By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Jonathan Stebbins and Mark Mullet (L-R above) are about to open a business full of treats – from Belgian waffles to ice-cream cakes.

But if you stop in to talk with them at their future co-housed Alki Coffee Co./Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream shops at 2742 Alki Avenue SW, you might discover they’re most stoked about the decor.

It’s a work in progress, but there’s already an 11-foot-long paddleboard over the southwest wall. Photos are coming, showing Alki history from a century ago. And – the reclaimed cedar.

A tree that fell during the “bomb cyclone” in their contractor’s Eastside neighborhood has yielded lumber they’re using throughout the shop. (They say they had planned to use reclaimed wood anyway.) Uses include a new facade for the beloved fireplace, a holdover from the space’s previous identity as Alki Starbucks. They told us many of the people who stop by or otherwise contact them want reassurance the fireplace is staying.

It is.

What’s gone is the mostly dark ambience of the previous tenant. Light fills the space, from the ice-cream counter on the east side – where a custom mural is on the way, with Puget Sound orcas echoing the black-and-white patches of the famous Ben & Jerry’s cows.

We first told you about the plan for the space – “2/3 coffee, 1/3 ice cream” – five months ago. We checked in with them recently and found out they had set an opening date – April 23 – so we went over for an in-person update on the plan.

The coffee and ice-cream shops will share the same entrance; a Ben & Jerry’s merch table will serve as the main divider. “Two separate businesses, two separate checkouts.” On the ice-cream side, they’ll be offering 28 flavors (scoops, shakes, sundaes, ice-cream cakes, etc.). And on the coffee side, a lot more food than was mentioned in our early report. Yes, you’ll be able to grab a pastry and go – they’ll have some from Macrina, and some house-made, like banana bread. But they’ll also offer acai bowls, made-to-order crepes, Belgian waffles, DIY topping options, made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, and more. The menu will be on an electronic board:

Jonathan, a 13-year West Seattle resident, says they’re hopeful that’ll fill some of the breakfast void left by recent closures (Alki Café and Admiral’s Bebop Waffle Shop come to mind). They’ll have some non-breakfasty options too, like paninis.

Their coffee roaster is the same one mentioned in our story last October, San Juans-based Local Goods, which has created an “Alki Coffee Co. blend, not super dark.” Jonathan says Local Goods is certified organic, sourcing from women-owned growing companies in Central America.

Back to the decor – the furniture hadn’t arrived when we were there, but they’ll have “comfy” seating by the fireplace, a window bar (with windows/doors that will be open in the summer), some tables (a few outdoors, too). In addition to the reclaimed cedar, some driftwood from north Puget Sound will be on the mantle, they said.

If you’re an evening coffee drinker, Alki Coffee Co.’s hours will make you happy – 7 am to 9 pm. (And they plan to have an app for people who want to order ahead.) The Ben & Jerry’s side will be open noon to 9 pm. While April 23 (a Wednesday) will be the day they plan to open to the public, they’re planning a grand-opening celebration three days later, on Saturday, April 26.

Looking further ahead, they plan to be part of an Alki expansion of the West Seattle Art Walk, so watch for that on second Thursdays in the future.

As we’ve noted many times before, Westwood Village generally only “announces” new tenants by putting them on its frequently updated map. A reader spotted another one that’s appeared – a UPS Store is shown as taking the vacant space on the north side of the breezeway, next to John L. Scott Westwood (WSB sponsor). West Seattle’s previous UPS Store was in Jefferson Square, where the space re-branded after losing its UPS Store affiliation in 2023. We’re checking with the company to see if there’s a timeline for opening the WWV space, which previously held a paint-and-sip studio.

Two new West Seattle business locations are about to have grand openings:

(WSB photo)

EMERALD CITY DRAMA CLUB: We first told you in January about this business moving into 4455 California SW, offering arts and drama classes to K-8-age kids. Proprietor Jessie Kuehm says the grand opening is set for tomorrow (Friday, March 14), starting with a ribboncutting at 4:30 pm, followed by an open house/reception.

