Badges & businesspeople: West Seattle Chamber @ SW Precinct
At right, that’s Southwest Precinct commander, Captain Joe Kessler, talking to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly luncheon meeting – which transformed the precinct’s community room into an informal banquet room for the occasion. Capt. Kessler is coming up on his first anniversary since taking over precinct leadership; he was joined in speaking to the chamber by Lt. Steve Paulsen, whose role as operations lieutenant is basically “assistant precinct commander,” he explained, and he also introduced Lt. Norm James, one of the precinct’s “watch commanders.” They didn’t discuss crime specifics — though Capt. Kessler said he’s “confident” about progress in the Steve Bushaw shooting investigation — as much as voice hopes about working more closely with the business community, inviting them to be represented on the Precinct Advisory Council (whose chair Pete Spalding was in attendance). Mentioning the reports that the city’s likely in the market for a new police chief, Capt. Kessler mentioned that “at the internal service level, nothing will change” even if the department’s top leadership changes. As for his position, he said he’s hoping to stay put at this precinct a while, praising his team and also the level of community involvement he’s found in West Seattle. Other notes from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch: There’s still time for you to nominate people for the WSCC’s Business of the Year and Community Service awards, which will be presented at the annual Awards Breakfast on April 8; the forms are linked from this page. Next Chamber lunch meeting is March 11; the theme: “speed networking.” (Disclosure: WSB is one of the many, many West Seattle businesses that belong to the Chamber of Commerce, so we attend the monthly luncheons as member-participants as well as to be there in case news is made!)
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes’ challenge: Fill the box; get your own!
Carol Madaio, operations manager of Fauntleroy-based Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering, wanted to let you know about the food drive happening at her company. She hopes it will result in overflow donations for the empty box above – and inspiration for other West Seattle companies too:
We start our week every Monday morning with an all-office meeting to go over the upcoming week. Rob Garner, our General Manager opens the meeting by reading from a book called “Every Monday Matters – 52 ways to make a difference” by Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza. The book provides “52 creative but doable activities and gives 52 down to earth ways to make a difference”. Through this book, Rob, along with Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering owners David Haggerty and David Meckstroth have been challenging us all to make a difference separately and collectively.
Last week’s topic – “Ever been hungry for a week?” which included the fact that 35.1 million people have limited access to enough food and that 12.4 million of those are children hit us hard. You see, that is what we do, we feed people and in the process there is always food for us to eat too. We smell delicious food all day and enjoy a family meal at lunch every day. And while our Executive Chef frequently brings appropriate leftovers to neighborhood shelters we wanted to do more.
The idea came for us to have an office food drive where instead of the usual treats at our next Monday meeting we would all bring in cans of food which would be donated to the West Seattle Food Bank. Soon the idea grew to a company food drive. We would like to put this challenge out to the rest of the West Seattle businesses to do the same this week.
Tony’s Produce opens for 2009: “Doing our part for the economy”
First we got the tip from Paul of PB&J Textiles … then Bonnie posted it in the WSB Forums … and we ran over to get the scoop firsthand: Tony’s Produce (35th/Barton; here’s a map) has just opened for the year, after the traditional post-Christmas break. Tony and his team are still finishing the set-up inside, but they’re officially open, 8 am-7 pm seven days a week for starters, with what Tony says are “great deals” (this one caught our eye):
He added, “We’re doing our part to stimulate the economy by keeping prices low!” But he also wanted to show off the high quality, too, directing another team member to show off these strawberries:
We asked what’s new this year; “more organics” was the first thing mentioned by Tony, shown here with a couple signs for those offerings:
We’ve got some other West Seattle business updates coming up later today/tonight, but since we had been getting questions about “when are they opening again?” we thought we’d rush this one out first.
