After months of extensive renovation work, West Seattle’s only motel – now known as The Grove, West Seattle Inn – is about to unveil its new look. Its owners have just announced an open house for 4 pm Monday, June 27th. They’re already taking reservations, too, for dates in July and beyond. We’ve been chronicling the transformation since the new ownership was announced in December; the motel has been closed since early April.
Today we welcome a new sponsor, HHL Insulation, owned by Humberto Hernandez-Lopez. New sponsors get the chance to tell you about their business, and here’s what HHL wants you to know: They are West Seattle’s green insulation contractor. At HHL Insulation, Humberto stresses the importance of having a positive impact on the immediate environment. He says, “We get a lot of clients from just word of mouth around the street here. People here like to support local businesses and know the value in doing so. It supports our local economy and also has a positive impact on the environment. HHL Insulation also likes to give back to our community by offering superior customer service and also offering eco-friendly insulation materials. We are aware of the importance of our impact on the community and the environment. Choosing our company means you will get the service you deserve. We pay attention to every detail and make sure the customer is happy during the entire process. We know that we are coming into your home, and we respect your living space. We do our best to be efficient and get the job done on a timely matter so you can get back to your life and enjoy your newly insulated home.”
He also adds that he works to make sure the client stays informed before work has even begun: “From the first meeting where we give you the estimate to the end of the job, the customer is always informed as to what is going on. They appreciate that we take the time to show them the process and give them the different insulation options to choose from. All this is done to inform the customer and let them choose. We don’t push anything on them. Or try and sell something they don’t need, which is common practice in this business. We don’t believe in this way of doing business. We would rather have a company that is honest and takes pride in honesty and integrity. Customers usually seek us out because they know someone who has had a great experience with our company.” Humberto is also a member of a local soccer club, and he enjoys dining out in West Seattle. HHL Insulation offers online scheduling at hhl-insulation.com, or you can call 206-510-8800.
Two West Seattle supermarkets with outdoor events this afternoon: Above, Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) is celebrating its 40th anniversary with special offerings all month, and today the Admiral store had a Cupcake Royale cupcake-sprinkling party. Checking it out while we were there, that’s Kent Sadow from Admiral toys/candy/retro store Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama, and the shop’s co-namesake, son Quinn. What else is on the MM anniversary calendar? Check out the Admiral schedule here.
Meantime, on to Morgan Junction:
West Seattle Thriftway is well into benefit-barbecue season, and Michele was grilling and grinning today as the store raised money for Pencil Me In For Kids. Miss today’s benefit-b-q? No worries, they’re doing it again (also for PMIFK, which helps students who need school supplies) NEXT Saturday, 11 am.
Today we welcome a new sponsor, Douglas Sutherland, who owns Sutherland Creative Landscape Design. Here’s what he wants you to know about his business: Douglas brings his skills as a graphic designer to each landscape project he takes on, as he says, “Unlike many designers today — I can actually draw, and I will create a custom, hand-drawn landscape design for you. I prefer to work with the contours of your yard and its existing trees and shrubs. As much as possible, I like to use what already exists on the property. By designing in this manner, I can keep the installation costs down. I find it amazing how the aesthetics of your yard can be improved just by manipulating what you already have.”
He adds that Sutherland Creative Landscape Design clients trust him and the passion he brings to his work: “My last client told me ‘I just love what you did with my ‘Plain Jane’ yard, I like coming home and just looking at it!’ I have seen it happen many times — once people see their ‘yards’ turned into gardens, they take more pride in them. They want to be in their garden more and tend to spend more time outdoors enjoying it. It gives them a good feeling when they see it from their windows, when they walk through it or relax in it. That investment is something they can enjoy now and something more tangible when they decide to sell their home, because a nice yard is the first thing a potential buyer sees.”
