West Seattle, Washington
25 Wednesday
On the fourth day of temporary Admiral Safeway-lessness in north West Seattle, we’ve received a few updates from Sara Corn at Safeway’s regional headquarters. First and foremost, they’re announcing the launch of the project-info website they had promised earlier – see it here. That’s also where you’ll see a construction webcam once demolition begins (update: she projects end of September), as well as everything from a floor plan for the new store to information about its quest to become West Seattle’s first LEED-certified supermarket.
In hopes that Admiral shoppers will use the Jefferson Square store till the new one here is up and running, Corn also shared these notes:
-Jefferson Square Safeway will continue the “Senior Coffee” hour that Admiral has hosted for years. This is a social hour on Tuesday, 10 am-11 am. Safeway provides the coffee and the seniors bring treats to share.
-3 of our career checkers have transferred to Jefferson Square for the duration of the construction:
· Barb Fuda – 40 years with Admiral Safeway
· Chris Murray – 37 years with Admiral Safeway
· Sheryl Bogie – 27 years with Admiral Safeway
26 additional Admiral Safeway employees have also transferred to the Jefferson Square Safeway.– Our fuel station is still open and offering the 10 cent discount for store purchases of $50 or more;
– The pharmacy is open in a trailer on the Admiral site;
– Jefferson Square Safeway now has free underground parking available for our customers.
She also mentioned that local Safeways have fundraisers ahead, including J-Square Safeway hosting a Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser at Roxbury Lanes tomorrow, 6-9 pm, $10 for unlimited bowling and shoes, and starting its annual Christmas Ham Drive for West Seattle Food Bank right after Thanksgiving.
This afternoon, we’re welcoming Shanti Salon & Spa as one of our newest WSB sponsors. As per WSB tradition, new sponsors have the opportunity to share information about their business: Shanti (pronounced Shŏntē) Salon & Spa has operated in West Seattle continuously since 1996. The salon was recently purchased by a West Seattle family: Tim and Heidi Reynolds, daughter Lillian, and a close family friend purchased the salon in mid-May of this year. Tim and Heidi have three daughters, all of whom are involved in the business. Erica graduated from the Gary Manuel Aveda Institute several years ago and is a stylist at Shanti. Carlene, the middle daughter, is keeping the books and helps with marketing. When you visit Shanti, you will notice some exciting changes to both the exterior and interior of the salon and spa. Heidi and Tim are intent on maintaining an atmosphere conducive to pampering their clients and providing the highest level of service and products. In maintaining the Aveda mission, the owners of Shanti value and care for the world we live in and are taking steps to become more environmentally friendly, as well as supporting other local West Seattle vendors. Shanti Salon & Spa offers full-service hair treatment, nail service, waxing, facials, lash extensions, and a wide range of massage treatments. Visit the Shanti website to sign up on the e-mail list and receive a discount for spa or salon services. Shanti Salon & Spa is located at 2138 California SW, two blocks north of the Admiral Junction; for an appointment, call 206.932.5988.
We thank Shanti Salon & Spa for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Suite Arrangements is the result of many things coming together at once: personal interests, family experience, our evolving cultural ethic, and macro-economic picture, and the availability of a great location,” says Geoffrey Abdian, talking about the furniture store he’s about to bring to The Junction.
Where, you ask? If you are a keen observer of storefront changes, you probably noticed the “for lease” signs being replaced this weekend by butcher paper (photo at left) in the windows of Suite Arrangements‘ future storefront at 4706 California SW – formerly Funky Jane’s Consignment (which moved a block and a half north), then briefly Heavenly Wholesale/Leslie’s. Appropriately enough given the space’s history, Suite Arrangements will be a consignment store too – furniture consignment (among other specialties).
We’d been trying to track down this story for a few weeks, after getting tipped to a Craigslist ad seeking employees for a “small furniture store” planned for the heart of West Seattle. Our inquiry to the blind box in that CL post went unanswered, but then a few days ago, a more general announcement of the future enterprise appeared, and our second request for information was answered, amply, by Abdian.
