West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
The new owners of Alki Beach Pub (2722 Alki Avenue SW), who took over last November, have announced a temporary closure. Jackie Mallahan and Dan Mallahan emailed WSB with this announcement:
On Sunday, February 27th, Alki Beach Pub will be closing for a couple months for upgrades and renovations. We appreciate the continued support and look forward to welcoming everyone back late spring/early summer to our reimagined space! Much Love, Alki!
The temporary closure means that the west end of the beach business district will be a bit lonely for a while – east to west, the former Alki Cleaners space is still vacant, the No-Name Diner just closed (but has a “new concept” on the way), and the former Top Pot Doughnuts and the space next to it are still up for lease, as is the former J&J Public House space.
(Photo by Kara Wallace)
That’s a look inside Current Coffee, which opens tomorrow in the former Caffe Fiore space at 2206B California SW. Here’s the announcement from its proprietor:
Seattle-born and West Seattle resident Tyler Meurk will open Current Coffee this Wednesday, February 23rd.
Featuring beloved WA roasters and introducing specialty coffee farmers from around the world, as well as selling natural wines and local beers, Current Coffee is a North Admiral destination for gathering with friends and neighbors. Tyler’s bond with Seattle’s coffee culture runs deep: For the last 14 years, he has worked as a barista, café manager, sales representative, and now owner/operator.
Tyler and his wife Katie (an entrepreneur who owns the local jewelry gallery Supply Chain) are committed to investing in West Seattle and delighting its residents through their businesses. In concepting Current Coffee, Tyler took inspiration from the movement of the waters that encircle West Seattle. Using “Current” is also a nod to discovering the rotation of seasonal coffees that Tyler will feature in his café. In keeping with the connection of community, Current Coffee features an immersive and captivating mural by West Seattle artist Jennifer Ament. Come by for a fresh pour!
Hours will be Wednesdays-Sundays 7 am-3 pm.
Three food-biz notes:
(WSB photo, January 2021)
TACONTAINER CHANGING: Thanks to Kathy for the tip. After 13 months, TACOntainer – the taco stand in a small repurposed shipping container at 2530 Alki Avenue SW – is closing. But the container is staying. Proprietor Victor explains, “We’re concluding our TACOntainer operations due to family reasons, unfortunately. This will be our last week for now. We might open a few more times before mid-March but that is uncertain at the moment. Our friends (another Mexican food vendor) will take over our spot and the name will change and the concept will change, but the container will stay.” Victor says there should be more news on that in mid-March, and if his family situation allows, “We hope to be able to come back in a year or so.”
NO-NAME DINER NO MORE: Just down the street, at 2738 Alki Avenue SW, the No-Name Diner has closed. We noticed a sign on the door recently that said “closed for remodeling.” But according to a social-media post, the restaurant closed at the end of January, with proprietor Renae explaining, “A good friend named Vittor and our chef Shawn, along with a small team, will be starting up a whole new concept for a restaurant, and The No-Name Diner will be no more.” The location has gone through a long list of concepts since the sudden closure of Alki Bakery there in late 2010 – before No-Name, it was It’s BBQ Time in the Kitchen, which followed Alki Chicken and Waffles, which was preceded by B’s Po Boy, and before that Fatburger from fall 2013 to early 2017, following Bada Bistro‘s less-than-five-month run, after two years for the Beachside Café.
3 MORE DAYS IN WEST 5 AUCTION: When West 5 in The Junction announced its closure, there was mention of an auction. That auction is happening online right now and has three days to go – with items including its most-famous signage, indoors and outdoors:
Dozens of other items too, as shown here, where you can bid until 8 pm Friday.
Thanks to John for the tip. Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW; WSB sponsor) was hit by grab-and-run thieves this morning, and it’s at least the second theft of that kind in The Junction in recent days. Matt at EWA tells WSB that it happened around 11:40 am today; two thieves stole $2,700 worth of Patagonia outerwear. He says one “had been in previously and looked at prices of items closest to the door.” As for descriptive information, he says “both male, one about 5’10” and the other about 6′; (they) ran to a running red Dodge 2500 truck without plates left running on the corner outside the shop.” If you have any tips, the SPD case number is 22-043860. This happened three days after what a reader told us was also a grab-and-run theft at West Seattle Optix (4555 California SW) on Thursday; no other details but the case number for that one was 22-041148.
