(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB)
If you drove through 35th/Barton and wondered what the party’s for – West Seattle’s most famous convenience store (better known for connoisseur-level beer than for mini-mart staples like Beer Nuts) is throwing a barbecue/birthday bash today. WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz just stopped by, and reports that Super Deli Mart owner Min Chung is hosting a second-anniversary party to thank friends, customers, and vendors. It’s scheduled to last till 5 pm at 9051 35th SW.

(Photo by Katie Meyer for WSB)
Checking city permits, we discovered yet another new business on the way to the southeastern end of the heart of the West Seattle Junction. Between Yummy Teriyaki and the future Bang Bar Restaurant and Lounge, a tobacco shop is in the works for the space best known as a former laundromat. WSB contributor Katie Meyer found the proprietors of what is listed on a city-permit application as “West Seattle Tobacco Company,” though they have not finalized a name yet. They tell her the store will cater to cigar smokers – no smoking on the premises, but they plan to stock “quality” cigars, including Dominican and Brazilian imports. They also plan to sell cigarettes, loose tobacco, and accessories. As you enter the space, they say you will see cigar humidors flanking the entrance, with other tobacco items further inside. The decor is expected to include warm colors, rugs, and even a chandelier. The shop-setup work is still in the very early stages, but they are hoping to be open in about a month and a half.

(April 3 photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB)
We first told you almost two weeks ago about a gift shop planned for part of the ex-On Safari Foods storefront along 35th SW south of SW Henderson. We subsequently invited its owner to tell us more about her new business, and we’ve received her reply – with not only grand-opening plans for May 1st, but also some other special events coming up:

Hi! I’m Gail Hebert, sole proprietor of the new gift shop at 9003 35th Avenue SW, across from the Southwest Branch of the Library.

Name: Hebert’s Den (My last name is pronounced A-Bear) with the catch phrase, “A Thrifty Gift Shop.”

I’ll be selling handmade items (decorator felt pillows, cup pincushions, scarves, potholders) and gew-gaws.

There will be a Rummage Table, so that everyone can leave with something.

There will be a seating area where people can enjoy a cup o’ tea.

There will be a weekly featured clothing ensemble in small, medium and large.

I will sell other people’s stuff from clothes to furniture to knick-knacks, i.e., consignment.

I will sell art.

Grand Opening is Sunday, May 1, from 1:00-5:00 pm. Regular Business Hours will be Wednesday-Saturday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Tuesday evenings from 6:00-9:00 pm will be Salon Nite, (except for the first Tuesday, May 3) will be either music with Gail & Friends, a needlecraft circle, or a discussion (examples: New York City: Love it or Hate It?, tell a story based on themes picked out of a hat, Your Favorite Baseball Team).

Two Sundays a month from 1:00-5:00 pm will be special events.
May 1: Grand Opening
May 22: A Birthday Party for Gail
June 12: Hawaiian King Kamehameha Day
June 26: The Big Dance – Swing It!

The building’s owner had told WSB that the space would be split into thirds; as reported here Wednesday, a remodeling company is moving into one of the other two. (On Safari moved to SODO.)

Dozens of comments and questions ensued when we broke the news Monday that a medical-marijuana business is moving into the former Payday Loans space on the northeast corner of 35th/Roxbury. John Davis, owner of the forthcoming Northwest Patient Resource Center, told WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz that day that it will be a “facility,” not a “dispensary.” WSB’ers asked, what’s the difference? So that’s part of our followup:Read More

A new tenant is finally on the way to the former Payday Loans space at 35th and Roxbury. WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz has just confirmed that a “medical-marijuana facility” is moving in. The business owner, John Davis, co-owner of Northwest Patient Resource Center, says it’s not a dispensary, it’s a “facility.” The impending move also has been confirmed by property owner Ken Kim. Davis tells WSB he’s hoping to open in about a month. This would be the third medical-marijuana business in West Seattle; two are opening shortly in White Center. Legislation to legalize and regulate medical-marijuana dispensaries just passed the State House today (it already had passed the Senate), with both of West Seattle’s State House Reps (Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon) voting yes.

