that was the scene of multiple fires in the mid-teens until demolition.
1:35 PM: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells WSB that the victim, in his early 30s, was in critical condition when transported.
7:52 PM: Police published a summary on SPD Blotter tonight; the only information it includes besides what we’ve already reported is the reminder: “Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.”
4:57 PM: Moments after we published the preceding item about the Delridge Native Forest Garden, a tree fell on the other side of Delridge Way SW, according to what a police officer just told dispatch. It’s reported to be a ~50-foot tree, blocking the southbound side of Delridge at Webster (by the Southwest Precinct). We’re headed over to see.
5:15 PM: Photo added. Our crew reports it’s only partly blocking the lane, and traffic is getting by, both ways.
(Photo from Daniel)
Last weekend, we published Daniel‘s reader report reminding people about the roadside Delridge Native Forest Garden as a potential spot to take a walk. Today, in fact, SDOT has announced a Tree Walk for the site – actually three walks on the afternoon of Friday, May 15. RSVPs are required and you’ll find the links, along with more details, here.
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Looking to hammer in a project or renovation this spring? The West Seattle Tool Library will be hosting its annual tool sale this Saturday from 11-4 – a perfect opportunity to bring home [tools at a cheaper price, while helping a vital community resource.
For almost 16 years, the West Seattle Tool Library has operated as a community-led monprofit that provides access to a wide range of tools on a “pay what you can” basis. These tools are available for rent year-round, but this Saturday is the only large-scale sale event of the year; at other times you’ll only find a small selection for purchase, usually at the front of the workshop.
So what can you expect this Saturday (April 25)? We headed over to the Tool Library to talk to Sean Isom, the current operations manager. The plan is to set up tables in the parking lot at the entrance of the library (which is on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW).
Power tools such as miter saws, table saws, shop vacuums, and pneumatic tools will be available, as well as hand-held tools – hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and others.
Most WSTL operations will continue as usual on Saturday, including the library being open for people to borrow and return tools as needed. The workshop section will be closed that day, so you won’t be able to work on projects, but Isom mentioned that many volunteers will be available if you want to tour the workshop, make a donation, or ask a question.
Proceeds from the sale will go directly back into maintaining WSTL operations, including payroll for the organization’s two employees, rent, and miscellaneous projects. WSTL is almost entirely volunteer-run aside from the aforementioned employees.
The community benefits provided by the workshop don’t start and end this Saturday – there are multiple other opportunities to get more involved. Most Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the library hosts open workshops; anyone is welcome to work on a project on-site with tools provided by the library. Tuesdays are reserved for volunteer-run classes. These typically range from basic tool operation to more specified events, and you can sign up on the library’s website. On Wednesdays, WSTL hosts “fix-it” night, which invites community members to bring in appliances or other household items to be repaired, as opposed to throwing them into the landfill.
Looking to get involved as a volunteer instead? You can sign up by clicking here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Two pending projects were in the spotlight during last night’s monthly meeting of HPAC, the community coalition for Highland Park, South Delridge, and Riverview, facilitated by co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick. Her’s how it went:
CRIME TRENDS: The meeting opened with SPD Officer German Barreto saying that most Highland Park crime categories are down, year to date. One exception: Burglaries, some of which involve vacant homes. Another: Confirmed gunfire. As he noted, shell casings that are collected go into a database and investigators can see if they match other incident. No word of any revelations from that process so far this year; Officer Barreto said the area has seen eight incidents so far in 2026, compared to six by this time last year: “Not really good.” The officer also mentioned walking through some encampment areas like one off SW Detroit, and he said he’s been notifying the Unified Care Team about what he finds. He said he’s hopeful the UCT will get to that area, but doesn’t know when. That led to several attendees voicing encampment-related concerns; one asked about 24th/Barton/Henderson, and Officer Bareto said he’s aware of that because that area is reoccupied repeatedly. Kirkpatrick said they’re in contact with City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s office on that too. Another attendee said fires are a concern with the encampments in greenbelts. Officer Barreto suggested people keep reporting via Find It Fix It, and include photos, albeit ones taken from a safe distance. One person with property in south Highland Park mentioned a problem one of her tenants had had – but the tenant hadn’t reported it to police. “Please report it, we’re data-driven,” said Barreto. He also mentioned the option to report online, provided the crime in question isn’t something that’s happening right now (if it is, call or text 911).
