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Meet the newest WSB sponsor: Ventana Construction
February 8, 2008 11:20 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle online

Taking a quick moment on a busy day to welcome the latest WSB sponsor: Ventana Construction (5458 California SW, 932-3009). Here’s what the folks at Ventana want you to know about them: “Ventana Construction is a full-service remodeling contractor based in West Seattle. We are a family-owned business with a full staff of skilled craftsmen. ventanaconstructionlogo.jpgWe specialize in custom homes, whole-house remodels, and additions, with a focus on seamlessly blending the new areas with the existing home. We also do total facelifts on kitchens, baths and basements and build spectacular outdoor gathering places. We work closely with architects to build functional spaces with inspired design and stellar finishes. Creative solutions and unusual materials make our projects stand out. From custom-built Craftsman-style railings to modern steel and green materials, we build homes that exceed expectations. A successful project is equal parts quality construction and effective management. Our experienced project managers and office staff provide clear communication and the tools to track project costs and stay on schedule. We provide weekly reports on completion and a master calendar that includes deadlines for all material ordering. Those steps make for a calm, logical and predictable building process. We are Built Green members of the Master Builders Association and members of the National Association of Homebuilders. We are also members of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau. Come visit us in our new offices at the corner of California and Findlay in West Seattle to find out more about our construction services. Or visit our website to learn more: www.ventanabuilds.com.” Thanks to Ventana for supporting WSB; to find out how to join the WSB sponsor team, check out our Advertise page.

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Confirmed tonight: Atomic Boys opens tomorrow
February 7, 2008 9:53 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

atomicsmaller.jpgWe’ve been telling you (here and here) about this retro/nostalgia gifts/toys/etc. store moving into the ex-Hart’s space on Admiral west of California. Tonight, official word from owner Kent Sadow that his shop opens for business tomorrow (plus some info for those who wanted to know more about the treats he’ll sell): “We are opening the doors Friday the 8th. Finally!!! 10 am-6 pm. And yes, we have Beemans, Chick-O-Stick, Bit-O-Honey, Pop Rocks and alot more. Necco Wafers coming soon, sorry, no ‘Lik-m-ade’.”

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Alki Urban Market open for business
February 7, 2008 8:13 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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As promised yesterday, the new market/deli opened first thing this morning (2820 Alki Ave, east of 63rd, same building as Cactus and All the Best Pet Care). ADDED 9:22 AM: Here’s a 30-second video look inside. Seems pretty much as described when we interviewed the owner for this article last month.

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click To Play

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Bulletin: Alki Urban Market opens tomorrow morning
February 6, 2008 3:53 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | WS breaking news

Thanks to Jo for the tip that it looks open now – we just called owner “Thampay” Thilakarajah; he tells WSB the store will officially open 7 am tomorrow. (Here’s our in-depth article from last month detailing what he says AUM will offer.)

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“Atomic Boys” update: Almost there
February 6, 2008 11:49 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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As we first told you a week and a half ago, the former Hart’s Gifts on Admiral just west of California is becoming Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama, featuring “retro and nostalgic” merchandise. After seeing the sign go up (as shown above), we just checked with owner Kent Sadow regarding progress toward opening; he says it’ll be within the next few days, adding (for everyone wondering about retro candy possibilities), “Spent the better part of yesterday pricing Sugar Daddys, Good & Plenty, Chuckles, Candy dots (on paper) and a lot more.” He promises he will let us all know as soon as the “open” sign goes up.

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Bank merger closes this week
January 30, 2008 7:03 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses

Didn’t realize till reading this post on The Mortgage Porter (WSB sponsor) that Washington Federal is acquiring First Mutual. Both have West Seattle branches, both on California Ave; WF’s newly renovated branch in Morgan Junction, FM’s newly built branch is just north of The Junction. The acquisition closes on Friday.

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Hotwire expands to Pike Place – and potentially beyond
January 29, 2008 6:08 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

hotwire.jpgLora Lewis from Hotwire Coffee, WSB’s inaugural sponsor, just e-mailed to say: “We’ve just finalized a purchase of a coffee shop at the Pike Place Market; opening of the new Hotwire Pike Place Market will be the first week of March. My manager, Rena Poppell, has decided to jump into the world of small business ownership and will be opening this shop under the Hotwire name. This new location actually eclipses other Internet Cafes in the area and will make Hotwire the largest line of Internet coffee shops in the region. Also, by the middle of 2008 we’ll be set to offer Hotwire as a micro-franchise to people who are interested in opening their own Hotwire Online Coffeehouse.” Lora says you can find out more about franchising by checking the links on the lower-right side of the Hotwire home page (higher up the page, by the way, is the latest on the Hotwire Valentine matchmaking event).

