West Seattle, Washington
08 Tuesday
The journey to opening a storefront can be a long one. More than a year has passed since we first told you about baker Chely Smithgall‘s plan to open a storefront for her Fine Baking Co. at 6971 California SW in south Morgan Junction. Her window signage is up but she hasn’t opened yet, so we checked in. She had good news: “We are finally approved! We are working on some last details and running tests on the new equipment, hopefully we’ll be ready in a couple of weeks.” She’s gained a reputation already, selling cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, personalized printed cookies, and other “treats” as a “home baker with a cottage food permit.”
West Seattle PCC Assistant Store Director John Reed and Store Director Renee Crovisier
Photos and story by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It was a neighborhood birthday party 35 years in the making on Saturday, as PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) celebrated their 35th anniversary in West Seattle.
PCC staff hosted the afternoon festivities at the store (2749 California SW) and drew an appreciative crowd of neighbors and customers, with highlights including a performance by the student band from West Seattle High School, food samples from several Northwest makers, demo stations, and various other activities.
Upstairs, kids were invited to decorate their own mini-pumpkins:
…and PCC’s Ed Kernan led customers of all ages in a pasta-making demo:
Downstairs, customers enjoyed wine tasting as well as food samples throughout the store:
The first West Seattle PCC store opened in 1989 (the co-op’s sixth store, and largest at the time), and in 2019 the store doubled in size to 24,000 square feet after a two-year hiatus for construction.
PCC’s roots in West Seattle actually go back to the mid-1960s, according to this article from the PCC website, when the co-op had a drop-off site for grocery deliveries on a member’s porch in Delridge (prior to the co-op even opening their first storefront, in Madrona).
Thanks for the tips. More trouble for Easy Street Records – two days after flooding damage inside, one of the shop windows was broken from outside, around 7 am. Police found a shrieking woman, took her into custody, and called for medical assistance; one of the people who told us about this, Kathy, says people nearby setting up for the Farmers’ Market told her that the woman apparently had thrown herself against the window. SFD tells us, “A crew was dispatched and treated an adult female in crisis. The patient was transported to the hospital by AMR.”
(first two photos courtesy of Matt Vaughan)
Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan opened the shop a little later than usual this morning after cleaning up from flooding. No, it wasn’t a weather problem – Vaughan says the water was from a burst pipe in an apartment over the shop. So far, he says he’s lost about 5,000 records and 300 hoodies and tote bags to water damage.
Both the shop and the café are open, however (and as noted in our daily event list, an in-store concert is planned tonight).
1:08 PM UPDATE: WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen stopped by and talked to Vaughan, who took a quick break to show us that his staff had things mostly cleaned up at that point, with fans running. He noted where the water initially came into the store upstairs, before leaking down to the lower level of the store and even through to the Corner Pocket bar in the basement:
He added that he was grateful to those who worked hard to mitigate the damage, and said he had experienced “much worse” in terms of water damage during the store’s 36 years in business.
Rick Cook, long known as “the psychic barber,” has died. A reader tipped us that this announcement was first made via the voicemail announcement for his shop at 4845 California SW; while the announcement says Mr. Cook has passed away, the note on the door says only this:
According to this brief online mention, Mr. Cook died September 25, at age 68. We’ve reported on him multiple times over the years because of his shop and its distinctive sign, as well as because of his repeated displacement by development. He had moved to this location just south of The Junction in 2019, when his previous location, 6016 California SW, was planned for redevelopment; he had been there six years, after leaving a longtime location just south of Rite Aid on California. (Ironically, while that building was demolished, the site has to date not been redeveloped; at the time its then-owner planned on a mixed-use building, and now it’s slated for townhomes.) A WSB contributor first interviewed him at that location in 2009 (photo at right), and got the story behind “Psychic Barber.” (No, he wasn’t a psychic, but a neighboring business was, and he eventually ended up with their sign.) Mr. Cook was a Chief Sealth graduate and had been cutting hair in West Seattle for more than 45 years.
Three biznotes tonight:
REOPENING: Azuma Sushi (4533 California SW) reopened Saturday in The Junction, as its now-retired founders said it would, when they announced they were selling it to a longtime employee. The restaurant is now offering dine-in service, for the first time since pre-pandemic. It continues to be open Mondays through Saturdays.
