WS business news: West Seattle Karate Academy is moving
(Longtime WSKA student Christopher Nuñez shows off the new sign, right below his mother’s salon, Daysi’s Salon de Belleza)
Another West Seattle business on the move – just got this announcement from Laura Vanderpool, who wrote it on behalf of the dojo to which she belongs:
After nine years in its location across from the Southwest Library, West Seattle Karate Academy is moving to a new location just down the street.
The new dojo will be four blocks south at 9455 35th Avenue SW, on the Northwest corner of the intersection of 35th SW and SW Roxbury [map], next to 35th Avenue Chiropractic.
“The building we were leasing went up for sale so I decided to look for a new space in the neighborhood,” noted owner and lead instructor Kris Wilder. “The new location was a great find – it’s bigger with higher ceilings, just a really comfortable space.”
Classes will begin at the new space Monday, August 24th. West Seattle Karate offers traditional goju-ryu karate classes for adults and children, including a “Tiny Tigers” class for kids ages 4-6. www.westseattlekarate.com
Business moving? Opening? Closing? Changing? Let us know – so we can share the news with tens of thousands of West Seattleites – editor@westseattleblog.com (or via Facebook at facebook.com/westseattleblog – and/or Twitter at @westseattleblog)
The X Gym: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor – The X Gym, on Alki. As is our tradition, we offer new sponsors the chance to tell you about their business, and here’s what The X Gym wants you to know: “The X Gym distances itself from the competition in every way. We have taken exercise and health out of the Dark Ages and have brought it 
into today’s world of busy parents, professionals, and weekend warriors. Everything we do, from strength training to nutrition, is based on the latest scientific research. Gone are the days where a person has to spend hours at a gym just to achieve mediocre results. We have invented our own specific exercise methods based on the latest scientific research to achieve the outstanding results we have demonstrated since 1998. These methods allow us to train clients safely and effectively, achieving a functional, well rounded fitness in much less time than traditional training for more than double the results. The X Gym is a place where the Average Joe and Jane can become real urban athletes. Our client base runs the age spectrum from 15 to 90, from all types of backgrounds, and every fitness level. For our clients there is no more diet yo-yo, guessing, fitness plateaus, or frustrations. The X Gym covers all four components of health: Physical, cardiovascular, mental, and nutritional. Finally, one of the biggest factors that separates us from the rest is that our services do not start and stop at the door. Clients are held accountable for everything relating to their health, whether it be food tracking or showing up for appointments. At The X Gym, you are not just another number, you’re family, and we always take care of family. Clients are constantly amazed at the stark contrast in the results they achieve and in the short amount of time they actually spend working out. Some clients have spent years trying to get into shape, but traditional training has failed them.” The X Gym on Alki is at 3213 Harbor SW (map); online at xgym.com; by phone, 206-938-XGYM.
Thanks to The X Gym for supporting West Seattle’s only independent, neighborhood-based, community-collaborative 24/7 news, information and discussion service; our current sponsor team can be seen here, along with info on how to join.
West Seattle business news: Little Gym coming to Morgan Junction
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The former Alki Mortgage building at California/Myrtle (map), a few steps south of Caffe Ladro, will soon house The Little Gym of West Seattle. Owner Birgit Obrietan tells WSB, “We can’t wait to become part of the West Seattle community!” She and her husband own The Little Gym operations in Bellevue and Issaquah, and Birgit says that “having a gym in West Seattle has been a dream of ours for many years.” They are hoping to open in early November for regular classes and birthday parties; ultimately, she says, “We will have parent/child classes, preschool gymnastics, grade school gymnastics, birthday parties and summer camps.” Their classes are for ages 4 months to 12 years, and you can find more about what they offer at thelittlegym.com. (They’re also reachable at 206-937-0311.) We asked if they’ll be occupying the entirety of the building; Birgit says no, “there is some back office space that will be rented to another tenant.” Side note — The Bellevue branch that Birgit and her husband own was the very first The Little Gym, opened in 1973; they’ve run it for nine years. (By the way – and thanks to Robert for spotting this – they’re advertising for a director.)