Five months after we first reported that Westwood Village Target would remodel and add a full in-store supermarket, the work is done and the shelves are stocked. Assistant store manager Shelby Palmer invited us over to take a look; she says this is the second day since the new fresh offerings – produce, meat, etc. – arrived, and stocking is continuing to ramp up, but it’ll all be complete by Sunday, which is the day they’ll celebrate the official grand opening. Produce is sold “by the unit” – notice the 24-cent bananas in the top photo. They’re carrying some local brands (Tim’s chips, for example) in both fresh and processed food, as well as Target house lines and other national brands. The dairy and other cooler cases now line almost the entire west end of the store, where electronics and hardware used to be, among other things.
This is one of hundreds of stores the company is remodeling to add supermarket sections. Shelby explained that Target has two levels of supermarket – this is the smaller, urban-style “P Fresh” model, not the “Super Target” you’d recognize from other regions, such as the Midwest. Meantime, Sunday’s grocery “grand opening” is fairly low key – no ribbon-cutting or other ceremony, but some giveaways are planned.
BAKED. IN ADMIRAL: The custom-cake creators of Baked. are now “all moved in” at their new HQ, 2604 California SW, which they are sharing with Heavenly Pastry. (Neither business plans a retail storefront – Baked. makes custom-ordered cakes; Heavenly bakes wholesale.) We stopped by Wednesday afternoon to meet the Baked. proprietors; above, that’s Baked.’s Kristina Serfass, working on a batch of cake filling; below, that’s Natalie Vorpahl, working on the Mercer Island High School logo for a cake to celebrate that school’s state lacrosse championship:
Their website includes a “menu” link, where you’ll find a long list of potential flavors and ingredients, as well as a “seasonal menu” (one of the current options: mango coconut). Next bakery note:
ORIGINAL BAKERY TO CELEBRATE ‘DOUGHNUT DAY’: Tomorrow, Anna Alonzo tells us, is National Doughnut Day. And since she is with one of West Seattle’s most celebrated doughnut (and more) shops – The Original Bakery in Fauntleroy (9253 45th SW) – she ought to know. Anna tells WSB she’s planning to visit Southwest Community Center at 1 pm on Friday, “giving applesauce doughnuts and coffee to folks to celebrate.” A website update is in the works for the bakery – which has been building a following on Facebook (check out the onesies!) – and it might debut on Doughnut Day too.
Story and photos by Stephanie Chacharon
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Lora Clothier is getting ready to open her own business; but first, she has a championship to win.
She’s come a long way since taking up the game of volleyball at age 12. After playing ball for Eastern Washington University’s Division I program, Lora has continued to build her skills both on the court and in the sand. During the indoor season, she plays through USA Volleyball (USAV), one of the world’s leading organizations for the sport.
Today, Lora is flying to Dallas, where she’ll join other elite players for the 2011 USAV Open Championships. The tournament marks the end to her indoor-season involvement — when she returns home, she’ll switch focus to her beach game, which she says is her new favorite.
But it won’t be just beach volleyball that’s on her mind when she’s back home in West Seattle. Come mid-summer, Lora’s first entrepreneurial venture, BioJunction Sports Therapy, will open for business at Charlestown Center (on the NW corner of SW Charlestown and California SW).
The clinic will occupy the long-vacant ground-floor corner unit of the building, directly below West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). Lora, an experienced physical therapist who specializes in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, has big plans for the clinic. “I want to do it right,” she told WSB. “I love working with people, and I love making people better.”
Just a few days after the fence went up on the future West Seattle Trader Joe’s site – once the Huling Brothers Buick showroom – another former Huling-operated (though not owned) property just got a construction fence. This time, it’s the future home of Les Schwab Tires on the southwest corner of SW Alaska/38th SW. Thanks to Dan and Celeste for the tips this evening (just in time for us to grab a photo before nightfall).
We reported here two weeks ago that the permits had been granted for Les Schwab to start work on the site. As with the Trader Joe’s project less than a block north, this one will not involve structural demolition or new construction – more like, extensive remodeling. It’s been four months since we reported that Les Schwab was planning a West Seattle operation at this site; though we confirmed the project by viewing the city’s hard-copy file downtown, the company has not spoken publicly about it except to confirm to WSB they had applied for permits for “a West Seattle site.”
