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Got your ticket yet? Almost sip-and-stroll time for West Seattle Junction’s spring Wine Walk
May 1, 2025 5:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

More than 50 wineries and West Seattle merchants are pairing up for the spring Wine Walk presented by the West Seattle Junction Association, which sends word that it still has tickets available, with two weeks until it’s time to uncork. The Wine Walk is 5-9 pm Friday, May 16. Your $37 ticket gets you 14 one-ounce tastings, a Wine Walk bottle tote bag, and a keepsake wine glass. You’ll get the chance to fill your tote with participating wineries’ bottles along the way (and there’s a free Bottle Valet service so you won’t get bogged down too soon). Check-in spots this time are Row House (4203 SW Oregon) and John L. Scott (4445 California SW). Get your ticket ASAP before they sell out – go here! (That link is also where you’ll find the list of participating merchants and wineries – the latter include WSB sponsors Viscon Cellars, Welcome Road Winery, and Spruce Hill Winery!)

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FOOD BIZNOTES: Renowned restaurateur returning? Plus, sake dinner and new pizza
April 28, 2025 7:41 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Three food biznotes tonight:

(Hajime Sato at Mashiko in 2009 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

MASHIKO FOUNDER HEADING BACK WESTWARD: Thanks for the tips! The original chef and owner of Mashiko in The Junction says he is heading back to the Pacific Northwest after closing Sozai, the Detroit-area restaurant he opened in 2021. Just where Hajime Sato will land is not yet public, but reaction to his announcement on social media had dozens of commenters hoping it would be near them. The fact that he’s won a James Beard Award in the interim is likely adding to the interest in his next venture.

Three employees purchased Mashiko when Sato left for the Midwest in 2019. With a focus on sustainable seafood at Mashiko for the final 10 years of the 25 he ran the restaurant here, it wasn’t a stretch for Sato to continue those values when opening Sozai. The positive feedback in the suburban city of Clawson was immediate, and in the years that followed, Sato was honored with a number of awards, including the James Beard Award last year for Best Chef Great Lakes, which includes a 5-state area. He had been a James Beard finalist the previous year. Sato’s post on social media says:

After an extended time of reflection, it is clear that the best thing for my family is for us to return to the Pacific Northwest.

It will be extremely difficult to leave Sozai behind. I put everything I had into building something special for my customers and to further my work as a sustainable seafood advocate. Thank you to everyone who has shared wonderful times with me at Sozai. I will cherish those memories. My sincerest hope is that you will continue to try new things!

We have inquiries out about where in this region he’s headed and will update with any new information we get. (8:46 PM: He messaged us back to say he has no further comment right now.)

SAKE DINNER AT UPWELL: A couple blocks south of Mashiko, a one-of-a-kind dining and drinking experience is two nights away – Upwell Wine and Coffee sent us the announcement that they’re teaming with Maison V for a multi-course sake dinner this Wednesday (April 30), three seatings, $185 per person (gratuity included), with curated food and sake pairings courtesy of Upwell’s Chef Rosanne and Maison V’s team. Interested? Get your seat at the table by going here.

NEW PIZZA: Yes, West Seattle is getting a new pizza option. Thanks to Ian for the tip on this, after he saw the sign in the window at KBM Commissary Kitchen, 5604 Delridge Way SW (home to other popular pick-up eateries). Pizza Ritual, whih promises “naturally leavened wood-fired pizza,” says it’ll be serving up its pies a day or two week starting next month.

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FRIDAY PREVIEW: Waiting till last minute to decide about Rock Walk?
April 10, 2025 11:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Friday’s the night that you can sip, stroll, and help the West Seattle Junction Association raise money to raise the bar on West Seattle Summer Fest music. And the weather looks fairly promising for the first-ever Rock Walk, described by WSJA as “a night of different tastes from wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries – with all proceeds supporting live music at Summer Fest.” If you didn’t already buy tickets, online sales are closed BUT WSJA tells us you can still get in on it – buy your ticket at one of the check-in locations:

Jet City Labs – 4547 California Ave SW
John L. Scott Realty – 4445 California Ave SW

Rock Walk (and last-minute in-person ticketing) starts at 5 pm Friday. (Summer Fest is just three months away, BTW, July 11-13!).

