This morning brings news of the biggest potential roadblock yet to the mega-merger that could put five of West Seattle’s grocery stores under the same ownership: The Federal Trade Commission is suing to stop the merger of Kroger (parent of QFC, Fred Meyer, and other brands) and Albertsons (parent of Safeway among others). West Seattle has two QFC stores and three Safeway stores, and among those, two – Junction QFC and Jefferson Square – are barely a block apart. To the south, Westwood Village QFC and Roxbury Safeway (a former Fred Meyer) are separated by just a few blocks. Sixteen months have passed since the $24 billion merger announcement. In its announcement today, the FTC alleges that “the deal is anticompetitive (and would) eliminate fierce competition between Kroger and Albertsons, leading to higher prices for groceries and other essential household items for millions of Americans.” The merger plan has drawn other opposition since it came to light, including U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal‘s call – announced in West Seattle – for the FTC to investigate. Kroger had sought to calm some concerns via a plan announced last September to sell some of its assets, including the QFC brand name (but not necessarily all QFC stores) to a third party.

WHAT’S NEXT: According to the FTC announcement, its action “marks the beginning of a proceeding in which the allegations will be tried in a formal hearing before an administrative law judge.”

(WSB photo)

West Seattle Coworking‘s main location at 9030 35th SW will host dozens of students this weekend for a 24-hour code-a-thon. The event is presented by the nonprofit organization CodeDay, which explains that it’s “committed to providing inclusive opportunities for underserved students to learn about technology.” More than 70 students are participating and will be building games, websites, apps, and more between noon Saturday and noon Sunday, in what CodeDay explains will be “an immersive learning experience, with mentors and workshops guiding students through the process of turning their ideas into tangible projects.” CodeDay’s goal is to eliminate the financial burden for students to get tech knowhow, and toward that end, the announcement notes that they’re even providing “free laptops for the event that attendees can keep in order to promote a continued interest in coding beyond the event.” A CodeDay spokesperson says the opening ceremony (noon-12:30 pm Saturday) and closing awards ceremony (11 am-noon Sunday) are open to the public if you’re interested in visiting.

Thanks to Laurie for the tip! If you want a taste of the State Fair without going to Puyallup, you can catch up with the Fisher Scones truck at Metropolitan Market (42nd/Admiral) in West Seattle until 4 pm today.

West Coast Willow is now open at 5902 California SW. That’s the space vacated when Good Sister moved south to 6959 California, as reported here in December. West Coast Willow is right next to WSB sponsor Moon Room Shop and Wellness, and says that together they’re creating a “holistic corner” of the neighborhood, dubbing it the “Juneau Junction.” West Coast Willow explains, “We have a dreamy wall of bulk herbs (over 60 different herbs and spices), tea blends (which we will be blending on site for sipping and changing up weekly or more) and accessories, tinctures (made on site), candles, oils, smudge sticks and beautiful products from local makers such as flower essences, soaps, and roller balls. We also carry organic beauty products made on site by Nicole Leitner, our owner and local esthetician who has been working in the neighborhood for the last ten years.” They do facials and Reiki, and plan to offer classes and workshops. “Our goal is to inspire people to follow their intuition and feel confident in making their own herbal remedies and ritual practices.” Hours are 11 am-5 pm Sundays, closed Mondays, 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays and Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm Wednesdays and Fridays, spa days (by appointment) Thursdays.

(WSB photo, November 2023)

Before we get to the rest of what’s up today, one biznote for ice-cream lovers – Colleen at Shug’s Mini (California/Charlestown) sends word that they’re open a bonus day today “for a special Wednesday Valentine’s Day treat.” Hours will be noon to 9 pm. Those are the regular Shug’s Mini hours Thursdays-Sundays, and, Colleen adds, “We will have specials throughout the weekend to help celebrate love, family and friendship.”

Today we’re welcoming Bhina Wolf Atelier LLC as a new WSB sponsor. When new sponsors join us to advertise their local businesses to you, they get the opportunity to tell you about who they are and what they do – here’s what Bhina Wolf Atelier LLC would like you to know:

In the heart of Seattle, nestled amidst the vibrant design community, lies Bhina Wolf Atelier LLC, an Interior Design Studio that breathes life into spaces, weaving dreams into reality. Founded by Bhina Agnihotri Wolf, whose roots trace back to lineage of artisans, the studio is a testament to her journey of resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment to her craft.

Growing up surrounded by the craftmanship of her grandfather, a skilled carpenter, Bhina’s childhood was imbued with a deep appreciation for the artistry of transforming raw materials into cherished pieces of furniture and décor. This early exposure ignited a fire within her, sparking a lifelong fascination with design and creativity. However, life took unexpected turns for Bhina when she embarked on a new chapter of love in a foreign land, only to tragically lose her husband. Amidst the throes of grief and despair, Bhina found solace in her art, channeling her pain into a newfound purpose – the pursuit of creating beauty and harmony in the world around her.

