(Photo courtesy Click! Design That Fits)

After almost two decades in West Seattle, first in Admiral and then The Junction, Click! Design That Fits (WSB’s longest-running sponsor) is looking for new ownership.

Click! proprietor John Smersh made the announcement this morning: “Our sweet little shop (dare we say neighborhood gem?) is seeking a new owner who will continue to share thoughtfully designed, contemporary goods with our community … someone in our community who shares our vision, values, and aesthetic and has dreams of thriving in local, independent retail.”

From the announcement, the backstory:

John and Frances Smersh grew Click! Design That Fits from its humble beginnings as an extension of Frances’s jewelry business in the Admiral District to the well respected Junction destination you know and love. From the beginning, our hope was to find someone to take it over when the time came that we were ready to move on to our next adventure.

Frances’s diagnosis of Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in 2015 at age 48 meant a significant plot twist in our narrative. Shortly after diagnosis, our incredible crew stepped up, taking over day to day operations and allowing John to focus on his caregiving responsibilities as Frances’s disease progressed. Many of you likely saw John and Frances at Click! during that time, as her desire to stay connected with her community continued throughout it all. Frances passed away last September, and John and the Click! fam have been beyond blessed with so much continued love and support from all of you. We’re ready to pass the torch and keep the love-fest going. It’s time for Click! to transition to new ownership.

From the start, Click! has represented community and connection. For over 17 years we’ve been building relationships between the often overlapping groups of our designers/maker/artist colleagues and vendors, our neighbors in West Seattle and beyond, and our staff-crew-fam. These connections have allowed us to survive and thrive, even in times of hardship. It would not be surprising if our next owner is already a part of this community, or connected to someone who is.

The original home of Click! was 2210 California SW (now Zelda Zonk Consignment); in 2010, the Smershes moved the shop south to a larger space at 4540 California SW, where that “community and connection” has included countless in-store events, from West Seattle Art Walk receptions to author signings. The shop also has embodied community by supporting and featuring local makers and West Seattle-themed merchandise. And it’s supported sustainability with reusable items for everyday living. (Plus, if in-person shopping is not your thing, Click! has long offered online shopping.)

Putting the shop on the market does not mean any immediate changes, Click! says: “While we are anticipating a transition period over the coming months, we’ll still be open regular hours.” That’s Wednesdays-Saturdays 11 am-4 pm and Sundays 10 am-4 pm. They’re also noting, “Please know that our crew (John included!) aren’t able to answer questions about the sale and that all inquiries will be directed to our broker.” She is Carrie Topacio (carrie@vantageseattle.com, 206.402.5567).

(Photo courtesy Beauty Therapy Collective)

Just west of the northwest corner of 42nd and Oregon, in a rapidly redeveloping pocket of The Junction, stands an old building that’s just been given another new life, as the Beauty Therapy Collective. The new owner of the building at 4208 SW Oregon is Nikki Nguyen, who intends to use the building to “provide suites for small individual business owners who want to own their own business and be their own boss.” That includes her own business, Nikki’s Lashes. She has room for others offering beauty and spa services – massage and cosmetic procedures, for example. Some spaces are taken, some are open. She’s been renovating the interior in time for a grand-opening celebration this Sunday (May 1st), noon-2 pm – everyone’s invited to stop in for a look.

We promised more biznotes – here are four West Seattle businesses inviting you to weekend celebrations:

WEND AND MOLLY’S TURN ONE: It’s first-anniversary-party time at neighboring WEND Jewelry and Molly’s Bottle Shop (3278 California SW). WEND proprietor Wendy says, “West Seattle has been a wonderful community to open a shop in during a global pandemic with no bridge, and we want to say THANK YOU to our neighbors! Celebrate our first year with us.” 4-8 pm Saturday (April 30th) they’re having a party with music, treats, tastings, and at WEND, discounts and raffles. Neighbor Inkberry Tattoo (which opened 9 months ago) is joining the party too. P.S. WEND has class openings right now too – more on that here.

INDIE BOOKSTORE DAY @ PAPER BOAT BOOKSELLERS: This Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day, and Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) has a big day planned. The store opens at 10 am; shoppers have a chance at raffles and will get to “spin the wheel.” You can also get a passport to start a 10-day journey to all 24 independent bookstores around the Seattle area – visit them all and win discount coupons for all the stores! (More on this at seattlebookstoreday.com.) Then at 11 am, three local authors lead a special Family Reading Time a few doors north at HeartBeet Event Space.

HIGHLAND PARK CORNER STORE: 4 pm-7 pm Sunday (May 1st), Highland Park Corner Store invites you to come enjoy mariachi, tacos, and beer.