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Rock Walk! West Seattle Junction Association debuts new event April 11 to turn up the volume on Summer Fest music
March 11, 2025 4:03 pm
|    Comments Off on Rock Walk! West Seattle Junction Association debuts new event April 11 to turn up the volume on Summer Fest music
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Just four months until the year’s biggest party, West Seattle Summer Fest, fills The Junction with three days of music, shopping, food, and fun. But in just one month, you can help launch a new fun(draiser) to support the festival’s music – the first-ever Rock Walk is one month away, on April 11, and you can get your ticket(s) now! Here’s the announcement from the West Seattle Junction Association:

You told us last year — one of the best things about Summer Fest is the music! And guess what? We heard you loud and clear. This year, we’re turning up the volume with an exciting new event: Rock Walk, a fundraiser to enhance the music programming at Summer Fest 2025!

As costs continue to rise and summer weekends fill up with community festivals, we want to ensure West Seattle Summer Fest stays on your calendar as a must-attend event. That’s why we’re bringing you Rock Walk — a night of different tastes from wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries – with all proceeds supporting live music at Summer Fest.

What is Rock Walk?
Located in the heart of West Seattle Junction, Rock Walk is a dynamic tasting event featuring wine, cider, beer, and spirits.

-30 businesses will serve as sip stops
-32 beverage providers (yes, two locations will have double the options!)
-12 tasting choices per person
-Exclusive perks: Your ticket includes a tasting glass, a tote bag for bottle purchases, a map of all locations, and—of course—our undying gratitude for supporting live music at Summer Fest!

Event Details
📅 Date: Friday, April 11th
🕔 Time: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
📍 Check-in Locations:
Jet City Labs – 4547 California Ave SW
John L. Scott Realty – 4445 California Ave SW

Get Your Tickets Now!
Secure yours here: Rock Walk Tickets

Why Join Rock Walk?
Gather your friends and enjoy a strolling sip experience through West Seattle Junction. You’ll discover new favorite beverages, explore local businesses, and—best of all—help us bring an enhanced music lineup to Summer Fest 2025!

Go to The Junction’s website to see the Rock Walk pairings of beverage providers and pouring locations!

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: See inside Hagosa’s House, opening Friday
February 26, 2025 10:16 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Feaven Berhe knows everything won’t be perfect when she soft-opens her North Delridge coffee shop Hagosa’s House this Friday.

But she is excited to start getting the community feedback that will propel her toward that ideal.

“Learning as we go,” she smiles, as we chat in the space formerly known as Pearls, in the 4800 Delridge Way SW building owned for more than a decade and a half by her dad Solomon Tesfu (in the photo above with Feaven) and mom Genet Berhane. To transform it into Hagosa’s House, they’ve brightened the interior in a big way.

As we first reported last week, family is at the heart of Hagosa’s House, which Feaven named for her grandmother.

Her parents are Eritrean immigrants, and their influence will pervade the new café too. Unique features will include Eritrean-style coffee ceremonies, which include roasting the beans just before the coffee is prepared. It’s another way to bring people together, Feaven says, and a way to enjoy the coffee aroma even before it’s brewed. This art on the café’s north wall depicts a coffee ceremony:

Speaking of roasting, Boon Boona will be the coffee source for Hagosa’s House. Feaven says her intentionality guides as much of what she’s offering as possible – with local providers like Harried and Hungry in Georgetown for the sandwiches and salads they’ll offer, and Macrina for the pastries. Again, this is where she plans to start simple and “see what people like.”

And Feaven is excited to be launching this new phase of her life in West Seattle, where she grew up – she even went to elementary school at Sanislo, just up the hill. Her previous career focus was as a “data person” – now she gets to turn the focus on her own enterprise.

Future plans include offering beer and wine – a liquor license will be sought in a few months – and events, maybe poetry and music. “We’re hoping to be here for the community,” Feaven emphasizes. “I love people” – and she’s ready to open a place where they’ll gather to enjoy each other’s company – and “good coffee.”

Hagosa’s House will be open 7 am to 7 pm daily – to start with – at least until and unless the community’s response and feedback suggest otherwise. “Is perfection achievable?” Feaven muses. “We’ll get as close as we can!”

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BIZNOTE: 1 week until grand opening of Mr. B’s Mead Center at former tool shop
February 21, 2025 12:10 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A transformation from tool shop to “enchanted forest” (and more) is almost complete at 9444 Delridge Way SW.