(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB) West Seattle Smoke Company is open for business in The Junction, albeit in “soft open” mode. Thanks to Brian Presser at TouchTech Systems in The Junction for the original tip late yesterday; WSB contributor Katie Meyer was finally able to confirm this afternoon that the store’s open for business. That’s owner Umar Kahn behind the counter, above. Katie reports that he decided to do a “soft open” with the store, he says, despite the cigars having been held up until next week when the tempered glass for the humidor cabinets near the front door arrives. (He joked that he and the other new business owners on that side of the block have all been able to commiserate with each other about contractor delays, licensing/permit turnaround times, etc.) Asked what the hours will be, Umar wrote down his initial plan for us and said that he’ll see how things go for a while and modify hours if need be to what the neighborhood seems to want: Monday-Thursday, 10 am-9 pm; Friday-Saturday, 10 am-10 pm; Sunday, 10 am-6 pm.
Once the tempered glass is installed in the cabinets up front, the custom humidity control can be put into place and the cabinets are expected to store more than 100 boxes of quality cigars from the Dominican Republic and Brazil, among other countries. The West Seattle Smoke Company website says they’ll have a grand opening concurrent with neighboring A Terrible Beauty, whose sign went up this week:
Why leave town for Memorial Day weekend, when you can help two new businesses celebrate their grand openings on Saturday?
THE SNEAKERY: This new shoe store in The Junction is already open, as reported here two weeks ago, but this Saturday is the grand-opening celebration, according to a note from Sneakery owner Drea. She says they’ll be raffling off 50 pairs of shoes and offering 30 percent off socks during the festivities, 11 am-7 pm Saturday at 4736 California SW, followed by live music – an acoustic set by Troy and Mackenzie of the Young Evils at 7 pm.
CAIRDEAS WINERY TASTING ROOM: Also on Saturday, noon-5 pm, a new wine-tasting business opens in West Seattle: The tasting room for Cairdeas Winery will open in ActivSpace on Harbor Avenue SW. They’re waiving their tasting fee for the grand-opening weekend. Read all about it here.
Another new West Seattle business has set its opening date. We first told you in February about Spira Power Yoga coming to the former Herban Feast Catering storefront in the Admiral District (2332 California SW). Proprietor Dora Gyarmati (who provided the photo at right) explained at the time that she’s expanding here partly because of West Seattle’s “loving, relaxed vibe.” Dora sent word this week that her new studio will be open June 1st, with a grand-opening celebration on June 4th, featuring free classes that day, 9 am and 4 pm, as well as a party that night at 7:30 pm. She says: “Everyone is welcome to come in, check out the place, and meet the teachers. I will be serving snacks; it could be a perfect little time killer for the movie goers!” (Admiral Theater is across the street.) Dora adds that the business’s website at spirapoweryoga.com is now set up for online purchases.
Thanks to Pete for sharing the e-mail sent today by Moxie Papergoods and Gifts, which will close its West Seattle store (3916 California SW) this weekend:
It’s always sad to say adieu, but this chapter in our lives has come to an end. After five great years, we will be closing our doors at our West Seattle store on May 21st.
We’d like to give you some time to soak it in and offer you some pretty special store discounts (to make the impact a little softer). You’ve been some of the best customers a store can even ask for and for three days, Thursday, May 19th – Saturday, May 21st we’re giving you *30% off EVERYTHING in the West Seattle store.
Don’t be sad for us, because a new chapter is just around the corner! You can still come visit us in our Bellevue Square store. We also will be focusing on a brand new and UPDATED website due to come out in late June. We’re super excited for this new launch and hope you will be too…
Thank you for loving and believing in us and making the past five years in West Seattle such a wonderful experience!
(From left, Cara Mohammadian, Jessica Lynn, Peter Wolf, Tonya Hennen, Tara Wickham)
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, The CoHo Team of Windermere Agents. Here’s what they would like you to know: As Realtors®, the CoHo Team members are part of the Windermere Real Estate office in The Junction, where they are full-service Brokers serving West Seattle and the greater Seattle metro area. Whether you’re buying or selling your first home or you’ve bought and sold many times before, the CoHo Team’s goal is to earn your trust for life as they provide the support and expertise you need to help you achieve your short- and long-term real estate goals.
