Today, we welcome Better Than Robots as a new WSB sponsor. New sponsors get to tell you about themselves – here’s the Better Than Robots story:

Better Than Robots is Angie and Sandy: two Highland Park neighbors who first bonded over love of our small dogs before meeting properly as crew members of the West Seattle Mutual Aid Party. Once we learned that we shared a belief in our ability to learn any new skill along with a drive to build community, our friendship was cemented.

We realized we’re both the ones who friends and family call for help with the random and weird, with Sandy’s friends repeatedly suggesting they work as an organizer for folks with ADHD and Angie volunteering to complete chores that friends and neighbors found inaccessible. In 2024, while daydreaming about our ideal job, it occurred to us that we could be that business! Two friends with the skills to help people with the same struggles we have and one goal – to show up, get some things done, and leave you better off. Better Than Robots was born!

How does Better Than Robots work? We are here to help you finish the tasks at the bottom of your list that you never have time for. BTR is who you call when you want help but aren’t sure who to hire. Are you daunted by the idea of sorting and organizing your doom garage/closet/spare bedroom? We evaluate and we don’t judge. We’ll show up as your extra pair of hands, ready to help strategize and keep your momentum going, and then we’ll take the trash piles and donatable items away. We’ve also helped clients with random tasks like fixing weird tv issues or figuring out where to consign a great piece of furniture. Last year, we saved a client several hundred dollars returning online orders, a task they always struggled to complete. We’ll hang your art, catalog your books, weed your garden, help you learn how to meal prep, put together a starter kit for a new hobby such as hiking or knitting, even prep your monthly expense reports. And for work we don’t do, we can research and create a short list of professionals such as house cleaners, contractors, or even doctors.

Better Than Robots can save you time, money, and sanity. Check out our offerings at betterthanrobots.com. Mention that you saw us on West Seattle Blog for 10% off your first project with us, up to two hours!

We thank Better Than Robots for choosing to advertise their business by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in doing the same? Please email WSBAdvertising@wsbsales.com – thank you!

(WSB photo. L-R, Bob Carrasca, Michael Todd Smith, Ryan Ames, Keith Creighton)

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

There’s nothing like a bonk on a toddler’s head to get a parent’s attention. So how do you turn that bonk into a preventive product you can market nationally or internationally? The answer lies in a couple of businesses along a single block of California Ave SW in Morgan Junction.

For the West Seattle family who precipitated this collaboration, it was an unfortunate meeting of a coaxial cable connector and their infant son, who ran into the metal piece sticking out of the wall. Some blood was shed along with tears. But after the BandAids were applied, the dad went online, hoping to find a cover of some kind so that the cable connector would no longer be a danger.

The advice online: Duct tape.

“Shocked,” said Ryan Ames, after discovering that the thing he wanted did not seem to exist, not just in the US, but even on baby-proofing sites in Australia, the UK, and Canada. That’s when he started to think that he stumbled across an unexpected void in the arguably very full market of baby-proofing. “I had folks who worked with the big child-safety companies and I sat in their office and they couldn’t figure out why this hadn’t been done. There seemed to be a need, a market for it, and I would certainly want this product in my home.”

As Ames talked with more people, he realized he had an idea good enough that it should be patented. It’s easy to think big at this point: Big-box stores, celebrity endorsements, manufacturing numbers in the 6 figures. But where to start, how to plan and design and manufacture something like this? Ames is a banker by day, with no background in manufacturing or marketing. He did talk with some larger companies, but the team that he credits with getting his product to market was one he found behind a few storefronts in the 6000 block of California. “Does someone believe … in this product? And Bob [Carrasca] did.”

Tucked in between hair salons, financial investment offices, and attorneys are Carrasca’s Pillar Product Design, and a few doors down, Collective Seven, a branding and marketing firm headed up by founder Michael Todd Smith. After interviewing multiple firms, Ames chose both of them to help bring a product he now calls OutletGuard Solutions from concept to consumer. “I needed both of them for hand-holding, says Ames. “I knew they could get this out.”