That’s where Brandon Eller and Krista Eller – aka Mr. B and Mrs. B – will open Mr. B’s Mead Center one week from today, on Friday, February 28, an expansion of Mr. B’s Meadery in Fremont.

At Mr. B’s Mead Center, they are the new owners of the former Center Tool Rental site, re-envisioning it as not only an all-ages “safe community space” but also the production center for their mead; they’ve just moved production from SODO.

Not familiar with mead? Short description: “Honey wine.” But that doesn’t mean it’s “cloyingly sweet,” Krista says, cautioning prospective new customers against assumptions. Look at all the different descriptions on their “soft open” menu:

They’ve been selling most of their mead out of their other venue in Fremont, now in its fourth year, with a few wholesale customers. But unlike some brewpubs, the production facilities aren’t the visual centerpiece of this space.

Their woodsy, quirky decor is. Krista’s been doing much of the woodwork.

Some of it is repurposed, like this tree table you might recall from the shuttered Lodge in the West Seattle Junction.

The “enchanted forest” even features live trees. How did this all sprout in a former tool shop? Brandon explains that he grew up “in the south end,” and he and Krista live in this area. “I just kind of stumbled onto this place,” whose owner Doug was looking to sell and retire. He’s seen the transformation, they add, attending a friends-and-family test run a few nights ago.

He looked around, wide-eyed, they explain, and you likely will too. Even the restroom space has memorable decor – a hallmark of their other location, they explain:

And this won’t just be a place to drink (regular pours, by the way, are 5-6 ounces, and they’ll have a carbonated mead on tap too, with a honey soda also among the offerings). They’re planning events – a limited amount of live music, maybe Brandon’s own band Elephant Crows (“classic rock”). Live art too – Brandon mentions a “liquid light show.”

Wondering about food? Mostly just “snacks – things we can buy” to serve. Charcuterie, for example.

As with most new venues, the plan will keep evolving as they watch how the community responds (the decor won’t be static, either, they promise); starting hours will be 4-11 pm Thursdays and Fridays, 1-11 pm Saturdays, 1-8 pm Sundays. Next Friday’s grand-opening celebration will kick off with a 3:30 pm ribboncutting.

P.S. Scroll down the Mr. B’s Mead Center webpage for a huge helping of history about the site and far more details about their plans.

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WEST SEATTLE BIZNOTE: New future for ex-Pearls – Hagosa’s House
February 19, 2025 4:05 pm
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 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

That sign announces what’s next for the former Pearls at Delridge/Edmunds – Hagosa’s House. We got a reader tip about this pre-sign and have been trying to reach the proprietor, without luck so far, so here’s what its website says about the plan:

Hagosa’s House is a family-owned neighborhood cafe offering coffee and small bites, designed to feel like home. Named after my grandmother, Hagosa, the cafe honors her legacy and celebrates Eritrean heritage. As a Black- and woman-owned business, we are rooted in the community, starting small, growing every day, and dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming space for all.

The website suggests Hagosa’s House will open by month’s end. We still hope to reach the proprietor

BACKSTORY: Last time we mentioned the site’s past identity as Pearls was in May of last year, when a handwritten sign on the door said Pearls was closed for remodeling.

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BIZNOTE: Locust Cider abruptly closes Alki taproom and 6 others
December 10, 2024 5:54 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(WSB photo, tonight)

Thanks for the tips. That’s how we found the front window of Locust Cider‘s Alki taproom at 2820 Alki SW, after going there tonight to verify reports it had abruptly closed. No note or explanatory sign, but the company website says “ALKI BEACH PERMANENTLY CLOSED. Thank you for 5 great years on the beach! Visit us at our downtown Seattle taprooms at Post Alley or Market Place.” (The company elaborated on social media (and via its email list) that it’s closed seven taprooms in all – Alki, First Hill, Redmond, Olympia, Vancouver, and Walla Walla in Washington, and Fort Worth, Texas” – while seven remain open. The company statement adds that “while this decision is necessary to ensure the future health of our company, it’s also incredibly painful.” We first reported five and a half years ago that Locust planned to take over the space where Alki Urban Market had closed almost two years earlier. That adds another space in transition on Alki Avenue – next to this space, Gary’s Place is about to open; a block east, the former Starbucks is set to become Alki Coffee Co./Ben and Jerry’s next year; and the former Alki Cleaners is getting ready to open as West Seattle’s second Happy Lemon tea shop.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Beer Church Turkey Bowl 2024
November 17, 2024 5:19 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(Photos by Dave Gershgorn for WSB)

If you’re at the Turkey Bowl, you might as well dress like a bird. That’s one of the sights our photographer saw at last night’s Beer Church Turkey Bowl at West Seattle Bowl. For more than 20 years, this event has brought together brewers, brewpub operators, and other members of the beer community to raise money and collect food for the West Seattle Food Bank.

