West Seattle, Washington
11 Monday
Lora 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).
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.
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).
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.)
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.
Eight 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.
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.
Another 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.
And 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.
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.
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).
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.
We 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.
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
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.)
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
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 
and 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!
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!
GUMBO: 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).
Just up on the future store’s door in the past 24 hours or so. The fine print is an e-mail address at the domain “seattleurbanmarket.com.” The website at that address doesn’t mention the Alki location right now but lists 9 others around the area and describes the parent company as “a company dedicated to the development of ‘high end’ delicatessen stores in the Seattle & Eastside Metropolitan Areas to serve the particular neighborhood they are located in with high quality products and services. Utilizing well known quality products such as Boar Head meats and cheeses, Appasionato Coffees, quality groceries, health foods and fine Washington Wines.”
DEVELOPMENT NOTE: You’ve probably noticed that crews also have torn down the ex-Mailbox West/Eyes Rite building as well as the old green rentals in the 4100 block of California. (Rowdy reminiscences on the latter have turned up in comments here, by the way.) And now the city building permit for the mixed-use replacement is official.
BUSINESS NOTES: The newest WSB sponsor, Curious Kidstuff, has added a coupon to its ad on the right sidebar – click the ad or this link and print the ensuing coupon to take it in for your 20% discount, through Christmas Eve. … Another WSB sponsor note: Click! Design That Fits in the Admiral District has just launched a blog – including a preview of the Christmas cookies that proprietors John and Frances Smersh will be offering during tonight’s final Late Night Thursday shopping event at the store … Belated anniversary congratulations to Beato, which has been open one year as of last night; next big occasion is a special New Year’s Eve menu that’s linked from the WSB Holidays page, where we’ll be adding more WS NYE festivities as we find them. Also on the Holidays page — we are working today to wrap up the Christmas Eve/Day info list of grocery-store and coffee-shop hours (just heard from WSB sponsor Hotwire, which will be open 8 am-2 pm Christmas Day).
COMMUNITY NOTES: Just added to the WSB Events page, the free “Giving Back” dinner and entertainment event at Southwest Community Center tomorrow night, and another fundraiser coming up January 19 for the West Seattle High School Travel Club.
First, the food. Happened to notice this on the windows at Alki Crab & Fish at Seacrest – “all you can eat” nights, Tuesday for fish and chips, Thursday for prawns and chips. Since it’s Tuesday, thought we’d mention it, for anyone seeking dinner ideas. While taking the pic this morning (before AC&F was open), we also noticed a sign instead inviting people to be there for New Year’s Eve — “fireworks and fun”!
Now, the wine. Two items:
First, a liquor license has just been approved for “cheapwinestore.com” at an address in a Gatewood residential neighborhood. The website at that address isn’t up yet, so we tracked down the e-mail address of its proprietor, Patrick Collins, who tells WSB they’re hoping to be up and running within a month or so, elaborating:
My wife Brandy and I though it would be a great idea to be able to offer good, really tasty wines at inexpensive prices. Wine appreciation really is on the palate of the “beholder” but we are putting together a selection of wines that we think really stand up to what most people will really appreciate. We will be shipping wines to all of the places that allow, and as we get into this a bit more, we will start to really focus on the great wines that Washington and Oregon have to offer. It has been a great project that my wife and I have really been able to have fun with!
Second West Seattle wine note — WSB talked this week with the folks at West Seattle Cellars about what ever happened to their plan for a wine bar next door (the space that’s still covered with plywood). They say it got hung up in red tape, but they’ve got some other plans for the space now, including office expansion and possibly some additional retailing that complements wine (chocolate? cheese? etc.).
It’s a WSB tradition to let you know when a new sponsor comes aboard. This morning, we’re welcoming Curious Kidstuff, whose team invites you to “come on down to The Junction’s fun place to play and shop.” Next year, Curious Kidstuff celebrates its 10th anniversary – how time flies – in the meantime, your time for Christmas shopping is flying, and Curious Kidstuff is offering 20% off any purchase through 12/24/07, except for sale and clearance items; gift wrapping not included. Thanks to Curious Kidstuff for supporting WSB; all our current sponsors are listed on our “Advertise” page, along with information on how your business can join them!
Heard the other day from Eric Renn, who’s getting ready to open West Seattle Digital in the storefront shown above at 6016 California, in the same block as Puget Sound Lock & Key, Star Nails, and West Seattle Cellars (Eric sent the photo too, after hanging the festive COMING SOON banner). He says WSD will be an authorized retailer for Dish Network, XM Satellite Radio, Clearwire, and VOIP.com (broadband telephone); he lives in West Seattle and plans to have the store open by the first of the year.
As is the WSB tradition when a new sponsor joins us, we want to tell you a bit about them: 
Today we welcome West Seattle Realtor Alice Kuder, who is with Prudential NW Realty and is part of the growing trend of professionals with blogs about their businesses and what they’re seeing in their industry in general (you can find Alice’s blog here). We appreciate the support of Alice and the other West Seattle businesspeople who sponsor WSB; you’ll find them all listed on the WSB Advertise page along with info on how other prospective advertisers can join them.
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