LISTING: When we reported the sale of 2358 California SW – the commercial building formerly owned by Wells Fargo, which closed its branch there back in March – we noted that it was expected to stay as-is rather than being redeveloped, at least in the short run. Now we have confirmation – leasing broker Jason Miller, first VP at Kidder Mathews, tells WSB that the ex-bank space is now officially listed (here’s the flyer) and that they’re seeking a “long-term tenant.”
FEATURING: Every month, HomeStreet Bank in The Junction (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) features a local business or nonprofit, and ends the month with a drawing that bank visitors entered. This month, HomeStreet has been featuring Northwest Art and Frame, and Dan Reiner – who’s owned the shop for 50+ years! – visited this past week for the drawing, giving away a $100 gift certificate to his shop:
The October spotlight at HomeStreet will shine on youth-soccer organization Highline Premier FC. Stop by during bank hours to enter the monthly drawing!
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)!
Three biznotes today:
EX-LODGE UPDATE: When we wrote two weeks ago about the “mystery” of who was moving into the former Lodge space at 4209 SW Alaska – described only as a restaurant – commenters said they’d been told that JaK’s Grill, currently barely half a block away, is the tenant. According to newly filed permit documents, they were correct. No other details yet.
EMERALD WATER ANGLERS PROGRESS: Speaking of Junction business moves – the new location for EWA, the ex-Bin 41 at 4707 California SW, is almost ready:
An employee there when we stopped by a short time ago says they’ll be “90 percent ready” by the time they host a West Seattle Junction Wine Walk (sold out!) stop at 5 pm tonight. Meantime, Emerald Water Anglers‘ original location at 42nd/Oregon remains open until the upcoming changeover. (Evening update: Proprietor Dave McCoy told us during our Wine Walk visit that the new location is now open and the old one has closed!)
PCC PARTY: You’re invited to a birthday party at PCC Community Markets West Seattle (2749 California SW; WSB sponsor) on Saturday, October 5. The store will celebrate PCC’s 35 years in West Seattle with “wine tastings and cake (plus) samples from local makers,” noon-4 pm that day. Also of note, it’s been almost exactly five years since PCC opened their current store on the ground floor of the mixed-use building at the old store’s site.
Three West Seattle business notes this afternoon:
HOMEBUYING CLASS: Has the interest-rate cut put you in the real-estate market? West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) is offering a free class Thursday night (September 26) at 7 pm with what you need to know. Questions they’ll address will include: “How’s the market? When’s the right time to buy? Is it a Buyer’s or Seller’s market? I’ve heard Buyer’s Agency has changed. What does that mean for me? Do I need a buyer’s broker (agent)?” and more. It’s at their office/event space in Admiral, 2715 California SW. They’re requesting RSVPs at info@westseattlerealty.com – more info here.
FUTURE RESTAURANT’S NAME CHANGE: The former Taqueria Guaymas space at 4719 California SW has been vacant for three years, with its owners, the Virk family, saying they planned to open a restaurant there (Sam Virk owns Maharaja Cuisine of India a short distance north). They originally applied for a liquor license under the name Indochin Wok and confirmed to us more than two years ago that would be its name. This week there’s a new liquor-license application under the name Indio Fusion Restaurant and Bar. We have a message out to see if this means they’re planning to open soon.
COFFEE REOPENING: After two month of renovation work, the Starbucks drive-thru at Avalon/Fauntleroy reopened today.
It’s fall, and everything has revved way up (if it ever slowed down in the first place). Figuring out “what’s for dinner?” is a challenge. Dream Dinners West Seattle (longtime WSB sponsor) has solutions. You can see for yourself by reserving a spot at their Test Kitchen Party this Saturday – here’s the announcement:
Join us for our Fall Test Kitchen Party.
Try a sample of our new fall recipes, share your feedback, get a free gift, and win fun prizes! Plus, we will have exclusive event offers you won’t want to miss.