(Organizers- top row from left: Chris Burns, Kendall Jones, Kim Jones, Shayna Burns, Shannon Burns, Tom Burns. Bottom row from left: Wyatt Brinkman, Ellie Burns, Mary Burns, Thomas Burns)

The holiday tradition also included raffles and a silent auction:

And more bowling:

(Dylon Tubb bowling)

Organizers Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones are known for the Washington Beer Blog, for which Kendall is the main contributor.

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BIZNOTE: Coffee and ice cream on the way to former Alki Starbucks
October 28, 2024 3:21 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

The new tenant for the former Alki Starbucks space has uncloaked. Jonathan Stebbins says he’s opening Alki Coffee Co. there – and a Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream scoop shop, too. He’s hoping to open in April – in time for the next beach season – and doing lots of remodeling right now. The new proprietor (a West Seattle resident) says, “My hope is to create a welcoming space that serves the neighborhood and honors the sense of community that makes West Seattle so special.” Roughly 2/3 coffee, 1/3 ice cream is how the space will be split, he tells WSB. Starbucks closed in the space back in August, after a quarter-century. Also of note – West Seattle had a Ben and Jerry’s in The Junction more than 20 years ago, under different ownership; Stebbins is a franchisee on the Eastside, where he has a Zeeks Pizza location too. More details on the Alki Coffee plan when we get them!

P.S. We asked the all-important question for an independent coffee shop – who’s your roaster? Answer: “We are partnering with Local Goods Orcas Roast. We will be working with Rob Kirby over there to create a couple blends specific to Alki Coffee Co.”

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BIZNOTE: Ounces hosts seasonal fall events, Burbs Burgers, pumpkin patch, more
October 20, 2024 9:18 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Big things are happening at Ounces in North Delridge (3809 Delridge Way SW), to celebrate the fall season and to keep customers well-fed and in good spirits.
 
We stopped by for a Friday visit and were first greeted by Jeremy Vrablik (photo above, with gourd-topped beverage and all), who welcomed us to the new onsite pumpkin patch that Ounces is operating this year in partnership with him and co-proprietor Jill Moore of Cascadia Produce and Cascadia Fresh Market at 5444 Delridge Way SW (see our Cascadia update from last month).
 
Vrablik said this is the first year for the patch, which aims to provide a fun local option for Ounces customers and families to get a seasonal experience that’s close-to-home:
 
 
The patch will be open when Ounces is open, through next Saturday (October 26) (closed on Monday), and visitors can pick out their favorite pumpkins for sale and also take photos in the “hay bale photo booth:”
 
 
Kids and dogs are welcome, and admission is free. All pumpkins onsite are for sale, and Vrablik said that pumpkin prices are likely to be decreasing this weekend. Vrablik added that there are plans to expand the patch next year, and to perhaps look at other seasonal-themed partnership ideas.

As you’ll notice in the top-left of the photo above, behind the pumpkin patch there is another new addition to the Ounces area: smash-burger vendor Burbs Burgers, which as we reported last month has relaunched and expanded into West Seattle, and it’s now open for business in the portion of the property where food trucks had previously set up:

West Seattleite Bersain Gutierrez is the new owner of Burbs, and told us that business has been solid since they opened as part of Ounces’ Oktoberfest event earlier this month, and said that they plan to be open on same days/times that Ounces is open (6 days per week). 

Gutierrez said their most popular signature items are the “Special B” smash burger on a pretzel bun, and the “Burbs Dog” loaded hot dog:

Burbs’ posted menu:

As for Ounces itself, the taproom and patio remain the centerpiece of the area:
 
 
And employees like Travis are ready to pour a great beverage on-tap: 
 
 
Ounces also has a special event coming up next Saturday Oct 26: Beer Garden Trick-or-Treating for the kids from 2-5pm.  That will also be the last day of operation for the pumpkin patch. Vrablik added that the patch’s hay bales will be up for grabs starting on Sunday Oct. 27, for anyone who would like them for their garden etc. 

