UPDATE: Hit-run driver injures pedestrian near Westwood Village
12:11 AM: Police are investigating what’s reported as a collision near Westwood Village involving a driver hitting a pedestrian in the 25th/Barton vicinity in the past half-hour, then leaving the scene. The initial description of the vehicle was only “black sedan.” The pedestrian is reported to have a serious leg injury.
12:18 AM: Dispatch has been told they’re taking the victim to Harborview Medical Center.
10:01 AM: SFD tells us the pedestrian is a woman in her mid-30s and that she was in stable condition when transported.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: Here’s the SPD summary:
At 2347 hours, a witness called 911 Dispatch (CARE) to report a vehicle vs pedestrian collision in the 2500 block SW Barton St. Officers arrived in the area and located the victim lying in the roadway with obvious injuries. The witness stated he observed the victim crawling across the roadway when a dark colored sedan struck her and continued without stopping. SFD arrived and treated the victim who was transported to HMC.
VIDEO: Daiso opens at Westwood Village
People were lined up waiting to be the first customers for Daiso‘s new Westwood Village store when it opened its doors at 9 this morning. It was an exciting day for the staff, too:
Never been to a Daiso store? Inside, you’ll find generally inexpensive items both practical and fun:
The new store is in the combined space previously occupied by two businesses – Fresh Vitamins (which closed six years ago) and SportClips (which closed last year).
BIZNOTE: Lauren’s Jewelry, one of Westwood Village’s few indies, will close
One of the last remaining independent small businesses at Westwood Village is closing its brick-and-mortar doors. Lauren’s Jewelry, formerly known as Wyatt’s Jewelers, is going online-only. Proprietor Lauren Wiggins already has started promoting a going-out-of-business sale (as noted here) and is now officially announcing her shutdown plan:
It is with a heavy heart that after 5 years of Lauren’s Jewelry, we are closing our store. Lauren and Tyler would like to thank each of our friends, and customers for allowing us to do what we love to do, and being a part of our lives.
Please come in and take advantage of this opportunity to save up to 70% on our entire inventory of diamonds, color stones, and silver jewelry. Come in and enter to win a pair of 1.00ctw diamond earrings.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. -Lauren
It’s been a challenging five years – as noted in this January report, Lauren reported having a collection of seven SPD officer cards from investigations of burglaries and attempted burglaries (and now, add the truck theft to that). Meantime, Lauren tells us she hasn’t set a hard-and-fast closing date yet – the going-out-of-business sale will include a “VIP preview” event next Tuesday through Friday for starters, and she’ll see how things go from there. She bought Wyatt’s Jewelers from previous owners Kirk and Joni Keppler when they decided to move on after 15 years.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: Recycling and drug disposal Saturday, shredding both days
Here’s a reminder about three events this weekend that can help with your spring cleaning in a variety of ways:
FREE RECYCLING SATURDAY: That’s the list from Fauntleroy Church for its twice-yearly Recycle Roundup, happening 9 am-3 pm Saturday (April 27) in the church lot. (You can also see it here in PDF.) Just drive up or ride/walk up and Recycle Roundup partner DTG Recycle/1 Green Planet will take your item(s). The lot is at 9140 California SW.
DRUG TAKE-BACK WITH SHREDDING SATURDAY: Also on Saturday, the twice-yearly Drug Take-Back Day dropoff event is happening outside the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), 10 am-2 pm, and this year SPD is offering free shredding, too (up to three boxes) – bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank.
FREE SHREDDING AND FOOD DRIVE SUNDAY: On Sunday (April 28), 9 am-noon, you can shred with John L. Scott Real Estate Westwood (WSB sponsor), which will be accepting food/money donations for the White Center Food Bank. Look for the canopy and truck in the northwest lot at Westwood Village (west of the former Bed Bath and Beyond, north of the future Daiso).
COUNTDOWN: 3 weeks until West Seattle recycling, shredding events
Three weeks to go until your next opportunities for free drive-up/ride-up recycling and shredding – this time in two separate events, Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28.
FREE RECYCLING: That’s the list of what Fauntleroy Church‘s next Recycle Roundup will and won’t take, 9 am-3 pm April 27 in the church lot. (You can also see it here in PDF.) Just drive up or ride/walk up and Recycle Roundup partner 1 Green Planet will take your item(s). The lot is at 9140 California SW.