With the redevelopment project at 4508 California SW getting ready for construction, both restaurants on the site now have closing dates. We’ve already reported on the impending closure of Kamei Japanese Restaurant – which set March 15th as the date a few days ago – and now we’ve confirmed the plan for Lee’s Asian Restaurant next door. It, like Kamei, has been in The Junction for 20 years, and Lee’s tells us they’ll be closing at the end of March. (Thanks to Tom for the tip; we went by to confirm today.) The future mixed-use building also includes the vacant storefront that previously held Naked Crepe. The new development finished going through Design Review more than two years ago; it was described at the time as a project with 58 apartments, 12 lodging units, 17 underground parking spaces, and ground-floor retail space. City permit files indicate demolition and construction could start as soon as April. It’ll be the first major construction project on California in the heart of The Junction since Junction 47 and 4730 California were built 7+ years ago. (Image: Google Maps Street View)
(WSB photo)
Thanks to Meagan for sending the tip that the Benbow Room‘s sign is up at 4210 SW Admiral Way. It’s been seven months since we broke the news that West Seattle restaurant/bar entrepreneur Mark Fuller (Ma’ono, Supreme, New Luck Toy) was taking over the space and reviving its historic identity. Besides the sign, the liquor-license application also suggests the Benbow is approaching opening time; we have an inquiry out to find out its status (and also who created the sign!).
Three quick notes:
NO MORE SEE’S CANDIES: The temporary See’s Candies shop at Jefferson Square extended its stay until Valentine’s Day, but tonight we noticed that it’s officially gone, with a thank-you note on the door.
The Jefferson Square website lists the 1,400-square-foot space as “available.”
BED BATH BEYOND’S FINAL DAY: When the Westwood Village store’s closure was announced after Christmas, no date was given. But now the countdown is on, and posters in the windows are even announcing how many days are left. We stopped in today to ask; February 26th is the last day, they told us.
KAMEI STILL OPEN: You might recall that the Japanese restaurant at 4512 California SW announced back in October that it would close “early this year.” But so far, into the second half of the second month of 2022, they’re still open. So we asked this week if they have a date yet. Short answer, no – they’re awaiting an update on the development plan for the site. (The most recent construction plan in city files suggests that work could start as soon as April.)
(FRIDAY UPDATE: Commenter Michelle C. posted a photo of a sign that’s gone up since our conversation earlier this week – it now says the closing date will be March 15th.)
St. Patrick’s Day is one month from tomorrow. Since it’s on a Thursday this year, many celebrations will be held on the preceding weekend – like this one for which West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) invites you to register now:
We are doing something cool and partnering with Good Society Brewing on Sunday, March 13th at 9 am!
Join us for Group Run to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Meet at West Seattle Runner for 5k route around the ‘hood. Finish at Good Society Brewing
We ask that you sign up to take part (so Good Society can plan; they are opening early for us! And so we can decide if we need to arrange waves and an outside gathering). Please note that you need to mask up in the shop. You will have the option to be outside or indoors at Good Society. And of course, the run takes place outdoors, so this can be something to participate in a COVID-safe way.
Sign up by stopping by West Seattle Runner [2743 California SW] and purchasing an entry for $1.The dollar is to hold your place (if you choose to not attend after registering, please let us know, so your spot can go to someone on the waitlist). Each dollar will be given to Good Society staff as a tip. Soon, we will post a link to purchase on our web store. But we want first dibs to go to our customers before the public can sign up remotely. There will be a cap on the number of participants.
Good Society will donate part of proceeds to The West Seattle Food Bank or Social Justice Fund.
Wear your green or risk being pinched! There will be a raffle drawing to boot!!