DATE: September 28th
TIME: 11 AM – 1 PM
LOCATION: 4701 41st Ave SW, ste 110 [east side of outer Jefferson Square]
BRING A FRIEND: Get $10 off on your next order when you bring a guest who is new to Dream Dinners (offer must be used by 11/30/24).RSVP by texting 206-938-5999
And for Dream Dinners’ customers both new and returning, some updates:
What’s New?
Only 3-dinner minimum
Delivery within 15 miles of West Seattle Store
No monthly subscriptions or fees
Convenient walk-in shopping from our freezer
Multiple pickup locations available
Get delivery to your neighborhood with just 5 friends!
New to Dream Dinners? Here’s how it works.
Three biznotes tonight:
CELEBRATION: As featured in our highlights list, Charcuterie by Annalise (6032 California SW) celebrated the shop’s grand opening today, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony:
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Chamber of Commerce)
We first reported almost three months ago about Annalise Johnson‘s plan for a shop after three years of a mobile operation. She promises “a unique food experience destination for the community,” from sandwiches to gift boxes.
SNOW PREP: Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle (3602 SW Alaska, with new murals!) notes that the arrival of fall means it’s time to think snow! For one, you can use code 3X378 for 10 percent off season rentals of snow gear; for two, they’ve also announced the plan for selling and/or buying at this year’s West Seattle Ski Swap, October 12-13.
RESTAURANT CHANGE: Portage Bay Café in The Junction (4725 42nd SW) asked us to let you know it’s shifting to fall/winter hours, which means the restaurant will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The other days, it’s open regular hours – 8 am to 1 pm Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 8 am to 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
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.
(King County Assessor website photo)
After less than six months on the market, the major Admiral Junction commercial building on the northeast corner of California Avenue SW and SW Admiral Way has a new owner. We reported back in March – after Wells Fargo, the building’s then-owner, closed its branch – that the 25,000-square-foot site at 2358 California SW was going up for sale. It was originally listed for $7.6 million and sold last Friday for $6.3 million. The new owner is Mercer Island-based commercial investor/developer Henbart, whose other properties are in neighborhoods including Magnolia, Ballard, and Edmonds. We’re inquiring with the new owner; in the meantime, a source close to the deal says they have no current plans to redevelop the property – zoned for mixed-use development up to 75 feet, as are the parcels on the other three corners of Admiral/California – but are looking for a new tenant for the ex-bank space and “have had a lot of interest.” (Thanks to Jason for the tip about the deal, first reported by the DJC.)
SIDE NOTE: The building kitty-corner across the intersection, where Quality Cleaners closed four years ago, is shown online as still on the market, listed for $1.5 million.
That’s one of several photos Mike N. sent, showing bare shelves at the Rite Aid store south of The Junction. Other shoppers at Rite Aid and RA-owned Bartell Drugs have noticed dwindling inventory in recent months, wondering if that meant imminent closure. No, according to what the company’s telling customers as it emerges from bankruptcy (which officially happened two weeks ago). Mike also sent this photo:
That note on display in the store mentions restocking, suggesting the shelves will soon be replenished. We contacted Rite Aid’s media team to ask about that. Their response: “We are working diligently with our supplier partners to restock our shelves now that we have successfully emerged. We appreciate our customers’ patience while we begin restocking our shelves with products that will meet the changing needs of our customers.” We also asked if more store closures were planned, beyond the 500+ it’s closed nationwide: “There are no current plans for additional store closures in connection with bankruptcy proceedings or emergence.” Rite Aid is now operating as a private company.
The business notes have been piling up behind this week’s huge stories and breaking news, but here goes with five!
GRAND OPENING: Charcuterie by Annalise is finally through the final stages of permits and remodeling at 6032 California SW and is getting ready to open (two months later than she originally hoped). Her new ribbon-cutting date is noon Sunday, September 22, and the shop will be open until 5 pm that day. Annalise Johnson says the event will include “cheese tastings, raffles/giveaways, demos, sweet treats, and charcuterie boxes for sale.” Find out more about her business in our previous story.
LADY JAYE TURNS 5: As mentioned briefly in today’s highlight list, Lady Jaye (4523 California SW) is celebrating its fifth anniversary. Co-proprietor Evan tells WSB, “We are so excited to have been a part of West Seattle for the last 5 years and we re-signed another 5-year contract. We are sticking around!” As part of the party, today starting at 4 pm they have a special menu item – for the first time, Smoked Texas-Style Wagyu Brisket. (Evan says they have seven briskets for the occasion – but when they’re sold out, they’re sold out!)
