While big changes loom for four freestanding West Seattle drugstores – California Rite Aid and both Bartell Drugs converting to CVS, Westwood Rite Aid closing – change is apparently on the way to at least one other local drugstore too. Our routine check of commercial listings reveals that the Roxbury Walgreens is listed for sale ($3.75 million) or lease, with an availability date of December 1st. It’s a 14,000-sf building on a 53,000-sf site, zoned for mixed-use five-story development. We’ll follow up with the company tomorrow.

(WSB photos)

Tiara and Joshua Silas are about to open Fourth Emerald Games in the West Seattle Junction, upstairs from the breezeway, at 4517 California SW. The focus here is on electronic games, for sale (they buy games too), for rent, or to play on site in a lounge where you can reserve a spot – which they nicknamed “Emmies” – for $12/hour.

Tiara explains, “We have PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch installed at each Emmie, loaded with hundreds of games to play per console. People also have the option of renting one of our games from our retail area to try out (included in the price).” The space is new, but the business isn’t: “We initially began as an online store, and got tons of feedback from gamers saying how much they wish we were a physical location, so we had to give the people what they wanted! We really wanted to accommodate the late-night crowd as well.” The hours: 1 pm to 9 pm Tuesdays through Thursdays, 1 pm to 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am to 5 pm Sundays, closed Mondays. The name comes from a line in a Sonic the Hedgehog game, and you’ll see it – and Sonic – in this mural by the entrance:

The artist is Carlos Aguilar (@theydrift), who also has a mural downstairs at Rush Hour.

Tiara and Joshua have lived in West Seattle for two years, close to The Junction: “We fell in love with this community and when we started our business, we thought it would be the perfect location for not only proximity but a tight knit community as well. Being surrounded by other business, local restaurants, etc. just seems perfect for us!” This Saturday, July 5, is their grand opening; they’ll have a tournament under way, and are also planning one (Smash Bros.) for West Seattle Summer Fest the following weekend. P.S. Fourth Emerald isn’t a café or bar, but will offer “drinks and snacks.”

Three miscellaneous biznotes:

CLOSURE: Announced earlier this month but not called to our attention until a note tonight from Lori, the South Admiral shop Soirée is closing after almost two years. They haven’t announced the shutdown date but expect it’ll be sometime in July, and in the meantime are running a clearance sale.

(HomeStreet Bank photo – banker Andrew Tento and Dr. Kathleen Saturay)

SHOWCASE: Every month, HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) showcases a local business, and then hosts a drawing at month’s end. This past month it’s been Dr. Kathleen Saturay‘s dental practice, spotlighting (and giving away) sleep studies – studying your sleep to figure out if you have habits harming your teeth. For July, the spotlight business is Electric Butter Marketing. Just visit the HomeStreet branch to enter the drawing before month’s end!

WILL THIS FOOD TRUCK RETURN? If you dropped by The Chicken Supply fried-chicken truck on the corner of 35th and Barton last weekend, you’ll have to head to their Greenwood location for a second helping. Since the trailer was still there today, we checked on whether they planned to open again. But co-owner Paolo Campbell told WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen that their appearance outside of the former Tony’s Market lot was, at least for now, just a “pop-up” to test the waters in West Seattle: “I live fairly close, and I’ve been here for a while. I noticed the (35th and Barton) lot has seen a lot of traffic, and our trailer is in full effect for the summer, so we gave it a shot and it went well,” said Campbell. “I’m not sure what (the schedule) will look like in the future, nothing is set in stone, but we would love to come back.” Ideally, they might visit once a month – but there’s a lot to be worked out.

Earlier this month, we noted a strike-authorization vote by local grocery workers and thousands of colleagues around the region. Strike authorization doesn’t mean a strike is guaranteed, and in this case, it’s not going to happen, the workers’ union UFCW 3000 has announced. UFCW 3000 says the Kroger (including QFC and Fred Meyer) and Albertsons (including Safeway) workers ratified a contract in three days of voting this week, and that the new contract includes “highest-ever average annual wage increase, $2.70 over two years.” Contract details are here.