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“Atomic” era about to begin in Admiral District
January 27, 2008 2:34 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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Thanks to Heather for letting us know she spotted signs of a new business moving into the above-pictured space on the south side of Admiral, just west of California. Research led us quickly to co-owner Kent Sadow, who answered our e-mail just as quickly:

We have bought out “Hart’s Cards & Gifts” and will be opening a new, really fun store. It will now be Max & Quinn’s ATOMIC BOYS Shop-O-Rama. We will still have cards and party supplies; however, the new store will be heavily themed towards retro and nostalgic games, toys, novelties, & candy. If it reminds us of when we were growing up and even before, we will try to carry it.

We are really excited to have this opportunity to open a store in this location, since we live just a few blocks away, our kids go to school next door, and have always loved being part of our community. … We hope to be open by week’s end.

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Click! closure just till the weekend
January 22, 2008 11:49 pm
|    Comments Off on Click! closure just till the weekend
 |   West Seattle businesses

With other West Seattle businesses remodeling, posting “for rent” signs, pondering moving, etc., the folks at WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits thought you might like to know that their closure this week is just temporary – they’ll be open again on Saturday (with new artwork from Brad Strain).

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Another West Seattle retailer moving
January 17, 2008 9:55 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Marilyn Murphy from Murphy’s Furniture Studio on Avalon (just up the hill from Java Bean, Luna Park Cafe, Avalon Glass Works) confirms her store will be moving in the next few months. She says she’d been thinking about it for a while, and a recent rent increase helped “influence her decision” as well. As is the case with Basic Green Box‘s move, which we reported here Monday, Murphy’s hasn’t settled on a new location yet but will update us when they do. Marilyn adds she’s preparing for the move already: “I am starting to mark down a lot of merchandise and will be having a fabric sale next month.” (Thanks to Beth for e-mailing the tip on this.)

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New look at proposed Salty’s hotel
January 16, 2008 9:22 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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That rendering by CB Anderson Architects is the first look at what the proposed “boutique hotel” south of Salty’s on Alki might look like, along with potential improvements for the main restaurant, such as a new glassed-in deck. Thanks to Derek for first spotting it in the Daily Journal of Commerce (whose articles are only available online to subscribers) and thanks to Eileen Mintz from Salty’s for subsequently tracking down a copy for us to share with you. As Richard Anderson of CB Anderson told the DJC, the project is still in “dream” stage, and this is a very preliminary look at what it could resemble — no formal applications have been filed with the city. One more Salty’s note: The “Under the Alki Moon” wine dinner last night introduced the new cookbook “Good Ciao!”, on which Salty’s co-owner Kathryn Hilger Kingen collaborated with Italian chef Roberto Russo and Salty’s chefs. Read more about it here.

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Red Cup Espresso update: Message from Angelia’s husband
January 16, 2008 5:22 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

angelia2.jpgEight days after Red Cup Espresso owner Angelia Paulsen‘s tragically early death in a car crash, her husband Sean O’Dea e-mailed WSB early this morning to ask us to share this with you:

I cannot possibly find the words to describe or thank everyone for the level of support that has been offered to us at this time. I have had hundreds of people come to me with offers of help with anything I could possibly need. This has come from merchants, customers, neighbors and friends. It feels like the entire community has stepped up at at a time of overwhelming grief, and overwhelmed us with care and love. We are doing our best to keep the shop open, and will be open every day from 6 am to around 2 pm. As soon as I can, I plan to have it back to regular hours. I know how much Julian and I loved Angelia, and am extremely touched and honored by the love and respect shown to her memory. Thank you all.

Sean had previously posted in the comments section — up to 111 as of early this morning — following our original report on the accident.

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Welcoming three new WSB sponsors
January 15, 2008 1:25 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle online

This afternoon, we’re extending the traditional WSB welcome to three new sponsors who joined us today:
First, the West Seattle Family YMCA, which has been building strong communities through both the West Seattle (east of The Junction) and Fauntleroy locations since the 1920s. Josh Sutton from the Y picks it up from here: “Whether it’s families coming for child care, teens in leadership programs, or adults looking for a healthier lifestyle, the Y continues to be a place where people come together. That¹s why we love the West Seattle Blog. Over the past two years many Y staff, volunteers and members have become avid readers (and some posters). The WSB is the online gathering place, for news, opinions, community in West Seattle. We¹re happy to join WSB as a business sponsor. For those interested in Health & Wellness in the Y, January is a busy time. Lots of people resolve to take better care of themselves as they start the new year. With two Health & Wellness locations in West Seattle, we¹re open all year long to help you work towards your healthy balanced lifestyle.” The West Seattle Y is online here, with location and rate info here.