(‘Site plan’ from city permit filings for Glassyard Commons, with 72 RV spaces and 20 tiny houses)
GLASSYARD COMMONS: Marta Kidane from the Low-Income Housing Institute, which will operate the tiny-home/RV-lot site Glassyard Commons at 7201 2nd SW, was the next guest. (We’ve been reporting on the plan since breaking the story about it in January.) She first explained the concept of tiny homes – 8 x 12, “the dignity and privacy of having a closed door, heat (and A/C in the newer ones),” in villages, with shared spaces where people can cook and eat, plus hygiene trailers with showers, sinks, toilets, etc. And they have 24/7 staffing, with sign-in sheets, case managers there during weekday business hours, to help people negotiate the system. They also have behavioral-health providers at many sites.
Glassyard Commons would be LIHI’s second RV lot, twice as big as the now-dismantled first one, which Kidane said led to the demolition/removal of 67 RVs (entering a lot like this means you agree to eventually give up your RV). People are in their programs for an average of six months before moving on to housing.
One attendee wondered if the Glassyard Commons plan – on state-owned land – is a done deal. The answer was, pretty much yes. Another attendee who said they still had questions lingering from LIHI’s public meeting in Georgetown (WSB coverage here) such as, what’s the definition of “surrounding area” and what will be done about people already camping in the nearby greenbelt? She didn’t have information on that, but, “I think it’s all about developing relationships” which the UHeights Vehicle Outreach Team working with them will be trying to do.
One attendee mentioned someone often seen at Highland Park Way/Holden seemed like a perfect candidate for a tiny home. Could she refer him to LIHI’s partners? Kidane asked for information.
Kirkpatrick brought up the letter that HPAC had sent to the city and said one unaddressed point was the request for proactive cleanup for a mile each way from the facility. “They’ve only adopted 500 feet, which is only going to take us to the edge of the block,” she said. Kidane contended that “tiny house villages often make the area around them safer … there’s a level of activation” resulting from their presence. She offered to take people on a tour of a current tiny-house village. “I think when you see it you really get an idea” of how it works. (West Seattle already has one, Camp Second Chance on Myers Way. Expanding it remains a possibility, Kidane said in response to a later question.)
One attendee asked for more details on what happens to the RVs that are turned over when their owners get housing. Are they resold? No, they’re scrapped, Kidane said. (Before the RVs are brought on site, they’re decommissioned, including rendering their bathrooms unusable, meaning the RV residents have to use the hygiene trailers too.)
She mentioned an outreach team working in the area, so that led to questions such as, what happens to people who decline shelter/services? That’s more a question for the outreach team, Kidane said. But for RV dwellers, they appreciate having some control of their own space. Is the outreach for Glassyard Commons going to start in Highland Park? Yes, reiterated Kidane. But it won’t be limited to people found in West Seattle.
Can people smoke and drink in their tiny houses? Smoking is prohibited, and they have smoke detectors, but otherwise, there aren’t prohibitions about what they can do behind closed doors, though, she noted, they are made aware that recovery services are available. (Weapons and even guests from outside the site are prohibited too.)”
Kirkpatrick noted that HPAC has signed up to participate in the Community Advisory Council for Glassyard Commons, once it’s launched. Meantime, we asked Kidane after her appearance if there was any update on a timeline for costruction, as it had been said repeatedly that this site was on a fast track. Short answer, no,
SDOT’S HIGHLAND PARK WAY HILL PROJECT: Kirkpatrick said HPAC’s been talking to Councilmember Rob Saka‘s office about longrunning concerns regarding the lane-conversion plan, but it appears his office won’t be “intervening,” so feedback should be shared at the “agency” (SDOT) level. She asked attendees to list their concerns/observations about the project (and also invited supporters to speak up). Several concerns were voiced, including:
-A SW Othello resident said city reps have not yet made good on their promise of a walk-through with neighbors
-There are options not being addressed and a conversation needs to be had with engineers
-Restricting downhill to one lane means there’d be no way to get out of the path of a dangerous oncoming driver. “They need to re-engineer the whole road,” suggested an attendee. (Kirkpatrick noted that Saka had called for a Vision Zero audit, as we previously reported)
-Enforcement could make a big difference. Kirkpatrick said she was just back from a road trip in other West Coast states and they saw lots of it.
