West Seattle, Washington
12 Tuesday
It was a new-year celebration of sorts today for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, with a capacity crowd – we counted more than 65 people – for its annual meeting over lunch at High Point Neighborhood 
Center. For one, it marked the changing of the guard; at right, L-R, outgoing board chair Jerome O. Cohen joined CEO Patti Mullen in welcoming new board chair Dave Montoure (West 5). When Montoure asked the lunch crowd how many were attending their first Chamber lunch, more than a few hands rocketed up. The businesses represented in the room ranged from retail to real estate, banks to bars, media to mortuaries, and beyond; they convened small groups to brainstorm ideas for boosting West Seattle’s economic health. That, in fact, should be the Chamber’s number one mission, according to more than half the respondents in a survey the WSCC conducted recently. Comparing the 2010 survey responses to earlier years – 2003 and 2006 – it was clear to see how priorities have changed; strengthening the economy is way up, providing networking opportunities way down. The respondents’ assessment of the Chamber’s relevance to their businesses was dramatically higher, too – less than a fifth of the respondents in 2003 thought it was relevant; now, almost all respondents said its relevance is either high or medium. One big focus for this year is to expand efforts to get the word out, on and off the peninsula, about West Seattle’s businesses and other attributes. You’ll see that online, too, with a tourism-based website (experiencewestseattle.com – not up yet) in the works, and a new Facebook page for the Chamber (ready to be “liked” – just go here). Want to get involved in other ways as the Chamber keeps growing? Membership info’s here.
In its newest e-mail newsletter, Bird on a Wire Espresso confirms that Heavenly Pastry and Cake “has closed its doors completely” in the Admiral location where it had briefly operated the retail storefront that Bird recently took over. But never fear, Bird proprietor Heidi Herr writes, the brewing — and baking – will go on, along with a variety of culinary creations:
If you haven’t heard, Heavenly Pastry has closed its doors completely but has graciously gifted us their Heavenly Raspberry Scone recipe! You can get it at both shops, along with MORE “nest”-baked goods a’la our newly-certified baker, Kayla! Look for new scones, savory bites, bread puddings, quick breads, crepes (Bird Deux only), in addition to our home-cooked soups, sandwiches, quiches, strata, casseroles & more!
We had left a message seeking comment from Heavenly’s owners after getting a WSB’er tip about their closure earlier this week, but so far, no reply.
Westwood Village will soon have two grocery stores. Target confirms to WSB that they are converting the Westwood store to include a full grocery operation. Regional manager Randy Kraum says construction is scheduled to start in early March and continue for about three months, but the store will NOT close at any point during the work – starting in April, he says, you’ll “see some changes on the sales floor (that) might be a little disruptive,” but the store will stay open. The store has added more food items in recent years, but this will be a full grocery store, including meat and produce.
Why do this when there’s already a supermarket (QFC) steps away in Westwood Village? Kraum says the company is making the conversion with most of its stores – after converting more than 300 last year, they’re converting 400 more nationwide this year, and another 400 or so next year. Since this is being done within the store’s existing footprint – nothing to be added on – we asked if some current merchandise would be discontinued; answer – the men’s-clothing offerings will shrink a bit. The project staging is planned for the back of the store, so the front parking area used by most customers won’t be affected. If it all remains on schedule, a “grand reopening” celebration is planned June 5th. According to notations on the project’s city webpage, this is a $1 million remodel.
We had checked out rumors in the past few weeks that this was likely to happen – but no official announcement was made till now. Thanks to Aaron for sharing e-mail from Arcane Comics confirming its West Seattle store (3219 California SW) is closing:
“Arcane Comics West Seattle is closing. Over the last two years we have appreciated the opportunity to serve the West Seattle neighborhood.
For subscribers, we will continue pulling your subscriptions through January 19th. We are more than happy to move your subscription boxes to Ballard at any point between now and then. However, we realize that Ballard may be too long of a trip for your comic books. If you would like we are more than happy to e-mail your subscription list to any shop of your choosing as well. Just let us know what you are interested in doing.