Businesses and community champions are honored every year with the Westside Awards, which start with nominations that can be made by anyone. Just announced, the four-week nomination period is on:
Annually the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce presents the Westside Awards, and the nomination portal is now live for you to submit your selections for:
1) Business of the Year
2) Not for Profit of the Year
3) Emerging Business of the Year
4) Westsider of the Year.You can submit your nominations online here . Deadline to submit nominations is Monday, March 14, 2022 at 5 pm.
Each year at the Annual Westside Awards Breakfast, we celebrate the successful business environment and community involvement found in West Seattle. At this event, we honor three local businesses and one individual who demonstrate results-oriented leadership, a cornerstone of a thriving economic region.
“It’s so nice to get to recognize our local businesses and individuals for their contribution to our community,” said Dawn Leverett, 2022 West Seattle Chamber Board Chair. “We look forward to hearing the stories of triumph from the past year.”
Save the date for the Annual Westside Awards Breakfast to be held in-person on Tuesday, May 17th, 2022 from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Event details to follow at www.wschamber.com. Take a look back at the previous Westside Award winners in each category here wschamber.com/westside-awards.
Questions? Ask Chamber executive director Whitney Moore at whitney@wschamber.com.
In our coverage of last month’s quarterly Morgan Community Association meeting, we noted the new owner of the Ivy Court mixed-use building announcing a new tenant for a vacant commercial space. West Seattle Pilates and Fitness proprietor Jenny Melville says the move is now complete:
West Seattle Pilates and Fitness has moved from the ActivSpace building to Morgan Junction. The new address is 6521 California Ave SW. We offer private/duet lessons and will be adding semi-private classes (up to 4 people) starting February 28th. Feel free to call or email with questions! 206-822-5844 * westseattlepilates@gmail.com
Ivy Court is also home to Second Gear Sports and Mailbox West.
2940 SW Avalon Way, until recently the home of Allyum, has a new tenant – someone you might already know from the West Seattle Farmers’ Market: A liquor-license application this week revealed that Lily’s Salvadorean is taking over the space. A note on the window confirms it:
The note promises Mexican food as well as Salvadorean. Founder Lilian Anaya Quintanilla‘s business is more than a decade old. We briefly made contact at the market today, where Lily’s booth was very busy as usual, and we’re working on a followup conversation for details.
Extra fun tonight at 2 Fingers Social in South Delridge – gaming consoles are set up as part of a ‘takeover” night to raise money to help Till Dawn south of The Junction get open. When we first reported in October on Till Dawn coming to the former licensing-agency space at 5048 California SW, we didn’t have much info, but now we do.
Here’s what the two venues have in common: Andrew Spence as co-proprietor (different business partners, though, for each one). We talked with him at 2 Fingers Social tonight. Till Dawn will be a “super-nerd bar,” for “beer nerds, coffee nerds, gaming nerds.” High-end coffee and 75 bottled/canned beers from all over the world. International will be part of the flavor, in the “cyberpunk/’Blade Runner'” fusion sense, Spence says. That will include packaged snacks from Japanese rice candy to American junk food (chips, soda). The interior of Till Dawn is built out – Spence has been working on it for months – so tonight is to get them to the finish line with expenses from stocking to permitting.
Till Dawn, by the way, Spence says, is named for that time when gamers realize they’ve been up too long playing. The café hours won’t go that late – not finalized yet but maybe 8 am-10 pm-ish at the start. All ages. Same as for tonight’s event, until 11 at 2 Fingers Social (9211 Delridge Way SW), besides “gaming, drinking, and mingling,” you can get in on raffles and “free” beer from Future Primitive in nearby White Center for donors. (P.S. 2FS has outdoor seating as well as indoor.)
Gary Potter (proprietor of longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction) sent the photo, suggesting West 5 fans might need a reminder that the Junction restaurant/bar is about to close after 19 years. As reported here on January 31st, tomorrow (Saturday, February 12) is its last announced day/night. In the photo, from earlier this week, is, L-R, Gary with West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s board president Dawn Leverett, West 5 co-founder Dave Montoure, Josh Sutton from the Greater Seattle YMCA, and Todd Carden of Elliott Bay Brewing. If you’re planning to visit before it closes, hours are 11 am-10 pm.