Saturday notes: Twilight, Food/Fitness, Mashiko, D-Library, D-9
Miscellaneous items rounded up in the past few days:
TWILIGHT CLOSING PIKE PLACE STORE: Twilight Artist Collective just announced this afternoon that it’s closing its original store, at Pike Place Market, as of the end of this month and focusing on its West Seattle Junction location, saying Pike Place has been hit hard by the “economic slowdown” while adding, “The Junction shop has weathered this storm extremely well, and we’re very proud and lucky to have a supportive and dynamic community over there that supports Fresh Local Art.”
KING COUNTY FOOD AND FITNESS INITIATIVE GETS NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: Derek Birnie at Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association calls this to our attention – the national parent organization for the multi-year Food and Fitness Initiative has highlighted Delridge youth leaders in its latest newsletter. See it online here. Birnie notes, “The DNDA staff and young leaders who have put together the FEEST program at Youngstown have established a model that other folks around the country are eager to learn from.”
SPEAKING OF FOOD: Today’s the day that West Seattle’s Mashiko is scheduled to officially transition to all-sustainable sushi. We talked about it in this recent report on Mashiko; its proprietor has a lot more to say in this item on his own site.
DELRIDGE LIBRARY END-OF-SUMMER CELEBRATION … and Family Game Night, coming up Tuesday, 6-8 pm. From the library staff: “Delridge kids, teens and adults read like crazy all summer and have nearly tripled the Delridge Branch summer reading goal of 2, 350 books! Come to pat each other on the back and celebrate this achievement with snacks, prizes and games. There will be games and activities for all ages. This is a drop-in program – join us any time between 6 – 8pm.”
WEST SEATTLE LINK TO “DISTRICT 9”: Found out via Facebook that there’s a West Seattle link to the sci-fi movie “District 9” that just hit theaters this weekend: WSB’er Noelle tells us her brother Elliot Ferwerda, who grew up in West Seattle but now lives in Chicago and works for production company QED, has producer credit on the sci-fi thriller.
Swinery update: Remodeling “surprises,” September opening likely
An update tonight on the conversion of 3207 California SW (formerly Muttley Crew Cuts, now in Admiral) to the future Swinery: Two weeks ago, we brought you WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli‘s report on Chef Gabriel Claycamp‘s project, including a look inside the space they’re remodeling (that’s one of Christopher’s July photos, at left). This afternoon, WSB’er Michelle, 
who lives nearby, e-mailed to say work on the space seemed to have abruptly halted, and that a “stop work” notice was posted. We first checked city records; they confirm that someone filed a land-use complaint last week, regarding the need for more permits in the remodeling process (though a permit application to convert the space from “residential” to “food processing” is shown as filed). Then we checked with Claycamp, who says, “Everything we have done so far is OK to do without a permit,” adding that he has a meeting with the city tomorrow to present plans, after which he expects the complaint will be resolved. (We left a message this afternoon for the city inspector who is handling the complaint, and will try again tomorrow.) Claycamp did say that he and his crew encountered a few surprises while working on the building, and that fixing those will push the Swinery’s West Seattle opening date into mid-September (they were hoping for this month, at one point).
Delridge shop owner a no-show at appeal hearing downtown
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As reported here last week, Stoyan Tanev, the owner of Delridge Vacuum and TV, was challenging the city’s revocation of his license, and an appeal hearing was scheduled for this morning before the Hearing Examiner downtown. We got to the Municipal Tower a few minutes late and discovered the hearing room empty, except for the examiner’s paralegal, who told us that Tanev did not show up, so the examiner will issue a “notice of default.” That means, according to the department’s published rules, the appeal is dismissed, as is allowed in cases where “without good cause, the appellant fails to appear or is unprepared to proceed at a scheduled and properly noticed hearing.” Last spring, he faced trial on charges of “receiving stolen property” but the case was dismissed because of an agreement in another case, reported here on April 21 after assistant city attorney Beth Gappert briefed the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council. That case involved charges of not having the proper license and not retaining used goods for the required 30 days before selling them. The shop was expected to close this summer; we have messages out to Gappert to check the current status of the situation.