Signs of the times: Seen around West Seattle (pre-snow)
Hard to believe, but 24 hours or so ago, it was sunny, and your WSB co-publishers were wandering around taking photos. We didn’t get a chance to publish them last night but they’re still fresh enough today, so here goes. Above, that’s renowned local sign-painting artist Japhy Witt, detailing coins in the window of … where else … West Seattle Coins, at California/Oregon in The Junction, under the Senior Center – here’s one he’d already completed:
Japhy told us he’s likely detailing vintage bills for the wider window between the two coins. You’ve seen his work at many other West Seattle businesses, including — right across SW Oregon from this project — Shadow Land (here’s WSB coverage from 2007). Other signs that caught our eye included one at a Harbor Avenue development that now has a name:
If you can’t read the sign, it’s “Indus Work/House.” (That last part has an interesting historical connotation, but then again, elsewhere in new-ish West Seattle real estate, so does The Dakota.) And on the other side of the real-estate fence, bright-yellow signs around North Delridge pointed to an “auction” – we followed them, and found this house on SW Nevada, west of 30th SW:
The signs included this web address – the specific listing says the auction is 10 am 2/20, onsite. The yellow sign in the window says minimum bid is $50K. (Here are the latest local foreclosure stats, from Seattle Bubble, which reports King County’s foreclosure total in December – more than 600 – was the second-highest ever [last July, 730, was the highest, in the stats SB uses].)
Fire claims Morgan Junction locksmith’s business, 11 months later
Thanks to WSBers Mike and Amy for e-mailing to point out that Puget Sound Key and Lock has disappeared from its storefront in the 6000 block of California SW. Even if you haven’t used a locksmith in years, the name may be familiar; it’s the business gutted 11 months ago by a still-unsolved arson attack. The morning it happened, owner Mike Dein told us he had no insurance — “They just killed my life” was the quote in our headline — this photo showed him with the building landlord, surveying the damage:
Within hours, his plight moved WSB Forum members to action – they organized a fundraiser a month later to help him get back on his feet. Finally, on August 11th, he reopened the shop … but now, it’s gone. We reached Mike by phone this afternoon and asked what happened. “I just couldn’t make it,” he said. “The losses were too great.” He wanted to be sure everyone who helped him and offered support knows he remains grateful; he’s sold the mobile business to his former partner, who he says is using it exclusively to handle AAA contracts to help drivers. And he’s moving on to the next chapter in his life – half of which he says he has spent locksmithing, though he’s only 31.
Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Anytime Fitness in West Seattle
Today we’re welcoming our newest WSB sponsor, Anytime Fitness. 
Here’s what this brand-new West Seattle business would like you to know: Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour coed fitness center where members can work out any time day or night, every day of the year. A 3000-square-foot fitness boutique that opened its doors in December, this is a brand-new facility with state-of-the-art cardio equipment, weights, and a personable atmosphere. Anytime Fitness also offers 24-hour tanning and membership reciprocity among its clubs, which allows members to use any of the more than 900 clubs that are currently open in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Looking for a new fitness routine? Getting ready for that 5k? Shaping up for summer? Owners Weston Smith and Dave Preston are dedicated to assisting their members in committing to important fitness goals by providing free fitness education, highly trained staff, and a non-intimidating environment that is sure to produce results! Anytime‘s smaller, intimate atmosphere allows its members to work more closely with their trainers, 
in an efficient and convenient setting.
On Saturday, February 21st, at 2 pm, Anytime Fitness will host Valerie Waugaman, known as ‘SIREN’ of NBC’s hit television reality series, “American Gladiators” (photo right). The public is invited and admission is free. Valerie is also a professional athlete, successful business owner, and motivational speaker who will be speaking on personal success and putting on a fitness workshop. She will be available for autographs and pictures.
Anytime Fitness is located on the second floor of the new Charlestown Center at Charlestown/California (map). WSB welcomes Anytime to our sponsor lineup, listed here along with information on how to be part of it.
West Seattle biz notes: Chocolate beer, to realty growth, to …
CHOCOLATE BEER: Noticed this on the Elliott Bay Brewing blog that’s one of the 100 automatically and continuously tracked by the WSB Blogs page. Seems EBB is pouring a West Seattle-brewed “chocolate porter.”