All of this started to come together in the early 2020s, which was fortuitous from a “necessity is the mother of invention” perspective. “The timing on it was really interesting,” says Carrasca. “In the pandemic, the spare room becomes office space and a place your infant might be.” The consensus among the team was that covering the outlet would not just prevent injuries, but also ensure that dust and things like peanut butter wouldn’t get in, along with fingers that could cause expensive damage to components, “The product protects your kids from danger, but also protects the outlet, says Keith Creighton, a copywriter with Collective Seven.

With Carrasca designing the outlet covers, making them cost-effective, attractive, and UL-rated (for electrical compatibility), and Smith putting together everything branding — from logo and colors to SEO and website — Ames was ready to make the leap to initial production, working with a factory in China. “When we were working early on with Ryan, there are a million plugs out there [that could need a cover]. How do we differentiate this product from others? We don’t want this product to be 20 unique pieces. We want it to be 5 pieces.” And that is where the product has landed, in its initial production/marketing phase. Each piece can be rotated to be used in different orientations, and “fit tightly, but also match fluctuating tolerances,” since every outlet from every manufacturer is just a little bit different.

Ames has benefitted from the broad knowledge of his team, which includes background in the logistical and manufacturing challenges of large-scale production while also having sensible advice about how to bring a product to market without getting in over one’s head. “I lean more toward the safe side,” says Smith with Collective Seven. “I’d rather spend a little more—pay more for smaller order, go through the ordering process, a soft rollout. Businesses can blow up out of the gate because they’re not set up.” Carrasca added, “If you’re not fulfilling orders in 1-2 months, you’re out of business. Groups like us mitigate that risk, allow time to prototype, do market research … find the right target demographic. Then you’re ready to invest.”

Speaking of financing, before you think this sounds an awful lot like Shark Tank, there is no Mr. Wonderful on the team. Ames is funding the entire venture himself. The first run of OutletGuard parts were manufactured last year and are available now only on the myoutletguard.com website. Since August, several hundred have sold, shipping to 30+ states. The biggest surprise has been that most orders are for at least 2 packages. So far the team is pleased and optimistic, and fulfilling each order with a hand-written thank-you note. “They are in stock and tariff-free,” says Creighton.

Once they take the first baby steps of confirming there’s market demand, the next step will be to sell OutletGuard to retailers. Ames is excited to have a product with multiple free patents and a whole world of baby-proofing need. Asked if he can envision a time in the future when this might be his full-time work, he didn’t skip a beat. “I would love for it to be.”

(WSB photos)

Though Nicole and Shaun Duff have been running West Seattle’s only comic-book store, Tails to Astonish, for almost four years, today brings a first – it’s the first nationwide Free Comic Book Day since they moved to 5633 California SW last June. They told us it’s going well – along with the freebies, they made dozens of sales in the first few hours!

Everybody who visits is welcome to one free comic book from the table shown in our photo above – and they have options for all ages. Spend at least $10 and you can get two more! If you’ve never been to Tails to Astonish, this is a great day to visit and see what they have to offer.

They also have a few classic video game and pinball machines! They’re open today until 5 pm.

Ready to get out on the water and go paddling or rowing? Your next watercraft awaits you at this weekend’s West Seattle Boat Swap, just under way at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), whose proprietor Greg Whittaker sent the photo. He says, “Lotta great boats to get people out on Puget Sound.” You can shop the Boat Swap until 4 pm today and again 11 am-4 pm Sunday.

Tomorrow is grand opening day for four businesses that are now under roof: Alair, Dylan, Three Little Birds, and Kid Friendly Footwear, now co-housed as West Seattle Mercantile. Here’s what proprietor Jennifer Young is promising for the 10 am-5:30 pm party on Saturday:

Join us for:

Raffles
Gifts with Purchase
Treats from some beloved local companies
Face Painting
Giveaways
Tours of our event space + color wall

Bring the whole fam and help us kick off this exciting new chapter.

West Seattle Mercantile is at 3270 California SW.

