West Seattle, Washington
12 Tuesday
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:
…but no opening date announced THERE yet.
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!
Yours Truly,
Jodie and Kimberly
(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!
We thank the CoHo Team of Windermere Agents 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.
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.)
Another of the ex-Huling buildings in The Triangle won’t be empty much longer. We first reported in late January that Oregon-based Les Schwab Tires was seeking city permits to open up a West Seattle location at 3801 SW Alaska (map) in The Triangle; now, permits have been issued – for construction, and for its signage.
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):
Here’s the list of participants, and some of the deals (more to be found when you’re there in-store). Also note, while you’re in The Junction, it’s Record Store Day at indie shops around the country – always a big day at Easy Street Records.
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:
A WSB’er pointed out to us that Easy Street just got a shoutout in a TIME.com story noting 10 great American record stores:
(Photo by Katie Meyer for WSB)
Checking city permits, we discovered yet another new business on the way to the southeastern end of the heart of the West Seattle Junction. Between Yummy Teriyaki and the future Bang Bar Restaurant and Lounge, a tobacco shop is in the works for the space best known as a former laundromat. WSB contributor Katie Meyer found the proprietors of what is listed on a city-permit application as “West Seattle Tobacco Company,” though they have not finalized a name yet. They tell her the store will cater to cigar smokers – no smoking on the premises, but they plan to stock “quality” cigars, including Dominican and Brazilian imports. They also plan to sell cigarettes, loose tobacco, and accessories. As you enter the space, they say you will see cigar humidors flanking the entrance, with other tobacco items further inside. The decor is expected to include warm colors, rugs, and even a chandelier. The shop-setup work is still in the very early stages, but they are hoping to be open in about a month and a half.
(April 3 photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB)
We first told you almost two weeks ago about a gift shop planned for part of the ex-On Safari Foods storefront along 35th SW south of SW Henderson. We subsequently invited its owner to tell us more about her new business, and we’ve received her reply – with not only grand-opening plans for May 1st, but also some other special events coming up:
Hi! I’m Gail Hebert, sole proprietor of the new gift shop at 9003 35th Avenue SW, across from the Southwest Branch of the Library.
Name: Hebert’s Den (My last name is pronounced A-Bear) with the catch phrase, “A Thrifty Gift Shop.”
I’ll be selling handmade items (decorator felt pillows, cup pincushions, scarves, potholders) and gew-gaws.
There will be a Rummage Table, so that everyone can leave with something.
There will be a seating area where people can enjoy a cup o’ tea.
There will be a weekly featured clothing ensemble in small, medium and large.
I will sell other people’s stuff from clothes to furniture to knick-knacks, i.e., consignment.
I will sell art.
Grand Opening is Sunday, May 1, from 1:00-5:00 pm. Regular Business Hours will be Wednesday-Saturday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Tuesday evenings from 6:00-9:00 pm will be Salon Nite, (except for the first Tuesday, May 3) will be either music with Gail & Friends, a needlecraft circle, or a discussion (examples: New York City: Love it or Hate It?, tell a story based on themes picked out of a hat, Your Favorite Baseball Team).
Two Sundays a month from 1:00-5:00 pm will be special events.
May 1: Grand Opening
May 22: A Birthday Party for Gail
June 12: Hawaiian King Kamehameha Day
June 26: The Big Dance – Swing It!
The building’s owner had told WSB that the space would be split into thirds; as reported here Wednesday, a remodeling company is moving into one of the other two. (On Safari moved to SODO.)
Dozens of comments and questions ensued when we broke the news Monday that a medical-marijuana business is moving into the former Payday Loans space on the northeast corner of 35th/Roxbury. John Davis, owner of the forthcoming Northwest Patient Resource Center, told WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz that day that it will be a “facility,” not a “dispensary.” WSB’ers asked, what’s the difference? So that’s part of our followup:Read More
(From left, Jim Klossner, Keith Schiller, Matthew Flaph)
WSB contributor Bill Hutchison just discovered that another new tenant has opened an office in the former On Safari storefront in Westwood, at 9007 35th Ave SW. We reported earlier this month that a collectibles/gifts shop was moving into a third of the space, leaving two other vacancies, and now we know one has been taken by Green Home Renovations, a partner-owned business that began three years ago down in Portland. “Now we’ve set our sights on Seattle,” says president Keith Schiller, with whom Bill spoke along with partners Ryan Brooks and Matthew Flaph. They’re offering window replacement, siding, “living roofs,” and kitchen and bedroom remodeling, as what they call “green solutions” to boost homes’ energy-efficiency (among other factors).
Last Friday afternoon, we published a quick first report shortly after taking a hard-hat tour of the Admiral Safeway construction site – focusing mostly on the news that the new California-fronting retail building on the site has its first signed tenant, Umpqua Bank. This morning: A closer look at what’s happening on the site. Safeway’s Sara Corn says it’s still on schedule – albeit a “tight” schedule – for the new store to open in exactly four months, on August 12th – which is 11 months after site demolition began. They are working for LEED environmental certification, which means extra steps in the process, like the duct-wrapping above. More ahead:Read More
Earlier today, we published the story of Pathfinder K-8 “Penny Harvest” participants deciding to donate $500 to West Seattle for Japan after a visit from its organizer, Dave Montoure of West 5. We asked Dave if there was an update on the community fundraising total; he said an announcement was in the works – and here it is:
Today I have submitted a request to an anonymous corporate donor to match the $8,591.45 raised by our businesses and our community during the West Seattle for Japan donation drive on Sunday, March 27th. If they agree to the full match our total raised will be $17,182.90.
This is an astonishing amount of money to be raised in such a short period of time. It speaks volumes about the caring nature of our businesses and our community. I couldn¹t be more proud to call West Seattle home.
In addition to the funds raised and matched through our donation drive, I have worked with several other donors and wish to recognize the efforts of Nancy McManus of QuallyQue for her efforts during the “tweetup” raffle for Japan relief.
I wish to also recognize the effort of a great group of kids at Pathfinder K-8. Through their ‘Penny Harvest’ program they are donating $500 to the WS4J relief effort and I have secured at least one corporate donor that will match that generous amount I am pretty sure I can leverage several other corporate donors to match what the Pathfinder children have donated with a goal of turning their pennies into dimes (or dollars). If you are aware of any potential donors, and would like me to approach them, please forward contact information to me directly.
Moving forward I will wait for the donor¹s response and when those funds are deposited I will split the proceeds 50/50 and have one check delivered to Peace Winds America (so they can remit to their office in Tokyo) and will have one check transferred to the account of KnK International’s bank in Tokyo. No agency fees have been taken, no credit card percentages have been charged, no bank fees will accrue. This is real money, getting directly into the hands of people who need it the most.
Thank you
Dave Montoure
West 5
If you missed the big day of fundraising on March 27th involving almost 30 businesses, here are links to WSB morning-till-night as-it-happened coverage: Morning report here; afternoon report here; evening report here.
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