chrissoundyoga.jpgAnother brand-new WSB sponsor is SoundYoga, at 5639 California, celebrating 10 years in West Seattle. Pictured at right is owner/director Chris Dormeier, who wants you to know: “SoundYoga offers small group classes (11 max), to support personal growth and fitness, in a beautiful studio with heated bamboo floors. All our teachers are Certified Yoga Teachers. Our classes range from beginning to the more challenging sessions using the breath to maximize the benefits of each posture. People who come to SoundYoga are of all ages, walks of life, and levels of fitness. In addition to regularly scheduled sessions, SoundYoga can provide classes for corporate settings, personal celebrations, and weekend workshops on special topics of your choice. I also provide individual sessions in yoga therapy and establishing an individual practice. We offer Certified Teacher Training for those wishing to become teachers or to deepen your personal practice. SoundYoga also has produced a video that incorporates yoga and light weights — Strong Bones Yoga® (available at Amazon.com). Chris says SoundYoga has several special events coming up — Intro to Ayurveda at 1 pm Jan. 27, Free Sunday Yoga at 4 pm Feb. 3, Intro to Yoga at 11 am Feb. 10, and the return of Prenatal Yoga on Thursdays at 5 pm.

jansphoto.jpgAnd our third new sponsor is Jan’s Beauty Supply at 4517 California SW in The Junction. Jan’s is owned and operated by licensed professionals and is open to the public, serving the greater Seattle area for more than 24 years. Here’s what else the folks at Jan’s want you to know: “With more than 28 lines of professional hair-care products such as Pureology, Alterna, MOP, and Redken, choosing the right product is easy. Trusted brand-name appliances such as CHI, GHD, and Babyliss are always available. For the finishing touch, choose from a stunning array of designer jewelry. The much-sought-after ‘Liquid Silver’ jewelry is a must-have item. Indulge yourself with a French hair accessory or handmade soap or body butter. The comfortable atmosphere and reliable service make Jan’s a great place to shop. Immediate shipping is always available.” You can call Jan’s at 937-9224 or check out the shop’s new website here, with contact info here.

Thanks to the West Seattle Family YMCA, SoundYoga, and Jan’s Beauty Supply for supporting WSB, along with our other sponsors, all of whom are showcased right now in the right sidebar. If you’re interested in joining them, check out our Advertise page.

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West Seattle Bowl: “We’re not going anywhere”
January 14, 2008 11:35 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The WSB inbox gets rumor e-mails every day. We always check them out, and if they’re true, we report it here; if they’re not, we usually don’t say anything, except in an e-mail back to the original sender. Today, there’s one that we do want to mention here, even though the subject says it’s NOT TRUE: Got e-mail last night from someone saying they’d heard from a reliable source that West Seattle Bowl would be closing. Wouldn’t be hard to imagine that could make sense — other bowling alleys in the city are closing (Sunset Bowl and Leilani Lanes), and in the case of WS Bowl, the Fauntleroy Place project going in next door is going to make life on that block a little messy for a while. However, we just dropped in to ask WS Bowl in person, and manager Andy Carl says, “We’re NOT GOING ANYWHERE — our lease is good till 2017.” In fact, he told WSB, he’s doing interviews with some citywide media later this week about the future of bowling alleys in the wake of those other high-profile closures.

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Another West Seattle business on the move
January 14, 2008 10:38 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Thanks to Tracy from T(ea) Gallery — who as we mentioned recently just closed her Admiral location soon to focus on her new downtown store — for a tip about another business on the move – she noticed a “for rent” sign in the window at Basic Green Box (3407 California) and wondered what’s up. We just heard back from Charlotte of Basic Green Box, who says they are moving in April — new location not confirmed yet; they’re looking at several spots. BGB is next door to yet another space that’s in transition, the former Leslie’s Country Store spot that is becoming The Bohemian (our last update on that is here; they’ve since posted the same info on their website and MySpace).

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Ex-Beauty goes Natural
January 12, 2008 6:40 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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Back in August, we mentioned that this building and the house behind it at 3256 California were up for sale, and the Beauty Box salon had posted plans to close. Though this parcel is now right in the middle of the proposed “upzone” area, it looks like the buildings will be around a while – we stopped today to read the sign in the window, which says it’s the new home of West Seattle Natural Medicine, moving from 4141 California to open at this location Jan. 21 (a week from Monday). There’s more about the move on the clinic website.