Back in December, we introduced you to Kenny Wolfe, who was taking over the former Westside Pharmacy immediately south of West Seattle Nursery. He thought he’d have the renamed West Seattle Pharmacy – closed when its former owner moved to the then-new QFC in The Junction last fall – open before long. Eight months have passed, and he and wife Scarlett Wolfe are finally almost there, as the brand-new sign in the window (top photo) says. We pulled over to check in last night when we saw saw that sign and another one on the shop’s north side, just painted by West Seattle’s popular “Sign Savant“ Japhy Witte, so fresh that he was still there talking with them when we walked up.
The espresso bar in the drugstore space has been open for a week-plus – using Pioneer beans, and please note, per the sign, they’re making smoothies too – and they intend for West Seattle Pharmacy to be a coffeehouse/Internet café as well as a drugstore, with Wi-Fi and probably even a desktop computer to be used by customers who don’t bring their own. Getting the pharmacy open took a lot longer than expected because of various delays, Kenny explains, including a long wait time for the state Pharmacy Board to get to their application. But now everything’s falling in place. What the Wolfes would love is if you come in – even now, before the drugstore opens – and let them know what you’re interested in buying. They plan to offer a wide range of merchandise including medical, health and fitness equipment as well as over-the-counter sundries, and they promise that since they’re your small, independent drugstore, if you ask for something, they’ll do their best to get it – no corporate approval needed – “we ARE corporate,” they grinned. (They’re at California/Brandon; here’s a map.)
Never mind those cloudy forecasts, the sun has come out in time for The Junction’s big multi-merchant sale. The Big Bonanza is continuing till 5. Above, that’s Linda Walsh outside her shop, Clementine, famed for its shoes (and note the ones she’s sporting); it’s one of dozens of sale displays you’ll find Junction-wide. The Junction’s newest shops are participating too, like Bin 41 (WSB sponsor) and knows perfume, whose proprietor Christen Cottam was putting the finishing touches on her table:
You can find deals for your pet today, too – here’s the setup outside Next to Nature:
At Cupcake Royale (WSB sponsor), wardrobe additions are the frosting on the (cup)cake:
As you wander The Junction, just look for the bandana and/or red balloons like the ones outside Square One Books:
For Square One, Big Bonanza falls right in the middle of a big four-day sale – drop in for a deal on almost anything in the store. And for coupons delivering bonus deals, drop by the Big Bonanza HQ tent on the southwest corner of California/Alaska. The sales are in full swing till 5 pm.
Three quick shopping notes for tomorrow — As announced last month, Saturday is closing day for Admiral Safeway, soon to be torn down for a project centered on a new store almost twice the size of the current one. Safeway has told us the store will be open till midnight tomorrow night. Shoppers are discussing its closeout sales right now in the WSB Forums … Saturday also is the NEW closing day for Friends and Company in The Junction, the rubber stamps/craft store that is consolidating operations at its newer Issaquah location. That’s a few days earlier than first announced. … Tomorrow’s a big day for shopping in The Junction overall, with more than 40 merchants participating in the second annual end-of-summer “Big Bonanza” sale – with discounts and prizes. Here’s the list (which includes WSB sponsors Bin 41, Brunette Mix, Cupcake Royale, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, and Square One Books).
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
“We’re not the center of your universe yet, but we will be,” quips Virginia Bowen, owner of Seattle Yarn (5633 California SW). This global takeover has begun with the launch of Seattle Yarn’s new online store, which offers many of the yarns, needles, hooks and books featured in the store.
Employee Marguerite Lynch (at right in the top photo with Virginia), who created the online venture, says: “We did this because people were requesting it. Our customers would bring their friends and family who were visiting from out of town and who still wanted to be able to shop our store when they went back home.”
