West Seattle, Washington
11 Monday
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Walls are being painted bright red, orange, and purple inside the storefront at 4709 42nd Ave SW (vacated by SIMA Martial Arts, which moved to The Triangle), and some walls can be drawn on with multi-colored chalk. This space is becoming home to Young at Art, an art workshop that will be open to kids and adults to learn and play with arts and crafts.
Owner Theresa Anderson tells WSB that the space will be a combination workshop and artist’s studio, with art wor kstations positioned around the space and focusing on particular mediums.
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If all goes as planned, the empty shelves in the photo above will be filled with tires by this time next Tuesday – the day Les Schwab Tires hopes to open its new West Seattle store in The Triangle.
The shelves are in the basement of the one-time Huling Brothers (and briefly Gee) building on the southwest corner of 38th/Alaska, and will hold most of the 2,200-plus tires to be offloaded early opening-day morning by dozens of Les Schwab managers from around the region, after two tractor-trailer trucks roll up from the company’s distribution center in the central Oregon town of Prineville, right onto the new concrete:
The initial-stocking operation is “an amazing thing to witness,” smiles Rich Baalman, area manager for 43 stores including this one, from Federal Way to Port Angeles to the Canadian border. (He himself is based in Monroe, where he also manages that store.)
Though Rich calls the West Seattle location – the plan for which was first reported here, back in January – a “paint-and-go” shop, much more than paint has gone into it over the past four months of construction. It’s spruced up what was a neighborhood eyestore with major remodeling – which even extends out onto the sidewalk and beyond. See for yourself:
It’s the first official day of business for the new Corner Store and Deli in The Triangle at 36th/Fauntleroy next to Jones Barbeque, in the space that was long known as Tervo’s. The store is remodeled inside and out, most notably, adding a Boar’s Head deli setup for fresh sandwiches:
That’s Daniel Gebrechristos, Corner Store co-owner with brother Negash (who we interviewed in August, when we got first word of the ownership change/reopening plan). Daniel designed the renovations too, and says that as the business gets established, they’ll probably make some changes to its entryway, too. For now, if you go in today, you’ll notice some empty space – they’re still ramping up the stock, and they’ll be putting in chairs/tables by the new Fauntleroy-fronting windows. Daniel invites the neighborhood to come in, say hi, and try food samples this Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm both days. (Their regular hours, he says, are 6:30 am-10 pm daily.)
(Photos by Stuart Isett for Vigor; click to see larger image)
Unless you’re a crew member, you won’t get to see a view like that on board a state ferry. Well, unless you happen to be out on sea trials this week with the new state ferry Kennewick, built at Vigor (formerly Todd) Shipyards on Harbor Island. Kennewick was moved to Everett a few months ago for the final phase of work before it is delivered to Washington State Ferries, and that’s where it is ported for these trials, though as you can see in the background of this photo, it’s also sailing in waters near here:
(Click to see larger image)
According to Vigor’s communications director Steve Hirsh, “Our engineers said today’s first run was ‘very successful.’ We’re still looking at delivering Kennewick to Washington State Ferries by the end of October – ahead of schedule and under budget.” Kennewick is the third 64-car Kwa-di Tabil-class ferry; the first two are on the Port Townsend-Whidbey Island run, but Kennewick will be assigned to Point Defiance (Tacoma)-Tahlequah (South Vashon). replace one of them, the Chetzemoka, which will move to Point Defiance-Tahlequah. (Thanks to LB for pointing out this article about WSF’s change in the plan that is still outlined on its own website.)
(From left, Breanna, Eric, Samir, and Tricia)
A change of ownership at one of The Junction’s independent coffee shops, Red Cup Espresso. Now-ex-owner Tricia DiBernardo sent the photo above, plus the following note of thanks, as well as an introduction from the new owners:
Hey West Seattle!
Eric and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being supportive and loyal to our business and friends to our family. We have enjoyed this time at Red Cup immensely, but our tides are shifting and we’re moving our pursuits in other directions. It is with a happy heart, we have passed the steam wand over to long time Red Cup barista, Samir and his wife, Breanna. Please continue to support this great business and wonderful couple. See ya around the neighborhood!