-One attendee said they expect there’ll eventually be a two-lane result. The discussion devolved briefly into a cacophony of other suggestions.
HPAC meets fourth Wednesdays most months; watch hpaction.org for updates.
Thanks to Daniel for the photos! If you’re looking for someplace different to walk this non-rainy weekend, and missed the hiking opportunities in today’s event list, how about the Delridge Native Forest Garden? Daniel noted we last mentioned this site in December:
I see the last update was a while ago and with the nice weather more people might enjoy knowing about the improvements there.
I see a lot of people assuming those paths were made by unhoused people and that the area is full of encampments just out of sight. But I just walked there today and it is a nicely maintained area with no tents. There’s a nice winding mulch path with some rustic wood benches.
I hope more people feel comfortable exploring the area.
The project page has a map showing where along Delridge you can access the site. (For reference, the top photo looks southwest, with the Southwest Precinct at Delridge/Webster in the background.)
10:30 PM: Seattle Police and a King County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team are searching for a suspected burglar who might be armed with a gun. This is happening near Delridge and Willow [map], where two people said they were in a residence when they encountered a intruder. If you’re hearing siren bursts, that’s because of the K-9 search. The only description so far is a Black man in his 20s, dressed in all black, with a white bandanna covering much of his face.
11:12 PM: Police are still searching, in a wide area.
11:41 PM: No luck finding the burglar yet but police told dispatch that they found a gun in a bag they believe he discarded.
(WSB file photo)
The Delridge Farmers’ Market is moving this year, and opening a bit later than in previous years. The market’s new manager Indra Budiman with market organizer African Community Housing Development says it’s moving to 8855 9th SW – the former Morning Star Market site – right across the street from the site of ACHD’s future Seattle International Public Market. Budiman tells WSB that the market’s grand opening will be Saturday, May 16. We’ll be following up soon for more details on this year’s Delridge Farmers’ Market plan and vendors!
Story and photos by Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The sun shone down Saturday as West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center welcomed visitors – including Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson – to celebrate Vietnamese Heritage Day. The afternoon was not only to acknowledge veterans of the Vietnam War and celebrate Vietnamese immigration to Washington state, but also to welcome the participation of a new generation in historical education and cultural celebration. After the U.S. and South Vietnamese anthems, Michelle Lê took to the podium to give a rundown of the day’s proceedings, with center director Lee Bui.
Next came the proclamation delivered by Mayor Wilson – her second West Seattle visit this week – officially declaring April 4th as Vietnamese Heritage Day. Her speech addressed Vietnamese refugees landing in Washington state after the fall of Saigon, and the continued essentiality of Vietnamese-Americans in maintaining the fabric of the city.
“Today is about those of you or your parents or your grandparents who left behind all that they knew and started over, all while holding on to what matters most,” the mayor said. “We are here to honor all of you, you reflect what it means to be a welcoming city, one where people can arrive, rebuild, belong, and build a future.”
Following her remarks, the mayor introduced Tukwila city councilmember Jane Ho, who reflected the mayor’s sentiment but added her personal pride at being born to immigrant parents.
“Their journey was not easy. It was guided by hope, resilience, and unwavering belief in the American Dream. Because of their sacrifices, I stand here today because of their courage.” the councilmember said.
Both speakers also touched upon the afternoon being a time to honor the founding fathers of Vietnam, and the “freedom flag,” recognized as a yellow flag with three horizontal red stripes which was used in Vietnam from 1948 to 1975.
Though the founders are typically honored on the 10th day of the third month of the Lunar calendar which lands on April 27th, this sentiment was moved forward as to not coincide with another event being hosted at the Vietnamese Cultural Center later this month. These founders, known as Hùng Vương in Vietnamese, are the 18 kings who are seen to have founded the first Vietnamese State in 2879 BC. They were commemorated with a ceremony.
The afternoon then moved into performances beginning with Vovinam Burien.
The group performed a Lion Dance and a martial-arts demonstration.