(Ribboncutting, emceed by West Seattle Chamber of Commerce executive director Rachel Porter)
The ceremonial ribboncutting outside Junction Ace Hardware about an hour ago was a celebration of what’s new – the Ace affiliation, and some new merchandise – and what’s not – the continuing legacy of almost three-quarters of a century of family ownership. Bruce Davis – with whom we talked about all this in February – spoke briefly:

Until 2 pm, you are invited to go join the party. Much of it is outdoors, in front of the store, like the grilling station where you can get a free hot dog and see some of the store’s expanded Weber product line:

If you’re in the market for new yard equipment, check out the booth featuring battery-powered EGO equipment, a brand-new brand for the store – EGO’s Jed says the weed-whacker is their best seller and is particularly appealing because it’s easy to thread:

Outside the store you can also donate to the West Seattle Food Bank and/or buy one of their Summer Raffle tickets:

Junction Hardware is also supporting the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) by offering rounding-up opportunities to shoppers – Stephanie from the Y is helping at the kids’-activities tent outside, where young visitors can plant seeds:

If you haven’t been inside the store for a while, check out new additions there too:

The party’s on until 2 pm, but store hours today continue until 6 pm.

Thanks to Yma for telling us about this: We subsequently checked and learned a broken hot-water tank is to blame for a temporary shutdown of all of the service counters at the Admiral Metropolitan Market this morning. We reached the bakery counter by phone and were told the tank should be repaired within the hour, but it will take some time for the service counters to ramp back up, depending on what they sell.

(Google Maps image)

1:52 PM: Another major chunk of Admiral District commercial property has a new owner. Nine months after Wells Fargo sold its building on the northeast corner of California/Admiral after closing its branch there, the Admiral Safeway site – including the neighboring strip mall – has a new owner too. You might recall that the rebuilt store opened in 2011; one year later, Safeway sold it to a Southern California investment firm for $30 million. Now, after 13 years, that firm has sold it to a Chicago firm for $35.4 million. The sale was first reported by regional business publications this week, and while it’s not yet reflected in the King County Assessor’s Parcel Viewer lookup, we confirmed it via documents elsewhere in the King County online system. The new owner is SSV Admiral Junction LLC, and the name on the documents is Patrick Zilis, co-CEO of Chicago-based Hometown America, which specializes in residential developments, particularly those with manufactured homes on leased land (aka mobile-home parks). We’re of course inquiring about the company’s plan for the property; no proposals are in the city system so far, but the site has long been zoned for mixed-use development up to 7 stories. The Admiral Safeway property had been on the market for at least three months.

3:35 PM: We have since obtained the news release from the company that represented the buyer, after a representative posted a comment below saying that it was purchased by Patrick Zilis’s firm Silver Star Ventures, not Hometown America. For those interested, here’s the news release in its entirety:

JLL Capital Markets announced today that it has arranged the $35.4 million sale of Admiral Junction, a rare infill Seattle grocery-anchored retail center located in West Seattle’s affluent Admiral submarket.

JLL worked on behalf of the buyer, Silver Star Ventures.

Admiral Junction is strategically positioned at 2620 California Ave. SW at the intersection of Admiral Wy. and California Ave., West Seattle’s primary commercial arterial. This prime location offers excellent visibility in one of Seattle’s most desirable neighborhoods, known for its convenient access to downtown employment centers, stunning water views and neighborhood charm.

The 67,992-square-foot retail center is 100% leased and includes a 60,876-square-foot Safeway store and a 7,116-square-foot retail shoppes building. The property features a strong tenant mix with Safeway representing 82% of the property. The Safeway store reports impressive sales ranking as the #1 grocer in West Seattle based on foot traffic.

JLL Capital Market’s Investment Sales and Advisory team was led by Managing Director Daniel Tyner and Senior Managing Directors Geoff Tranchina, Gleb Lvovich, and Zach Koucos.

“Admiral Junction represented a rare opportunity to acquire an infill core grocery-anchored asset in West Seattle with a strong performing grocer,” said Tyner. “The property’s exceptional location, strong demographics and stability made it an attractive opportunity for the buyer.”

“We are grateful to be a part of Silver Star Ventures’ first retail acquisition,” added Koucos. “With high barriers to entry and limited development opportunity in West Seattle, Admiral Junction presents a great opportunity for Silver Star in the years to come.” …

About Silver Star Ventures

Silver Star Ventures was created in 2024 to implement the Zilis family real estate investment strategy. The business plan centers on the acquisition of core assets in the grocer-anchored shopping center and multifamily sectors. Ancillary investments include land acquisition and speculative single-family development. The entity is 100% self-funded by the Zilis family.