FREE SHREDDING: The next day, 9 am-noon April 28, John L. Scott Real Estate Westwood (WSB sponsor) offers free shredding, while accepting food/money donations for the White Center Food Bank. Look for the canopy and truck that morning in the northwest lot at Westwood Village (west of the former Bed Bath and Beyond, north of the future Daiso).
UPDATE: Rescue response for 30th/Barton crash
7:26 PM: Seattle Fire has a “rescue extrication” response at 30th and Barton, reporting it’s a three-vehicle crash, one flipped and one person trapped.
7:31 PM: SFD says firefighters got the person out safely and that three people are hurt, no major injuries.
8:14 PM: Added photo, originally posted by Heather in a comment.
ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: Here’s what SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells us about the people who were hurt:
Crews treated the following patients:
-35-year-old female who was in stable condition. She was transported to Harborview via AMR.
-57-year-old male who was safely extricated from their vehicle and was in stable condition. He declined transportation to a hospital and was left with Seattle Police.
-A third person reported no injuries and declined medical evaluation.
BIZNOTE: Tony’s Market opening for the season, with a big change
(WSB photos)
You might have noticed the activity and new signage at 35th/Barton, as Tony’s Market gets ready to open for the season. One big change – new owners!
Razmye “Raz” Vorng and Sandy Saeteurn are taking over from Joey Genzale, who had run the produce-stand-and-more business since his dad, market founder and namesake Tony Genzale, died in 2010. They are West Seattle residents. They explain that Raz is an acquaintance of Tony, who they say “expressed his desire to close the chapter on his family’s produce stand. We wanted to salvage the business and keep it going.”
This is their first retail venture, though Sandy explains that Raz – who will run the store – “has an entrepreneurial mindset” as part-owner of Ananas Pizzeria on First Hill. They hope to open as soon as Monday (April 1) and expect hours for starters to be Mondays-Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm. And yes, they expect to continue the seasonal specialties for which Tony’s has long been known – pumpkins and Christmas trees.
Still need to shred? Another West Seattle event next month
(WSB photo, April 2023)
If you weren’t able to get shredding done at last weekend’s free event in West Seattle – today we have word of another one coming up. John L. Scott Real Estate Westwood (WSB sponsor) has announded the date and time for its annual free shredding event – 9 am-12 pm Sunday, April 28. They’ll be set up again in the northwest parking lot at Westwood Village, and accepting donations for the White Center Food Bank – food and/or cash. Last year, community donations totaled 1,250 pounds of food and $2,000, while more than two and a half tons of paper got shredded. So if you need to shred, set your calendar now for April 28!
BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Daiso uncloaks at Westwood Village
Eight months after we first reported that Westwood Village had a Daiso store on the way, the space is finally sporting signage. We have been passing by every few days or so and noticed the signage this afternoon. Daiso is moving into a combined space (formerly SportClips and Fresh Vitamins) a few doors north of Ross. While the signage simply says “spring” for its projected opening, one WSB reader who’s a frequent customer at another Daiso store in the region says the staff there told him they’re aiming for May. The only other claimed-but-not-open-yet space at WWV is the future Panda Express north of QFC.
UPDATE: Power outage leaves some Westwood Village businesses in the dark
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Thanks for the tip. A reader found a sign on the door at Westwood Village Marshall’s saying the store’s without power. The Seattle City Light map shows a 26-customer outage in the area, blamed on “equipment failure.” We went to the center for a quick survey and it appears that businesses north of QFC, on the east-facing side, are affected, so if you’re planning to go to one of the businesses in that area, try calling before you leave.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: We asked SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang about the outage: “This appears to be an underground system issue. In order to fully and safely access equipment, we will need to take additional phases of power to the shopping center offline.” They delayed that a bit at the request of WWV management, but the outage appears to be resolved now.
BIZNOTE: Westwood Village McDonald’s temporarily closed
Thanks for the tips that the Westwood Village McDonald’s is temporarily closed. We just went over to verify. The sign on the door doesn’t give a reason for the closure; one tipster says it’s a pipe problem. We’ll check again in a few hours; let us know if you see it reopened sooner.
It wasn’t all fireworks
The fireworks some set off after the Seahawks‘ Monday Night Football victory over Philadelphia (20-17) less than half an hour ago spawned some “possible gunfire” calls to 911. However, in one case, it was actual gunfire. Dispatch sent officers to a home in the Westwood area where a resident reported a bullet piercing a wall; police have reported back to dispatch that it was “confirmed bullet damage.”
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Robbery search
1:28 PM: Thanks for the tips. The police search in the Westwood Village/Roxhill Park this past half-hour followed a report of an armed robbery. We’re still catching up on details – more to come.
