West Seattle businesses 2949 results

BIZNOTE: Lake Washington Physical Therapy celebrates 2nd West Seattle anniversary, plans rooftop fitness classes, Art Walk reception

That’s the team at Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), which just celebrated its second anniversary at 1309 Harbor Avenue SW. Co-proprietor Mark Bouma tells WSB, “Last week was our patient appreciation week, which marked 2 years of being in business. We celebrated our wonderful community, patients, and business partners that have allowed us to thrive. There were plenty of raffles, balloons, roses for patients, and LWPT spirit all week!” Here are two big reasons to visit LWPT in the weeks ahead:

This week – West Seattle Art Walk:

We are once again participating in the West Seattle Art Walk this Summer. Barbara Fugate is our curator and has just transformed our clinic with new art from many local West Seattle artists. Here is a video produced by one of the artists which highlights the process of selecting and hanging the paintings while showcasing some of the new artists in our exhibit. We hope to see everyone at the Art Walk on Thursday, June 8th at 6:30 pm.

After that, you have four opportunities to enjoy a workout with a view during Summer Rooftop Classes:

We are bringing back our summer rooftop classes this summer!


(The view from LWPT building’s rooftop deck)

We love to support and spread the good word about other local health and wellness businesses so more of the community can experience them. All of these classes raise money to benefit local West Seattle charities, such as WestSide Baby. After each class, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and have some time to meet the instructors, learn about our businesses, and chat with neighbors in the community!

Here is the summer rooftop class lineup:
Saturday June 17th at 9 am: StarCycle Rooftop Spin Class with live DJ
Saturday, July 8th at 9 am: StarCycle Rooftop Spin Class with live DJ
(Purchase a StarCycle credit here; reserve a StarCycle bike here)
Sunday, August 6th: HIIT Lab Rooftop Bodyweight Bootcamp
Saturday, August 26th: Fit4Mom Rooftop Class

WEST SEATTLE BIZNOTES: One close to opening, one suddenly shutters

Two West Seattle biznotes:

JUST POKE: On the way for 5 1/2 years, the regional chain Just Poké is finally close to opening in West Seattle. Mel sent the photo after noticing the sign had gone up Thursday at the future Just Poké at 4735 42nd SW, across from Jefferson Square, four-plus months after construction began, four years after the previous tenant vacated. We checked today with JP founder Norman Wu about opening plans; he tells us “We’re currently on track to open the last week of June!”

SPORT CLIPS: Thanks to Richard for the tip on this. After almost six years in central Westwood Village, Sport Clips – part of a national chain that specializes in “haircuts for men and boys” – has shut down and cleared out, signage and all. We don’t know how long ago they closed, but Richard thought it was relatively recent.

Some King County property valuations ‘going down for the first time in a long time’

King County Assessor John Wilson just finished a media briefing on what his staff is seeing as they work on property valuations that will affect next year’s tax bills. His assessment of the situation: “Assessed values are going down in some areas for the first time in a long time” – at least a decade. This follows a big jump last year, so Wilson sees it as “re-level-izing.” So far, his staff has finished just two of the 85 districts, so valuation notices will be going out in those two districts first – Queen Anne and Sammamish. In QA, Wilson said, valuations are down 8 percent, while in Sammamish, they’re down 22 percent. So far, they’re only seeing a few areas of the county that aren’t trending downward – Normandy Park, for example, is up, while South Seattle is flat. Wilson says the downward trend also applies to commercial property, which he attributes to the work-from-home trend reducing demand for commercial space and therefore bringing down rents. Valuation reviews for all 85 districts won’t be complete until late summer, so it might still be months before you get your valuation notice if you own property. These are 2023 valuations for the tax bills that go out in early 2024. Wilson cautions that “Assessed values are not the sole predictor of property taxes” – they won’t know how taxes are going until the taxing jurisdictions start sending their budgets for next year. One more note, while you can’t appeal your property taxes, you can appeal your property valuation, provided you do it within 60 days of the notice date – the process is explained here.

BIZNOTE: West Seattle Coworking celebrates new space

(WSB photos)

Want to get out of the home office, without leaving West Seattle? That’s just one reason to check out West Seattle Coworking (WSB sponsor), which just celebrated the grand opening of its brand-new space at 9030 35th SW [map].