Regarding the center being referred to as “Admiral Junction” (a la “Westwood Village,” “Jefferson Square,” etc.), we had never really heard that in common use, but did happen onto this unfinished website that seems to have been from a template used by the previous owner.

Three biznotes so far today:

(Photo courtesy Alki Kayak Tours)

ALKI KAYAK PADDLE CLUB + PIRATE PADDLING: Alki Kayak Tours (WSB sponsor) has two announcements:

Alki Kayak Tours just launched the Paddle Club, which includes:

1. Your choice between 3 tours or specialty classes, Mix and match system
2. 50% off Rentals
3. Exclusive Paddle Events and Special Discounts for Paddle Club Members.

Adult (13+): $299
Child (12 and younger): $250

Here’s how to join. In addition to the Paddle Club, we will be hosting an event for the Seafair Pirates Landing this Saturday on Alki – info and registration here.

Alki Kayak Tours offers rentals and tours from its headquarters at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW).

FASHION POP-UP: West Seattle has few options for clothes shopping so you might be interested in this planned pop-up. Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) will host a Cabi pop-up on Saturday (June 26), 10:30 am-1:30 pm, described as a curated sale by multiple Cabi stylists. Our calendar listing has full details.

FAST-FOOD FOLLOWUP: Last week we reported that the ex-KFC/A&W at 10050 16th SW in White Center is becoming a Wendy’s. We asked the company for more info and have finally heard back. They forwarded a statement from the franchisee:

WTC Ventures is excited to open our first Wendy’s restaurant at this location in White Center early this fall, bringing our fresh, famous food to more people in the community. This restaurant will be designed to meet the needs of our customers’ digital ordering preferences complete with kiosks, dedicated mobile and delivery pick-up points, and an enhanced drive-thru experience.

According to the franchisee’s website, WTC Ventures runs more than 90 Wendy’s in North America.

Today we welcome Nucor Seattle, the steel mill that’s been in West Seattle more than a century [map], as a new WSB sponsor. New local sponsors have the opportunity to tell you about themselves and what they do – so here’s the message Nucor has for you:

West Seattle is the capital of recycling in the Pacific Northwest

Whether it is residents sorting materials into the correct bins or volunteer pick-ups to reduce litter at our beautiful beaches and greenbelts in the area, our community works hard to reduce waste. What you may not realize is that our community is also home to the largest recycler in Washington, Nucor Seattle, and that as a company, Nucor Corporation is the largest recycler in North America. Recycled steel scrap makes up nearly 100% of the steel products that we produce in West Seattle. Our team, which is more than 300 teammates strong, makes safety our number one value every single day, and environmental sustainability in steel making is the focus and future of our company. We work hard to continue our journey of being some of the greenest steel produced anywhere in the world.

A steel-making neighbor

West Seattle is a unique place. There has been a steel mill here since 1905 – Nucor took over the mill in 2002. The neighborhood has grown and changed around us, but we don’t take our community for granted. We support local organizations that improve quality of life, and that strengthen efforts of people in this community to take care of one another. Nucor Seattle is also proud to host several interns, and we are focused on partnering with local high schools to foster the education and career development of future generations.

Looking toward a more sustainable future

Recently, we shared in the WSB a project of removing three decommissioned smokestacks. Those old smokestacks represented a bygone era. Appropriately, they were recycled a few feet from where they stood and will get a fresh start when they are repurposed for other structures. In the months and years ahead, further investments will be taking place in both the aesthetics and the operations of the mill. Nucor Seattle operations have always been a showcase of the future of steel manufacturing. We operate on carbon neutral power, abide by strict regulations, and are led by a team that prioritizes environmental stewardship. We wanted to make sustainability an employee benefit as well, and every individual on our team has access to a Orca Passport that gives them unlimited access to transit options throughout the entire region.

We might not have a front door to knock on, but if you haven’t had a chance to visit us yet, we hope to see you soon. Interested visitors (must be 18 years or older), please call 206-933-2222 to set up a tour.

We thank Nucor Seattle for supporting independent community-news coverage for West Seattle by sponsoring WSB. If your business/organization is interested in joining the WSB sponsor team, please contact our advertising coordinator Annette at WSBAdvertising@wsbsales.com – thank you!

Got shelves of vinyl? You might be interested in this last-minute addition to the “happening today” lineup – just got word of this from Matt Vaughan of Easy Street Records, who says it’s a “super great opportunity for record collectors and vinyl enthusiasts!”