Love,
Tricia, Eric and Nina
And from the new owners:
Five years ago Breanna and I moved to West Seattle and fell in love with it. Both her Mother and Grandfather have deep roots in the community, and have history throughout the area. When I first began working at Red Cup, i could tell that this is the right place for me. We are both honored to have been passed this torch & are both humbled by the kind words and positive energy sent our way by the neighborhood. She and I are excited to bring a new approach to the cafe experience, and promise to continue to provide top notch service, and delicious beverages. Thank you West Seattle and thank you Tricia, for making both of our dreams a reality. Red Cup, Repra’Zent.
Samir & Breanna Baillie
Not only are Brenna and Samir now entrepreneurs – they’re still relative newlyweds, too.
Today we welcome a new sponsor, Spira Power Yoga, at 2332 California SW, across from the Admiral Theater. Spira is operated by Dora Gyarmati. 
Her dream was to create a space where people get a strong workout, but in a fun, easy-going environment that also supports the wisdom and teachings of yoga tradition. Dora hopes to open up yoga to a wider audience by using English terms, and teaching mindfulness, concentration, and relaxation while providing a full-body exercise. The studio is bright and spacious. The lobby area looks more like a living room, so students feel comfortable lingering and talking to friends. The artwork in the lobby was created by Dora’s mom, all in the spirit of love and support; that is exactly what she hopes to give to Spira Power Yoga students – love and support.
Dora feels happiness and community are the best route to health. This is why on October 7th (this Friday), starting at 8 pm, Spira is featuring a dynamic yoga class to the soulful sounds of Correo Aereo, playing live in the studio. Yoga class is from 8-9 pm, then a short break, and a party with more live music, plus wine and chocolate tasting. Students and visitors are welcome to attend the class and the post-class party, or they can purchase tickets just for the party with wine, chocolate, and live music. For more information, go to Spira’s workshop webpage and scroll down to “Yoga Lush.” The class and party represent one way that, as Dora says, “We teach a very physical and challenging practice, but we have fun doing it. The idea is to find grace and balance in life with lightness and a sense of humor. We teach yoga as a western art. We translate the eastern art of yoga to a Western audience, make it accessible and fun and open to all spiritual and religious paths.”
We thank Spira Power Yoga 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.
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Radar Pest Management. Here’s what they’d like you to know about their business:
As summer transitions into fall and the weather continues to get colder, rodents and pests are looking for warmth and shelter – and they love our West Seattle neighborhood! Radar Pest Management is here now too – and their arrival couldn’t come at a better time.
Radar specializes in pest and rodent removal and regular treatment, and has many options to serve our locals and their various needs. As an added bonus, one of Radar’s top technicians, Angela Osbourne, is a local herself! “I live on a well-traveled road in West Seattle, so you will likely see my Radar truck in the neighborhood,” chuckles Angela. Full of energy and humor, her laugh will make you smile every time. “Angela is one of our most experienced technicians. Combine that with her wealth of knowledge and her engaging and bubbly personality, and you’ve got a real asset in Angela. We are happy to have her on board,” said Tim McCafferty, operations manager. Radar brings dedication to every task performed, quickly inspecting, identifying, and treating the home for a variety of pest infestations. The primary mission at Radar Pest Management is to be the #1 provider of services in the greater Seattle area, with an utmost commitment to customer satisfaction and service.
When you call Radar Pest Management, you can rest assured you will receive the very best extermination service in the area. They bring the strongest, most-effective pest-control methods in the industry to your home, while still trying to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Plus, with Radar you’ll receive on–time service, frequent communication with their service experts, and an excellent experience, every time.
Best of all, Radar Pest Management is offering all West Seattle Blog readers a FREE home inspection, for a limited time! With the rodents looking for somewhere to keep warm as the fall and winter approach, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of this $120 value. Customers praise this local company’s responsive, knowledgeable staff and around-the-clock emergency care. So give them a call, welcome them to the neighborhood, and ensure your home will be pest- and rodent-free all season long. For more information or to take advantage of the WSB Free Inspection Special, contact Radar Pest Management at 800-710-1567 or www.radarpest.com.