Also happening today: P-Patch work, free car wash, more sales
P-PATCH PROJECT: Originally found that via Facebook, and Joni says it’s OK to share with you — she’s updating progress (Whrrl allows you to keep adding photos) on another day of volunteer work at the new MacArthur P-Patch in High Point. Just click to see what’s happening. (A celebration of the new garden is set for 5-7 pm this Friday – more info here.)
FREE CAR WASH: Also via Facebook, Nancy sent word that hubby Kevin has organized a free car wash in the parking lot at Ginomai, southwest corner of 42nd/Genesee. Scheduled to be there till 2 pm. (Just a stone’s throw from tonight’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall site!)
TWO RETAIL EVENTS: Ann at smallclothes (which recently moved to 3215 California SW) says today’s the last day of their summer sale – “everything in the shop is 20% off including all resale items, Imp Wear and SKR shoes.” And Coastal on Alki is having a “Happy Hour” event 2-5pm with 20% off Smith and Nikita items – plus DJ Sean Majors. Don’t let the weather ruin the summer mood; fall is still six weeks away. (By the calendar, anyway.)
GARDENING AND BEER: They’re together again at West Seattle Nursery, 1-5 pm today, benefiting the animal advocates at Furry Faces Foundation.
The Subtle Body: Welcome to a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
Today we welcome a new sponsor, The Subtle Body, a West Seattle Ayurvedic center located on the second floor of 3620 California SW (map). As always, we offer new sponsors the chance to tell you about their businesses, and here’s what The Subtle Body wants you to know: Ayurvedic comes from Ayurveda, which means the “Science of Life,” a 5000-year-old system of health care originating in India. Ayurveda addresses each individual, and seeks to bring you back to your own state of balance. 
Your consultation will include recommendations on diet, daily routine, herbs, yoga and 
seasonal cleanses. We also offer a rejuvenation program consisting of Ayurvedic massage, Ayurvedic steams and Shirodhara. The center is run by Nickole Thornton (left) and Bethanie Sand (right). Nickole has practiced Ayurveda since 2000, traveling across the U.S. providing Ayurvedic lectures, Consultations, and Panchakarma Detox Therapy. In addition to her Ayurvedic expertise, she specializes in Deep Tissue Massage and NeuroMuscular Therapy with Therapeutic Stretching. Bethanie has been studying, teaching and working with Ayurveda since 2003. She’s involved in the Washington chapter of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, bringing practitioners of Ayurveda together in community and for the advancement of Ayurveda in Washington. In addition to offering Ayurvedic consultations and treatments, Bethanie specializes in CranioSacral Therapy — a gentle, yet effective way of releasing pain, tension and old holding patterns in the body and nervous system. For an appointment or consultation, you can reach Nickole at 206-799-0718 or Bethanie at 206-949-8442. Thanks to The Subtle Body for choosing to grow their business by sponsoring 24/7 local news, information and discussion on WSB; the entire sponsor team is listed here, with info on how to join!
Lien Animal Clinic: In with the new, down with the old
Thanks to John at Mary North Travel for the tip that demolition work is under way at one of their neighboring businesses in The Triangle, Lien Animal Clinic (3710 SW Alaska; map). Their old building is coming down, just one week after they opened their new 2-story building on the north side of the site. And as is sometimes the case with demolition sites, firefighters are doing some training on the section of the old building that isn’t down yet:
Once demolition is done, the area where the old building stood will become parking for the bigger new one. By the way, if you wonder what’s up with the nearby site where Harbor Properties plans to build Link – there’s been some partial site clearing as West Seattle Montessori School (WSB sponsor) moves to its new location, but Harbor tells us its work on Link isn’t scheduled to start till later in the year.
2 West Seattle cases coming up on the Hearing Examiner’s docket
Checking what’s in the works for the city Hearing Examiner, who hears cases in the Municipal Tower downtown (same floor as the Landmarks Board, which also has 2 West Seattle items ahead this month), we find:
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DELRIDGE VACUUM AND TV OPERATOR’S APPEAL: Stoyan Tanev is challenging the city’s notice of license revocation for his business at 5214 Delridge (Google Street View, above) and has an appeal hearing scheduled for 9 am August 11th. According to city Municipal Court records, Tanev was scheduled to go to trial in April on charges of “receiving stolen property” but the case was dismissed because of an agreement in another case against him, reported here on April 21 after assistant city attorney Beth Gappert briefed the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, involving charges of not having the proper license and not retaining used goods for the required 30 days before selling them.