FEEDBACK LOUNGE: Got an e-mail question about this a little while ago so you might be wondering too. We checked recently with Jeff Gilbert to see about the progress on Feedback Lounge, which is moving into the old Beveridge Place Pub space (between the ex-Corner Inn/future Zeeks Pizza and the “new” BPP). He’s hopeful they’re down to a matter of weeks; you can read more details in this recent update on the Feedback Lounge MySpace site.
REALTY GROWTH: Tough economy for almost everyone, but that’s not keeping local real-estate firms down. We were first to report the Prudential Northwest consolidation into Jefferson Square two weeks ago; today, we got word from John L. Scott/Westwood co-owner Cynthia Reid that their staff has added three new members: Jennifer Cross, Gwen Fraser, and Steve Brissenden. (5:26 PM UPDATE: And two more agents today, they have since written to say: Jan Campbell and Corky Burr.)
AND A WSB REMINDER FOR ALL LOCAL BUSINESSES: Our busy (46,000+ posts) WSB Forums have a West Seattle Jobs Offered section where you can post a job opening FREE. Our only requirements are: (A) The job must be physically located in the West Seattle-White Center area, and (B) the post must be clear WHO is hiring – no blind ads, please. And there’s one other area in the Forums that might be of interest to local businesspeople — Freebies, Deals, Sales is open to anyone to post, FREE, about freebie/bargain offers in the West Seattle area — two ways we’re trying to help youget out information that can help us all make it through tougher-than-usual times.
WSB sponsor notes: Call for coffee; haircuts with heart
WSB charter sponsor Hotwire Coffee is launching a new service – call ahead and your drink will be ready. Bev-O-Matic, as the flyer puts it. Hotwire’s Lora Lewis didn’t even ask us to plug this but we saw it in her promotional mailings and thought it sounded like news to us – hadn’t heard of any other local coffee shop doing phone-ahead orders.
Illusions Hair Design told us they have a few appointments remaining for next Sunday’s Have a Heart Day, when stylists donate their time to raise money for West Seattle Helpline – benefiting many families in our community – and Pencil Me in for Kids. Noon-5 pm Sunday; call (206) 938-3675 ASAP to doublecheck if there’s still an opening. Even if you’re not getting your hair cut there that day, you’ll be able to drop off cash/check donations for those two organizations; Illusions is at 5619 California SW (map).
West Seattle’s winning Lotto ticket: Signs up, no claim yet
Washington State Lottery staffers visited the Admiral 7-11 this morning to put up those signs celebrating the $6.8 million jackpot-winning Lotto ticket sold there Saturday night (original WSB coverage here). At last check, though, the winner(s) hadn’t come forward to claim their prize; as we mentioned in yesterday’s story, they’re advised to make an appointment with the nearest lottery office (all branches listed here; Federal Way is closest to West Seattle) rather than just showing up. (The 7-11, by the way, gets a $68,000 check — 1% of the jackpot amount — for selling the winning ticket.)
Alki-based boutique Coastal closing University Village location
Out of the inbox: Coastal, the Alki-based boutique that expanded to the north end a couple years ago, just sent this to its e-mail list:
For the past two years, we have loved being a part of University Village; enjoying new customers and giving our Alki customers another place to shop Coastal on the north end of town. However, at the end of February, we will be closing the University Village Coastal and moving exclusively back to the beach.
A similar move was made last year by Capers, which closed its Fremont expansion location to focus exclusively on its flagship store in The Junction. ADDED 9:40 PM: We e-mailed Coastal’s owners to ask if they had any additional comment – here’s what Christy and Sarah wrote back:
While we are sad to be closing Coastal at University Village , we are very much looking forward to focusing our efforts on the Alki Beach store and bringing even more fun and energy to our West Seattle community. We intend to be on Alki for a very long time and appreciate the support we’ve received from our customers there for the past 5 ½ years.
During this time of economic instability, we’d like to encourage our friends and neighbors to continue to shop locally to ensure the success of the small businesses we all love and value.
Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Snap Fitness
Today we’re welcoming one of our newest sponsors: Snap Fitness, 
which recently opened in Jefferson Square. Owners Jim Flynn and MJ Benavente (left) – who live in Gatewood – say there’s lots of gyms out there you could join, but they think Snap is the best because of their philosophy that exercise should complement your health. MJ says her background in medicine taught her one thing – fitness is preventive medicine. She says a regular exercise routine is a proactive way to keep yourself in good health. That’s why she and Jim 
say that Snap Fitness has a numbers of ways to help you stay fit no matter how busy you are. Snap is a no-contract club, offering 24/7 access to the equipment. Snap also believes in reaching out to its members before they get to the gym. Free fitness assessments with a personal trainer are part of your membership package, along with online tips about keeping up good nutrition habits to go along with your workout. Also, Jim says you can get up to speed fast: Snap has trainers who can show you easy routines that you can do on day one. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, and your West Seattle Snap membership lets you use any Snap Fitness center in the US. (Here’s where to look up its other locations.) Not only do Jim and MJ live in West Seattle, they also are members of the West Seattle Junction Association, they’ve volunteered for Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle, and they belong to the Seattle Audubon Society. Snap Fitness is in lower Jefferson Square (map), online at snapfitness.com/seattlewest, or you can call 206-299-1597. Thanks to Snap Fitness for joining the WSB sponsor team; see the full lineup here, same place to find information on becoming part of it.
West Seattle business news: Martial-arts studio moving back
Got a note from Restita DeJesus, head instructor at Seattle Wushu Center (formerly Yin Yang Arts Center), who wanted to share this news: “My Tai Chi / Kung Fu studio was located at the old Graham & California building that was torn down. After being there for close to 
8 years, (prior to that, on California and Juneau in the Nail Salon/Women’s fitness bldg for 6 years), it was very sad to leave West Seattle. Before teaching commercially, I taught at Southwest Community Center and Alki Community Center for a long time…..so after more than 20 years of being in West Seattle, I was crushed that I would have to leave …. However….I just want to notify readers of the West Seattle Blog that we will be moving back to West Seattle!! The owners of the Satellite Auto Glass building have agreed to lease the shop area to me. I was so overjoyed that I just wanted to … let everyone know we’re returning. Our plans are to move into the building the first week of February (cleaning, prepping, moving small items), and moving our big items in February 6th, 7th, and 8th. We’re looking forward to being back ‘home’ very soon!” (Her center’s new location is at 5659 California, which has been for sale for months.)
Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Pharmaca in The Junction
(West Seattle Pharmaca Team: Jessica, Dava, Angela, Matthew, Joanna, Meranda, Brian)
Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy — which took over the old Morton‘s spot in The Junction last spring — has been on the WSB sponsor team since early in the month but we just got the staff together for a photo so we could introduce them to you along with sharing information they’d like you to have regarding what they’re all about: Pharmaca became the first integrative pharmacy in the U.S. back in 2000. This model brings a full-service pharmacy and complementary treatment options together under one roof so customers can enjoy the best of both worlds. Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy is changing the way people think about their health by offering traditional pharmacy services and alternative remedies under one roof. Stores feature the best in natural products, certified staff members, safe cosmetics, fair-trade gifts and more. Band-Aids never kept such good company! Integrative medicine is now embraced by 75% of medical schools, including such prestigious names as Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Duke, Yale, and the Mayo Clinic. From acupuncture to aromatherapy, these institutions are exploring methods of treatment beyond standard western medicine. Pharmaca customers get a choice when it comes to their health care. For example, they offer several ways to stay healthy during the flu season:
*Flu shots can be scheduled for those who want to receive immunization
*Preventive supplements like Echinacea come with free advice from our expert staff
*Prescription medications are available if your doctor recommends treatment
Expect total care when you come to Pharmaca. Your body—not to mention your mind and spirit—will thank you for it. Pharmaca is in West Seattle at 4707 California Avenue SW (map; at the Alaska Junction, next to the Farmers’ Market lot; formerly Morton’s Pharmacy), 206.932.4225. Hours are Monday–Friday 9 am-7 pm, Saturday 9 am-6 pm, Sunday 10 am-6 pm. (Online, you can find a list of the special in-store events they have coming up.) We welcome Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy to the WSB sponsor lineup, listed here along with info on how to join the team.