We thank Radar Pest Management 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.
This weekend’s grand-opening-of-expanded-space celebration continues at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) this afternoon, and if you get there (3602 SW Alaska) before 2 pm, you can meet Molly Baker, a big-mountain freeskiing star on the rise – more on the M2SO site. Also at the shop greeting customers – proprietor Greg Whittaker and son Keller:
Ready for ski season yet? M2SO not only sells skis, they rent them too:
And if you’re hungry – they’re barbecuing for a second straight afternoon (hey, the weather’s nice!):
But think snow.
West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) at 35th/Webster isn’t usually open on Saturdays, but Todd Ainsworth and Chris Christensen threw open the doors today to celebrate their first anniversary. Throughout their first year, they’ve continued to evolve the services they offer – including the “green oil change” – and they’re continuing to look ahead. We asked what’s on the horizon, and they mentioned they’ll be studying electric-car conversion, hoping that “down the road” they’ll be able to offer that type of service as well as repair and maintenance work. Whether you’re a customer already or you’d just like to meet them and say “Congratulations on making it through the first year,” they’ve got snacks and smiles till 5 pm today.
Story and photo by Bill “Hutch” Hutchison
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Another change is in the works for what was the On Safari Foods storefront in Westwood, divided into three spaces after that business moved to SODO.
Stuffed Cakes owner Donna Lawson confirms that she will be setting up shop in the third and final vacant space at 9003 35th Ave SW (the northernmost space, where Hebert’s Den was briefly open). Donna, a former graphic designer, began her cake/cupcake business in 2010, working from a shared space in The Triangle.
She’s been looking for a solo space since March and finally landed here. “I’m also a West Seattle resident since 1997 and want to stay local with my business.”
West Seattle is about to get its second perfume shop. Sweet Anthem Handmade Perfumes will open next month in a Morgan Junction live-work storefront at 6021-B California SW, according to an announcement we just received. The owner and perfumer is Meredith Smith, whose “handmade, ethical (and) vegan” Sweet Anthem line has been available online since 2007. The announcement adds:
Meredith uses natural and synthetic ingredients that are local and sustainable, working with a local, carbon neutral energy company to find petrol-free alternatives to synthetic notes. The Sweet Anthem line includes pure parfum oils, eau de parfums, solid perfumes, soaps, ambient room sprays and bath oils. Meredith produces these products in the shop.
The announcement also says Sweet Anthem will carry “other local indie fragrance lines culled by Meredith,” will have a “custom fragrance bar (where) DIYers can create their own fragrance from a menu of 200+ fragrance notes,” and will offer Perfume Making 101 classes. The grand opening is set for 11 am-8 pm daily, October 12-15, after which the regular hours will be 11 am-6 pm.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
To know where you’re going, you have to figure out where you are.
Toward that end, surveys were a big theme of Monday’s Admiral Neighborhood Association– and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-facilitated meetup for Admiral business owners.
One survey’s already complete – ANA unveiled results of the survey it circulated among more than 100 business owners/merchants in the greater Admiral area, from the northernmost commercial building on California SW, to California/Charlestown.
The second is about to begin – a city rep talked about a new citywide survey launching tomorrow in six business districts, including Admiral – which may find you approached by a survey-taker on the street.
West Seattle artist Stephen Rock‘s 13 1/2-foot-tall megapencil is now poised right outside the offices of Potter Construction (WSB sponsor). We previewed this last night. Check it out next time you’re in the 5600 block of California SW! (The folks at nearby Illusions Hair Design, also a WSB sponsor, tweeted this photo of Gary Potter with his new, artistic addition.)
