West Seattle, Washington
12 Tuesday
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.
It’s one big outdoor party till 3 pm at West Seattle Nursery, as their 28th annual Open House continues. Above, that’s WSN general manager Marcia Bruno stopping by the Sustainable West Seattle tent just outside the nursery’s California SW entrance, as she circulated with treats. If you bring a tool to donate to the newly relocated West Seattle Tool Library, you get a coupon for $5 off a WSN purchase – within 15 minutes of the open house’s start, they already had a donation! Steps away, Scratch and Peck Feeds‘ Dennis sported a memorable hat:
And he in turn was steps away from Don Driftmier‘s Magna Cüm Latte espresso stand … free drinks!
Free seminars too (chickens were the theme for the first seminar of the day, led by Bonnie, who was wearing the rest of the chicken suit). Two more years, by the way, and WS Nursery will be celebrating its thirtieth anniversary.
Safeway says the first tenant has been signed for the new retail building on its Admiral site – Umpqua Bank. That’s part of what we found out during a hard-hat tour with neighborhood leaders this afternoon; the tour had been in the works for weeks, and today’s sunshine finally made it possible. Sara Corn from Safeway’s real-estate division says Umpqua will take about a third of the space; she describes it as “boutique” (here’s a video showing what one of its newer branches looks like, on Capitol Hill – coffee and chocolates, as well as cash). They’re still looking for other tenants; there will not be an in-store bank branch at the Safeway, but it will have a BECU ATM. We’re working on a separate story with multiple views from inside the project site; among them – from the store roof, which will be primarily a parking level with more than 100 spaces, there’s a view toward downtown, including the Space Needle:
And on the California Avenue side, there’s a sweeping view staircase down from the parking deck (next to an elevator tower if you would rather not, or cannot, walk) to the store:
The elevator concrete will be poured this week. We have more to show you regarding what they’re doing as they aim for LEED certification (they won’t know what level till their “points” are added up); that’s coming in a separate report. If you’re wondering about the recent protests, there’s no new information/comment on that but one of the tour participants, Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum, tells WSB she is trying to get Carpenters’ Council and construction-company reps to come discuss it at ANA’s meeting next Tuesday (7 pm, Admiral Church).
ADDED 6:38 PM: Walum confirms the Carpenters Council will be at the meeting; she’s still working on the other side. And regarding the project’s schedule – Corn told us that they’re still on schedule (albeit a “tight” schedule) for opening the store on August 12th.
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.
More than a few West Seattle businesspeople spent part of today in “lockup” – but it was for a good cause, and they didn’t do anything wrong. They joined in a Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser where they had to rustle up donations in order to get “bailed out.” Above, Todd Ainsworth of West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor); below, Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy of Mac’s Triangle Pub on the West Seattle/White Center border in the south Delridge Triangle:
We photographed both at Angelina’s in Admiral, which served as the “lockup” host site for West Seattle participants, once they were picked up by Seattle firefighters! It was up to the “locked up” to figure out how to get friends, family, clients, etc., to chip in donations so they could get out and get on with the rest of the day; one of the most enterprising was longtime WSB sponsor Rhonda Porter, who’s one of our area’s most active businesspeople on Twitter, Facebook, and the Web, and used them all to round up enough cash to get out within an hour or so! It’s not too late to donate – for example, Rhonda’s page is here, WS Autoworks’ page is here. If we can find Mac’s link, we’ll add it tooAnd here’s Mac’s link; plus, here’s somebody else who tweeted theirs – Cheryl from Twilight Artist Collective – (donation link 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.
As first reported here in February, On Safari Foods has moved to SODO from its former headquarters at 9005 35th SW; the lettering across the building’s facade was just taken down the other day. Owner Jim Sullivan is leasing the building as three spaces and tells WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz that a tenant has just been signed for one – a gift shop selling handcrafted items, collectibles, and other gifts, expected to open later this month; the other two are still available. More to come.
It’s been a day for balloons, punch, cupcakes, the candy jar, and raffling today at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village, celebrating its 6th anniversary with a sale starting today. We managed to catch co-owner Kirk Keppler this afternoon during a brief break in a busy day. If you see this before 6 pm, there’s still time to drop by and wish them “Happy Anniversary” – they’re closed Sunday/Monday, but the sale lasts all month, resuming next Tuesday.