Co-proprietors Ross and Crystal Bevilacqua were joined by West Seattle Chamber of Commerce leaders and members for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and party last night. They’ve opened this space in addition to their West Seattle Junction location (4452 California SW) and it’s truly new – they’re the first to occupy this space in the new mixed-use building.

The West Seattle Coworking space has a variety of ways in which you can work – open desks in shared space, or more-private areas:

If you need even more privacy for, say, a videoconference meeting or phone call, this room is set up for that:

West Seattle Coworking has meeting rooms, too, which are rentable even if you’re not an ongoing member:

And of course the other things a successful workplace needs, like a kitchen:

Want to check it out? The FAQ page on West Seattle Coworking’s website includes contact info for taking a tour, as well as lots of other info about how it works and what they offer; this page has rates for memberships and passes, plus a long list of what you get with a membership.

WEEKEND SCENE: Chamber wins first-ever Battle for West Seattle

Just last Tuesday, Claiborne Bell of Seattle Sorbets and Distinguished Foods Kitchen was at a podium accepting the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s Westsider of the Year award; today, he was on the field at Steve Cox Memorial Park, as the Chamber faced the West Seattle Junction Association in a softball game dubbed “The Battle for West Seattle.” We just dropped in for a few minutes before breaking news called us away. Among other starters, Phil Tavel was on the mound for WSJA:

And from the Chamber’s winning team, Mark Bouma of Lake Washington Physical Therapy – West Seattle (WSB sponsor):

(We previewed both rosters here.) As previously noted, the game was a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank; we’ll be checking on how that turned out. The numbers we do know (thanks to Karla from WSFB): The Chamber won in 10 innings, 13-11.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: See the lineups for ‘Battle for West Seattle’ game raising money for local food banks. Plus, a ticket incentive!

Shown after a practice earlier this week are some of the players you’ll see at this Sunday’s “Battle for West Seattle” softball game between the West Seattle Junction Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. We asked for their rosters – the grids below are what they sent. First, WSJA:

Next, the Chamber:

Proceeds from the game go to the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank (whose coverage area includes south WS). They’ll be playing at 12:05 pm Sunday (May 21st) at Mel Olson Stadium in Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd), and you can buy tickets right now online – just go here.

P.S. Shortly after publishing this, we received the Chamber’s announcement of one business’s extra boost:

Mission Cantina Seattle is MATCHING all ticket sales for the Battle for West Seattle, so get your tickets now to support the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank! Tickets are $12 — even if you can’t attend the game, you can still support our local food banks by purchasing a ticket.

The fun doesn’t stop there – get a Battle for West Seattle ticket to take 10% Off Your Mission Cantina Seattle Tab! Bring your digital ticket for the Battle for West Seattle into Mission Cantina for 10% off your bill from now until June 30th.

Mission Cantina is at 2325 California SW.

CAN YOU HELP? Little lost penguin helps out at grocery store, needs to go home

From Shelby at Metropolitan Market in Admiral:

This little penguin got separated from their people over the weekend at our store, Metropolitan Market at Admiral, and they are very anxious to be reunited.

They’ve been helping us out in Floral, Sushi (which they did very much enjoy doing quality control tasting), and Produce, which I think is their favorite department, for some reason…

Still, there is no place like home and they would love to be found. Inquiries can be made with any of the front-end managers. We have them safe in our office. They are clearly very loved and must be very missed.

GIVING: Local PTA says coffee shop that often gave should now receive

If you’re going to get coffee and/or baked goods tomorrow, Genesee Hill Elementary PTA suggests you consider Hotwire Coffee. Here’s why:

Get your Foxy Latte or any other drink on Friday, May 19th, 2023. Hotwire Coffeehouse has supported Genesee Hill Elementary School all year by donating 20% of proceeds to our PTA on the 3rd Friday of each month. This month, we are donating it back to them. Hotwire was recently hit (for the 3rd time in a year) with a break-in where their safe and baked goods were stolen. Let’s support our beloved local coffeehouse by giving them your business – buy coffee for your office mates, significant other, teachers, or a coffee gift card to last throughout the summer!!