Gyros on Alki is now selling earrings as well as food, in support of young entrepreneurs. The story and photo came in via text, from one entrepreneur’s mom:

The earrings are made by two local West Seattle girls — Lexi (age 11, a 5th grader at Arbor Heights Elementary) and Scarlet (age 11, a 6th grader at another school). Together, they run Shimmer & Shine, a small earring business they started about a year ago, selling to neighbors in Arbor Heights.

During spring break, Lexi and I (her mom) were at Gyros on Alki having ice cream when the owners, Ned and Sabine, came out to chat. The shop was quiet, and we got to talking about how tough it’s been for small businesses on Alki lately.

Lexi told them about her earring business and how she and Scarlet work hard making each pair by hand. She shared how much she admires Ned and Sabine for keeping their restaurant going all these years. When they asked how she usually sells her earrings, Lexi mentioned she sets up outside Arbor Heights Community Church — and to her surprise, they offered to feature her earrings inside the restaurant!

Now you can find Shimmer & Shine earrings hanging on the wall inside Gyros on Alki — they’re available any time the restaurant is open. Each pair is handcrafted and just $10.

We’re so grateful to Ned and Sabine for supporting young entrepreneurs in our community!

First they asked for nominations … then they made their decision … and this afternoon, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has announced who’s receiving this year’s Westside Awards, plus two other special honors:

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce honors local businesses for their leadership at its annual Westside Awards in May. Also in 2025, the West Seattle Chamber will present Lifetime Achievement Awards to two remarkable community leaders: Patrick Sand, co-founder of West Seattle Blog, who will be honored posthumously, and Dawn Leverett, whose lifelong service has left a lasting imprint on West Seattle.

“The Westside Awards celebrate not only success but also reflect the unique spirit of our West Seattle communities,” said Rachel Porter, Executive Director of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. “These honors spotlight the remarkable leaders and businesses whose creativity, dedication, and vision keep our businesses connected and moving forward.”

Westside Business of the Year: West Seattle Runner
West Seattle Runner is more than a specialty running store—it’s a hub for fitness, local events, and neighborhood connection. Their commitment to personalized services and building a supportive running community has made them a standout business in West Seattle.

Westside Emerging Business of the Year: Deeds Health
Deeds Health is redefining health-care access in West Seattle with a mission-driven approach to primary care. Led by Dr. Stefie Deeds, the practice is rooted in affordability, transparency, and compassion.

Westside Not for Profit of the Year: WestSide Baby
WestSide Baby fills critical gaps by providing diapers, clothing, and gear for local children and families. Their impact is wide-reaching, ensuring that basic needs don’t stand in the way of a child’s safety and development.

Westsider of the Year: Cleveland King, YMCA
Cleveland King of the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA is recognized for his deep commitment to mentorship, youth development, and equity. His leadership creates spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Award winners and all nominees will be recognized at the Annual Westside Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 am-9 am, at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Early Bird Pricing for tickets is $55/65 per person through April 30, and $65/75 April 30 onward. Get your tickets here or wschamber.com.

To see lists of the Westside Awards’ previous winners, you can go here.

(October photo courtesy Aimee Owenz)

The sister-and-brother team who operate the Aimee Owenz food truck at 35th/Barton have sad news: “We wanted to let the West Seattle Community that we are unfortunately closing. Our last day will be Saturday, April 26th, unless we run out of food before.” Jenn and Zach opened Aimee Owenz about half a year ago, but it’s been a tough time, not just the kinds of challenges facing any new entrepreneurs – we asked Jenn if there was more that she could say, and she replied: “We lost our mom and grandma during this time and need to focus on ourselves. Bad timing too, with the economy being uncertain and the cost of food rising, it is too risky.” Their truck is for sale, too, she added: “If anyone wants to purchase the truck, they can email us at aimeeowenz06@gmail.com.”