LUMINA VASCULAR HEALTH AND LASER CLINIC: This clinic is moving a block south to a new location in remodeled space at 6075 California SW in Morgan Junction, former home to Olympic Tax. Lumina founder Sarah Whitehead, ARNP, and her staff will host a grand opening event on March 29, 4-8 pm, with a ribboncutting at 4:30 pm.

Another commercial-leasing sign caught the eye of two readers who tipped us about it late today/tonight – the northeast corner of California/Admiral, where Wells Fargo closed almost exactly a year ago, has a tenant on the way. Wells Fargo sold the building six months ago for $6.3 million to Mercer Island-based commercial investor/developer Henbart (the former bank is just part of the building). After confirming the “leased” sign, we inquired with the listing broker, Jason Miller of Kidder Mathews, who says he can’t identify the tenant but did describe it as a “local business.” (Nothing in permit or license files yet.)

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce wants to remind you that your nominations for this year’s Westside Awards are due by this Friday night (March 14)! Another reminder of what they’re all about:

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2025 Westside Awards, recognizing businesses, organizations, and individuals making a significant impact in West Seattle.

Community members are encouraged to submit nominations in the following categories:

• Westside Business of the Year – Recognizing an established business (3+ years) demonstrating success, growth, and community involvement.
• Westside Emerging Business of the Year – Honoring a promising new business (under 3 years) making a strong impact in the community.
• Westside Not-for-Profit of the Year – Celebrating non-profit organizations dedicated to social good and community service.
• Westsider of the Year – Recognizing an individual who has made a lasting impact through leadership, volunteerism, or service.

Nominations can be made online here.

See past winners here

. This year’s winners will be celebrated at the Westside Awards breakfast on May 14 – you can register now to attend.

P.S. The Chamber’s monthly lunch meeting tomorrow features outgoing King County Executive Dow Constantine – ticket info is here.

Tree updates from the West Seattle Junction Association:

MORE LIGHTING: The image is a screengrab from the city traffic camera pointed north from Walk-All-Ways. The number of year-round light-adorned trees in The Junction is expanding.

WSJA executive director Chris Mackay says it’s being done in three phases, with West Seattle’s own Fleming’s Holiday Lighting – the photo shows recent installation along SW Alaska; this month, trees on California will get lighting from Oregon to Genesee, and then in late March or early April, lighting will be added north of three, along California from Genesee to Dakota.

JUNCTION PLAZA PARK: You might recall our report from November, after a reader tip that someone had butchered the Junction Plaza Park tree that’s illuminated every holiday season. Strategically placed lighting managed to mask the “butchering” for the tree-lighting ceremony, but wasn’t a permanent solution. WSJA was working with Seattle Parks on that. After a reader tip, we confirmed with WSJA’s Mackay what the plan is now: Putting in more trees around the damaged evergreen: “five big winter-flowering camellias, three white and two red … this spring” and then in fall, “a true Christmas tree in the center of the green grass circle area” in the park. The city will pay for that, while WSJA will pay for the camellias. (No, we don’t yet have a site plan showing exactly where these are to be planted.)

(Katie, in photo provided by Flower Lab)

Last November, after Bebop Waffle Shop announced its closure at 2600 California SW, with its proprietor planning a pivot to an event space, co-housed Flower Lab was planning to transition to online-only. That’s still the plan, but it’ll be short-lived, explains proprietor Katie in this open letter she shared with WSB as well as her customers:

Wendy and Paul Damoth, the building and business has had my heart and strengthened my floral passion – I’m so honored to have steered the ship these past 4 years. Thank you for being part of this journey. This special community and its ceaseless support has meant everything.
We will be selling off the bulk of all retail, some furniture and some vessels over the next month – please don’t hesitate to come visit and maybe take a piece of Flower Lab with you!

Additionally, I would love to offer referrals and recommendations for your future floral needs, as this community has many wonderful floral designers to choose from.

With love and gratitude,
Katie
Owner, Flower Lab

Getting to five years is a big achievement for a small business. Here’s the announcement we received from Artist and Muse Salon proprietor Keri Slaughter:

Artist and Muse Salon is turning “5”!