PAPER BOAT BOOKSELLERS TURNS 5: Also celebrating a milestone anniversary, Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW). Tomorrow (Saturday, September 14) is the party, 4-6 pm, and co-proprietor Desirae says in the announcement:
We hope you’ll join us even if it’s just to say hi and grab a slice of cake. We want to see your faces because we honestly can’t believe it’s been 5 years so we’ll need you to pinch us to assure it’s actually real! Communities like ours thrive when places bring them together and we’ve always believed that’s just what a bookstore can do. Through thick and thin, we’re here, because what would a bookstore be without the people who enter them.
Full celebration details are in our calendar listing, including 15 percent off purchases all weekend.
CHERRY EXPANDS TO 7 DAYS A WEEK: Cherry Consignment (4142 California SW), which celebrated its 15th anniversary a month ago, wants you to know that the shop is now open 7 days a week, noon-5 pm.
MYSTERY: Readers have emailed pointing out that “LEASED” sign in the window at the ex-Lodge space in Junction 47. As we’ve told them, there’s nothing on record yet, but we asked the commercial real-estate broker who leased it, Jason Miller, first VP at Kidder Matthews, what he could tell us: “I can confirm the space has been leased and the new Tenant plans to open in the first quarter of next year. Construction on the remodel will probably start later this year.” He describes the new tenant as “a great local restaurant with West Seattle roots” and expects them to go public “when the time is right.”
As Origins Cannabis prepares to celebrate its grand opening tomorrow (Tuesday, September 10) after recently moving to a new West Seattle Junction location, we’re welcoming the shop as a returning WSB sponsor. Here’s what they’d like you to know about what they do:
After operating in West Seattle for 8 years, Origins is excited to move to a new and improved location in West Seattle at 4822 California Ave. SW.
Origins‘ entire approach is about appreciation and authenticity of the Pacific Northwest. By that, we mean we have partnered with Washington artists, brands, and farms to give our customers a one-of-a kind experience that honors the WA cannabis industry, while also making cannabis accessible to all those adults who want to explore.
Anyone driving by the store is now greeted by a mural capturing the unique beauty of the pacific northwest, painted by Glynn Rosenberg. Glynn has done an amazing job visually displaying Origins’ ethos of living authentically for all to see.
Additionally, we have a welcoming storefront, with clear open windows to see into our store, eliminating the stigma of cannabis and showing all that cannabis retail is a welcoming experience for adult consumers to explore.
Once customers come into the store, those who placed their orders online can go to our expedited checkout station, first-time customers can learn about Origins’ Lifestyle categories of products, read informational materials in our library and cozy seating area, talk to our highly educated and trained cannabis guides about selecting the right products for their unique body chemistry, and explore, smell and experience our Terpene Bar, first of its kind in WA.
Origins‘ new store is an upgraded environment that caters to customers wanting a speedy, efficient shopping experience, those that are coming in to explore and learn, and those seeking 1:1 customer service experience. We remapped our sales floor to eliminate long wait times, and expedite order fulfillment.
Origins also is super proud to debut our monthly 6 featured farms. These are the farms that our customers said are their favorites in each product category. Each month we will roll out 6 different featured farms; the goal is to share with WA consumers what makes these brands the best of the best, and offer special, personalized experiences for our customers with these brands, like farm tours, and meet and greets with the brands.
Origins‘ new West Seattle location is open 8 am-10:30 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 8 am-11:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 9 am-9 pm Sundays.
WSB thanks Origins Cannabis for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here. You can email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
Looking for a new job? The WSB West Seattle Jobs Offered section of our community forums has lots of new listings, so we’re publishing one of our periodic reminders, in case you were unaware of it. For local businesses/organizations, it’s free to post a job. You do need a (free) log-in for the forum section – and if you don’t already have one, you can get that here. You don’t need a log-in to browse the job listings, though – just go here.