When team members from West Seattle’s two Windermere Real Estate offices join forces to help build High Point’s new playground this Friday, it will be a sort of preview of things to come. The Morgan Junction office (WRE-Fauntleroy; photo above) will soon close, and its staff will move into the office in The Junction. Both branches are owned by Janet Haberbush, with whom we talked today, after a tipster pointed us to this listing showing that the Fauntleroy space (between Abbondanza Pizza and Subway) is up for lease. She says the consolidation is partly driven by the fact their lease was up on the Morgan Junction space, but also will enable operating efficiencies, and will take advantage of some space they added in The Junction a while back. There’s no hard-and-fast date yet for them to be completely moved out of Morgan Junction; right now, according to Haberbush, they’re modifying the Junction space to accommodate the enlarged team, which she says will include more than 60 agents/brokers. (The move is somewhat reminiscent of what another major player in West Seattle real estate, Prudential Northwest, did in 2009, when it closed its Admiral offices and moved everyone into Jefferson Square.)
(Photo courtesy Potter Construction)
The giant pencil on that truck is a West Seattle-based artist’s sculpture with the “write” stuff, and tomorrow, it’s scheduled to get a new home, in front of Potter Construction (WSB sponsor). Here’s the announcement:
At 9 AM on Tuesday, September 20, West Seattle business owner Gary Potter of Potter Construction will begin installation of a larger-than-life sculpture of a yellow pencil on California Ave. SW. The 13.5-foot sculpture is to be installed on the street-side facade of Potter Construction’s main office at 5606 California Ave. SW. Beyond a visible way to display Potter Construction’s inspired knowledge and experience in the art of home remodeling, Potter sees this as an opportunity to be on the cutting edge of community art projects that have a positive effect on West Seattle neighborhoods.
This playful facsimile of an everyday pencil with its bright pink eraser is the creative collaboration of Rock Brothers, under the direction of artist and West Seattle resident Stephen Rock. The sculpture is made from one solid log and was hand-tooled by the three brothers on a very large lathe in their workshop in Ellensburg, WA. The colorful, hand-painted pencil was first seen as part of a larger Rock Brothers’ sculpture titled “Brush Pile” in a juried outdoor exhibit at Cal Anderson Park in 2010. This installation of multiple large-scale paintbrushes, pens, and pencils was part of MadArt in the Park’s mission to “bring art into our lives in unexpected ways and to create community involvement in the arts.”
Beginning tomorrow, every visitor and passerby of Potter Construction’s office at 5606 California Ave SW will experience this blend of joyful art with Potter Construction’s inspired commitment to enlivening everyday lives.
You can scroll down this page to see how the giant pencil was used in the aforementioned “Brush Pile” installation.
(WS Autoworks’ Chris Christensen, Nathan Huie, Todd Ainsworth. Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
With cars in the West Seattle spotlight today, seems like an auspicious time to mention this: There’s something new at West Seattle Autoworks – a big new sign marking their spot along 35th SW at Webster. And it was installed just in time for the shop to celebrate a milestone: October will mark one year since their grand opening. They’re planning a first-anniversary party on Saturday, October 1st, an open-house event with refreshments including Red Star Pizza and coffee from Cafe Osita (both nearby businesses), raffle tickets, door prizes, and discount offers that’ll be good for the whole month. Drop in and wish West Seattle Autoworks “happy anniversary” 9 am-5 pm on the 1st.
In hopes of strengthening Admiral District businesses by bringing them together, just as the Safeway redevelopment brought a new dynamic to the area, the Admiral Neighborhood Association shared a letter and survey with more than 120 businesses this past summer (as reported here). The survey results are now compiled, and ANA, along with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, invites Admiral business owners/merchants to a special meeting to both look at the results and talk about future possibilities. The formal invitation is here; it’s at 4 pm next Monday, September 19th, at the Porterhouse; again, it’s just for Admiral business owners/merchants, who are asked to RSVP to info@admiralneighborhood.org.