Hotwire is at 4426 California SW, open 6:30 am-6 pm.

BIZNOTES: 4 West Seattle notes, from hair to healing, plus beverages

Four biznotes today:

NEW BARBERSHOP: Tommy Andrade, whose charitable work we told you about in March, is opening a new barber shop at 3614 California SW. Southpaw Barbershop will have a grand opening noon-6 pm on Friday, May 26th, benefiting Amara foster-care services. He explains his community philosophy:

I was previously an engineer who worked at SpaceX and made the switch to barbering. My business partner Jeff Chou also made the switch from corporate America, working for Amazon’s corporate offices. We met in barber college and had the dream to open our own shop and give back to our community. We both are ambassadors for Amara foster care and we offer our services free to foster kids! We are cultivating a culture of community first and want to give back as much as we can. All of my barbers are encouraged to donate services to a cause near and dear to them. One of my barbers offers free haircuts to homeless veterans and another offers free head shaves and haircuts to cancer patients for the entirety they are undergoing treatment. We will also be donating 20% of every dollar we make the first week of the month to a different cause in the community.

SUNDAY SOUL SPAS: Maari Falsetto from Inner Alchemy is hosting Soul Spas on Sundays at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) during Farmers’ Market hours so you can stop by while you’re in The Junction. Here’s the plan:

We are open from 10 am-2 pm, same hours as the Farmers’ Market.

We offer mini-sessions of reiki, massage, hypnosis, and acupuncture. There is local jewelry, candles, tea, and more.

Inner Alchemy Soul Spa is a fun community experience of meeting our talented local healers, makers, and artists right alongside the Farmers’ Market. Mini sessions, shopping, connecting, and Timmy cooking brunch!

First one is this Sunday, May 21st, and then almost every Sunday through August 27th – it’ll be in our event calendar.

NEW DECK: We stopped by C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) for a latte earlier this week and noticed this out back:

C & P co-proprietor Pete Moores told us they’re building another deck to enhance their outdoor seating area, as they’ve done with other parts of the C&P grounds.

FUTURE PRIMITIVE ALKI FOLLOWUP: One week ago today, we broke the news that Future Primitive Brewing is expanding to add a taproom at 2536 Alki Avenue SW. At the time we reported on it, we didn’t have information on what happened to the previously announced plan for the site, renovating its two business spaces and adding a residential level above. We have since spoken with Matt Schilling, who was working on that plan; he told us he sold the property a month ago, back to its previous owner, local entrepreneur Tom Lin, and he expected the property will now remain unchanged for the foreseeable future. Meantim, Future Primitive told us they hope to open next month.

VIDEO: See winners of this year’s Westside Awards tell their stories

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Award-acceptance speeches are generally about gratitude – with words of thanks to the award-givers as well as those who helped the recipients get to where they are now.

What was said at today’s Westside Awards celebration went beyond that, with inspiration, reminiscences, and community history.

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce presents the Westside Awards each year in four categories – Business of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year, Westsider of the Year, and Not-for-Profit of the Year. This year’s recipients were announced in April and honored during a breakfast event this morning in the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge.

If you weren’t there, you can see and hear the winners’ speeches in our videos:

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Easy Street Records

Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan was introduced by fellow Junction entrepreneur Jack Miller of Husky Deli, who declared “the reason West Seattle is cool is because of Easy Street” and observed that the music shop/café “is like a sacred place for a lot of people.” That includes the musicians whose work ESR deals in – of the artists, Miller mused, Easy Street “is a place where they want their music to be sold at.” Here’s Vaughan’s full speech:

Vaughan talked about his staff, his customers, his community, and his family – wife Kisha, kids Archie and Daisy (pictured with him above). “When it comes down to it, this is a family business, and they’re the reason I do it.” He estimated that he’s employed “more than 2,000 people over the years.” And he shared an LP’s worth of personal history, starting with growing up as a “rec-center kid .. between rec centers and record stores, I found my safe place.” He told the tale of going from record-store employee to record-store owner as a college sophomore, first taking over a space a few doors up California SW, then moving to the corner after a few years. How did he nab such a prime spot? Back then, “every other storefront in The Junction was vacant,” he explained. And after 35 years and many trials and tribulations – he recalled back-to-back burglaries in 1990, for example, and a six-figure embezzlement – the shop is alive and thriving, as is he. Words he said he lives by include “A kick in the ass is still a step forward.”

EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce

Tony Wilson rose from an even rougher childhood, which he said he chose to share with the audience so they could “see in human form what it is like to defy the odds.” Here’s his full speech:

Emerging from a difficult upbringing, and battling depression and anxiety resulting from childhood trauma, he started on a life of community service, starting with Hurricane Katrina relief. He also “worked in the music world and performed spoken word” – and then during an intensive home-cooking phase of the pandemic days in 2021, he invented “The Sauce.” After moving to Seattle, he turned “The Sauce” into a company – he’s selling it at farmers’ markets and stores, and has big plans to go regional and then nationwide. Wilson said he “had to learn about my power … the power you feel inside,” and strongly believes in ethics, morals, and community involvement. “We succeed by building together and not tearing each other down.”

WESTSIDER OF THE YEAR
Claiborne Bell

Bell owns Seattle Sorbets and the commissary-kitchen business at which it’s based, Distinguished Foods Kitchen Rental, in The Triangle. It’s home to 13 food-and-beverage businesses now, and, said Chamber executive director Whitney Moore in introducing him, he’s “putting entrepreneurship on the radar for so many young people.” Here’s Bell’s full speech:

Bell declared the Westsider of the Year honor to be “a team award,” saying his team started with his grandparents’ expectations of hard work and achievement, followed by his parents’ expectations of excellence, and onward. “Even when things were extremely bad, I never questioned that I was on the right team.”

NOT-FOR-PROFIT OF THE YEAR
Providence Mount St. Vincent

Emcee Brian Callanan introduced The Mount’s administrator Charlene Boyd by noting the center’s century-long history, including child care at its much-lauded Intergenerational Preschool. Here’s his introduction and Boyd’s speech:

Boyd observed that “We’re fortunate to live in a place where neighbors are helping neighbors” and recalled how that has played out so often for The Mount – when calls for help were answered with everything from masks during the pandemic to air conditioners during a historic heat wave. Dating back to its founding by the Sisters of Providence, The Mount has built “relationships that span generations,” Boyd said.

The event concluded with a reminder of other upcoming Chamber-presented events – as listed on the organization’s website – starting with the Battle for West Seattle softball game Sunday, which is a fundraiser for the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks.

P.S. You can see the lists of past Westside Award-winners – chosen each year from community nominations – by going here.

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: The Junction’s new flower baskets are here!

Another sign it’s almost summer – the West Seattle Junction Association‘s flower baskets arrived today! As we first reported back in January, WSJA is using a new grower this year – Van Wingerden Greenhouses – and though this year’s 93 flower baskets are bigger, they need less water.

Again this year, WSJA offered flower-basket “adoption” to help cover the costs; WSB is among the dozens of businesses and individuals who pitched in. P.S. The Junction’s biggest event of the year, West Seattle Summer Fest, is now just two months away – Friday through Sunday, July 14-16.

MAYOR IN WEST SEATTLE: Report #2 – Junction business tour

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

It’s not a West Seattle mayoral visit without a stop for ice cream at Husky Deli. During the second part of his West Seattle “Community Connections” tour today (our first report is here), Mayor Bruce Harrell made that stop, and received a cone of Raspberry Decadent from Husky proprietor Jack Miller. A different type of Husky was discussed on his previous stop:

Harrell, a University of Washington alum, was pointed by Menashe and Sons JewelersJosh Menashe to the restroom decorated with Husky sports memorabilia. At that stop and most of the rest of his Junction tour, the mayor chit-chatted cheerily with the entrepreneurs and employees who welcomed him, but there was a more serious undercurrent – the crime and disorder with which they’ve had to deal. Menashe and Sons, for example, is about 80 percent done with work significantly fortifying their storefront after the Christmas Eve crash-and-grab burglary attempt. Back down the street, the mayor stopped at Pegasus Book Exchange, which too has dealt with crime:

Harrell and Pegasus’s Eric Ogriseck talked books – the mayor confessed to a weakness for romance novels. A few doors down at Easy Street Records, we learned a bit about his musical tastes, as he took an interest in ESR’s vinyl including Curtis Mayfield and Macklemore, although he admitted his turntable is “in storage.”