Nine months after first word that a 7-11 was on the drawing board for the former Exxon station/mini-mart at 35th and Barton, there’s a new indication it’s moving forward: A liquor-license application filed this week. This comes after a real-estate-style shingle’s been hanging out front of the property for a few months, promoting franchise opportunities; the names on the liquor-license application include Joseph DePinto, 7-11’s corporate CEO, so we have a message out to corporate HQ to see what we can find out about its status. (Nothing new on the building-permit front.) 7:24 PM UPDATE: Got voicemail from a corporate rep at day’s end. We have to call back to ask specifics on this particular store – but she said that in general, 7-11’s are often built/opened by the corporate parent without a franchisee having signed on yet – then they go find one.
Happy 1st anniversary to Cherry Consignment in The Junction and Porterhouse Pub in the Admiral District – both are having special events today in honor of having been open a year. Porterhouse (2329 California SW) is offering beer specials and door prizes. Cherry Consignment (4142 California SW) is having a special sale event 6-8 pm, with storewide discount, a “Super Saver Rack,” and refreshments.
If she’s not the original West Seattle pet walker/day-care provider, she’s gotta be close. But now, “Lady Di, Pet Chaperone” is looking for a successor, somebody to take over her business. (She’s been a WSB sponsor for a while, but we’ve been familiar with her work for years longer — “Lady Di” took care of our cats during more than a few vacations we took pre-WSB.) She’s dealing with some health challenges, and, after 15 years, is ready to sell the business to the right person. Read on for more:Read More
(Photo taken tonight, added 8:37 pm)
Just sent by Friends and Company proprietor Doris Goulet, via her e-mail list – she’s closing her craft store (primarily rubber-stamping) in The Junction, to focus on her newer branch on the Eastside:
Although it has been a very difficult decision to make for many reasons, I have decided, along with some family and friends, to close our West Seattle location and merge into our Issaquah location. Ironically for me, this is becoming more of a celebration. I just know that it will open yet another chapter for us. I’m confident that you will celebrate with us as this new chapter unfolds. Remember, I am closing a location but NOT closing the business.
Our West Seattle doors will be open until 24 August making this date our last day of operation. …
The e-mail goes on to mention some special deals/sales that are described as especially for the list, so we’re not republishing those, but you can certainly inquire at the store. The Friends and Company location in Issaquah opened a year and a half ago; according to the F&C website, the West Seattle store was to celebrate its 13th anniversary in mid-September.
In the discussion following last week’s story about Admiral Safeway announcing August 21 as its official closing date, the fate of the store’s BECU ATM was brought up. Though we hadn’t gotten around yet to contacting BECU for comment – BECU’s Todd Pietzsch saw the discussion and e-mailed this info to share with you:
The BECU ATM located in the Admiral Safeway will remain there until the store is officially closed on August 21st. While the Safeway is closed there are additional ATM’s in the area that can be utilized. BECU members are encouraged to visit www.becu.org and look under “locations/ATM’s” to find the one that is most convenient for them. We are pleased to announce that when the new Safeway opens in 2011, BECU will have two ATM’s at the new store, one inside and one on the outside of the store.
The idea of the outside ATM came up at Design Review Board meetings, as noted in our report on the 5th and final such meeting for the Admiral Safeway project – though at the time, it was cautioned that Safeway hadn’t finalized a deal with a bank; now, BECU’s announcement indicates, it has. (The sketch above is from the artwork shown at that meeting last February; it shows part of the California SW frontage of the new store.)
After PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) announced yesterday that a remodeling project is about to begin at their West Seattle store – just as the newly set August 21st closing date looms for nearby Admiral Safeway – WSB commenters asked questions. Tom Monahan at PCC procured the answers – read on:Read More
Just announced today by PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) – a remodeling project is set to start this month, and will continue through fall, with expected completion around the holiday season, according to PCC’s Tom Monahan. Highlights from the official announcement:
The deli will offer pizza made fresh on-site, a gelato bar, kombucha on draft, self-serve hot foods and a larger soup bar. The deli will continue to feature a variety of salads and entrees, but displayed in new cases and prepared in a remodeled kitchen.