Although their name has Northwest connotations, “CoHo” actually comes from the words “Community” and “Housing.” The CoHo Team believes that home – a place of shelter, a vibrant neighborhood and community, a sense of safety and belonging – should be attainable by all. To that end, they support non-profits committed to affordable housing and community development. Local organizations that they have recently supported through donating money and volunteering their time include WestSide Baby, the West Seattle Food Bank, and Rebuilding Together Seattle.
The CoHo Team of Windermere Agents is thrilled to celebrate more than 10 years of giving with a new website and new members! To find out more and engage their services as real estate brokers, visit them online at www.cohorealty.com or drop by the Alaska Junction Windermere office (4526 California SW) to say hi!
One month after we first reported a cigar/tobacco shop is moving into the former laundromat on the very busy east side of the Alaska-to-Edmunds block of California SW in The Junction, West Seattle Smoke Company‘s sign is up this morning – thanks to Brian Presser of TouchTech Systems for the photo. WSB contributor Katie Meyer had stopped by on Friday and taken a quick peek inside as the interior takes shape:
We have messages out to its owners to see if an opening date is set yet. (For whenever they do open, hours are listed already online.)
Note that this project calls for remodeling the existing building at 38th/Alaska, NOT building a new one; also, when we looked at the plans downtown in January, we noted they were NOT proposing to occupy the western part (Fauntleroy corner) of the site, only 38th/Alaska (which also had been an Enterprise rental-car location). When we reported the plan at that time, Les Schwab would not comment beyond confirming it had applied for a permit in West Seattle, but we’ll be checking with them again tomorrow to see if they’re ready to reveal more details now, such as a projected opening date.
Thanks to the unidentified Electric Train Shop fan who just called to point this out to us: The Junction business has published an announcement on its website – it’s closing in about a month and moving to Burien. The writeup blames the impending move of the state liquor store (reported here in February) for a domino effect forcing the move.
A medical-marijuana dispensary is reported to be back on the table for moving into 5214 Delridge Way (map), less than two months after a fleetingly-reported possibility led to an intense neighborhood discussion, including a briefing before the Delridge District Council. That possibility seemed to fade, as reported here back in mid-March, when police said they had received word that the property owner was “leaning away” from renting to a medical-marijuana operation. Now, according to a report that North Delridge Neighborhood Council chair Karrie Kohlhaas has shared with the group’s mailing list, the plan is back. Kohlhaas writes that the co-owners of Washington Alternative Medicine requested a meeting with their group’s board last Friday to inform NDNC they’re negotiating to lease 5214 Delridge Way, which prior to a recent round of renovations had a troubled history, as home to Delridge Vacuum and TV, whose license was revoked by the city two years ago.
Prior to Kohlhaas’s report, we had already heard the new Delridge-dispensary report from a source who asked not to be identified, so we had been trying to reach WAM ownership to find out more. An associate of the owners eventually called our reporter back to ask that questions be e-mailed, and we are still awaiting a reply. If a facility does open at this site on Delridge, it would be the fourth known current/upcoming medical-marijuana enterprise in West Seattle (after GAME Collective on California SW midway between Alaska and Morgan Junctions, and Pharmaseed on Alki, now in operation, with Northwest Patient Resource Center coming to 35th/Roxbury), in addition to two new ones in the heart of the White Center business district just south of West Seattle, the GAME Collective “lounge” and Herban Legends.
This all comes as the status of the burgeoning medical-marijuana industry remains somewhat clouded, since Governor Gregoire vetoed much of a bill that both houses of the State Legislature passed in hopes of regulating it. There’s talk now of an alternate bill before the Legislature’s current special session ends; in the meantime, dispensaries remain illegal under state law (as reiterated on this state website), even though medical marijuana itself was legalized by voter initiative in 1997, but local authorities have not yet indicated how they’ll be handled if no state regulation is forthcoming.