(Lincoln Park photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Biznotes related to the big occasions that is just four days away – Valentine’s Day:
VALENTINE’S DAY AT WYATT’S JEWELERS: Extra shopping time if you’re thinking about jewelry for a Valentine’s gift – longtime WSB sponsor Wyatt’s Jewelers in Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton) will be open this Sunday (February 13th) and Monday (February 14th), days the store otherwise would be closed. 10 am-6 pm both days!
VALENTINE’S DAY AT ALAIR: Alair gift shop (3280 California SW) also is adding extra days/hours – noon-8 pm Friday (February 11th), 10 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-3 pm Monday. Proprietor Shandon elaborates:
I know a huge number of West Seattle small businesses are closed on Mondays (as we usually are), and with Super Bowl being so late this year, we adjusted our hours a bit to give people chances to come in. We also have some cute bags and necklaces from West Seattle makers Nordy Made and Sea+Pine Designs that were custom made just for Alair!
CAKE POP-UP AT PAPER BOAT: If a sweet treat suits your Valentine plans, check out Sunday’s pop-up at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW):
Stop by and pick up a delicious treat for Valentine’s Day from local cake makers Emily & Drew Cain of Lovely & Dapper Desserts. They will be selling mini cakes with a festive Valentine twist, “My Passion For You” (chocolate and passion fruit) and “ Honey I Lavender You” (honey lavender) from 2-5 pm Sunday at the front of the shop. We can personally vouch for the deliciousness of these cakes and we are thrilled they will be joining us!
PET PHOTO BOOTH AT MUD BAY: On Saturday, Mud Bay in The Admiral District (2611 California SW) welcomes you and your dog, cat, or other small animal to a free Valentine-themed photo booth, noon-4 pm.
Anything Valentine-y at YOUR biz this weekend? Let us know so we can add – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Three biznotes from the West Seattle food world:
EZELL’S OPENS: Can’t miss the balloons all around the newly opened fried-chicken restaurant at California/Fauntleroy. After more trial runs over the weekend (as covered here), they’re open for business today.
CIRCA EXPANDS HOURS: As Circa (2605 California SW) celebrates 24 years in business, they’ve sent word they’re expanding hours: “To celebrated, we are opening for dine-in breakfast and brunch at 9 am 7 days a week for the first time in our history. We’ve had weekend brunch forever, but not weekday breakfast. This week we have $5 Bloody Marys to celebrate the occasion.”
GIGI’S CAFE: Chef Gino Williamson says his plan for a restaurant in the current Super 24 at Delridge/Findlay is moving along and he expects to be in the building in about two weeks. As we’ve reported previously, he’s naming it after his daughter Gianna. He’s continuing to sell food from his mobile business TheHomeSkillit.com until then at 5441 Delridge Way SW and says he’ll be there afternoons/evenings daily through Friday.
(WSB photos)
Sam and Keonii, the mother-daughter team who run Fleurt Collective (4536 California SW), welcome you back to their Junction shop starting today! As mentioned in our daily preview, today is grand-reopening day after weeks of remodel/refresh work:
Right now, as you might expect, Fleurt is in full-on Valentine mode. But you’ll find year-round faves too:
They’re reopening with new hours.
You can visit Fleurt – which has been in The Junction for almost 12 years – 11 am-4 pm Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. They’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
If you’ve walked past 4538 California SW in The Junction in the past few days, it’s clear that furniture store Village Woodworks has cleared out, after 25 years. Here’s the view through the front window:
We’ve been trying all week to get some details before publishing a story. Back on Sunday, while in The Junction, we found owner Brian Low continuing to clear out the space, but he declined comment at the time, saying they’d contact us by email in a day or two. We have yet to hear back via email or phone, so we still don’t know if this is simply a case of retirement, or whether there’s a new location elsewhere, or something else. But we did finally make contact with the building’s owners via email; they responded to our question about what’s next for the space:
Ownership is currently evaluating our options.