Business hours for Ounces are:

Mon: Closed
Tues: 4-9pm
Wed: 4-9pm
Thu: 4-9pm
Fri: 3-10pm
Sat: 2-9pm
Sun: 12-7pm

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Scenes from West Seattle Junction Wine Walk, fall 2024 vintage
September 27, 2024 8:28 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Just as 5 pm arrived, a long line of West Seattle Wine Walk ticketholders filled the sidewalk on the west side of California SW north of SW Alaska, waiting to check in at Jet City Labs (one of two Wine Walk check-in spots tonight). Once their tasting tickets were in hand, they had more than two dozen venues to visit, almost all businesses with guest wineries. Spruce Hill Winery from SODO (WSB sponsor) was in the house at Rush Hour:

Jo and Ava were pouring Spruce Hill’s 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Granache, and 2021 Rainforest Red. Down the street at CAPERS, Viscon Cellars (also a WSB sponsor) poured tonight:

Viscon’s wines tonight were “Perseverance” Viognier, “Porch” Rosé, and “The Weekday” Cabernet Sauvignon. We also revisited Emerald Water Anglers, learning its new location at California/Alaska is fully open – tonight EWA (also a WSB sponsor) hosted Wandering Wolf Cellars:

The Wine Walk – which sold out of all 1,000 tickets – is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Junction Association. Watch for word of next year’s first Wine Walk (and other events)!

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COUNTDOWN: One week until West Seattle Junction Fall Wine Walk!
September 20, 2024 2:20 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

The West Seattle Junction Association‘s Wine Walks always sell out – so if you’re interested in next Friday’s Wine Walk but not yet in possession of a ticket, snap one up now! We just talked with WSJA leaders, and three-quarters of the September 27 tickets already have been spoken for. Haven’t been on a Wine Walk? 27 venues in The Junction are hosting 29 wineries (listed here), so you get to visit local businesses while enjoying local wine. (Including three WSB sponsors – Viscon Cellars hosted at CAPERS, Spruce Hill Winery hosted at Rush Hour, and the new location of Emerald Water Anglers hosting Wandering Wolf.) First you check in – starting at 5 pm – at your choice of two spots, Jet City Labs or Row House, and then you have until 9 pm to do your Wine Walk-ing. Tickets are $37, including 14 tastings, a bottle tote bag for purchases, and a logo-decorated wine glass for all of your sips. This is a fundraiser for WSJA, the nonprofit that, with the support of Junction businesses, produces a long list of events throughout the year and oversees business-district beautification and safety efforts too. Go here to get your ticket(s)! P.S. For bottle-buyers, we’re told there’ll be a “valet” spot again this time where you can store purchases while you’re still Wine-Walk’ing.

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Ticket time for West Seattle Junction’s fall Wine Walk!
August 15, 2024 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Ticket time for West Seattle Junction’s fall Wine Walk!
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

More than two dozen wineries are in the lineup for the fall Wine Walk, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association, set for 5-9 pm Friday, September 27th. Wine Walk tickets have just gone on sale, and usually sell out, so you might want to buy yours sooner rather than later. Tickets are $37 for 14 tastes plus a logo wine glass and bottle tote. On Wine Walk night, you’ll check in either at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) or Row House (4203 SW Oregon) and you’ll get a map showing which businesses are hosting which wineries. Ticketholders will also be able to buy bottles tax-free as well as additional sips. Your ticket awaits you here!

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Starbucks moves up Alki’s final day to today
August 9, 2024 10:54 am
|      54 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

10:54 AM: Thanks for the tips. When Starbucks announced last month that it would permanently close its Alki shop, the final day was announced as this Sunday, August 11. But now there’s a note on the door (as shown in our photo above) saying the doors will close for the last time at 6 pm tonight (Friday, August 9). We have an inquiry out to the company asking about the change. When Starbucks announced the shutdown of the 2742 Alki Avenue SW store after 25 years, the company said only that the decision was the result of a process in which they “evaluate our store portfolio annually to determine where we can best meet our community and customers’ needs.”