After browsing, he and Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan sat down for a one-on-one chat in the café, out of earshot of us and his entourage. The mayor also met with a small group of other businesspeople in a discussion that his office declared closed to media, though they tweeted a photo:

(Mayor’s Office photo)

We did get a chance to ask a question before he headed off for that meeting at Great American Diner and Bar. We asked him about the current controversy over drug laws; the Junction Association is one of the signatories to a business-coalition letter supporting a proposal by City Attorney Ann Davison and Councilmembers Sara Nelson and Alex Pedersen. Harrell told us that the city proposal won’t be heard before state legislators’ special session to try again to set a drug law, and he would rather see a statewide law than have the city pass its own. In general, though, he said he supports “treatment, treatment, treatment,” and expressed doubt that a heavy criminalization focus would work with the city’s ongoing police-officer shortage.

The mayor’s first stop in The Junction, by the way, was at Snip-Its Haircuts for Kids
, owned by Kimora Lee:

Two big events in The Junction next week – the annual arrival of hanging flower baskets on Monday morning, and the next Wine Walk (sold out!) Friday night (May 19th).

ALMOST HERE! West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day updates, including 2 more mini-lists for Saturday

Hundreds of sellers and thousands of shoppers are getting ready for the 17th almost-annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day this Saturday (May 13th), 9 am-3 pm (and some sales with bonus hours/days – browse the listings to see where). We’ve already published mini-lists of benefit/fundraiser sales (here) and other big sales (block sales, etc. – here). Tonight, two more mini-lists – first, business sales (check the map/list to see what they’re offering):

#22: 6400 California Ave SW – Thunder Road Guitars (longtime WSB sponsor)

#40: 6032 California Ave SW – HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Cafe

#69: 7615 California Ave SW – Keeping Up With The Roses

#167: 2626 SW Nevada St – Guesthouse Acupuncture

#221: 3043 California Ave SW – Inner Alchemy, Treasures & Transformation

#272: 4410 California Ave SW – Hotwire Coffeehouse, multiple-seller site

#294: 1508 42nd SW – The Stemmery & Eat Cake and Dance

#297: 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW – Lila Logan Design Studio

#318: 4736 California Ave SW – Three Little Birds

#327: 4542 48th SW – Bee Organized & Happy Haulers (services)

#364: 7527 19th SW – Wanderlust Nursery

And a tradition for the thirsty – the sales mentioning lemonade is planned or likely:

#46: 4028 SW Trenton
#65: 6613 Holly Pl
#137: 5939 32nd SW
#174: 3732 38th SW
#177: 3806 36th SW
#212: 2123 46th SW
#220: 4845 48th SW
#291: 3321 56th SW
#343: 4720 SW Edmunds
#348: 4128 47th SW
#376: 6715 12th SW
#386: 1262 SW Orchard
#403: 9049 13th SW

More mini-lists Friday, plus our compilation of post-sale-day donation opportunities for sellers with leftover stuff they can’t bear to haul back inside. Again, the online map of all ~400 sales is here; the printable list is here.

BIZNOTE: Future Primitive Brewing to open Alki Beach outpost

Several people have asked about work under way at 2536 Alki SW, the site vacated by West Seattle Brewing at the end of last summer, when a redevelopment project was expected to start soon for the site holding this small building and the home of Ampersand Coffee next door. That hasn’t happened; Ampersand has stayed in its location, and now another brewery is preparing to open an outpost next to it: White Center’s Future Primitive Brewing. After noticing via state records that they had applied for a beer/wine license for the Alki space, we inquired both there and at their WC location, and got confirmation that Future Primitive is opening at the beach. After some renovation work, they’re hoping to be open sometime in June, and once they open, we’re told, hours will be 11 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. Future Primitive opened its headquarters in White Center more than four years ago. As for whatever happened to the project on the Alki site, described previously as a renovation of the two commercial spaces with a residential addition above them, we have an inquiry out; city files show no new documents filed for more than a year.