CHALLENGING DECISION ON CLOSED SCHOOL PROPERTIES: The following day, at 9 am August 12th, the Hearing Examiner is scheduled to take up an appeal case filed by the Seattle Committee to Save Schools, Joanna Cullen and Bonnie Wilson, who are challenging a decision reported here in June. In it, the city Department of Planning and Development declared that 8 closed school properties around the city, including E.C. Hughes, Genesee Hill and Fairmount Park here in West Seattle, could be repurposed to certain other uses without convening a School Use Advisory Committee.
Hearing Examiner proceedings are open to the public; the hearing room is on the 40th floor of the Muni Tower at 700 5th Avenue downtown.
What’s ahead in The Junction: “Big Bonanza”; car show update
Hard to believe three weeks have passed since West Seattle Summer Fest. But the West Seattle Junction Association’s not letting any moss grow under its feet. (Not that this is moss-growing weather anyway.) Executive director Susan Melrose says local merchants are making plans for the “Big Bonanza” Junction-wide sale on Saturday, August 22nd, 
with special sales and events to entice you to spend the day in the heart of West Seattle – more details to come. That’s less than a month before a big event already announced for The Junction – the second annual West Seattle Junction Car Show (with co-sponsors including WSB). Michael Hoffman from Liberty Bell Printing, who’s organizing the show again this year, just sent around a sneak peek at its hot-off-the-drawing-board official poster (shown at left). As reported here earlier this year, the car show will have “the same footprint as Summer Fest” this year, in terms of street closure – so September 20, 8 am-4 pm, will be one big day of closed-road, wander-around fun in The Junction. Want to register a car to be part of the show? Go here to get the scoop – note the first prerequisite is “pre-1975 cars and trucks.” More info at the official website, wsjunctioncarshow.com.
STS Remodeling: Welcome to a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
Today we welcome one of our newest sponsors, STS Remodeling. WSB customarily offers new sponsors the chance to tell you about their businesses, 
and here’s what STS Remodeling would like you to know: “STS is a local, full-service general contractor specializing in unique construction projects for clients who have high expectations of craftsmanship, customer service, project management, and value. Founded by Craig Haveson in 1999, STS has been deciated to keeping customers happy with the highest level of satisfaction. With a wide range of remodel projects, custom home builds & condominium rehabilitation, there is no job that is too big or small. As result of our versatility in projects, we are able to meet the unique needs of each individual and are able to specialize in a wide variety of industry sectors. Our team is at the center of our success. Led by a dynamic group and staffed by the best and brightest in the field, our core values of integrity, hard work, and safety shines through. Offering career positions in this thriving company has drawn the top-notch craftsmen to the company. With one of the lowest employee-turnover rates in the industry, 
STS Remodeling creates an optimal work culture. STS focuses on keeping a 99% referral-based business but is always open to new projects. Happy customers often become lifetime clients. With the founding principles of quality control, accountability, & hard work, STS sets itself apart from the competition! A list of our references is available upon request. Our website is in the process of being updated; if you would like to take a look at additional photos of more recent projects, we do have many more available. Give us a call today to get started on your next project; you will be happy you did!” STS Remodeling is online at stsremodeling.com – or you can call 206-439-6343 (other contact info is here). Thanks to STS Remodeling for joining the WSB sponsor team, listed here with information on how to become part of it.
Duck-fat popcorn and more: West Seattle Swinery plans, closeup
Story and photos by Christopher Boffoli
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It requires a healthy dose of imagination to envision what Gabriel Claycamp has planned for his upcoming butcher shop/deli on California (first reported here last month) when it opens late this summer.
When I visited the site recently, he walked me through the space, pointing out where there soon would be gleaming stainless steel and spotless tile. But for the moment the future Swinery is still a ramshackle warren of odd spaces that don’t look as though they’ve seen a fresh coat of paint since the Bush administration. (The elder Bush.)