The award-winning store’s owner Meaghan says, “To celebrate spring and with a nod to Cinco de Mayo, we’ve invited CocinaMX 32 back, this time they’re making tacos! Enjoy your tacos with a draft beer while listening to mariachi from Mariachi Alma Nueva (featuring one of our staff on violin!).” The store is at 7789 Highland Park Way SW.

Lots of biznotes to report today – we’ll start with these three (with three more later this afternoon):

TACONTAINER’S FUTURE: When Victor closed the unique taco truck on Alki two months ago (aside from occasional openings), he said someone was preparing to take it over. That fell through. So it’s available – here’s his pitch:

Available for lease right away and up until March 2023. It may be possible to extend, but that is uncertain as the container might need to be moved to a different location in spring of 2023. Water, electrical and sewer is connected. All equipment and kitchen supplies included. Everything is up to code, licensed, permitted and last inspected by Seattle Public Health in March 2022. Self ordering kiosk and the kitchen display system for automated orders can be included as well. For lease amount and terms please contact Victor at 808-352-1779 or TACOntainerSeattle@gmail.com.

GIGI’S CAFE: Chef Gino Williamson says his hopes of taking over the Super 24 building on Delridge didn’t work out, because he couldn’t work out the lease terms with the owner, so he’s still looking for somewhere to open a bricks-and-mortar restaurant (to be named Gigi’s Café, after his daughter). Meantime, his mobile food business TheHomeSkillit.com is continuing to rove – you might have seen him recently on Webster by The Home Depot and Southwest Precinct, and he is taking nightly call-in dinner orders online.

RUE THERAPEUTICS: Josie emailed the announcement of her new business:

Rue Therapeutics: Massage and Pilates open in the Morgan Street Junction!

Located in West Seattle Pilates (6521 California SW); Rue Therapeutics offers gentle myofascial and Swedish massage paired with private Pilates instruction.

One of West Seattle’s unique seasonal businesses is about to open its doors for the year. The photo and update are from Gill at Alki Kayak Tours: “Just wanted to let you know that Alki Kayak Tours is opening this weekend for the season! We’ll be open for Kayak, Paddleboard, and Bike Tours and Rentals, Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays 10-6.” AKT is at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW), same place you’ll find the West Seattle Water Taxi dock and Marination Ma Kai.

(Photo courtesy Antique Mall of West Seattle)

One week ago, we reported that the Antique Mall of West Seattle (4516 California SW) will finally reopen. We asked for more details and now have their plan for a “soft (re)open” by appointment:

March marked two years of closure, save for our spring and summer sidewalk sales on Sundays when many Farmers’ Market patrons stopped by for a limited peek at our immense inventory. We have been truly motivated and inspired by the many people who asked when they’d be allowed inside…

We are thrilled to announce that preceding our official Grand Reopening (date TBD soon), we will have a soft opening beginning this weekend! On Saturday, April 9th through Monday, April 11th, we are offering one hour time-slots for folks to come in and enjoy an iconic Junction jewel once again, or for the very first time!

Items can be admired and purchased — accepting cash & cards — and we hope that the hundreds of people who have begged for an opening date will come by to see what we’ve curated on three incredible floors of countless treasures.

Time-slots can be be made via the following link:

koalendar.com/e/antiquesneakpeak

The Antique Mall is grateful to have such an enthusiastic, persistent community to fuel our efforts to re-open. We hope you will share our initial offering with West Seattle, and we look forward to seeing everyone soon.

(WSB photos)

Hannah Roberts and husband Sean used to run the popular Capitol Hill restaurant Honey Hole. Now instead of running a business where the air carries the smell of savory sandwiches, the West Seattle couple is opening one scented with essential oils and fragrances. Moon Room Shop and Wellness opens tomorrow (Saturday, April 2nd) at 5902 California SW; we visited this afternoon for a sneak peek.

The shop inhabits part of a former chiropractic clinic, and Hannah says it’s a space she’s long coveted – “this was my dream building.” Her goal is to provide a memorable “shopping experience,” offering crystals, body oils, face oils, art, jewelry – including her own creations, when you see the Moon Room brand – even T-shirts like this one that celebrates nearby Lincoln Park:

Other unique gift ideas are in view all around the shop. The gift might be for yourself. Some items are miniatures, from tiny fingernail decals to these little cats:

The central themes are wellness and spirituality. Inspired by her food-service background, Hannah has two “gem bars” in the shop where you can buy small colorful stones in bulk.

The decor alone is worth a visit – from a counter decorated with abalone shell fragments gathered by the Northern California tribe to which Hannah belongs, to classic chandeliers.

Moon Room will evolve, she says – “it’s going to be a work in progress” – but this is what they’re starting with, as of 10 am tomorrow. Hours will be 10 am-7 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, eventually expanding to 7 days a week.