If you’re going to the beach tomorrow – another sunny day is forecast – you’ll find two new businesses open. After a reader question, we just reconfirmed with the owners of Alki Coffee Co. and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream that tomorrow is indeed Day 1 for their co-housed businesses at 2742 Alki Avenue SW (ex-Starbucks). Hours will be 7 am-9 pm for the coffee shop, noon-9 pm for the ice-cream shop. The official grand-opening celebration will then be on Saturday (April 26), “Same hours, with the ribbon cutting with the Chamber at noon, Dub II the Husky mascot there for pics 2-3 pm, a balloon artist for the kids 2:30-4:30 pm, and a diaper drive all day in partnership with Westside Baby.” For more on the new shops, see our close-up story from last month.

Another way to get fresh food to more West Seattleites, just announced by the local entrepreneurs behind Cascadia Produce (among other things):

Looking for a way to support local farms, small businesses, and your own health — without blowing your grocery budget? We’ve got good news: fresh, affordable produce is coming back to West Seattle, thanks to a brand-new Fresh Produce Box program created by West Seattle’s own Jill and Jeremy of Cascadia Produce and Mom’s Microgarden.

When the Cascadia Fresh Market pilot on Delridge wrapped earlier this year, Jill was determined to keep fresh food access alive in the neighborhood. By combining the growing power of her microgreen farm (Mom’s Microgarden) and the aggregation and distribution expertise of Cascadia Produce, she’s created a low-overhead model that brings value and values right to our community.

Here’s How It Works:
STEP 1: Pre-order your box at https://app.barn2door.com/momsmicrogarden/all (or go to www.momsmicrogarden.com and press “SHOP ONLINE”)

Choose from two box style options:

*Mom’s Local Produce Box – $34
Includes six local, Washington-grown items each week — always fresh, often organic, and sourced from BIPOC-, woman-, and Native-owned farms. Each purchase supports a network of growers working insanely hard in an uncertain food system economy.

*Cascadia Wild Harvest Box – $29.50
Eight items (2 fruit / 6 veg), sourced with value and variety in mind. Many items are surplus — delicious, just maybe a little wonky-looking (aren’t we all?). Expect staples you’ll actually use, and the occasional exciting surprise like raspberries or avocados.

You can easily add on additional microgreens to any box order (cantaloupe greens are amazing, just sayin).

STEP 2: Pick your pickup spot
Fresh Produce Boxes will be available at four West Seattle locations to start:
– Youngstown Cultural Arts Center Parking Lot – Tuesdays, 2:30–4:30 PM
– Highland Park Improvement Club Parking Lot (HPIC) – Sundays, 2–4 PM
– Highland Park Corner Store – Mondays, 9 AM–5 PM (limited number available)
More sites coming soon as the program grows!

STEP 3: Pick up your box
Come during your pickup window, look for a produce–themed van and/or obvious signage, and grab your box drive-thru or walk-up style.

Questions, comments, another box-pickup site to suggest? Email Jill at jill@momsmicrogarden.com.

As noted in today’s highlight list, this is opening day for the new Gene Juarez Salons & Spas location at 4730 California SW in the West Seattle Junction. They’re also the newest WSB sponsor, so here’s their message for you:

Gene Juarez Salons & Spas now open in the Alaska Junction

Gene Juarez Salons & Spas is thrilled to officially open its doors today in the heart of the Alaska Junction. This boutique-style location brings the brand’s signature sophistication to the neighborhood, offering a full suite of salon and skincare services in a modern, intimate setting.

The new salon features a dedicated barber, expert haircuts, coloring, and specialized services for textured and curly hair, as well as hair extensions. The spa side includes facials, waxing, lash and brow treatments, all delivered by a dedicated team of professionals in a relaxing, tranquil environment. Many of the artists and therapists are West Seattle residents, thrilled to work in this new location.

Commitment to Quality

The foundation of the Gene Juarez brand is training and ongoing education. All of the artists and therapists are highly trained, with salon pricing dependent on each artist’s level of experience. All services are guaranteed; if a guest is not happy, they may return for a complimentary correction service.