The produce department will be relocated to the east side of the building, bathing the fruit and vegetable displays in natural light from large new windows along California Avenue. The grocery aisles will benefit from a more open layout and design and the meat department will receive a new prep area and feature new display cases.
The classroom will be moved to the southeast corner of the store. The state-of-the-art kitchen classroom will be surrounded in glass, so customers can see the acclaimed PCC Cooks instructors in action. PCC Cooks is an award-winning cooking school offering more than 1,000 classes annually, with plans of offering over 200 classes at the West Seattle store post-remodel.
The outside of the store will benefit from the remodel as well. New seating will be provided for customers and there will be cosmetic upgrades to the exterior.
Energy efficiency will be boosted as well. You can read the full announcement by going to the PCC Natural Markets website.
(Scroll down for the latest video/info)
FIRST “HAPPENING NOW” REPORT AT 8:15 AM: Just a few minutes ago, the backhoe bit into the back side of the former Pegasus Pizza storefront on Alki (2758 Alki SW). It’s been sitting vacant since the restaurant moved next door 2 years ago. For now, you won’t see anything driving by on Alki Avenue, though, because the work has started behind the building. 8:44 AM UPDATE: Here’s our video from the first crunch (after the backhoe operator carefully plucked a few metal pieces from atop the building – including the satellite/microwave dish and a piece of ventilation/cooling equipment):
A permit’s been granted for the “shell/core” of a new building to be put up at the site. 11 AM UPDATE: Three hours in, the demolition crew is moving to the front of the building – this video shows the second-story front wall coming down (first half of clip and then second part, toward the end of the clip):
Those who’ve come to watch include Pegasus team members past and present who have been sharing memories as they watch the building come down, piece by piece. Among those here is the building’s owner, who tells WSB that the one-story commercial building he’s putting up has “multiple” interested parties so far – but no leases signed yet.
3:45 PM UPDATE: By mid-afternoon, the teardown was all done (and the sun was finally out) – cleanup, of course, remains to be done, before construction. Just before noon, the backhoe was dumping debris into the back of a big hauling truck, but you can see what remained after that, and after the rest of the demolition.
You may have noticed the work in front of Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) headquarters along California SW, between Alaska and Morgan Junctions. Potter sent a photo and explanation:
Potter Construction, located at 5606 California Avenue, is renovating the front entrance to their office. The project plan shows new sidewalks, steps and all new landscaping. Construction should be complete in a few weeks and we look forward to the peace and quiet that comes with the end of any construction project!
Till 9 tonight, the merchants of Luna Park welcome you to their first-ever Block Party – you can’t miss the balloons waving in the slightest hint of breeze along SW Avalon Way, from Ola Salon to Avalon Glassworks (watch glassblowing, live!), with stops along the way including Java Bean Coffee, a West Seattle fixture for more than two decades. And looking back even further … why … it’s “The King”!
You can snack like a king (or queen, or princess, or prince) at the food booths – these were by Luna Park Café:
And the Java Bean van’s not the only classic car you can gawk at:
Live music and raffles too – on Avalon south of The Bridge, till 9 tonight.
Just announced by the West Seattle Junction Association: The “Big Bonanza” multi-merchant sale is on again this year, “with specials on a wide range of goods and services, a noontime community water fight showdown and a $100 Junction gift card giveaway … (also featuring) Western themed grub from Junction restaurants and deep discounts on past and current season merchandise from more than 40 Junction merchants including shoes, apparel, books, music, flowers, perfume, French pastry and pub food.” The date: Saturday, August 21, 10 am-5 pm. Again this year, checked tablecloths and red balloons will mark the spot for retailers that are offering specials during “Big Bonanza” (a full list of participants is promised at the Junction website tomorrow). You’ll also want to stop by The Junction’s tent by Walk All Ways – they’ll hand out bandanas and sheriff’s stickers, with the water-fight showdown promised at “high noon” (squirter equipment available at the tent ahead of time). (Above left: WSB photo taken outside CAPERS during last year’s “Big Bonanza”)
HOLLYWOOD VIDEO: While over at Westwood Village this afternoon for an unrelated story, WV manager Stuart Crandall told us this is finally the last day for Hollywood Video, which has been having a going-out-of-business sale for more than 2 months. 10 pm tonight, that’s it, doors close. They’re selling some remaining stock for as little as 75 cents, we’re told. (No new tenant for the space yet.)