After the spectacular fall of his mini-empire last spring, imagination is just about all Claycamp has left these days. With his past business in shambles and his family barely making rent on Vashon Island, he is gambling on a new retail store in West Seattle. It is a venture that he hopes will put him back on course and perhaps will restore the luster on his decade-long career in food. In the meantime, several layers of decrepit flooring exist between him and his dream. And the flooring looks as though it doesn’t intend to be pulled out without a fight.
As we shouted in his new shop, over the buzzing of saws and the clanging of crowbars, workmen labored to cut and pry off layers of vinyl flooring and plywood concealing the original Douglas Fir floors below. By his estimation, the structure began as a humble little house that was set back from the road with a yard out front. “As far as we can tell, the original residence was built in 1909, “ Claycamp explained.
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Ready to roll: Skate instructor offers Alki classes
In the height of summer heat, the thought of breezing along on skates might hold new appeal – unless you don’t know how. If you want to try, here’s one way to learn!
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
According to Trish Alexander, instructor and owner of Skate Journeys: “Skating is about more than going in a straight line.”
However, if you’re having trouble doing even that, but want to learn to skate for fun and for fitness, Trish is offering classes on Alki every Saturday through the summer. Beginner classes start at 12:30 and meet at Alki Kayak Tours, which rents and sells inline skates. Intermediate to Advanced classes meet at 2:00 at Jack Block Park. (Classes will be cancelled if it rains.)
Trish started teaching people to skate in 1996 at the Seattle Inline Arena under the West Seattle Bridge.
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Georgia Blu announces it’s closing (but isn’t blaming the economy)
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Children’s-clothing boutique Georgia Blu, on California next to KeyBank, has just announced it’s closing after 2 1/2 years. This is the third Junction closure announced in the past two weeks, after Swee Swee Paperie (announced July 9) and Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill (announced last Sunday). Thanks to Robin for sharing the note that went out to Georgia Blu’s mailing list late tonight:
It is with a mixture of sadness and relief that I send this email out to you all. Georgia Blu will be closing our doors in September. Now I know that you are all thinking that we too are just another casualty of our stressed economy. However to believe that would be a disservice to our extremely loyal customer base. It’s true that our business has slowed down, like most business right now; but thanks to many of you – we are really hanging in there. Your devotion to supporting us – even in these tough times – is something that will stay with me for a very long time.
Instead, there are really two other reasons we’re closing. The first one is that our lease is up in September. I’ve debated back and forth for quite a while about whether or not to renew our lease but ultimately have decided this is a good time to close the store. The second reason – and probably the more pressing reason we are closing is that as a business owner and a mother of three, I find it harder and harder to do both jobs well. I’m sure many other mothers and fathers out there can relate. When I started GB I had a 4 year old, and a 1 year old. I now have a 7 year old, a 4 year old and a 9 month old. I have found it to be an increasingly huge challenge finding the time to be the kind of mother I wish to be, as well as a devoted shop owner of an always changing business.
This was not an easy decision, nor was it free of some heartache. But I do feel that it is the right decision.
The announcement continues after the jump:Read More
“We’re almost there”: A chat with Capco Plaza’s developer
After breaking the news about a prospective Whole Foods site buyer not pursuing the purchase, and then a restaurant closure, while looking into a couple of other reportedly stalled developments, it seemed like time to break things up by checking with a developer whose project IS proceeding and in fact is almost done: Leon Capelouto, longtime Junction entrepreneur who is building Capco Plaza/Altamira Apartments along SW Alaska between 41st and 42nd. We talked with him in his nearby office this afternoon.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A stone’s throw from the stalled project site dubbed “Hole Foods,” there’s a Junction development with a very different story to tell: Capco Plaza, the new home of QFC and Office Depot in The Junction, sharing its building with Altamira Luxury Apartments, is within a few months of opening for business.
In his office over nearby Matador, Leon Capelouto says he’s “very busy” with “hundreds of items” that need to be addressed before the building is done. He admits he’s very “hands on” – that’s part of his answer when we asked how he managed to keep this project on track when so many others of that scale have run into trouble. (Of course, financing is important too, he allows.)