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Their official first anniversary – as noted here – was two weeks back, but tonight was the night the owners of Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction set aside for the party, and they welcomed plenty of guests. Bin 41 owners T. Frick and Jon McNamara also donated the night’s $5 tasting fee – as they have done the past several tastings – to Japan quake/tsunami relief.
Guest winemakers tonight were from West Seattle – from left in the photo above, winemaker Chris Gorman, Bin 41’s Jon McNamara, winemaker Darby English, Bin 41’s T. Frick McNamara. Surprises were promised – and those turned out to include raffles, with prizes including the Argentinian wine boxes Jon holds below:
The guest winemakers were pouring Cabernets and Syrahs, WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen reports: Gorman poured his “Pixie,” 100% Syrah, and “Zachary’s Ladder,” which is a Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot mix, named after his son. Darby poured from his original line, but his main feature was an unveiling of his new line “Live Wire”; he poured a Cabernet Franc and a Syrah from Live Wire.
Till 7 pm, you can go taste “Pan-Seared Halibut with Spicy Tomato Chutney” – and polenta on the side – at Seattle Fish Company in The Junction, with West Seattle chef Erin Coopey (online at culinary-artist.com). The recipe is on the chef’s website; tonight, there’s wine tasting to accompany the fish, too. Then from 7-10 pm in The Junction, Carmilia’s, Clementine, Edie’s, and Sweetie are open for the Spring Fashion Fling – explained here.
Today, we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, H.D. Robinson, LLC. New sponsors are offered the chance to tell you about their business, and here’s what H.D. Robinson wants you to know:
H.D. Robinson is a small family-owned construction company that specializes in custom new homes and remodels throughout the greater Seattle area with a solid dedication to quality and strong service during your project and after completion. We pride ourselves on working with homeowners and architects to create exceptional homes.
One of our most recent projects includes a cutting-edge modern design by an outstanding local architect, Peter Bocek, with a crisp ability to create exceptional lineal design atop Fauntleroy Hills with a panoramic view from Mt. Rainier to the Northern Olympics. The house and pool are heated by an efficient geothermal system, with an exterior rain-screen system with exceptional interior finishes. The best way to see our projects is to take a look at our website and give us a call to talk about your future project: www.hdrbuilders.com.
We thank H.D. Robinson 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.
According to the Daily Journal of Commerce (if you subscribe, here’s the link), West Seattle’s Westwood Village shopping center is about to get a new owner. The DJC says Bentall Kennedy is buying Westwood Village from Wesbild for $78 million but isn’t planning major changes (the article mentions parking-lot upgrades, and painting). The DJC says Wesbild also just sold Burien Town Square, to a different buyer, for $14 million. The current WV website says Wesbild has owned the center for more than 20 years.
(GOOGLE MAP of West Seattle for Japan participants’ locations – click here to see it or scroll down the WSB home page. Our morning coverage is here; our afternoon coverage is here.)
If you haven’t already been out to join in the nearly-30-business fundraiser West Seattle for Japan – or even if you have! – there are places to go and things to do tonight. Above, the WS4Japan poster outside Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW: WSB sponsor), whose proprietor Jeff Gilbert designed it – they’re donating the profits from food and beverages sold today/tonight. Inside, Leslie and Amy were behind the bar as of about an hour ago:
We dropped by The Bridge (35th SW just south of Avalon) at mid-afternoon, while LT was behind the bar:
According to The Bridge’s Facebook page, she’s made way for successors tonight – but they’re continuing on as The Triangle’s anchor for the fundraiser. In The Junction, Mashiko is offering a $25 bento tonight, half the proceeds to be donated, with its ingredients highlighting Northeastern Japan traditions. (Photo added – Mashiko’s owner Chef Hajime Sato hard at work tonight:)
Other places open tonight from the official list on the West Seattle for Japan Facebook page’s info tab – West 5‘s spinning with DJ Deanzig tonight – here’s the story proprietor Dave Montoure did with KING 5 earlier today:
Also part of West Seattle for Japan tonight, Shadowland, Mission, Porterhouse, Beveridge Place Pub, Skylark Café and Club (with the Spike reunion), Fresh Bistro, JaK’s Grill, Wing Dome, and Taqueria Guaymas.
(GOOGLE MAP of West Seattle for Japan participants’ locations – click here or scroll down WSB home page. Our morning coverage is here. And remember, this continues on into the evening, be part of it tonight!)