11:39 AM: Starbucks spokesperson Sam Jefferies says the “change” is because he initially told us (and other media organizations, according to our online check of others’ stories) the wrong date – he now says it was always planned as today.

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BIZNOTE: Starbucks closing Alki store permanently, closing Avalon store temporarily
July 16, 2024 2:35 pm
|      113 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

Starbucks has a two-part announcement – main headline is that it’s closing its Alki store (2742 Alki Avenue SW), but it’s also temporarily closing its Avalon store. Here’s the announcement we received from company spokesperson Sam Jefferies:

Starbucks is adjusting the operations of two stores in the West Seattle area.

We evaluate our store portfolio annually to determine where we can best meet our community and customers’ needs. This includes opening new locations, identifying stores in need of investment or renovation, and making decisions about store closure or relocation

After careful consideration, we’ve determined it is best to close the store at 2742 Alki Avenue. Our last day at this location will be August 11, 2024. All Starbucks partners (employees) working at that store will have the opportunity to transfer to one of our nearby locations in Seattle.

In alignment with this closure, we are happy to share that our store located at 4408 Fauntleroy Way SW will undergo a renovation and will close from July 29 until September of 2024. The store will reopen with an updated design, including the new Siren System.

ADDED: The Alki store’s been open since 1999. Its most recent renovation was nine years ago, in 2015. Its closure will leave five standalone Starbucks stores in West Seattle (Admiral, Junction, Avalon, Morgan, Westwood) as well as multiple grocery-store stands. The last standalone store Starbucks closed in West Seattle was in Jefferson Square in 2008; that one was open less than a year, and was one of hundreds of closures at that time, but the company tells us the Alki closure is the only Seattle closure they’re planning at this time … As for the beverage scene on Alki, after this closure, Ampersand will be the only coffee-focused shop in the heart of the beach, though several other places offer coffee as a sideline, and there’s a new tea shop on the way to Alki (Happy Lemon).

8 PM P.S. As noted in comments, there’s now a “Save Our Alki Starbucks” online petition.

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NEW THIS SUMMER: First-ever West Seattle Wine Weekend
July 9, 2024 2:20 pm
|    Comments Off on NEW THIS SUMMER: First-ever West Seattle Wine Weekend
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

West Seattle goes wild for wine. So six local venues are pouring their creativity and creations into the first-ever West Seattle Wine Weekend – you won’t need to rush between them in the span of just a few hours; you’ll have three days to get to all six, as announced:

Join us Friday, August 2nd – Sunday, August 4th for our first-ever West Seattle Wine Weekend! West Seattle’s wine community continues to grow and we’re ready to showcase all it has to offer with an incredible weekend full of wine, friends, and community. Your ticket includes 4 tasting pours at each participating location (see below), 10% off all bottle sales, and more exciting offers!

Visit each location at your own pace over the course of the weekend (within each of their hours of operation) to be entered into a chance to win a bottle from each (over a $250 value)!

Participating Locations:

Darby Winery
Viscon Cellars
Pine Lake Cellars
Welcome Road Winery
Itto’s Vino
Sebastiano’s Natural Wines

The venues’ hours are listed on the webpage where you can buy your $50 ticket(s), while they last (West Seattle wine events tend to sell out)!

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Next step for Total Wine & More at Westwood Village
June 24, 2024 1:22 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Two and a half months after we first reported that city permit files indicated Total Wine & More would move into Westwood Village‘s ex-Staples space, the shopping center’s owners have finally confirmed it – by adding it to the official WWV map.

(We check the map daily, as it’s been the only way the center “announces” new additions; this status change for the 2501 SW Trenton space is new today.) Still no sign on the exterior of the building at the center’s northeast corner, though.

We’ve renewed our inquiry with Total Wine to ask about timeline. This will be the chain’s third store in Seattle city limits, after Interbay and Northgate.

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Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor
June 20, 2024 3:11 pm
|    Comments Off on Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, a unique part of the West Seattle wine scene, the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College. New sponsors have the opportunity to tell you about themselves – here’s what the Northwest Wine Academy wants you to know:

The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room at South Seattle College offers a serene retreat from city life, nestled beside the college arboretum, a community garden, and the Seattle Chinese Garden. It’s located in the Puget Ridge neighborhood of West Seattle. Step into a lively space where students craft unique wines, providing a tasting experience brimming with Pacific Northwest flavors, from the bold notes of black cherry and blackberries to the subtle nuances of woody oak, vanilla, and more. By supporting the Wine Academy, you are supporting our students’ journey to build their skills and find fulfilling work in Washington’s bustling wine industry.