Guests were then invited to get some food, which was being provided by the center – after which more performances ensued including Vietnamese Opera by Liêm Sương; a zither group, Tranh Anh Đào;
Also a dance group, Thanh Trà:
And a family band, Phuc Phan and his children, with guest singers Thach Thao, Bao Son, and Trieu Thanh.
The center also hosted some special exhibits at its entrance, including a Bee art exhibit provided by Kim Tran, and a historical exhibit provided by the Vietnamese American Senior Association of Spokane, Washington.
The cultural center, at 2236 SW Orchard, is open to the public for visits most Saturdays, noon-3 pm, and hosts multiple celebrations and history events each year at which the community is welcome.
Photojournalist Oliver Hamlin, at the Delridge Community Center egg hunt this morning for WSB, reports it was all over in five minutes! Five fun minutes, of course:
Above, that’s two-year-old Kai reaching for an egg on the tennis courts … below, 10-year-old Adele posing with her prize, an Easter basket filled with treats and toys. Kids who found the secret egg in each age group were awarded the basket.
Delridge was one of three city-run community centers in West Seattle that hosted egg hunts this year – also including High Point (concurrent with Delridge at 10 am today) and Hiawatha (which had a “flashlight egg hunt” for teens and tweens Friday night).
When SDOT held an online meeting earlier this month about the Highland Park Way lane-conversion project (WSB coverage here), community group HPAC‘s co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick got the project team to commit to something the coalition had long been requesting – attending an HPAC meeting to answer community questions. They’re keeping that promise this Wednesday (March 25), 6 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW). HPAC’s meeting announcement says they’re hoping SDOT team members’ in-person appearance will allow “in-depth conversation with the community and a chance to really drill down into the work they are doing.” The project would convert the outside downhill driving lane on the Highland Park Way hill to a bicycle/pedestrian path; the newest version of the plan would separate that path from the remaining driving lane via removable jersey barriers as shown in graphic above), so it could revert to a driving lane in case of a major event like the 2020-2022 West Seattle Bridge closure. HPAC also hopes to update the Glassyard Commons RV/tiny-home site project at Wednesday’s meeting.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Over the course of its first year, Mr. B’s Mead Center has evolved into another kind of center:
Community.
Dropping in to talk with Mr. B – Brandon Eller – and Mrs. B – Krista Eller, we learned that’s what Year One has brought.
As you might have noticed on our Event Calendar – not to mention theirs – Mr. B’s Mead Center, in what used to be Center Tool Rental at 9444 Delridge Way SW, is a hub of happenings. (That includes their first-anniversary party this Saturday [March 21], 2-8 pm.)
“Lots of art events – it’s a really inclusive space.” Particularly because they don’t charge for use of the space.”They keep their profits; we sell mead,” reasons Brandon. The no-charge policy applies not only to public events but also private parties – from birthdays to memorial services.
Though they didn’t expect this evolution, they’re pleased to facilitate it. “It’s what the community wants,” Brandon says.
They’re also happy to support new artists, and new events, with affordable fees for participants. One example that’s just launching, a Sip and Sculpt session on first Sundays, $15 for participants, whose finished work will be. professionally fired. (Next one, April 5.)
They’re also working with White Center Solidarity, hosting some of their events, like a mending session.
Live music is part of the mix too – “often it’s their first show, or if they’re new to the area.
They’re also supporting new businesses – like in-the-works Duchess Mini-Café (here’s our previous report on that), soon to open on their site – and collaborating with White Center winery Wolfpack Cellars (WSB sponsor).
Speaking of beverages, we wondered how the reception has been for the first mead-focused venue in the area. Customers are embracing it as “something different” that they’re “glad to have nearby,” Brandon reports. (The original Mr. B’s Meadery is still humming along in Fremont, in case you find yourself on that side of the city, though Brandon admits they have been focusing more on this location.)
They say they’ve received the same kind of reception that they’ve been offering to the artists, vendors, and others they’ve opened their doors to – encouragement and support. And they’re hoping to offer more – Krista has applied for grants to support more classes and pay performing artists. For year two, Brandon’s goal is to be able to save money for more repair work that the space needs – “we did a lot of small repairs” to get open and stay open, but now the ex-tool shop needs a little more love.