Join Hans Brackman from Definitive Audio anytime between 4-7, for an afternoon of keeping your records in peak condition. Hans will be bringing out their Clear Audio Double Matrix record cleaner. If u have a record or two that need pro cleaning, here’s your opportunity. Free. Bring ’em with you. Upstairs vinyl section. Get hands on, ask questions, and get tips on how to upgrade your system and care for your vinyl records.

Easy Street Records is on the northwest corner of California SW and SW Alaska.

(WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin unless otherwise credited. Above, that’s Molly Moon holding the scissors)

Even before we could ask about it, the namesake owner of West Seattle’s newest ice-cream shop took on the topic of being less than a block away from the peninsula’s ice-cream icon Husky Deli. “A rising tide floats all boats,” Molly Moon Neitzel quoted, explaining that she believes “more dessert shops” mean “more people going out for dessert.” There was certainly an advance appetite for hers, judging by the line before the Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream doors opened at California/Alaska following the mid-afternoon ribboncutting:

(This photo and next by WSB’s Tracy Record)

Of course, the prospect of free ice cream for kids in the first two hours factored into that too. Adults paid full freight, for which the base prices are on the menu board as $6.95 for one scoop, $8.95 for two, $10.95 for three, and lots of extras available, from fresh-baked waffle cones to toppings including the boss’s favorite style of sprinkles:

In the hour before the shop opened, we got a behind-the-scenes look at everything from the ice-cream-making machinery (they start with a pasteurized base made by Lopez Island Creamery using Edaleen Dairy milk and take it from there) to the freezer into which the ice cream is placed to firm up overnight:

A quick peek into that (-2, said the display) made today’s outdoor weather seem balmy. They’re making plans, by the way, to give customers a closer look at the ice-cream-making process, to further reinforce the fact each of the 11 shops makes the ice cream it serves, possibly with some sort of visual alert when ice-cream-making is happening, and maybe even tastes of the almost-finished product. They’ve also made a corner of the kitchen visible from the street, a corner where they’re baking some of their ingredients, like brownies. But back to the ice cream – Molly posed for us with West Seattle shop manager Rae Alva and a couple of waffle cones:

Current seasonal flavors are Strawberry Matcha, Blueberry Pie, Orange Creamsicle, and Strawberry Rhubarb Sorbet; “always flavors” are Coconut Chunk, Cookies & Cream, Cookie Dough, Honey Lavender, Iced Latte, Melted Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Scout Mint Brownie, Strawberry, Sweet Cream, and Yeti (explained here).

In addition to cones/bowls, you can buy shakes, sundaes, pints, tubs, and ice-cream cakes. (And merch.)

The remodel has made the shop seem more spacious than the prior Cupcake Royale configuration – the central tables and back booths are gone. The service counter’s in the same spot:

Molly told us the open layout might facilitate future events, such as music. (The shop’ll be open nightly until 11 pm, after all.) Meantime, they’re still awaiting exterior signage, and she’s hoping that will be available for installation within a few weeks. Signage is how Molly Moon’s impending arrival was announced in April 2024, when a banner popped up in a storefront window a few doors north (NN still holds the lease on that too and is seeking a tenant).

Though Rite Aid still is not officially commenting on store-by-store plans in the wake of its latest bankruptcy, info is becoming available at/from local stores. Back on Tuesday, with the help of reader tips, we reported on notices now posted at two affected stores that say they’re converting to CVS – the California SW Rite Aid says August 5 is its changeover date; Bartell Drugs in Admiral says its date is September 3. Since then, we’ve learned the plans for two other affected West Seattle stores. Bartell Drugs in Jefferson Square has a notice posted saying it too will convert to CVS, on August 29:

And Rite Aid in Westwood Village – the one store with a retail lease announced as available, as we reported last month – says the current plan is to just close. No notice was posted when we went in, but pharmacy staff told WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen that the store/pharmacy will close on August 26. If you have a current prescription there, you’ll want to talk with them ASAP about what you want to do with it, as otherwise, they told us, prescriptions will be automatically transferred elsewhere, possibly to one of the West Seattle Walgreens or the Jefferson Square Bartell that as mentioned above is converting to CVS.

SIDE NOTE: These conversions will be CVS’s first foray into West Seattle; a previous plan for a standalone store at the current site of mixed-use Maris (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW) died in Design Review almost a decade ago.