You can send an e-mail to acws@arcanecomics.net letting us know if you prefer Ballard, another Shop or closing your box. Let us know at your earliest convenience. We will be making other announcements throughout the weeks ahead. But you who have supported us through this process will be the first alerted.
As of today Monday, January 10th, 2011 only at Arcane Comics West Seattle Location – All single issue comics are $1.00. 50% off everything else in the store.”
Arcane opened in April 2009, taking over part of the storefront previously occupied by Prudential Northwest Realty before its move to Jefferson Square.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions involves home remodeling … there’s a chance this week to find out more about how the process works, no cost, no obligation. Longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction is resuming its series of free workshops with information on remodeling (and custom building), 6 pm this Tuesday (January 11th). At right is a photo Ventana shared that shows one of their more unusual recent projects – a bathroom where the tile installation creates the appearance of a “pool” in the bamboo flooring, “spilling” down past the Vetrazzo countertop. Ventana also has a project in the January issue of Seattle Homes and Lifestyles magazine (page 72, headed “Green Living,” not online yet). If you’re interested in the Tuesday workshop, just call to RSVP – they’re at (206) 932-3009.
The former Hollywood Video/Game Crazy location at Westwood Village (which closed in July) will soon be home to Game Stop. As noted in the WSB Forums, the DPD page for the site mentions Game Stop, and WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz subsequently confirmed with the 15th/Roxbury Game Stop manager, AJ Hans, that the Westwood location is to be open by summertime. Hans says they haven’t been told whether the Roxbury shop will stay open once the Westwood shop is up and running. Meantime, Westwood Village manager Stuart Crandall tells WSB there’s a second tenant planned for part of the space, but they’re not ready to discuss it publicly because a deal isn’t entirely finalized yet.
ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: More information from Westwood Village’s Crandall – “The Hollywood Video space is being divided into three spaces. We have potential tenants for two of the three spaces, but will have a 3000-square-foot end cap vacancy remaining to lease after the two tenants have taken possession.”
We covered the actual opening last week, but the grand-opening news didn’t arrive till today: The new 35th/Barton 7-11 plans a grand-opening party 11 am-1 pm** this Friday (January 7th) with freebies, says the announcement: “…complimentary sandwiches, grill items, drinks, chips, and dessert, to name just some of the items. 7-Eleven will be giving away prizes for all visitors as well.” (We asked – the free drinks will include Slurpees.)
**Time changed since original publication.
Hello again, and happy 2011. Some of the basics for this holiday Saturday – Metro‘s on a Sunday schedule. No mail; banks are closed; no trash pickup, and the transfer station’s closed; city libraries are closed; these parks facilities are closed. As for coffee/grocery stores/restaurants: Please note that what follows is NOT the same type of list we published for Thanksgiving and Christmas – for this holiday, rather than call every establishment in West Seattle to find out their plans, we tried an online experiment, checking businesses’ websites, Facebook pages, and/or Twitter accounts (and any other online sources). Many did not have easily findable “holiday hours” info online, but here’s what we did turn up (certainly others are open, and if you know of any firsthand, please comment or let us know and we’ll add):Read More
A few more updates this morning from the in-foreclosure commercial building at 16th/Holden: One day after confirming she would close once her current inventory ran out, which she thought might be early next week, JoJo’s Fine Espresso owner Jodi Robbins has closed the stand. This morning, reader Erik had sent a photo of a “pay rent or vacate” note he saw on the stand this morning; WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz says it’s gone now. Robbins confirmed the back-rent notice in a note to us and also just added a comment to our story from yesterday, noting the closure, saying she’s “being forced to shut the doors,” and concluding with well-wishes for Zippy’s Giant Burgers – now the last business open at what until one week ago was a three-business spot.