(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
Just a few days ago, we checked in with Drea, owner of The Sneakery, to ask about progress toward opening their new store in The Junction (former Liberty Bell Printing storefront at 4736 California). She thought it might be a week or two. Then suddenly, Desiree sent word late today that The Sneakery had decided to go ahead and open (she also sent the tip in February that they were on the way). WSB contributor Katie Meyer went over for a few photos. Above, that’s Drea (right) and Jess; next two shots, some of the merchandise:
‘Drea says they were testing the cash-register software and receipt printer anyway, and feeling the need for some sunlight in the west-facing shop, so they opened the doors. The inventory will continue to grow in the days/weeks ahead. Here’s the hours they have posted for now:
With the line outside City Mouse Studio and Store (WSB sponsor) in The Junction this morning, you’d have thought a rock star was visiting. Oh wait – one was:
The strollers might have been a giveaway – the rock star on hand was Chris Ballew, aka Caspar Babypants, posing above with City Mouse proprietor Donna Ryan. Her photography studio/children’s-merchandise store is celebrating its first anniversary at 4218 SW Alaska, and CB performed two wall-to-wall-crowded mini-concerts to help celebrate:
City Mouse also just launched an online store – check out the site for a discount code to get you 20 percent off a first-time purchase. (And Donna says locals can pick up online-bought merchandise at the Junction store to save shipping fees.)
There’s no surer sign of a baby boom in West Seattle than a business boom in services for mothers with babies. Here’s the newest sign: Nurturing Expressions has just opened a store in The Junction. But owner Tracy Corey is no newcomer – she’s been running Nurturing Expressions since 2004, and is a board-certified lactation consultant (as well as a 20-year-veteran registered nurse). The store’s “we’re open!” announcement, however, says it’s not just a store for moms who choose to breastfeed their children: “Whether mothers choose to breastfeed, pump, bottle feed or do a combination, their team of consultants will support mothers and their babies through all stages of feeding.” For nursing moms, they have classes (here’s the current schedule), support groups, and merchandise, including breast pumps and nursing bras. And at the store, they have a private breastfeeding room where moms can get coaching and support. The store’s in Junction Tower – the same building as longtime WSB sponsor Westside Dermatology – 4746 44th SW (on the second floor). You’ll also find Corey and her coaching online – not just on the Nursing Expressions website, but also on Twitter as @theboobiecoach. (Photo courtesy Nurturing Expressions)
(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.
Morgan Junction’s own rock ‘n’ roll lounge/restaurant is rocking harder than usual tonight, since the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW) is celebrating its second birthday. We dropped in looking to get a celebratory shot of proprietors Jeff Gilbert and Matt Johnson and … well, next thing you know, half the party was in the picture. As their latest newsletter explains, the “calendar birthday” was actually this past Monday, but they moved the bash to Saturday. Jeff tells us much excitement is ahead in Year 3 – details soon. In the meantime, Matt is previewing a cocktail dubbed the “Thousand-Yard Stare” tonight; a new drink menu is in the works, and The Feedback just launched a new lunch/dinner menu this past week (from Banh Mi to Bourbon Walnut Chicken – see the new menu here [PDF]). Still time to join the party – or drop in some other time (the newsletter lists a long roster of upcoming events, from Cinco de Mayo to Mother’s Day to a Sinatra tribute).
The sunshine’s great for shopping and strolling, and that had a lot of people starting their Tax-Free Day in The Junction by lining up for something to drink at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor). All along The Junction’s main streets, look for those red balloons – along with sales above and beyond the participating merchants picking up your sales tax, like this deal on bags at Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor):
ADDED: We dropped by Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) late in the afternoon to ask how the day had gone – busy! they told us (between customers). And inside Easy Street, shoppers were browsing classic vinyl:
As much as possible, I like to use what already exists on the property. By designing in this manner, I can keep the installation costs down. I find it amazing how the aesthetics of your yard can be improved just by manipulating what you already have.” 
Lora Clothier is getting ready to open her own business; but first, she has a championship to win.
Another new West Seattle business has set its opening date. We 
Another of the ex-Huling buildings in The Triangle won’t be empty much longer. 
That possibility seemed to fade, as 
There’s no surer sign of a baby boom in West Seattle than a business boom in services for mothers with babies. Here’s the newest sign: 
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