West Seattle’s Prudential real-estate offices merging tonight
They’re already co-owned, and now they’re going to be co-located: The 3221 California SW (map) branch of Prudential Northwest Realty is moving to Jefferson Square, to join forces with the branch that’s located there (photo left), and one of the local PNW realtors, Alice Kuder, tells WSB the biggest part of the move is happening tonight, including a meet-and-greet for the more than 100 new co-workers to get to know each other. She says the move is “exciting”; the two are under the same ownership already anyway. More info expected a bit later today. The branch on California SW was Cayce and Gain Realty before merging with Prudential in 1996. ADDED 11:56 AM: We have comment now from the company’s owner, Chris Pauling, who says Don Bereiter will lead the newly combined office, and enclosed a news release – read on to see it:Read More
Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Jackson, Morgan & Hunt CPAs
With income-tax time looming around the corner, we welcome our newest sponsor, the accounting firm of Jackson, Morgan & Hunt. Longtime West Seattle residents Jim Jackson and Chuck Morgan have been serving local clients for decades, and recently welcomed Scott Hunt as the newest partner to the firm. Jackson, Morgan & Hunt serves the accounting needs of business, individual, and estate clients, with an emphasis on meeting the specific needs of owners of closely held businesses and their families. The firm offers a full range of accounting, tax planning, and advisory services to help clients reach their financial goals.
(Scott Hunt, Jim Jackson, Chuck Morgan)
The firm has community roots and business experience in West Seattle dating back more than 25 years. Scott, Jim and Chuck pride themselves on providing top-notch accounting expertise in a friendly neighborhood setting. Please feel free to drop by their office at 4123 California Ave SW (between Genesee and Dakota Streets, just one block north of the Post Office; map) or call 206-932-1314 to schedule a consultation to discuss your personal or business accounting needs. WSB welcomes Jackson, Morgan & Hunt to the sponsor team, viewable in its entirety on this page, along with info on our booming traffic and how to take advantage of it to grow your business too!
Another West Seattle coffee shop brews up a name change
Thanks to WSB Forums member Bunnypug for pointing out that, after almost a year and a half in business, Bubbles on Delridge has changed its name to Pearls. Like original namesake Bubbles on Alki, they serve bubble tea as well as espresso, and as you know if you’re a bubble-tea devotee, the “bubbles” are also known as “tapioca pearls.” We stopped in to inquire about the name change; no particular reason, we were told, and nothing else has changed about the shop – same people, same beverages and food, etc. This is the second West Seattle coffee shop to change its name recently – as noted here in late November, the Harbor Ave drive-through that used to be Sleepless is now West Bay.
Welcoming new WSB sponsors: West Seattle’s NiaDivas
This morning, we’re welcoming new WSB sponsors offering you a chance to start 2009 with a unique way to keep your New Year’s resolutions for fitness and fun: West Seattle’s own NiaDivas. 
Jill Pagano (left) and Lesley Tinker (right) invite you to start your new year by stepping into fitness the Nia way. The Nia Technique(R) is a low-impact, aerobic exercise of dance, martial arts, and healing arts such as yoga. Done barefoot to music, semi-choreographed, Nia delivers a whole-body workout. More than a physical workout, Nia also strengthens mental awareness and inspires a self-expressive spirit. The happy results are a stronger body, increased flexibility, better overall fitness and lots of fun. Jill and Lesley, known as NiaDivas, are so sure that you’ll love Nia that they offer a FREE Welcome Class the second Saturday of every month at the beautiful dance studio in the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center on Delridge Way. What’s the best way to describe Nia? Jill and Lesley, who have been teaching Nia in West Seattle for three years, sum it up with “it’s inspirational fitness for an extraordinary you.” Click here to sign up for the next FREE Welcome to Nia class — coming up THIS Saturday! WSB welcomes the NiaDivas to our sponsor team; full list is here, with info on how to be part of it!