Deanie, meantime, has spoken again with Zippy’s owners, who say they are continuing to explore the possibility of financing to purchase the site. Yesterday, Deanie reports, reps from UniBank* including an assistant vice president, Alex Ko, were at the now-shuttered SeaMart – whose owners had also owned the building pre-foreclosure – and they put up this note on the store’s door:
The bank told Deanie they’ve already had bidders and that the building was appraised for $825,000 this fall.
*FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE: We have corrected the name of the bank in the story – it’s UniBank, not Union.
(Photo by Deanie Schwarz, added 12:58 pm)
Another business is closing on the Highland Park site that is in foreclosure at 16th/Holden. First it was SeaMart, as reported here one week ago; the mini-market’s owner lost the property to foreclosure and shut the store after Christmas Eve. The other two businesses on the site, Zippy’s Giant Burgers and JoJo’s FIne Espresso, have been grappling with what the property’s uncertain future means to their businesses. Yesterday, shortly after publishing a followup focused on Zippy’s, the Seattle Weekly reported separately that JoJo’s owner Jodi Robbins had decided to close. Her stand was closed for the day when we subsequently went over to seek more details, but she confirms it in an online reply this morning: “Yes, it is true, I will be closing shop.” After the jump, her full reply explaining why she’s made the decision, and what she’ll miss:Read More
Two months after the would-be owner of West Seattle Pharmacy in the former Westside Pharmacy space at California/Brandon gave up his hopes of opening, the For Lease sign has gone away (thanks to Kathleen for that tip). WSB contributor Keri DeTore tracked down the new tenants who are taking over the space. While they don’t want to go fully public yet, they told Keri they are in the very preliminary stages of creating a “small, neighborhood restaurant and bar.” Though they haven’t even started seeking permits yet, they are hoping to open “a friendly place where people feel welcome,” sometime in the first half of next year. (P.S. Keri’s also writing today about the new tenant of the former Jade West Café – her story’s coming up.)
AVALON: Less than 2 months after we first reported on Avalon, the new restaurant going into the ex-Café Revo space in the Luna Park business district, it’s set its opening date: According to Avalon’s Mary Palmer, they will open next Monday, January 3rd, “for happy hour and dinner service only (no dinner on Sundays). Happy hour is from 3-6 pm weekdays, dinner service will start at 5 pm. A couple weeks after we open we will have brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.” There’s more info about Avalon at avalonws.com.
WEST SEATTLE AUTOWORKS SIGN: Thanks to Todd Ainsworth at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) for sharing the photo of their brand-new sign:
He and co-proprietor Chris Christensen are proud to have the big bright sign officially up after a bit more than two months in business. They’re at 7501 35th SW (map), and online at wsautoworks.com.
GARLIC JIM’S PIZZA: As promised, the Junction location reopened today after a weeklong shutdown:
We stopped in to photograph new owners Jeff and Page Taylor, shown with Kelsey and Devon, who came from their Edmonds location to help out for starters. We reported on the ownership change in this story last week.
(View of Link’s south side along SW Alaska, photographed today)
New information today about the child-care center coming to Link, the almost-complete mixed-use building in The Triangle: Bright Horizons has set the date for a parent-information session. Though it won’t be open till spring 2011 – as noted on its official webpage – it’s welcoming interested parents to stop by Cupcake Royale in The Junction (California/Alaska) on January 20th, open-house style from 4-7 pm, to meet regional manager Mahira Aleem and ask questions. Aleem tells WSB the center in Link (4530 38th SW) will “serve 150 children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old (and) offer full-time infant, toddler and preschool care year round.” Link has been under construction for 13 months; in addition to about 200 apartments, it also will be home to a 2nd location for Chaco Canyon Organic Café, as reported here last month, which expects to open in April.