At this time there is no current tenant lined up to move in.
We are exploring our options including renting out the existing space or a redevelopment of the property.
Anything and everything is currently on the table.
(Some of the building’s history can be seen here.) As of this writing, the closure is not yet acknowledged on Village Woodworks’ online channels.
(Photo courtesy Carmilia’s – L-R, Linda Walsh and Linda Sabee)
Almost nine years ago, we sat down for a chat with those two entrepreneurs – “The Lindas” – for a chat about being small independent retailers. Since then, Linda Sabee‘s boutique Carmilia’s has continued in its longtime home at 4528 California SW; Linda Walsh has long since moved her boutique Clementines to Pioneer Square. But today “The Lindas” are announcing a new West Seattle collaboration: Walsh is the new owner of Carmilia’s; Sabee will remain as buyer and support for events/customer connections. Their announcement says Walsh will be “adding her touch to Carmilia’s while keeping the same brands and styles that has made it a neighborhood treasure since 2002.” Walsh says the Pioneer Square home of Clementines – best known for shoes – has a “major rebranding” ahead but in the meantime the Carmilia’s collaboration has her “returning to the West Seattle neighborhood to partner with Sabee, her longtime fashionista friend.” As the new Carmilia’s partnership ramps up this month, they’re looking ahead to “doing events in the Spring to show off their spring goods and new partnership.” You can get word of those by subscribing to the Carmilia’s email list if you’re not already on it – shopcarmilias@gmail.com.
(P.S. If you’re not into in-person shopping, note that you can shop Carmilia’s online – Sabee gained citywide fame for that pandemic adaptation.)
Almost four months after we reported the closure of Morning Star Mini-Mart at 8th/Henderson in Highland Park, we know what’s moving in. Greene Information Systems is moving its headquarters there, from Georgetown. The company won’t be a tenant – its ownership bought the 4.200-square-foot, 75-year-old building and the 13,000-square-foot site it’s on. We contacted the company after seeing it named on preliminary site-plan documents in city files. According to Christian Castro, who responded to our inquiry on behalf of the company, the owners and many of the employees live in West Seattle. Greene IS serves as “outsourced IT” for more than 100 clients and is a Microsoft consultant. They’re doing interior renovations on the building to turn it into office space for their U.S. staff, which he said currently numbers about 17. At some point years down the road, the site has redevelopment potential, since it’s zoned for mixed-use that could have commercial space on the ground floor and residential above, but there are no near-term plans for that, he said. As for how soon Greene IS expects to move in – Castro said they’re estimating three to seven months but that’s dependent on how the city permitting process goes.
Another West Seattle closure announced by email today (thanks for the forwards!) – Spira Power Yoga is closing its Admiral location after almost 11 years. Online classes will continue, and Spira Power Yoga’s Issaquah studio will remain open, but proprietor Dora Gyarmati is ending her business’s physical presence in West Seattle. In the email announcement, she says that “we did not make this decision lightly. I have been working, literally without a single day off, including weekends for two years now. We also carry a very large financial overhead. Something had to give. Closing West Seattle brick-and-mortar is the right step to provide financial stability and emotional balance for my family life.” And she notes that “it is not so much closure as moving the business online. Since 80% of current West Seattle yogis prefer online classes, truly, it will be business as usual.” She goes into more of the details behind the decision in this essay. Spira Power Yoga opened in the space at 2332 California SW in the summer of 2011. The announcement says the “last class in the brick-and-mortar West Seattle studio will be on February 28th.” (Image from Google Maps’ Street View)
1:34 PM: Thanks to the many people who emailed and texted about this: West 5, the beloved restaurant/bar in the West Seattle Junction, is closing after 19 years. From the email West 5 sent out at midday today:
Last Call
Closing Saturday, February 12thUntil then: Mon-Sat 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fixtures & Auction Preview 2/13 Fruit Cocktail Collectables
Thank you, West Seattle
The uncomplicated story is, we lost our lease and after eighteen years we must say farewell to the old Speedway and Hobby Shop on California Avenue. Covid and omicron brought haste to our closure and sadly took away options for future revival. Thank you West Seattle, and beyond, for your support of this modest venture. It’s been a ride.Looking Back
West 5 Opened as a “Non Smoking Cocktail Lounge”, the first of its kind in Seattle, Feb 8th 2003.Our only televised event was West Seattle Little League’s appearance in the 2018 LL World Series Regionals.