What’s ahead in the immediate future? They’ve been participating in the Rat City Art and Food Walk – third Thursdays during most of the year, though it’s been on winter hiatus – and plan to host 17 artists for its return in April. But before then, stop by Saturday to wish them happy anniversary (or check Mr. B’s out sooner – tonight, for example, is the weekly Rock Band Gaming night!).
This Thursday morning during the twice-monthly meeting of the City Council committee chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, two North Delridge business owners are scheduled to participate in a roundtable discussion about strategies for dealing with light-rail-related displacement. The roundtable discussion is on the agenda for the 9:30 am Thursday (March 19) meeting of the Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee; the local participants are Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) proprietor Erin Rubin and Ounces proprietor Laurel Trujillo. Both of their businesses will have to move under the current plan for the Delridge station, which at this point wouldn’t be changed by the newest cost-cutting proposals. Thursday’s roundtable participants also include reps from two city departments and the nonprofit Rainier Valley Community Development Fund, which has been working with local businesses. As always, the meeting will be streamed live, and recorded, by Seattle Channel.
Unusual menu-board item at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) this afternoon – cookies and beer! The beer garden/tap room is suggesting pairings today, while Troop 42099 is there selling cookies on the second weekend of cookie-booth season:
You can buy cookies whether or not you’re buying beer, by the way. This year’s cookies are $6/box except for gluten-free Toffee-tastic, which is priced at $7.
Cookie-selling teaches Girl Scouts entrepreneurial skills, and also enables them to support chosen causes – one focus for this troop is to help shelter pets. They’re at Ounces until 6 pm today and will be at the Junction QFC (42nd SW and SW Alaska) at 10 am Sunday. Lots of troops have booths all over West Seattle; you can look up times and locations here.
It took a bit longer than first promised, but a taco truck is now open at the ex-Walgreens in South Delridge. We first reported two and a half weeks ago that the site’s new owner was planning to bring in food trucks, starting with El Gran Taco, likely within days. We’ve been going by almost daily to see whether the truck had arrived yet, and just now spotted it for the first time. In a brief conversation, they told us it’s their second day there, and they plan to be open Mondays through Saturdays, 11 am to 8 pm. (El Gran Taco also has a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in White Center, 10230 16th SW.) A spokesperson for the 15th/16th/Roxbury site’s new owner James Tjoa told us their focus is on finding at least one new tenant for the site, as the building is relatively new and demolishing it for redevelopment wouldn’t likely make sense for another 10 years or so, but in the meantime, they’re hoping food trucks will help “activate” the site.
(WSB photo, last month)
Nam Suk Nasatka, longtime proprietor of Lee’s Produce in South Delridge, has been laid to rest, while her store carries on. Her family is asking the community for one final tribute in her memory – donations to the White Center Food Bank. Daniel Horst, who’s helping organize the memorial fundraiser, asked us to publish the link. The fundraiser page says Lee’s Produce had partnered with WCFB for more than a decade, providing produce gift certificates to expand access to vegetables and fruit. Ms. Nasatka was 75 years old when cancer ended her life.
(Clothesline coordinator Karen Dahl)
Story and photos by Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The Clothesline, West Seattle Food Bank’s free-clothing program, hosted its first donation drive at their new location in the former food-store space at Cottage Grove Commons (5444 Delridge Way SW).
Clothesline will have two additional donation-only days for you to bring in your clothes on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and Thursday, Feb. 12, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., before they reopen to the public on Feb. 17th. We stopped by Saturday for a look inside the new location.
Clothesline has been closed for the past six weeks in order to organize the move to the new location. In anticipation of the closure, demand increased at the end of December, and volunteers expect most of their current inventory to leave the racks upon the reopening, according to Karen Dahl, the Clothesline program coordinator.
Dahl recommended that donors bring in warm winter jackets, sweatshirts, and work boots, which have been in high demand for shoppers needing proper gear for construction and gardening jobs. She also noted that donors should aim to bring seasonal items, as Clothesline’s storage space for out-of-season items is currently limited.
The limited storage space is one notable difference between the old and new locations, another being that the new location doesn’t have a parking lot, forcing visitors to rely on street parking or visit via transit.
Dahl is the only official staff member at Clothesline, supported by a 67-person-strong volunteer network. Dahl recalled that when she was down with pneumonia in January, they stepped up to pack the entirety of the old facility.