The space where QFC will open a new store on the east side of his building has already been “turned over to the tenant,” Capelouto says – meaning the Kroger-owned store chain is now putting in its finishing touches. When we talked with a QFC spokesperson for our last update one month ago today, the company expected to open the store in “early fall,” ahead of schedule. Capelouto expects that is still the likelihood (we have a call out to QFC to doublecheck) – he showed us an e-mail exchange involving their scheduling of two Seattle Seahawks organization favorites, the Sea Gals and Blue Thunder drum line, for an event on October 10th that might be an official opening celebration after an earlier soft opening.
So what else is confirmed for the rest of the building?Read More
Wallflower: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Wallflower Custom Framing, located on the ground floor of the brand-new Mural building in The Junction. 
Here’s what they’d like you to know: Wallflower offers professional custom picture framing and creative design expertise, as well as providing a gallery setting for original art and photography, showcasing local artists. Courtney, Wallflower’s owner (left), brings nearly ten years of picture framing and management experience, and employs local artist Kelly Rae Cunningham to curate the art shows for the gallery space, known as the Shooting Gallery. At Wallflower, customers can learn about the benefits of preservation picture framing and can be comfortably involved in the design process. It can be accomplished outside of normal business hours by appointment, too! Show your annual membership with an organization that directly supports the arts or local artists at the time of purchase and get 10% off your custom framing project. The frame choices are broad in style and affordability. For those more adventurous types, Wallflower carries hand-crafted mouldings that are created especially for your piece down to the finish, from lines such as C&J, A-Street Frames, Mercier, and ecoCareT from Nurre Caxton, made from wood harvested from managed forests and finished with organic, water-based stains. Wallflower offers custom framing with a kick! Find them online at wallflowercustomframing.com, in person at 4735 42nd SW, by phone at 206.938.6332. Thanks to Wallflower Custom Framing for sponsoring 24/7 West Seattle news, information and discussion; the full sponsor team is listed here along with info on how to join!
Michelle Babb, MS, RD: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor
Today we’re welcoming a new sponsor, Michelle Babb, MS, RD, 
a Bastyr graduate and adjunct professor who consults on finding optimum health by improving nutrition. New sponsors are always offered the chance to share information with you regarding what they do; Michelle says, “Clients seek me out because they’re looking to change their lifestyle to address their health issues and restore vitality. They’re often very frustrated and worn out with traditional methods for weight loss and disease prevention, and they don’t know where to turn. Most people need a little information and a lot of motivation. I encourage them to make small, but meaningful changes and build up to an optimal diet and I provide support every step of the way. I also use therapeutic diets when warranted, and my patients commonly report feeling better than they have in years. Once they start seeing and feeling the results of restoring balance to the body through good nutrition, exercise and relaxation, that becomes its own motivation.” Michelle says that if you’ve been trying to lose weight or have been diagnosed with a digestive problem, she can work with you to find the right foods. She’s also in touch with naturopaths, medical doctors, acupuncturists and chiropractors to create a whole plan for better nutrition and health. Find Michelle Babb, MS, RD, online at eatplaybe.com. We welcome her to the WSB sponsor lineup, listed in full here along with information on how to become part of it.
Swee Swee Paperie says its Junction store is “going on vacation”
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Just in via the Swee Swee Paperie e-mail list — its Junction store is closing:
Summer is the season filled with fantastic days of sun and fun to glorious nights of long dusks, watching the sun slowing go down only to begin again in just a few short hours…
Well that got us thinking.. we are a little tired and we could use a little relaxation too, so with a little saddness in our hearts, we wanted to let you know that swee swee paperie and studio is going to take a little vacation at the end of July. We are going to use this time to relax, rethink and re-evaluate. It has been the most amazing three years, and we wanted to thank you for all of your support and appreciation of fine paper good and wrapping.
Now, do not think we are leaving you high and dry for those necessary paper fixes…we are revamping our online store and will be offering a wonder selection of goodies there. Look for our e-store reopening in September. The corporate gifting and wrapping is still going strong. And any custom work that we can help out on will be available as well.
The e-mail penned by owner Ann Conway says a big sale starts tomorrow, including “the antiques and fixtures that have adorned our store.”
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