BIZNOTE: New pop-up in Senior Center of West Seattle’s corner space

May 10, 2023 3:24 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: New pop-up in Senior Center of West Seattle’s corner space
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Another pop-up shop has opened in the Senior Center of West Seattle‘s ground-level corner space at California/Oregon. Proprietor Sev Sengul, a West Seattle resident, is selling “handmade rugs, handmade antique decorative pillow covers, Turkish bath spa towels. and other unique stuff. Everything is handmade, from all over the world, very discounted price.” The shop is open daily 9:30 am-6 pm through May 29th. Purchases through Mother’s Day get a free gift of handmade jewelry.

WEEK AHEAD: First-ever meetup for West Seattle and White Center LGBTQ business owners

Busy week ahead – and if you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the announcement for a first-ever event, happening Thursday:

West Seattle/White Center LGBTQ Business Owner Meetup
Thursday, May 11th | 7 pm to 9 pm
Launchpad Co-Working Space,
6030 California Ave SW

It’s about time LGBTQ West Seattle and White Center business owners gathered together for support, networking, and fun! Join us for our first-ever meetup Thursday, May 11th at 7 pm at Launchpad Co-Working space in Morgan Junction. Let’s get to know each other and see what ways we can support each other. This meetup is specifically for those who identify as LGBTQ and are local business owners (all-size businesses, contractors, entertainers/artists). Drinks and appetizers will be provided.

Hosted by Monica Colgan and Autumn Lovewell, owners of Youngstown Coffee, HeartBeet Cafe, and Launchpad.

Dick’s Drive-In burger truck visiting West Seattle twice in next 2 weeks

(WSB photo – Dick’s Drive-In truck during February visit to Highland Park Corner Store)

If you’re a fan of Dick’s Drive-In burgers and/or shakes, you have two upcoming opportunities to get them without leaving West Seattle. Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) is hosting the Dick’s truck on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – Saturday, May 13th – for hungry shoppers in HP. Hours that day will be 11 am-2 p. Then on Friday, May 19th, the Dick’s truck makes a dinnertime visit to Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) as part of the Seattle Beer Week kickoff – 5 to 8 pm. Live music too!

GRATITUDE: Here’s the tally from John L. Scott Westwood’s shredding event and food drive

May 5, 2023 7:35 pm
|    Comments Off on GRATITUDE: Here’s the tally from John L. Scott Westwood’s shredding event and food drive
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

That video is from John L. Scott Real Estate – Westwood (WSB sponsor), recapping their successful shredding event and food drive last Saturday at Westwood Village. They also sent the numbers and words of gratitude:

We would like to thank the West Seattle community for their support of the 5th annual Shred Event. On behalf of John L. Scott Westwood, Evergreen Home Loans (Luke Zender), and White Center Food Bank, we thank you for the generous donations! We shredded over 5,000 pounds of paper and our community donated $2,000 and 1,250 pounds of food to the White Center Food Bank. We look forward to serving our community next year.

If you didn’t get to the Westwood event, you can still support WCFB – which also serves southernmost West Seattle – by going here.

BIZNOTE: West Seattle Boat Swap this weekend at Mountain to Sound Outfitters

May 4, 2023 9:31 am
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 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Whether you’re interested in selling or buying, you’re welcome at this weekend’s West Seattle Boat Swap:

Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) adds, “Last call to register to sell your kayaks, standup paddleboards, and accessories! Great weekend to buy affordable, lightly loved gear! Come by and take advantage on some great summer packages and exclusive deals.” It’s happening both days at the shop in The Triangle, 3602 SW Alaska, 11 am-4 pm (if you have items to sell, drop them off Saturday morning 9-11 am – pre-register here).