“I have the best volunteers.” Dahl said. “Don’t get me started on the volunteers … they are essential here.”
The program typically has 10-15 volunteers working on any given day, but is looking for some additional help on Saturdays.
At the conclusion of Saturday’s first day of donations, Dahl expressed optimism about donor turnout and the items received. The day served as “another reminder that we live in a remarkable community,” according to Tom, a Clothesline volunteer who has been helping out since the pandemic.
“The donors are really fabulous. A lot of people who come in and donate; they tell me directly they want to bring it here because they know it goes directly to people,” Dahl said.
Clothesline sees 40-50 “groups” per day that receive clothes – groups consisting of an individual and potential family members that they may be shopping for. Last year, Clothesline provided items to more than 5,000 families, with around 100,000 pieces cycling through the program annually.
Always lots of interest in shredding opportunities, so here’s news of your next one: As announced by Seattle Parks – Shred-it is coming to Delridge Community Center, 10:30 am-12:30 pm on Saturday, February 14:
$15 per person, residents only, no businesses. Please remove any paper clips or staples before shredding. Two standard garbage bags per car.
Delridge CC is at 4501 Delridge Way SW. After this, the next local event we know of is the March 21 recycle/reuse event presented by the West Seattle Junction Association and Chamber of Commerce, details TBA.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A food pop-up with some tantalizing offerings is in the process of creating a permanent home in South Delridge as early as this spring. Duchess Mini Cafe is in permitting to open a walkup-style cafe in a building that’s owned by Mr. B’s Mead Center, whose second location at 9444 Delridge Way SW just opened last year.
Poffertjes mini pancakes cooking–photos by Jennifer Worges unless otherwise noted
Duchess Mini Dutch Pancakes has been a regular popup at Mr. B’s Mead Center over the last several months, serving Dutch pancakes, poffertjes, and other treats. Owner Jennifer Worges says she’s been serving her unique menu at markets and festivals for 3 years while also working a restaurant job and is excited to have a space where she doesn’t have to set up and break down every day. “Popups are a lot of work,” she says.
The future Duchess Mini Cafe currently has a red and white facade–WSB photo
The future home of the cafe is petite, at just 10’x10’, but Worges is confident it will work, and was thrilled that the owners of Mr. B’s offered her a lease. “I’m super excited to be able to expand.” Because the footprint is too small for customers to be inside, she is planning a walk-up service window to order espresso drinks, juices, and teas, along with a variety of sweet and savory foods.
Mango Tiramisu Poffertjes
Worges is planning to include many of the items that have been a hit during the popups. Poffertjes are mini Dutch pancakes that she makes with a sweet cream batter. Toppings can be as simple as butter and powdered sugar, or nutella, but she’s also been making a mango tiramisu topping, a goat cheese/cream cheese/vanilla mix and something she calls the Angry Goat: goat cheese with pickled strawberries, thyme, honey, and a little hot sauce.
Hoisin Garlic Chicken Gua Bao with fresh pickled sweet and sour veggies
Another featured item is her take on the Taiwanese street food guabao, which is a bao-like bun wrapped around a savory filling. “I’ve been testing it out at the last couple of popups,” she says, stuffing the buns with combos like gochujang pork, with sweet and sour pickled veggie, with more options to come. “My plan is to have breakfast ones, stuffed with bacon and eggs and cheese.”
Worges is juggling permitting and building out the space while still holding down her job as kitchen manager at the nearby Lumber Yard Bar. She started a GoFundMe this week and is hoping for community support to help with some of the costs. “Once I can pay for all the permits, I’m going to start basic and can always expand.”
In the meantime, Duchess popups will continue at Mr. B’s this month on the 7th, 13th, and the 14th, for the Rat City Valentine’s Day Market at the Mead Center.