(Clementine owner Linda Walsh, photographed Monday by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Happy 5th anniversary to Junction shoes/accessories powerhouse Clementine and its owner Linda Walsh! Her feisty, fashionable Junction shop was one of the first local businesses we tracked even from the butcher-paper-on-windows stage; our archives show that five years ago today, we noted that the lights were on and shoes/purses were on display at the then-about-to-open Clementine. Now, after five lively years, Linda, her team, and their legions of stylish fans are preparing for a party. 10 am-6 pm this Saturday (September 17th), as announced on Clementine’s site, not only will shoppers be offered cake and mimosas, they’ll also get a “mystery discount” – at least 5 percent, maybe as much as 50 percent. Stop by and help Clementine celebrate the Big 5 on Saturday; keep an eye out for more previews at clementines.com, or on Facebook, here. (What? Never been? 4447 California SW)
Seattle-based Viking Bank (WSB sponsor), which has one branch in West Seattle, is getting new ownership and a new name. Spokane-based AmericanWest Bank has just announced it’s buying Viking’s parent company, and will merge Viking Bank into AmericanWest. Here’s the official news release; here’s a letter from Viking Bank to its customers, saying “you can count on working with the same professional staff as always at our seven locations.” The merger is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, according to this list of FAQs.
Though it’s not as hot a topic as the West Seattle Trader Joe’s project nearby (see yesterday’s update?), we know there are folks awaiting the opening of the new Les Schwab Tires on the southwest corner of 38th/Alaska, so we checked to see how that’s going. This one’s taking a bit longer, too; when we talked with a spokesperson in June, they were hoping to open this month. But that spokesperson tells WSB today that the new estimate for opening is mid-October.
FIRST THURSDAY REPORT, 12:25 PM: If you’ve noticed anything unusual today at the port facilities in and near West Seattle: Reports are circulating that longshore workers in Seattle and elsewhere are off the job today in relation to a dispute that turned violent in Longview. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union is quoted as saying it’s “investigating” those reports; the Port of Seattle has issued a statement acknowledging “work is not occurring at our terminals today”:
The Port of Seattle is aware that work is not occurring at our terminals today, as longshore workers are not present. Port of Seattle terminals are leased to terminal operators who work directly with ILWU for staffing. We do not know when work will resume. We will send an update at 3:00 pm today.
Here’s the ILWU’s side of the story about what’s happening in Longview. The dispute has been simmering for a while, as chronicled on the union’s Facebook page.
THURSDAY 1:09 PM UPDATE: Labor Notes quotes ILWU as saying no action had been formally called, but “large numbers of individuals appear to have taken action on their own.”
EARLY FRIDAY MORNING: Our partners at the Seattle Times have updated the situation. No followup statement emerged from the Port of Seattle Thursday afternoon/evening; it remains to be seen if work will resume today.
8:25 AM FRIDAY MORNING: The Port has issued a short statement saying operations are back to “normal” today.
Inside that portable structure – more commonly used as a temporary office – is what you might call a mini-mini-market. Maybe a micro-market. It’s in a parking lot at Westhaven Apartments 24th/Holden). Tomorrow afternoon, it’s expected to open as the first of what the startup Stockbox Grocers hopes will be many such small stores (as they explained at last month’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting). Inside, the Stockbox team is busy getting it stocked – we dropped in late yesterday:
Yes, that’s packaged food behind Stockbox co-founder Jacqueline Gjurgevich, but they plan to carry produce too. They’re targeting so-called “food deserts” – places where groceries (beyond convenience-store fare) are hard to come by – and the Delridge area was a natural for their first test. Future stores, they say, are more likely to be in slightly larger quarters – recycled cargo-shipping containers.
Jacqueline tells WSB that for the Westhaven pilot project, they’re still planning on the hours they mentioned to NDNC – 3-8 pm weekdays, 8 am-8 pm weekends. (They’re chronicling their launch on Facebook, by the way, and they’re continuing to raise money via Kickstarter – you can watch an explanatory video on the Stockbox page there.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
With three grocery stores within a radius of barely three blocks, the Admiral District is home to West Seattle’s busiest food-shopping hub.
And it’s been a big year for all three of those supermarkets – Safeway just opened its new store, PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) remodeled its West Seattle store, and Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) celebrated “a fantastic 40 years of being in business,” as Admiral store manager Glen Hasstedt describes it.
We talked with him recently to check in on what’s new with MM, and what’s ahead.
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