Last night, we mentioned today’s “Boxing Day” sale at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market (with Market Bucks available at the info booth while they last), which continues till 2. Here’s what else we’ve found regarding after-Christmas sales around West Seattle and vicinity. First, from WSB West Seattle Holiday Shopping Guide sponsors:
*Funky Jane’s Consignment: 25% off everything in the store, through January 2
*Wyatt’s Jewelers: $25 off in-store purchase with WSB Holiday Shopping Guide coupon, good through this Friday (12/31)
*TouchTech Systems: Also through Friday, $50 off MSRP for MacBooks
*Budget Cuts: 12 prepaid haircuts for $99 – deal available through Friday
(Also from the guide, salons Illusions Hair Design and Envy on Alki have New Year’s Eve hours in case you need last-minute pre-party hair help.)
Other sales we’ve found:
*West Seattle Fabric Company (per Facebook): Noon-4 pm Sunday, 30% off all holiday flannels, cottons and Minky.
*CAPERS (per website): 11 am-5 pm Sunday, ornaments half-price
*West Seattle Cellars (per promotional e-mail): Starts noon today, runs through Friday. 15% off everything (20% for club members).
*Many Moons Trading Company (per Facebook group mail): Noon-5 pm Sunday, 50% off
*3.14 Bakery in White Center (via Twitter): All frosted Christmas Cookies 50% off today and Monday.
(added 3:11 pm) West Seattle Nursery (via Twitter): All Christmas merchandise 50% off “while supplies last.”
Having an after-Christmas sale, or know of one, not already mentioned here? Add a comment or e-mail us – thanks!
(Taken in The Junction by smohundro, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Merry Christmas!
We’ve updated the “who’s open for groceries/coffee/dining & drinks” list to winnow it down to just the businesses open today – including 9 coffee shops and more than a dozen places to get food. See the list here.
Metro’s on a Sunday schedule today; details here.
Looking for a Christmas Day church service in West Seattle? Check here.
Thinking about driving around to look at lights tonight? The schedule for the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular (the music-synched lights at 3908 SW Charlestown) is here.
And if you’re mulling a movie – Admiral Theater opens at 4 this afternoon (movie listings/schedule here).
Forget the mall – your last-minute holiday shopping can stay right here in West Seattle. Many stores are open on Christmas Eve, and right now, many of the shops in The Junction are open till 9 tonight for one last “Shop Late Thursday.” We checked on a few WSB Holiday Shopping Guide participants – you can get your art on at Twilight Artist Collective (4306 SW Alaska), above, or the sweet smell of gift-giving from knows perfume (4536 California SW):
We found Frances Smersh with some of the jewelry – they carry her creations as well as others – at the shop she and husband John recently relocated to The Junction (4540 California SW), Click! Design That Fits, which is open 11 am-3 pm on Christmas Eve:
Shoes? Handbags? Clementine is one option – that’s where we found Lisa:
And a few doors east, Angela is helping shoppers at Funky Jane’s Consignment (4455 California SW):
Thanks to Kirk for the tip on this – which has turned out to be more than a “simple” case of a business closing. SeaMart, the 16th SW/SW Holden (map) mini-market in Highland Park, is closing after Friday. Thanks to extensive research for WSB by contributor Deanie Schwarz, here’s what we’ve found out so far:
The property, which is also home to Zippy’s Giant Burgers and JoJo’s Fine Espresso, is in judicial foreclosure, according to SeaMart’s owner, Ed Choe, the building owner who’s been foreclosed on. Deanie spoke today with him as well as with the owners of Zippy’s and JoJo’s. They have both been trying to find out from the bank that’s taken possession of the building, UniBank*, what the status of their leases is – Zippy’s, for example, has a lease through next April but with a two-year-extension option, and the fate of that extension is now in question (they’re consulting a lawyer). Zippy’s owners Blaine and Rahel Cook say the bank asked them if they had any interest in buying the space and named a price that was too high, based on a valuation from two years ago. The bank reportedly already has bids for a possible “short sale” of the property. Meantime, store owner Choe says he tried to refinance but couldn’t qualify; he and his wife have had a tough year, losing a child a few months ago, and now their business, but he told Deanie, “We still have our health, and we will be OK.” They had been commuting from Edmonds and admit that was rough too. So what’s next? The only thing for sure is that SeaMart is closing after tomorrow and has a closeout sale under way on just about everything except beer and cigarettes. We’ll keep you updated on what happens with the rest.