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Welcoming another WSB sponsor: Keller Williams
January 12, 2008 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on Welcoming another WSB sponsor: Keller Williams
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle online

kw_stack_lite_bg.jpgWe are starting the weekend with the traditional WSB welcome for a new sponsor – this time, everyone say hi to Alex Garcia and his fellow agents at Keller Williams Realty Seattle Metro West in The Junction. They are part of the growing trend of real-estate bloggers; their ad on the right sidebar links to the KW team’s new blog, currently featuring everything from information on the open houses that its agents are hosting tomorrow, to a recap of Keller Williams’ participation in Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk. Thanks to KW and our other sponsors for supporting WSB; they’re all featured on the Advertise page, along with information for other local businesses interested in joining them.

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Nucor permit hearing: Virtually controversy-free
January 9, 2008 10:28 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Environment | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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The red arrow in the photo above (from this page on the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency website) shows the spot where the Nucor steel plant (Delridge/Andover) wants to upgrade a crane so it can operate more hours. Because more hours mean more emissions, Nucor needs state and regional permits; tonight’s public hearing at the Alki Community Center provided the chance for supporters and opponents to have their say. One of the shortest public hearings we’ve ever attended:Read More

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Reader report: Antique shop “closed for remodeling”
January 4, 2008 5:04 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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Thanks to Michelle for sending the photo and the tip. What’s on that sign is all the info we have – we just tried calling but no answer and no recorded message. (If you’re not familiar with Admiralty House, it’s at 2141 California in North Admiral.)

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Alki Urban Market: Proprietor reveals what you’ll find inside
January 2, 2008 7:02 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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Since we first reported two months ago that the last remaining space in the ex-Alki Market would become the “Alki Urban Market,” hopes have run high, as has the volume of questions. A few more facts emerged when a sign appeared on its door December 21st featuring an e-mail address with the “seattleurbanmarket.com” domain, thus confirming AUM will be part of a group of stores run by Eastside businessman Thampipillai Thilakarajah (WSB photo above). But the website doesn’t have Alki specifics (yet), so to find out more, we requested an interview. Here’s the result:Read More

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Welcoming the newest WSB sponsor: Allstate’s Phillip Plenkovich
December 31, 2007 11:30 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle people

In today’s traditional WSB sponsor welcome, we’re letting you know about the Allstate Insurance agency in Morgan Junction where you’ll find (left to right in our photo) Phillip Plenkovich allstate.jpgand Andrew Mead. Phillip is a West Seattle native who attended Arbor Heights Elementary, Denny Middle School, Chief Sealth High School, and the University of Washington. His community involvement includes the West Seattle Rotary Club and coaching youth basketball at the West Seattle YMCA. His specialties include auto, home, and life insurance. Andrew helps clients with life-insurance and disability coverage; he and his wife Sharon moved in August 2006 from Maple Leaf in North Seattle to High Point here in West Seattle, where he’s working to build community as the president of the new High Point Neighborhood Association. Thanks to Phillip and Andrew for supporting WSB; if you are interested in finding out how to join them, check out our Advertise page (which also lists the current sponsor lineup) – we’ve got new opportunities coming up in the new year!

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Welcoming another WSB sponsor: J.F. Henry
December 26, 2007 2:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle online

It’s a WSB tradition to let you know when a new sponsor comes aboard: Joining us today is J.F. Henry in The Junction, advertising to let you know about the store’s after-Christmas 50%-60% off sale (see the ad in the right sidebar on this page for more details). J.F. Henry has been in business more than 20 years, and is located on the booming north end of The Junction, where there’s a lot going on lately (Shadow Land, Craze, Spring Hill, etc.) — you can find out more about J.F. Henry’s kitchen and tableware offerings at its website, which also features details about the store’s unique decor (including fixtures from downtown’s old Frederick & Nelson store!). And if you would like to find out about becoming a WSB sponsor, check out our Advertise page (which also lists the current sponsor lineup) – we’ve got new opportunities coming up in the new year!

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Two holiday notes: Gumbo today, groceries next week
December 22, 2007 10:49 am
|    Comments Off on Two holiday notes: Gumbo today, groceries next week
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle businesses

johnny_automatic_christmas_wreath.jpgGUMBO: Just heard from Lakema Bell @ Delridge Community Center, who advises there’s still room to join in one of today’s West Seattle holiday events — the Santa Sleigh Ride and Holiday Gumbo Feast at DCC, noon-3 pm today, $5/bowl for gumbo ($3 refills).

GROCERIES: Finished our survey of grocery stores’ Christmas plans — the full list is on the WSB Holidays page — all three Safeways (Admiral, Jefferson, Roxbury) plan to be open 9 am-3 pm on Christmas Day; some West Seattle supermarkets are closing at 7 pm Christmas Eve, some at 6. We are still surveying coffee shops for their Christmas Day plans; that in-progress list is on the Holidays page too. And if you know of any West Seattle restaurants open on Christmas, you can help answer a question posted in the new WSB Forums (explained here).

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