We’re in The Junction as the all-day-all-night West Seattle for Japan benefit continues. Above, Dave Montoure of West 5, who hatched the idea, and Pat Schmitt of Peace Winds America, one of the beneficiaries. We talked with them a little while ago to find out exactly what your money is going for – Peace Winds is based in Seattle, with an affiliate in Japan, and people on the ground in four of the hardest-hit cities in northeastern Japan. For just one example – Schmitt says they just delivered more than 500 kerosene stoves, and thousands of gallons of fuel, to areas where quake/tsunami survivors are having a hard time staying warm. The operation is moving soon from relief to recovery – they will need to help rebuild. Peace Winds is one of the largest NGOs (non-government organizations) helping in Japan, Schmitt explains. Montoure used to live in the quake zone and says he has spoken with a friend who told him the situation at shelters is hard to imagine. So your money’s going to a great cause – like the donations being collected in this box at West 5:
And the donation jar near the turntables at Red Cup Espresso about a block north (it’s always Turntable Sunday at Red Cup):
Up California SW a bit further, you’ll find these special bags at Cherry Consignment, bonuses for those buying at least $20:
Then back into the heart of The Junction, Easy Street Records is among those donating part of their proceeds today – here’s our overview of the shopping crowd:
And at Many Moons Trading Company, in the midblock breezeway off the west side of California SW between Oregon and Alaska, sidewalk chalk invites you inside:
On Alaska just east of California, there’s City Mouse Studio and Store (WSB sponsor):
Also, CAPERS, where WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen photographed Mary Summers:
The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is participating too, and we’re off to see what’s going on there – less than half an hour to go, but lots of time to get to the *other* venues (Team WSB is stopping by others too) – the list is on the info tab of the West Seattle for Japan FB page; also, if you missed the link atop this story, we have the 27 participants with storefronts all mapped here. Don’t miss the chance to be part of a community-wide effort to help … we even spotted King County Executive Dow Constantine (getting an origami-crane-making lesson right after we arrived at West 5 just before noon).
ADDED 4:40 PM: Remember, Morgan Junction is in on this too, with Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and Beveridge Place Pub, which has this cool sign on the sidewalk:
More to come – there’s dinner and entertainment still part of the deal.
(GOOGLE MAP of West Seattle for Japan participants’ locations – click here or scroll down WSB home page – meantime, for this report, we are putting our latest stops FIRST, below!)
THIRD REPORT, 11:23 AM: WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen stopped by Coffee to a Tea with Sugar and found their contribution to West Seattle for Japan – cherry-blossom cupcakes, with ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the proceeds donated! They’re in The Junction at 4541 California SW. (Earlier coverage continues below:)
SECOND REPORT, 11 AM: We’ve just visited the southernmost stop on the West Seattle for Japan map at 10223 26th SW, Village Green Perennial Nursery. Proprietor Vera and team are out back with the plants and open till 4:30 pm today. She is donating a percentage of proceeds. Also, before we get to The Junction, we asked WSB contributor Ellen to send a quick camphone pic of origami-crane-making at West 5 – here’s WS4Japan mastermind Dave and friends working on cranes:
Earlier coverage below:
FIRST REPORT, 10:19 AM: We are on the road covering West Seattle for Japan – one of our first stops, Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW; WSB sponsor), where the menu shown in our iPhone photo lists their brunch cocktails, with $1 from each one going to the Japan relief fund. Tonight at Skylark, something special too – Rod Moody (who you may know as webguy for Easy Street Records and Café, also participating today) sends word that he and Spike (for which he is singer/guitarist) are playing for the first time in more than a decade! 9 pm at Skylark. Much more to come as we stop by other WS4J venues (you can share your photos too – editor@westseattleblog.com).
(ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: Highlights of participants’ specific donation opportunities, as we find them!)
Sunday’s the day – eat, drink, shop, rock out around West Seattle (and a bit beyond!) as part of a community-wide benefit for Japan earthquake/tsunami relief. Just eight days after West 5 proprietor Dave Montoure announced the plan, 27 local businesses are on board – and hours from now, it’s up to you. The list of participants resides on the official West Seattle for Japan Facebook page – follow the “info” link and be sure to click “see more” on that page. The 27 that are signed up so far are in our Google map (and we’ll add any more that are announced). Each business is doing something different – there’s food, drink, music, shopping, origami-crane-making. The two nonprofits to receive what’s raised by West Seattle for Japan are Peace Winds Japan and KnK Japan.