WING DOME IN THE JUNCTION: 10 months now since first word the Wing Dome was headed this way. So when are they opening? we’re often asked. As of June, they hoped for early August, but that’s apparently not likely; we checked today with spokesperson Colleen O’Leary, who says they haven’t set the date yet, as the permit situation is keeping things “fluid.” (If you missed the earlier stories, the Wing Dome is going into part of what used to be a larger space for CAPERS; the other part will be Romanza Floral and Tuscan Tea Room – here’s our report on that.)
BLACKBOARD BISTRO: The new restaurant that’s replacing the short-lived Eness at 3247 California SW now has a website: blackboardbistroseattle.com. It reaffirms they’re hoping to open next month.
Shared by Sustainable West Seattle president Brian Allen – High Point community management is putting out a call for support on behalf of a man who wants to open a small East African food store in what was a storage space on the Hans VW site along Graham just east of 35th [map]. They say the would-be proprietor of High Point Mini-Market and Deli needs city permission for change of use at the location, though, and that’s why they’re looking for letters of support. We went over to Hans VW to check; they confirm that they’re renting a small structure on their site to the future market proprietor. DPD online files do not turn up an application regarding any part of this site so far, but according to what SWS’s Allen forwarded, support letters are being collected ASAP by Jeanette Fournier, who sent this letter as an example; you can e-mail yours to her at Jeanette.Fournier@cdcmanagement.com.
Just checked on construction progress of the new Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor) HQ at 35th/Kenyon (above), while inquiring about the future of Swedish Automotive’s current building at 35th/Webster (map). Swedish proprietor Dave Winters tells WSB it just so happens he signed a lease this morning with a new tenant for the “old” building – but isn’t ready to identify them just yet. Meantime, if all continues to go well, September 2nd is the target completion date for the new building – that’s faster than predicted when we reported on the project as construction got under way in early March.
Lists courtesy of Square One Books
Every week, courtesy of Gretchen Montgomery @ Square One Books (WSB sponsor), we bring you her independent West Seattle bookstore’s 5 best-sellers in each of 4 key categories:
Hardcover:
1. Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson
2. Faithful Place by Tana French
3. No Way: Life and Death on K2 by Graham Bowley
4. The Lion by Nelson DeMille
5. Quiet Hero by Rita CosbyPaperback:
1. Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese
2. Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
3. Lit: A Memoir by Mary Karr
4. Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs
5. Border Songs by Jim LynchChildren/Young Adult:
1. City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Williams
2. Ladybug Girl at the Beach by David Soman
3. Lego Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary by Simon Beecroft
4. Zombie Chasers by John Kloepher
5. The Berenstain Bears Go On Vacation by Stan BerenstainTeen:
1. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
2. Pretty Little Liars (TV Tie-In) by Sara Shepard
3. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
5. The Cirque du Freak Series by Darren Shan
Square 1 Books is in The Junction – in Jefferson Square.
That’s Melanie Wells, proprietor of Pet Elements (6701 California SW) in Morgan Junction, who invites you to come on over and celebrate with hot dogs and birthday cake – her store is marking its 5th anniversary. And to celebrate, they’re encouraging you to reach out and help if you can – if you’re interested in adopting a cat or kitten, visit Kitty Harbor (on Harbor Ave. just north of The Bridge) today or tomorrow; if you adopt one, you’ll get a special adoption flyer to bring to Pet Elements for a free trial bag of cat food, plus a 10 percent discount on anything you buy for your new friend – if you spend $30 or more, you get another $5 off the bill. West Seattle-based Furry Faces Foundation often partners with Pet Elements and has info at the store about its two community programs, “It’s Hip to be Snipped” and “Oliver’s Fund.” Pet Elements is open till 6 tonight.
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