1:33 PM: Police at the scene tell us the victim was robbed in the park. The search has wrapped up; they lost the robber’s trail in the Westwood Village parking lot (which could mean he got away in a car). He was described initially as a Black man in his 20s, 6’1″, thin, red jacket, armed with a handgun.
Looking for a bazaar to sell at? Village Green West Seattle wants you!
Though today was the biggest holiday bazaar day of the season, there are more to come, including one at Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) that has room for more vendors – here’s the announcement:
Village Green West Seattle is hosting a local Festive Holiday Fair. We are looking for 5-6 more local artists, candle makers, quilters, glass makers, ETC., to come and set up shop at our community. This event is open to the public; it will be on Wednesday, December 6th, from 12-3 pm. Local vendors/artists, please reach out to Corinne at corinne@villagegreenretirement.com or call 206.937.6122 to reserve your spot.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Suspect arrested after shoplift-turned-assault clears out Westwood Village Target
10:35 AM: Thanks for the tips. Shoppers tell us they were told to clear out of Westwood Village Target around 9:40 am, after a shoplifting suspect turned violent. Police arrested the suspect on Delridge Way a short time later. According to dispatch audio, the suspect was reported to have assaulted a store manager inside the fitting-room area. Shoppers at some point were told to evacuate the store (which has since returned to normal operation), and the suspect left the store too. Police searching the area made an arrest a few blocks away, at Delridge and Henderson. Medics were called for the injured employee; we’re following up with SFD.
5:26 PM: We’ve since also checked with SPD and jail/court records. First, SFD says the 36-year-old assault victim was treated for “minor injuries” and did not want to be taken to a hospital. Second, SPD says the 33-year-old suspect was booked for investigation of robbery – they say he still had stolen property in his possession when he attacked the store employee, so that turned the shoplift into a robbery. According to jail/court records, this is his fourth time in the King County Jail this year – the other three were on misdemeanor cases, one day in jail in June, three days in July, two weeks in September/October. He had five felony cases in King County Superior Court between 2008 – when he was 18 – and 2015, including auto theft, drugs, and gun possession. He’ll likely have a bail hearing tomorrow, so we’ll follow up.
FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE: We’ve been waiting for prosecutors to send a document so we could do a detailed followup, but in the meantime, the jail roster shows bail was set for the suspect today at $150,000.
BIZNOTE: Panda Express back on the table for West Seattle
Ten years ago, we reported on an application filed to turn a space on the south side of Westwood Village into a location for Panda Express, the fast-Chinese-food chain. That proposal eventually stalled, and the space became a physical-therapy clinic. Today, checking the Westwood Village map – which is where the center’s new-ish owners have first publicly disclosed future tenants – we discovered Panda Express is back in the picture.
That’s a screengrab showing a new addition to the map today – Panda Express is penciled in for the spot next to QFC that Pet Pros occupied before moving to Jefferson Square. It’s in the row that already holds many of WWV’s other food/beverage businesses – Sub Stop, Toshi’s Teriyaki, Happy Lemon, Starbucks. We have an inquiry out to Panda Express to see if they’ll comment. Their nearest restaurant is in Burien; the two existing Seattle locations are both in the north part of the city.
UPDATE: SFD response at Westwood Village
10:06 PM: SFD has sent several crews to Westwood Village for what’s reported as an “exterior fire” at the Target loading dock They’re checking to see if it’s having any effects inside the store.
10:31 PM: This did not turn out to be major and two of the four units were dismissed quickly, with only one still on the scene, We’ll follow up with SFD.
ADDED: Here’s what SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo told us: “Crews responded to a rubbish fire outside of a retail strip mall. A bystander was able to knock down the fire with an extinguisher, then our firefighters fully extinguished it. The fire did not extend to any nearby buildings, and no injuries were reported.”
BIZNOTE: Staples to close its Westwood Village store
(WSB photo)
Thanks for the tips. Another big-box closure at Westwood Village – signs up today announce that the shopping center’s Staples store is closing November 17th. We have a message out to the company to ask why. A check of national news doesn’t show any large-scale wave of Staples closures, though the privately held office-supply chain is closing one in Massachusetts this week. Other major retailers that have closed at WWV include Bed Bath & Beyond (in the space currently temporarily occupied by Spirit Halloween) and Barnes & Noble (replaced by Ross Dress For Less), though the center’s new-ish ownership has filled other smaller spaces, and has a Daiso store on the way (as we first reported in July).
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