West Seattle business notes: 3 quick update, from coffee to cars
COFFEE AT THE HEIGHTS: An e-mail inquiry reminded us we hadn’t checked on this in-the-works coffee shop (next to the laundromat at 35th/Webster) since this update last fall. So we asked the proprietors of PB&J Textiles, who are putting in the shop (and also operate the laundromat). After slowing the project down for a while, they say, it’s about to rev up again, with electrical work next week and cabinets after that – so opening day shouldn’t be TOO far away.
AND ACROSS THE STREET … from where Coffee at the Heights is brewing, county records confirm a recent tip we got that the former Carosello Coffee space (which had many names before it closed more than a year ago) at 7350 35th SW finally has been sold. Multiple sources say a salon is going in. The new owner has the same name as the operator of a salon on Delridge; we’re checking both locations for a link (although someone may beat us to confirmation while we’re out driving around!).
WEST SEATTLE MOTORS DRIVES INTO THE SUNSET: Thanks to Lora at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) for pointing out that the sign on this Triangle business along Fauntleroy Way has switched its blazing-red scrolling message from “Liquidation Sale” to “Gone Out of Business.” This was West Seattle’s last remaining car-sales business; we reported in May 2007 about its name change from Bob Ochsner Cars.
Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Fusion Studio
With 2009 just hours away, you may have your New Year’s resolution(s) ready to go; for many people, every year, the top of the list tends to involve getting your body moving. Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor who can help you with that: Jackie at Fusion Studio. As with all new WSB sponsors, we offered Jackie the chance to share details about her business – here’s what she wants to share: Flexibility and strength go hand in hand. At Fusion Studio, these principles are tailored to fit each client’s needs. 
Jackie works with a variety of individuals, with goals such as weight loss, post-rehab, core strengthening, and flexibility. She explains, “My training style is a mixture of resistance and yoga, which I find complement each other. Being in touch with our bodies can be hard work, but it should also be fun. Achieving a balance in our bodies directly translates to our lives.”
Jackie has worked as a Personal Trainer and Yoga Instructor for 5 years. At Fusion Studio, she is committed to teaching people how to tap into their inner and outer strengths and push beyond their normal limitations. “Shocking your body in a positive way is how you bring about change,” she says. Jackie has donated her services to fundraising events for ArtsWest and Schmitz Park Elementary as she believes strongly in giving back to the community. Contact Jackie today at 206-257-9640 to set up your FREE fitness assessment. This gives you the opportunity to learn about her training style and see if she can help you with your fitness goals.
WSB welcomes Fusion Studio to our sponsor team, which you’ll find listed on this page along with information on how to become part of it – growing your business while supporting West Seattle’s 24/7 community connection for news, information, and discussion!
Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Chill Massage & Modern Apothecary
Several new sponsors have joined WSB in the past few weeks – but our traditional “welcome” messages have been on hold while we focused on 24/7 weather-related coverage. Now – during a lull in the weather woes – it’s time to start welcoming those new sponsors. So today we warmly welcome one of WSB’s newest sponsors, Chill! Located in Morgan Junction, Chill is West Seattle’s seven-day-a-week massage therapy shop and modern apothecary, with evening appointments available Thursday through Saturday. Chill offers many types of personalized massage, including Sports, Pregnancy, and Hot-Stone massage. 
You can also choose from shorter sessions of Swedish massage, Reflexology, or a seated massage at the rejuvenation station, for those short on time but long on stress. Still giving holiday gifts since Christmas and Hanukkah were a bit snow-challenged? You can get gift certificates by visiting Chill‘s website (here’s a direct link to that page). Chill’s Massage Therapists are licensed professionals adept at providing excellent body work in a comfortable environment. Try Diana’s Signature Chill for a luxurious vacation; it combines an hour of soothing Swedish Massage with a half hour of foot Reflexology. Then take home some of their mood mists to keep the Chill going all week long. Chill‘s in a convenient spot at 6969 California SW (map); call 206-724-9555 and find them online at chillwestseattle.com – where you can even book appointments online! We’re happy to welcome Chill to the WSB sponsor team; the latest lineup is here along with info on how to become part of it.
SECOND “FRIENDS”: Doris Goulet, owner of the popular Junction craft store
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