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: Highlights, and we are continuing to add to them:
WEST 5: Stop by starting in the brunch hours and make origami paper cranes! In the evening, DJ Deanzig will be spinning.
SKYLARK CAFE AND CLUB: Start the day with brunch at Skylark (a WSB sponsor), 9 am-3 pm – $1 from every brunch cocktail will be donated to the Japan relief effort, per the Skylark website.
FEEDBACK LOUNGE: Profits from every food/drink purchase at The Feedback (also a WSB sponsor) today go to Japan relief (per website for Feedback, also a WSB sponsor).
BIN 41 WINE SHOP: Noon-2 pm wine tasting with Small Vineyards; $5 fixed fee with 100% going to the relief fund.
BEER JUNCTION: Donating 10% of sales, plus a beer tasting 3-6 pm, try two beers for $1 (the fee also will be donated).
MEANDER’S KITCHEN: Donating 10 percent of today’s proceeds.
RED CUP ESPRESSO: Donating 25 percent of today’s proceeds.
MASHIKO RESTAURANT: On the Mashiko website, Chef Hajime Sato writes that they are offering a special bento with the flavors of Northeast Japan, $25, half of that price going to the relief effort.
CITY MOUSE STUDIO: Donating 20 percent of today’s sales.
CAPERS: Donating 15 percent of today’s sales.
VILLAGE GREEN PERENNIAL NURSERY: Donating a percentage of the day’s sales.
WEST SEATTLE PRODUCE: Donating a percentage of the day’s sales.
MANY MOONS TRADING COMPANY: Having a 50 percent off sale and inviting patrons to “donate the money you save” to the Japan relief effort.
(WSB photo from 4/17/2010 – Brunette Mix [WSB sponsor] is participating again this year)
Yes, it’s not technically a tax-free day – but it’s definitely a DISCOUNT day. On this special date in The Junction, participating merchants pay your sales tax, so you get a discount of at least 9.5 percent. The West Seattle Junction Association has just announced this year’s version of what is becoming an annual tradition – on Saturday, April 16th, 10 am-6 pm, 37 merchants are signed up (see the list here). When you go to The Junction that day, look for the red balloons, which mean you’ll find “all-day tax-free shopping,” as the official announcement puts it, “as well as deep discounts on a wide range of goods and services.” Follow the list link to see some of those discounts!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The need for a state law to regulate medical-marijuana dispensaries is “a public safety issue, not a civil-liberties issue.”
That’s what Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes told WSB this afternoon, as we sought a followup conversation regarding three recent events: First, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council discussed dispensaries last week, after a fleeting report that one might move into a Delridge Way storefront; then, a West Seattle dispensary was targeted by armed robbers last Saturday night; and third, a committee chaired by West Seattle State Rep. Eileen Cody is considering the bill, SB 5073, that would create the regulation Seattle and other city leaders are hoping for. (The online legislative record doesn’t reflect this so far, but Holmes said his understanding was that the committee voted narrowly in favor of the bill today, with amendments he was waiting to hear about.)
We contacted Holmes because a policy expert from his office, John Schochet, had spoken at last week’s district-council meeting, declaring that dispensaries are “technically not legal” and saying that if the state doesn’t take action, Seattle will have to do something.
What would that something be? we asked Holmes today. The only thing he could be clear on is that inaction wouldn’t be an option – though it’s what’s being (not) done right now.
“We need to do something. Right now these are felony operations,” Holmes said, and “allowing them to continue proliferating” – he estimates there are 30 in Seattle – is not in anyone’s best interest.
Yet moving to shut them all down isn’t in anyone’s best interest either, he contends, since that would take a massive amount of law-enforcement time and jail space.
Three business-anniversary celebrations of note:
BIN 41 WINE SHOP: Today is the one-year anniversary of the “soft opening” for Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction. We stopped in to photograph owners T. Frick McNamara and Jon McNamara; they’re planning a big celebration for April 1st, but today has sentimental value. They’re also continuing with Friday night tastings – 5:30-7 pm this Friday, it’s winemakers from the Willamette Valley.
MAX AND QUINN’S ATOMIC BOYS SHOP-O-RAMA: The Admiral District toys-memorabilia-and-other-quirky-stuff shop at 4311 SW Admiral Way is celebrating three years in business. They’ve announced a party for this Saturday, 10 am-6 pm, “food, fun, and games.”