(WSB photo of 5444 Delridge storefront before its food-store days)
When the West Seattle Food Bank‘s Clothesline closed at the end of the year, WSFB wasn’t ready to go public with the new location it had found for the clothing bank. Now it is – and they’re requesting donations starting this weekend. WSFB says Clothesline will reopen in the ground-level storefront space at Cottage Grove Commons (5444 Delridge Way SW), formerly home to two food stores, Cascadia Fresh Market and Delridge Grocery Co-op. Here’s the announcement:
The West Seattle Food Bank invites the community to help launch its new West Seattle Clothesline location with a special clothing drive taking place Saturday, February 7; Tuesday, February 10; and Thursday, February 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Community members are encouraged to bring new or gently used, season-appropriate clothing to the new Clothesline location at:
5444 Delridge Way SW, Suite 100
These donation days will help stock the shelves ahead of the Clothesline’s reopening to clients on Tuesday, February 17.
The West Seattle Clothesline provides free clothing to neighbors experiencing hardship, offering dignity, choice, and access to essential items for daily life. Clothing donations from the community make this program possible.
“We are so grateful for the generosity of our neighbors,” said Karen Dahl, Clothesline Program Coordinator. “Every donated coat, pair of jeans, and warm sweater helps ensure our Clothesline is ready to welcome community members into our new space.”
Donation Details
Dates: Saturday, Feb. 7; Tuesday, Feb. 10; Thursday, Feb. 12
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: 5444 Delridge Way SW, Suite 100
Accepted Items: Clean, gently used clothing for adults and children; menswear especially needed
Note: The Clothesline will be closed for donations and distribution on Saturday, Feb. 14th.For more information about the Clothesline or other services, visit westseattlefoodbank.org
The Clothesline moved from its previous site on the north edge of The Junction because its landlord was selling the property.
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.
(WSB photo, today)
11:02 AM: One month before the South Delridge Walgreens (9456 16th SW) announced its impending closure late last summer, we had reported it was on the market. Now, it’s been sold. The sale, first reported by the Daily Journal of Commerce, was for $2.4 million – a third below the $3.75 million asking price in our previous story, plus less than half what the site/building is valued at in county records, and less than half what it sold for in 2003. The new owner of the 53,000-square-foot site is Team Amalfi LLC, whose principals include real-estate broker/developer James Tjoa; he’s been involved with other West Seattle projects including a 12-home site on Pigeon Point. We have a message out to ask about plans for the ex-Walgreens site; nothing’s showing up in city files so far.
1:12 PM: Went over for a new photo of the building (substituted above for the originally used King County Assessor file photo); discovered the new owner has signs up offering the building for lease:
The listing offers the option of leasing just part of the building.
Story and photos by Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
South Delridge’s Nacho Mama’s Fry Bread Cafe (9418 Delridge Way SW) is back after a months-long closure for remodeling, and owner Debra Lecomb is looking forward to welcoming in the community for more than its namesake menu offerings.
The updated space is light and bright, featuring a new tile-faced bar area, new floors, updated decorations and furniture and some kitchen improvements, including a commercial dishwasher. Lecomb also added a raised stage area in the corner for musicians to play. She has Marlee Walker booked to play blues on Friday nights from 5-8.
Nacho Mama’s menu is still largely the same, with fry bread as a featured part of everything from breakfasts to tacos, and sundaes to PB&J sandwiches. There are nachos too, and breakfast served all day. Lecomb learned to make fry bread from her grandmother, a skill that she says isn’t as simple as following a recipe. She prepares all of the dough herself.
Lecomb is invested, not just in the food but in the space itself. She says it took more than a year of working nights after her two day jobs to get the space cleaned up and ready to open initially in 2022. Lecomb says it had been broken into, vandalized and occupied by transients before she took it over. This latest 4-month remodel, partly funded by a city grant, allowed her to make some of the finishing touches that she wasn’t able to do the first time around. She’s in it for the long haul: “To be able to work efficiently and stay here for a long time and be here for the community and give back.”
The only vestige of the former Hoang Kim Vietnamese restaurant that Lecomb kept is a mural by artist Sarah Robbins on the north wall. “There was all kinds of graffiti all over these walls, a dragon going down the wall. The ravens were here — I kept them.” Now they are the backdrop for the stage and anchor a space that Lecomb is really excited about. Plus, she now has some help in the kitchen — a family friend who moved here to lend a hand. “I was doing everything by myself. I was cooking, serving, shopping, prepping. Jacob’s been wonderful to me and I really appreciate him.”
Nacho Mama’s is open 7 days: Monday and Tuesday 11 am-9 pm and the rest of the week from 10 am-8 pm.
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