Prime time for getting out on the water is nowhere near over. Alki Kayak Tours (WSB sponsor) has launched fall hours, and wants you to know about your options for tours, rentals, and classes:
September is here, but there’s still plenty of paddling to enjoy! Late summer/early fall is one of the best times to explore the Pacific Northwest waters with vibrant fall colors and increased wildlife sightings. Starting today, Alki Kayak Tours’ fall hours will be in effect (weather permitting):
Sea Kayak Tours (7 days a week by reservation)
•Alki Lighthouse Tour: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
•Elliott Bay Tour: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
•Sunset Tour: Departs 2 hours before sunsetHourly rentals by reservation, Friday through Monday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Check our calendar for available classes and lessons.
Happy fall and happy paddling with Alki Kayak Tours!
AKT is headquartered at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW).
Not far from his earliest signal-box work – portraits of Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain – artist Desmond Hansen has painted another mural on California Avenue SW in Morgan Junction. This one was for, and of, the O’Neill Plumbing (WSB sponsor) family. That’s Tim O’Neill in our photo, taken this morning. The mural is on the north side of the former Sub Shop building into which the O’Neill Plumbing HQ has expanded. O’Neill Plumbing is one of West Seattle’s longest-running businesses, founded in 1917.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This afternoon, Westwood Village hosted free family-friendly activities in its central breezeway as part of what was announced as an “End of Summer Bash.”
The announcement of this event, sent by a PR firm on behalf of Westwood Village owner ShopCore, was the first one of any kind we’d received on behalf of the center in a long time. We had tried previously to get comment from the ownership/management on various matters with no reply, but this seemed like an opening, so we asked the PR firm if perhaps they could arrange for us to talk to a WWV rep.
They said they couldn’t arrange an interview, but would route our questions to a mall spokesperson. The answers weren’t hugely revelatory but it could represent a start toward more communication from ShopCore. The responses, received via email, were all attributed to Westwood Village asset manager Kori Murphy.
We asked if ShopCore has any long-term redevelopment/infrastructure improvement plans for the center. Murphy replied, “At Westwood Village, the primary focus at this time is on securing exciting new tenants that will continue to elevate the shopping experience for our guests. And while we do not currently have plans for significant capital improvements, we have recently made a number of important aesthetic changes that include repainting the center, giving it a fresh new appeal.”
We also asked if ShopCore was considering selling or redeveloping the often-empty northwest area of WWV’s 1,286-space parking lot. Murphy said no: “At this time, rather than focusing on redevelopment, we are working to fill any unused retail spaces with desirable and coveted new tenants. Doing so will make use of the under-used parking spaces for the timebeing. We are currently in negotiations with a number of potential new tenants for the northwest part of the property and hope to be able to share some news with you soon.”
Specifically, we asked if there’s any hope on the horizon for a permanent tenant in the former Bed Bath & Beyond space, where the temporary store Spirit Halloween has just opened for a third year of a two-month-ish run.
Murphy said the leasing team is “busy assessing new offerings … We are in discussions with a number of potential new tenants at this time, including prospects for the former Bed Bath and Beyond space, and we hope to be able to share some exciting news with you in the near future.”
What about sit-down restaurants? That topic often comes up, with the center’s current offerings takeout-focused.
Murphy’s reply: “Westwood Village is continually assessing its tenant mix and is interested in adding what our community wants and needs. We have heard that our guests would like additional dining options, and our leasing team is taking the request for more dine-in, sit-down restaurants to heart. If there are specific requests that the community has for restaurants and eateries, we encourage them to share those requests by direct messaging the center through its Facebook and Instagram pages.”
With the decision to host a family event today, might ShopCore be considering bringing back some of the events that were staples under previous ownership/management, such as trick-or-treating and Santa photos?
Murphy didn’t address those two specifically but said that “we do expect to provide even more fun-filled activities in the coming months. In fact, our marketing team is hard at work right now putting together our holiday event, which will take place on December 14th. Those details will be shared with the public when they are available.” That will include, they promised, listings on their website calendar.