And there’s a big anniversary for a little Morgan Junction restaurant:
(Photo by Bill Hutchison for WSB)
ABBONDANZA TURNS TEN: To thank customers who have kept them in business for a decade, through ups and downs, even as more eateries moved into the area, Abbondanza is now open for lunch, with a special “Presto, Presto” offering 11 am-2 pm Mondays-Fridays, two for one through April 15th (back to regular pricing after that) – pan pizza and soup or salad. They also are serving brunch, 9 am-2 pm, $11.95 fixed price, “with an Italian flair,” we’re told – that includes options such as eggs Florentine, an Italian frittata, Croccante Signore (like a Croque Monsieur), or Spaghetti Pie. Abbondanza is at 6503 California SW, just south of the intersection with Fauntleroy.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you’ve seen the agenda for next week’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, you might have noticed this item:
Discussion on Medical Marijuana Dispensary @ 5214 Delridge Way
There isn’t one there now, but word circulated in the neighborhood this past week that one was planned for that address, which has been undergoing renovations for months. It’s the same spot that evokes unpleasant memories for longtime community members, since it was long home to Delridge Vacuum and TV, whose license was revoked by the city two years ago after ongoing controversy about everything from the nature of the business to its street-front appearance, plus a criminal investigation.
After hearing about the reported dispensary plan, we tried to confirm it. We attempted to contact the property’s owner, including a visit to the site, but were told he was unreachable till next week; a broker representing at least one space at the address told WSB the space she represented hadn’t been rented yet. A check of the DPD records for the address only mentions a salon, office and live-work unit.
Then we checked today with Southwest Precinct leadership, who say they have word the plan may have changed.
Just in from Shannon Felix of Avalon Glassworks, on behalf of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce awards committee – the big announcement about who will be honored at the Chamber’s annual awards breakfast on April 6th:
The results are in! Thank you to all who submitted nominations for The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Program. From a pool of over one dozen businesses, the committee has selected Salty’s on Alki as the WestSide Business of the Year for 2010. Please join us in honoring them at the Awards Breakfast, coincidentally, at Salty’s on Alki on April 6, 2011. All the nominees represented the quality West Seattle businesses which make us proud, including: West Seattle Thriftway, Mashiko, Bakery Nouveau, Stor-More, Auto Buff, Click! Design That Fits, Luna Park Cafe, ZippyDogs, Roxbury Lanes, Husky Deli, J.F. Henry, and Avalon Glassworks.
A new award category this year is WestSide Emerging Business of the Year. Congratulation to Mountain To Sound Outfitters for being the first recipient and a strong addition to our business community. Some other fresh faces are already making a great impression. Nominees for WestSide Emerging Business of the Year, a category that honored those in business less than three years, included: Tuscan Tea Room, Fresh Bistro, Service Dog Academy, Suite Arrangements, The Swinery, Westside Yoga & Doga, West Seattle Produce Co., The Andover School, Avalon Restaurant, and Feedback Lounge.
Also new this year is the Not-For-Profit category, to which The West Seattle Farmers Market has been chosen WestSide Not-for-Profit Business of the Year. West Seattle is home to some hard-working Not-for-Profit organizations. Nominees for this inaugural award included West Seattle Helpline, Seattle Chinese Garden Society, WestSide Baby, and Rotary Club of West Seattle.
Finally, the second-annual WestSider of the Year award goes to Richard Jump, charismatic executive director of the White Center Food Bank. Since becoming executive director six years ago, he has expanded the programs of the food bank with a new user-friendly facility, additional staff and volunteers, the Baby Pantry, and a Mobile Food Bank to reach even more members of the community. “Every program enhancement or building design decision gives great focus on client dignity and convenience,” expresses Nancy Woodland of WestSide Baby. “He recognizes goodness in people, and builds relationships.”
For more information, or to purchase tickets for the WestSide Annual Awards Program Presentation, contact the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, 206-932-5685.
As last year’s Business of the Year honorees, we at WSB congratulate this year’s winners – see you at the breakfast! (P.S. The Chamber’s regular monthly meeting today was at the Southwest Precinct, and some interesting information about West Seattle crimefighting emerged – watch for the story here later.)
| 77 COMMENTS