Commitment to Sustainability

Gene Juarez continues its commitment to sustainability at this location. At least 95% of all beauty service waste is recycled through a partnership with Green Circle Salons. The organization also makes regular updates to its products and vendors to reward sustainable brands with its high volume of business, most recently launching Davines, a B Corp premium haircare line supported by regenerative farming practices.

Community Support

April 22 – 27: 20% of net sales will be donated to West Seattle Food Bank. The salon will also be collecting food and other household good items for WSFB this week

April 29-May 4: 20% of net sales will be donated to WestSide Baby, and we will be collecting diapers and other critical items for WB this week

Located across from Bakery Nouveau and next to Chipotle, the salon is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Appointments can be booked online at genejuarez.com or by call/text at (206) 279-5777.

We thank Gene Juarez Salons and Spas for choosing to advertise their business by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in doing the same? Please email WSBAdvertising@wsbsales.com – thank you!

After leading classes elsewhere to help more people discover the joy of making pottery, West Seattle artist/entrepreneur Lora Radford is opening a studio, offering memberships and workshops/classes. Potterings will be at ActivSpace (3400 Harbor Avenue SW, #132), and Lora describes it as “a new creative space for beginners,” elaborating in the grand-opening announcement:

Potterings is the perfect place for you if you’ve ever wanted to try pottery but didn’t know where to start! Whether you’ve never touched clay or are looking for a fun, hands-on experience, our studio is designed to be welcoming, stress-free, and full of creative possibilities. We officially open on May 1, 2025, and we’re celebrating with a Grand Opening on May 2 & 3 — featuring free mini try-it workshops, chances to win a free workshop, add your creative touch to the Potterings ceramic sign, and free bubble glazing (you’ve got to try it to believe it!)

Friday, May 2, 6-8 pm – Open House with snacks and refreshments. Chance to win a free workshop! Learn about the Potterings membership.

Saturday, May 3, 12-5 pm – Free mini workshops including trinket dish, coat hook, plant holder, bubble glazing, chance to win a free workshop. Learn about the Potterings membership.

Both days, you’ll have a chance to add your creative touch to the community-created Potterings sign that will be displayed in the studio!

You can also find out about memberships by going here, and see the open studio and workshop/class schedule via the Potterings calendar.

(WSB photo, Tim and Lori McConnell, just before store opened in April 2010)

Independent, locally owned West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), the peninsula’s only runner-focused store, is about to mark a milestone – 15 years in business! The store opened (in its original location) on April 10, 2010. They’re inviting you to special events starting this Friday – here’s the lineup, from WSR proprietors Lori and Tim McConnell, who explain, “This is a thank you for doing the last 15 years with West Seattle Runner. We are so grateful to you for your support”:

Friday 11th 6:15 pm:
–New Balance Demo Group Run. You can try out a pair of New Balance to run in at no charge. We will serve cupcakes afterwards=.

Saturday, April 12th
–Mizuno and Superfeet Group Run at 8 am. You can try out Mizuno and Superfeet on your run. We will follow up the run with donuts and chocolate milk.
– Mark Bouma, owner of Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle, will be onsite doing 1:1 assessments from 8:40 to 10:30 am.
-We will have Hawthorne Massage doing chair massage 10 am-12 noon.

Sunday the 13th
-We have a Brooks Demo Group Run at 10 am with a warm-up with Seattle Sports & Performance. We will serve beverages afterward.
–Hawthorne chair massage that day 11 am-1 pm.

Also: We will have raffle prizes drawing at the end of the weekend … Tim’s sister, Kelly, will be here for you to demo Bemer all weekend, pulsed electromagnetic field, which always restores my energy and cuts down on injury healing time, thankfully!

Additional events for April will include Biojunction PT injury assessments on the 14th, 4:30-6 pm; a Seattle Sports & Performance workout at the shop at 6:15 pm on the 24th; the April “birthday run” will be Tuesday, April 29, 6:15 pm, with a trip to Good Society afterward (walkers also welcome); and the month concludes with Sound PT visiting 6-7 pm April 30 for individual injury assessments. Haven’t been to West Seattle Runner? The shop is across from the west side of Hiawatha, 2743 California SW.