We opened our salon against all odds. Opening March 3rd of 2020, we were quickly shut down for the pandemic! Needless to say… we never got to have a proper grand opening. We not only survived, we have grown into a thriving business with the most wonderful staff and we owe it to our amazing community! Thank you for taking a chance with us!

If you’ve never been in… now is your chance to check us out! Come into Artist and Muse Salon on Friday, March 7th or Saturday the 8th, from 9 AM-5 PM. All of our products will be 20% off! We will have a gift with purchase and some incredible door prizes!! Hope to see you there!

The salon is in south Morgan Junction, at 6701 California SW.

We’ve received several anniversary announcements for local independent businesses – here’s the first one, from Darling Sugar proprietor Vanessa Foley DeLong:

I wanted to announce that Darling Sugar Inc. will be celebrating its 16th anniversary as a West Seattle business! It’s been a wonderful 16 years and we are looking forward to many more. In the spirit of our Sweet 16, I’d like to let our community know that in March and April we have Happy Hour all day every Saturday, ANY type of bikini sugaring is $10 off! In May, June, and July, when clients bring in a box of tampons or maxipads, they will be entered into a raffle for a Kelley Baker eyebrow color palette (value over $150). We will donate all the supplies to a local women’s shelter. Every box is an entry! Schedule appointments online here.

Every month, HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction showcases a local business or organization, and ends the month with a drawing for a prize contributed by the showcase subject, with entries open to all branch visitors during the month.

Today, Jessica Webb of Heartwood Law visited the branch to wrap up her firm’s turn in the spotlight, and to join HomeStreet’s Andrew Tento in drawing the winner of a “family night basket” she put together with items from treats to games. This Thursday (March 6) at 5 pm, she’ll return to the branch (4022 SW Alaska) for another giveaway of sorts – a free presentation where you can learn about “Estate Planning 101.” It’s important information everyone should know, from health-care directives to powers of attorney – just show up to learn.

Meantime, the March spotlight at HomeStreet will shine on the Southwest Seattle Historical Society as it prepares for its April 11th gala.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The store that was “Junction True Value” for so long isn’t any more.

You might already be aware of that; four months have passed since the initial announcement.

The signage, however, hasn’t changed … yet.

“We’re waiting for the city to give us a permit,” says third-generation owner Bruce Davis, with a touch of mild exasperation. “Two and a half months, just to change a sign.”

Well, two signs. Junction Hardware, with Ace beneath it. That’s the name of the co-op that Junction Hardware is part of now. Here’s a rendering of the new signage:

But the sign isn’t what customers are asking about most, Davis says. The number one question: “Are you closing?”

Most definitely not.

But changing, yes, and in positive ways, Davis explains.

For one, returning to affiliation with a co-op, which True Value ceased being after it was sold to a private-equity firm. (Davis says he voted against the sale and was surprised to be on the losing end.) Ace has a more dynamic web presence, too, which means more features they can offer to customers – delivery, for example.

For in-person shoppers, you’ll see “new assortments of merchandise.” Love to grill? You’ll find a bigger stock of equipment – Green Egg, Traeger, Blackstone, and of course Weber. YETI coolers, too. Looking for tools? “More emphasis on big power-tool names.” And more steel products. “Ace is pretty big into the brand names. … Some brand names will be changing. Our private-label brands will change.” Ace also offers a handyman service, he notes.

Plus: “We’re going to do an interior remodel … we’re going to change the register area a bit … But we’re not getting rid of anything major.” They’ll configure the register area so there’s one line for the four cashiers. No self-checkout: “They’ll all be live people,” Davis assures us. The ownership is the same, the hours are the same, the staffing – about 30 people work at the store – is the same. Well, they’re a little short-staffed, he says, after “a couple people retired” with 30 to 40 years’ experience.

Again, the name is changing. And behind the scenes, it’s “kind of a big culture shift … we’re having to learn a lot of things. … We’re progressing through it one step at a time; there’s a lot of training to go through.” Returning to a co-op is good for his store, Davis adds, as it means member stores get to share in profits. “We’re happy to be back in a co-op again.”

And once the internal remodel is done and the external signage is up, they’ll celebrate. “It’s going to be great when we get this all integrated and done!” Look for that sometime in April. “There’s a lot of work between here and there.”