BIZNOTE: What The Spot West Seattle is doing to remedy public-health violations (update: reopening Saturday)

That’s the sign at The Spot West Seattle in the Luna Park neighborhood. We went over after Public Health – Seattle & King County announced this morning that it had closed The Spot yesterday for “inadequate refrigeration capacity to safely store foods (and) repeat critical food safety violations including cold holding, cooling, and lack of thermometers to monitor food temperatures.” We also emailed proprietor Philip Sudore, who tells WSB, “Our refrigerator system went out and we are working as fast as we can to fix or replace the units. This will be a quick remedy. We look to be serving our community again no later than next week. We have always maintained an excellent rating with the health department. Quality, health standards and service is at the top of our list in terms of core values. We look forward to the upgrades and will be back soon better than ever.” (You can search the PHSKC database for this or any other King County establishment by going here.)

FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Sudore tells WSB, “Our refrigerators are fixed and we have been re-inspected and cleared to open tomorrow for normal business hours.”

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Music fans flock to Easy Street for Record Store Day

April 22, 2023 2:42 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Music fans flock to Easy Street for Record Store Day
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That traffic-camera image from a few minutes ago suggests the crowd has finally thinned a bit at Easy Street Records, where people were lined up well before today’s special early (7 am!) opening for Record Store Day. WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen got in line at 6:45 am and was still waiting two hours later – he sent this photo showing the early-morning line wrapping down Alaska and onto 44th:

While he waited, Jason reported “seeing happy people coming out with lots of records.” Easy Street’s award-winning proprietor Matt Vaughan said this RSD brings more than 300 “exclusive titles,” and Taylor Swift was the biggest draw. Eddie sent photos, too, and says the line was still going strong around quarter to 11.

You’re likely to see a crowd at the corner again this evening – The Rockfords will wrap up Record Store Day with an in-store performance – their first show in 20 years – at 7 pm. More on that in ESR’s newsletter.

BIZNOTE: Anniversary sale at Lauren’s Jewelry

April 20, 2023 10:04 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: Anniversary sale at Lauren’s Jewelry
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

Thinking about a jewelry gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or some other upcoming occasion? Or – shopping for something for yourself? Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village has deals for you as part of the shop’s Anniversary Sale. It’s been a year since Lauren Wiggins renamed the shop, two and a half years after she took over what is one of the few independent locally owned businesses at WWV. Through April 30th, everything at Lauren’s Jewelry is 10 percent to 50 percent off. The shop is open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays (and having an online sale too).

SAFETY: West Seattle Junction Association hiring private security patrols

(WSB photo, December 24, 2022)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It wasn’t the first time a West Seattle Junction business had been hit by crime, but the crash-and-grab attempt at Menashe and Sons Jewelers on Christmas Eve was the most jolting, in multiple ways.

That shop and others have taken individual steps toward fortification in the meantime, and the West Seattle Junction Association has been increasingly focused on security strategies in addition to what’s already in its portfolio – from parking to planters, festivals to flags. Now it’s planning a major move: Hiring private security patrols.

WSJA executive director Chris Mackay tells WSB, “We signed a contract with Praetorian to have 6 patrols a night on both foot and car to cover the entire Junction 7 nights a week from 9 pm to 5 am. We may increase these hours in response to incidents.” The patrol personnel will start as soon as next week and will not carry guns.

That’s not all Mackay says WSJA is doing: “We are addressing better lighting, creating a phone tree for businesses, creating a cheat sheet for merchant of ‘who to call,’ and directing businesses toward help with locks and gates. Everything is under way now.” Regarding lighting, “All city lights which were out have been called in through Find It Fix It.” Mackay also spoke with the Parks Department, which committed to increased lighting in Junction Plaza Park at 42nd/Alaska.

She adds, “I am also taking to SPD to get more presence from Community Service Officers.” CSOs are uniformed civilian SPD personnel who currently work citywide as community liaisons and problem-solvers.

DATA: SPD crime stats are not broken out between businesses and individuals, but looking at the West Seattle Junction stats on the SPD dashboard so far this year, through the end of March, 11 robberies, 12 aggravated assaults, 43 burglaries, and 107 larceny/theft incidents were reported. Compared to the totals for all of last year, robberies are slightly up, burglaries are about the same, and both aggravated assaults and larceny/theft reports are down. Last year in turn was up from 2021 totals, especially in aggravated assaults, which went up more than 60 percent from 2021 to 2022, and larceny/thefts, which increased 25 percent between the two years.