Whether you prefer the outdoors in summer or the cozy indoors year-round, indulge in our affordable tastings priced at just $8 per person for a flight of four varieties. Join our vibrant community at one of the Northwest Wine Academy‘s regular events, where we not only showcase wines but also engage in activities such as painting, plant potting, cookie decorating, and delightful food pairings.

Elevate your experience by becoming a member of our Wine Club after attending one of our events. Our club offers various membership tiers, ranging in prices, and includes shipments of 4 to 12 bottles twice a year. Members also enjoy exclusive discounts on all other purchases throughout the year. These experiences go to help fund student led projects, new equipment, and support the health of the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College.

Interested in hosting an event in the tasting room or have questions regarding visiting us for a tasting? Contact: WineInfo@seattlecolleges.edu. We can provide you with room rental fees and our current catering menu! 

The Northwest Wine Academy is in the north lot of the SSC campus at 6000 16th SW. Follow the Northwest Wine Academy on Instagram to learn more about our upcoming events and offerings, including food truck pop-ups ran by our Culinary Arts students.

We thank the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!

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BIZNOTE: Why Shadowland temporarily closed
June 14, 2024 10:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

10:03 PM FRIDAY: Thanks to Hayk for the photo. The temporary-closure sign on the door at Shadowland didn’t explain the reason, so we emailed Shadowland’s Ben Jenkins. He says the “unforeseen circumstance” is a pipe break in the basement, and they’re working to get it fixed “fast.” The bar/restaurant at California/Oregon is in its 17th year.

1:19 PM SATURDAY: Shadowland will reopen this afternoon, according to a comment below.

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BIZNOTE: Happy Lemon adding Alki Beach tea shop
June 13, 2024 12:13 pm
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 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Thanks to Alison for the tip! Last year, the boba-and-more tea chain Happy Lemon opened a shop at Westwood Village (in the spot long held by Vatsana’s Thai Restaurant). 15 months later, they are opening another West Seattle shop, according to signage that just went up in the windows at 2718 Alki Avenue SW. That space has been vacant for six years, since Alki Cleaners ended its 19-year run. It’s had at least two preliminary plans since then – in 2021, a potential market, and last year, early-stage documents in city files suggested a pet store. Neither of those advanced, and now the Happy Lemon signage has turned up (no permit applications yet, though, but the new location is listed in the city business-license database). We have an inquiry out to Happy Lemon requesting details. The Happy Lemon website shows 20 Puget Sound-area locations already, from Lynnwood to Olympia.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Junction Wine Walk draws 1,000+ people to sample beverages and businesses
May 17, 2024 10:28 pm
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 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Tonight’s sold-out West Seattle Wine Walk, organized by the WS Junction Association, not only brought out more than a thousand people to taste wine and visit businesses, it also gathered donations for WestSide Baby. More than 50 wineries and businesses participated – we visited three of the WSB sponsors who were participating. Ben from Viscon Cellars was pouring at CAPERS Home:

You can visit his tasting room Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 5910 California SW. To the north, Ava and Jo from Spruce Hill Winery (open Fridays/Saturdays in SODO) were pouring at Kendall Dental:

And Emerald Water Anglers (42nd/Oregon) hosted Momento Cellars:

The Junction Association announces events like these months in advance, so be sure to snap up your ticket(s) next time as soon as you hear about it, so you don’t miss out – you’ll see the news here as well as wsjunction.org.

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BIZNOTE: JaRays Grill and Lounge opens on Orchard
May 7, 2024 12:53 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Darlene Hampton has officially opened Jarays Grill and Lounge in the former Tug Inn/Bee’s Plumbing space at 2216 SW Orchard, just north of Home Depot. We took a look inside just before opening:

Hours weren’t finalized at the time but we have them now: For starters, open Wednesdays noon-midnight, Thursdays through Saturdays noon-2 am, closed Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays.

Jarays will offer drinks, food, and entertainment. Darlene texted us this week’s menu – you can see it here.

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