A well-known West Seattle business is dealing with tragedy tonight. The Swinery was closed today, with a note on the door (photo here) saying the store was “closed today (Saturday) due to a family emergency …” That turned out to be a death in the store’s family … its owner, Chef Joseph Brewer: Tonight, Swinery manager Amie Collier confirmed Mr. Brewer’s death to WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli, who reported last year on the changes that eventually led to Mr. Brewer taking over the popular store. We do not know the circumstances of his death; Collier did not wish to comment further. The note on the store’s door this afternoon (we saw it after going to The Swinery to check on a telephoned tip about this) said they plan to be open tomorrow (Sunday). Here’s Mr. Brewer’s biography from The Swinery’s website. (2010 photo at right by Christopher Boffoli)

Just got word tonight that West Seattle’s own kid-rock superstar Caspar Babypants has another hometown gig coming up: In honor of the first anniversary of City Mouse Studio and Store (WSB sponsor), CB will play two “mini-concerts” at City Mouse (4218 SW Alaska in The Junction) on Friday, May 6th. That day, there’ll also be a sale (select items up to 30 percent off) and a raffle (every purchase brings a chance at winning a $200 merchandise gift certificate). City Mouse also is announcing the impending launch of their online store (citymousestore.com will go live May 1st), with a 20 percent discount on first-time orders all month long (you’ll be able to skip shipping costs if you order online and pick up at the West Seattle store!). The in-store concerts, by the way, will be free.

Today we welcome a new sponsor, West Seattle Runner. Owners Tim and Lori McConnell (that’s Tim, above) invite you to stop by this weekend — they’re celebrating their first anniversary today, Saturday, and Sunday. There’s 20 percent off some items in the store and they’ll have a couch-to-marathon information session at 6 pm tonight, hosted by the American Heart Association.

Tim says West Seattle Runner is the only store in West Seattle that caters to runners. He says that he, Lori, and their staff, are West Seattle residents and runners who will take the time to find you the right shoe with the right fit. He adds that West Seattle Runner has shoes and advice for all runners, whether you’re an absolute beginner or an experienced marathon runner. Also, West Seattle Runner has a large selection of women’s apparel. They stock Amphipod and FuelBelt hydration packs, along with supplements from GU and Clif.

In addition to finding shoes and apparel, you can also find out about runners’ groups in West Seattle. Since the first of the year, Tim has offered his own couch-to-marathon class that will help people get ready for the Seattle Marathon this fall. West Seattle Runner is also a sponsor for the West Seattle 5K and Alki Beach Run benefit events. West Seattle Runner is upstairs at 3727 California SW (corner of Charlestown), and is on Facebook here; by phone – 206-938-0545.

We thank West Seattle Runner for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

(New photos added 10:12 am. Above, the Chamber says more than 125 attended)
With the sun making a cameo appearance outside the waterfront windows, the banquet level of Salty’s on Alki hosted an energetic gathering this morning – the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual awards breakfast. Salty’s also happened to be the winner of “Business of the Year”:

(Cindy Smith and Bonnie David from Salty’s)
Greg Whittaker of Mountain to Sound Outfitters accepted “Emerging Business,” a new award category:

(Mountain to Sound Outfitters crew, with owner Greg Whittaker back row, left)
The West Seattle Farmers’ Market was the nonprofit honoree; and Rick Jump of the White Center Food Bank drew a standing ovation as he received the “Westsider of the Year” award:

Jump spoke briefly, and emotionally, saying he sees “the face of hunger” daily, and that’s what keeps him going:

The chamber has much to celebrate, noted board chair Dave Montoure of West 5 as he opened the event – new membership, he said, is up 200 percent.

Keynote speaker for the morning was Jordan Royer, a maritime-industry executive who ran for City Council two years ago and had harsh words for Mayor Mike McGinn without ever saying his name – criticizing what he sees as a “stupid strategy to force gridlock as transportation policy,” alleging a deliberate effort to force people out of cars, which Royer contended will be around for a long time to come – just not using fossil fuels. (Added above, video of all but the first couple lines of his speech.) He also urged the WS Chamber to lead the way in advocacy; and he expressed economic optimism. His father, former mayor Charles Royer, was at the event, as well as King County Executive Dow Constantine, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, and City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:

(From left, Rasmussen, Constantine, Harbor Properties‘ Denny Onslow, Charles Royer, McDermott)
More to come.