*DECEMBER 31ST UPDATE: We have corrected the name of the bank in the story – it’s UniBank, not Union.
Just announced this morning, new ownership in the works for Harbor Island’s Todd Shipyards – Portland-based Vigor Industrial. Details from the Seattle Times (WSB partner); from Vigor’s site, here’s the news release in which the companies announced the deal.
After 38 years, Liberty Bell Printing is closed in The Junction, though the business itself will continue on. As first reported here two weeks ago, Liberty Bell is only closing its retail storefront, but it’s a momentous occasion just the same, since it’s one of the oldest businesses in The Junction. Christopher Boffoli was there for WSB when Michael Hoffman, who’s owned it for a decade, closed the doors tonight one last time. Michael will continue offering printing and design services without a storefront, via libertybellprinting.com.
Caveat, this is a work-in-progress: WSB contributor/researcher Katie Meyer has done a tremendous amount of work to gather the info, but she’s still tying up loose ends, and we’ve still got a lot of links to add. That said, since we’re getting a lot of requests, we’re publishing the first “who’s open in West Seattle on the holiday” take for your reference (the link will remain the same as we tweak). This year, it includes who’s open for groceries, coffee, and/or dining on Christmas Eve and/or Day, so read carefully! And if you have firsthand knowledge of anything different/missing, please comment or e-mail us – thanks.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
In most communities, an announcement about renovations in the works for a motel would be greeted with a shrug, if that.
But when your community has only *one* motel, as is the case in West Seattle, it’s big news. So that’s why, after publishing the news release sent last week on behalf of the Seattle West Inn‘s new owners/management, we pursued more information about what’s in the works.
Read on to see what we found out from the two key players with whom we spoke:Read More
Two quick West Seattle new-business notes tonight:
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
35TH/BARTON 7-11 UPDATE: After a note inquiring how soon the new 7-11 (former Exxon station/minimart) would be open – serious remodeling’s been under way about a month and a half – we checked with parent corporation Southland. The reply from Margaret in media relations: “We expect the store to be open for business by December 31 … maybe earlier.” It’s been more than 13 months since WSB commenters broke the news a 7-11 was in the works for the site.
LOCOL UPDATE: The year-in-the-works neighborhood beer/wine bar (with some food) at 35th/Kenyon could open as soon as next week, according to this update on the Locöl Facebook page. (That’s in line with what co-owner Kyle Duce had told us a week ago — that he hoped to be open by month’s end.)
After a midday sojourn in The Junction, we wandered north to Admiral to check in on two of the shops open this afternoon. Above, looking up to dad Kent, is Quinn, one of the namesakes of Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama, open for a “bonus day” of shopping till 5 today. We asked what’s hot this holiday season – one answer, these robot bugs:
Atomic Boys is at 4311 SW Admiral Way, just around the corner (westbound) from Alki Bike and Board, which is also featured in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Shopping Guide. They’re open till 5 today as well, and as proprietor Stu Hennessey notes, a lot bigger on the inside than you’d guess from the outside – plenty of room to chat as well as browse:
Alki Bike and Board is at 2606 California SW. To the south – if you’ve got presents to wrap and/or pets to buy gifts for – Beveridge Place Pub is the place:
Animal-advocacy volunteers from F3 and AARF are wrapping till 6 and also selling handmade pet beds and pre-filled dog stockings (6413 California SW). Back in The Junction, where we spent time earlier, Lisa from CAPERS shares a photo of one of her store’s annual holiday traditions, the Giving Tree for Hickman House. Still some cards on the tree; don’t let them go present-less:
Tomorrow’s the deadline for presents to be returned for the CAPERS tree. And one more reminder that Santa photos in The Junction and at Westwood Village are continuing till 4 this afternoon!
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