Since opening, we’ve served up (give or take) 24,738 Mai Tais, 31,968 orders of Mac N Cheese and 17,298 BLTs.
Through the years we’ve tried to remain true, through trend and folly, as a “great place to meet,” a quaint conceit, badly bruised by two years of unpredictability.
Thank you for gathering under our crown to create and provide memories.
Great Neighbors and Partners
We are thankful for our deep community partnerships: WS Senior Center, WS Food Bank & Helpline, Chamber, Historical Society, ArtsWest, our local schools and many others. Thank you for continuing to make WS special.And to our five-star peers in the WS indie restaurant community – you know who you are – thank you. Keep serving it up and signing those checks. The end to perpetual pivot is right around the corner.
The email goes on to thank current and past employees, and then continues:
Souvenirs
We have some fun old and new school stuff to sell off. Much of it will be available via Online Order as well as in-store starting 1/31. You will see a few blasts from the past, get ‘em while they last.Grab a tee shirt or two when you’re in for that final Mai Tai or picking up a To Go order of Mac N Cheese. We could really use the revenue (hint, all tips go to employees).
Memories, Tall Tales, Lost & Found
Got something to say? We’ll do it old-school. Here’s a place to drop a memory, share a story or settle a score. We may or may not reply, connect you to that “I Saw You” crush from 2005, or find a way to stitch together a storybook. But not a podcast, we promise. Never a podcast.WEST 5 Memory Hotline
206-525-1511
(recorded messages only)
West 5 was founded by West Seattle natives Dave Montoure and Dean Overton. We featured some of the backstory in this 2011 report about the establishment’s 8th anniversary.
5:56 PM: Commenters asked about the lease situation and the space’s future. The building is owned by Tom Henry, former proprietor of JF Henry & Co. retail store (which was at 4445 California SW). Reached by email, he told us:
(We) heard about this the same time everyone else did. His current lease option is actually up in August and since he chose not to renew, we were not surprised about his announcement. West 5 has been an incredible tenant and a long-time loved business. We firmly believe that vacancies are not good for the business community, so we have plans for a great new tenant coming this year.
West Seattle Junction notes from above:
YEAR-ROUND LIGHTS: No, the workers in the trees along California SW in The Junction today are not trimming them – they’re installing year-round lights, West Seattle Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay tells us.
NEW BANNERS; Someday soon you’ll see another set of workers aloft in The Junction, putting up new banners to replace the faded ones that have been up for several years.
FLOWER BASKETS: Adopted one yet? Some of The Junction’s flower baskets are still awaiting adoption for this year. Individuals, businesses, organizations all welcome. Here’s how to sign up.
Another shopping event ahead, with Valentine’s Day approaching – this one’s on Friday (February 4th), 4:30 pm, at longtime WSB sponsor Wyatt’s Jewelers:
Wyatt’s Jewelers in Westwood Village is hosting a private event! Bring a friend, sip some bubbles & check out our baubles! It’s time to create a wishlist of your favorite jewelry for future occasions! Does your partner struggle to find you the perfect gift? Whether it be an anniversary, birthday, holiday or just because … we will create and store your new personal wishlist for your friends and mates to shop from! Enjoy delicious charcuterie from Heritage Restaurant, some special bubbly or wine, and check out our large selection of both modern & vintage jewelry. Limited to 15 guests! RSVP today by emailing socialmedia@wyattsjewelers.com or by calling us at 206-937-9200. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test required for entry.
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