Bhina grew up in New Delhi, the capital city of India, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in interior design. She brings 13 years of experience working on large-scale hospitality projects in Kenya, as well as a variety of luxurious residential spaces in major cities.

Collaborating on projects with Seattle-based Architectural firm Bailly & Bailly, they specialize in residential projects, ranging from one room to entire houses, offering services from designing, styling, and decorating to consultation on furniture and procurement.

At Bhina Wolf Atelier LLC, the designers believe that your home is your haven, you make your whole set of memories right there in every nook and corner of the gorgeous house you have made. Every detail is meticulously curated, every element thoughtfully chosen, to create an environment that inspires, enchants, and delights.

But beyond the realm of interior design, BWA is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of art. It is a reminder that amidst life’s greatest challenges, there lies an opportunity for growth, for reinvention, and the creation of something truly magnificent.

At BWA we all come from different countries and cultures. We all epitomize a fusion of artisan legacy and contemporary innovation, offering custom-made designs tailored to the client’s unique narrative.

10% of the profits from our organization go to our own foundation. We are working toward our nonprofit organization, which will soon be registered. It’s about sponsoring the education of children who are Dalits, orphans, and cannot afford education in India. Also, we try to be an active donor to Food Lifeline. Our commitment to community engagement extends beyond design, as we collaborate with these entities to foster meaningful connections and contribute positively to the social fabric of our neighborhoods.

Bhina Wolf Atelier LLC is based in West Seattle. Here’s how to contact them to discuss your project!

We thank Bhina Wolf Atelier LLC 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!

Thanks to Ian for the photo and tip. The former Service King at 4501 38th SW is getting new signage today – for Crash Champions. The two collision-damage-repair chains announced a merger a year and a half ago. Crash Champions’ 500+ locations now include more than 30 in this state, half of which are listed online as former Service King sites.

Separate from this, we noted in 2017 that the land holding this business and the auto-parts store next door had been sold to an Eastside investor for $4.4 million; we noticed today that the owner’s website shows a future mixed-use project for the site, though there’s nothing about it (yet) in the city permit system – we’ll follow up.

Three biznotes:

MORE VALENTINE’S FOOD: The latest venue to send word of a special Valentine’s menu is Camp West in The Junction (4539 California SW). They’re offering a special three-course prix-fixe menu (see it here) for $60/person. On Valentine’s Day, 4-9 pm, that’s all Camp West will offer; it’ll also be an option for the subsequent four days, February 15-18. They recommend reservations, which can be booked online. (Anybody else with Valentine specials? Let us know!)

SEAFOOD SALES: Planning a home-cooked Valentine meal? Or Super Bowl or Lunar New Year or … hey, no special occasion necessary. WSB sponsor Seattle Seafood Center (717 S. Michigan in Georgetown) has extended sales on crab, lobster, and ahi tuna.

HOMESTREET SPOTLIGHT: Every month, HomeStreet Bank in The Junction (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) spotlights another local business/nonprofit, with a display and an invitation to customers to enter a drawing. Last month’s spotlight was on Sports Medicine Northwest:

(HomeStreet’s Joyce Leslie, center, with Sports Medicine NW’s Alicia Pond and Dr. Skylar Pond)

Sports Medicine NW’s co-proprietors stopped by HomeStreet on Friday for the monthly drawing. This month’s spotlight at the bank is on Mighty House Construction.

Three biznotes before the night’s out, all in The Junction:

FITNESS TOGETHER WEST SEATTLE: As previewed here last night, longtime WSB sponsor Fitness Together West Seattle threw a party tonight to celebrate their expansion at 4546 California SW – more room not just for their specialty, personal training, but also for small group classes. Owner Bryan Habas and team cut the “grand reopening” ribbon to start tonight’s open-house celebration. Even if you missed the party, you can contact FTWS to ask about their deals (noted in our preview).

And you might want to move a bit more as we shift into Valentine-chocolate season – here are two related Junction notes:

CUPCAKE ROYALE’S DEATHCAKE: The coffee-and-treats shop a couple doors down from Fitness Together, on the northeast corner of California/Alaska, wants you to know that Deathcake is back: “Three beautiful layers of sea-salted chocolate decadence, our award-winning chocolate cake, and Stumptown™ espresso ganache. Each Deathcake comes in its own jar, perfect for warming!” You can pre-order one now for shipping, or get it at the shop starting February 1st.

THE BEER JUNCTION’S CHOCOLATE BEER WEEK: Set your calendar reminder now – starting Valentine’s Day, The Beer Junction (4511 California SW) celebrates chocolate beers for what’s actually a week and a half, through February 25. Proprietor Corey Leitch says, “Looking for some fun to kick off (or finish up,) your Valentine’s celebrations this year? Join us for a festival of decadent confection inspired beers that are better than any box of chocolates! We will have beers from Fremont, Structures, Perennial, Oskar Blues, Belching Beaver, Double Mountain, Bottle Logic, Mother Earth, Block 15, Boulevard and Oakshire on tap from 2/14-2/25.”

Got a biznote? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!