Last but by no means least, we asked how the owners are addressing crime/security issues. The last line of Murphy’s reply suggested ShopCore intends to step it up somewhat: “The safety and security of our shoppers, retailers and employees is very important to ShopCore and to Westwood Village. As a result, there are a number of security measures already in place that may not be visible to the general public and that we do not discuss as doing so could impact the effectiveness of those measures. What I can tell you is that the center’s on-site security team has a very strong working relationship with local law enforcement and, together, we continually assess and update our security procedures to ensure we are in lockstep with one another. We regularly hold on-site meetings that include our own on-site security team, local law enforcement and tenants so each entity is aware of our procedures and prepared to enact them should an incident occur. Additionally, as we approach the fourth quarter, we will be implementing a more visible law enforcement strategy and relying more heavily on the use of new state-of-the-art CCTV cameras.”
According to Shopcore’s website, they have properties in 15 states, mostly on the east coast.
Two years after its parent company bought the former Than Brothers Pho building at 4822 California SW, Origins Cannabis (WSB sponsor) has moved its West Seattle shop there. They weren’t expecting the regulatory green light for another week or so but, management tells us, they got it and made the move this weekend. Origins has been renovating the space for months, and told WSB in May that the intent was to create “a space that would allow for a more open and interactive shopping experience for our adult-use consumers.” They also worked to beautify the space, with a mural by Seattle artist Glynn Rosenberg. Watch for the grand-opening celebration next month; hours are 9 am-9 pm Sundays, 8 am-10:30 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 8 am-11:30 pm Fridays-Saturdays. As for its now-closed 40th/Edmunds location, Origins was a tenant there; its owners have been pursuing redevelopment proposals for a decade, currently what city files describe as a five-story mixed-use building with 86 residential units.
A notable sight in one of the public-records sets we check daily for potential news, the list of King County liquor-license applications, which is often the first place a new business, or existing business’s new owner, will surface. Starting last week we noticed a raft of applications for specific stores around the county, mostly QFCs and Safeways, to transfer their licenses to entities with 1918 Winter Street in their names. That’s an entity of C&S Wholesale Grocers, the third party to whom more than 400 stores are to be sold if the Kroger-Albertsons merger goes through. The proposed license transfers have been appearing in the daily reports in batches; today is the first time we’ve seen any of the local stores that are part of the potential deal, per the list we reported last month: Westwood Village QFC and Admiral Safeway are now on the license-transfer list (the third local store proposed for sale to C&S is the Junction QFC). The license filings don’t mean anything operationally for now, but notable nonetheless. We double-checked with C&S to be sure they weren’t closing the deal in advance of the merger, and spokesperson Lauren La Bruno replied, “The transaction is not final and C&S’s agreement is subject to Kroger and Albertsons resolving the pending cases in court.” The newest court case is a counter-offensive by Kroger, seeking to stop the Federal Trade Commission‘s review of the merger.
Last month, we briefly reported on changes at Hegge Chevron as the service station at 35th/Holden was being sold. Now the deal’s about to close – signage was removed today – and the family that’s operated it for 55 years wants to thank the community. Here’s their message, sent by Linda Gunderson, daughter of station founder Ted Hegge:
I would like to share with the West Seattle community that the Hegge family has sold Hegge Chevron, located at 35th Ave SW and Holden St. We would like to thank all of you in the community for your loyal patronage over the years.
Some of you may remember our dad, Ted Hegge, who started the business with our mom by his side in 1969. Our dad loved working in the community, serving all his customers and making some very good friends along the way. Sadly, Ted passed away in 1989 after a battle with cancer. Our mom decided to keep the station running after his death, with the help of our brother Mark, who took over the day-to-day task of running the business.
As did our dad, Mark also had a real connection with his customers and employees. Very painfully, Mark passed away unexpectedly in 2010. Our mom had a huge desire to continue to provide service to the community and keep the station running.
With our mom’s passing in April 2023, the family made the decision to sell the business. Our family would like to extend an enormous thank you to all the employees and customers who have been a part of Hegge Chevron. We could not have done it without your loyalty and commitment. The new owners will continue to employ the current workers. So you will still see the familiar faces of Karen, Alan, Sue, and Chris. Once again, a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have taken part in the history of Hegge Chevron.
The new owners plan to rebrand as Space Age, a family-owned regional chain. Permit files indicate they’ll turn the former repair area into convenience-store space.
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