West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
1:49 PM: One week after HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café closed in Morgan Junction (following its sibling businesses Youngstown Coffee and Launchpad Coworking), proprietors Autumn and Monica sent word that their “closing sale” is under way right now, continuing tomorrow (Sunday): “We have plenty of items left that would be helpful for folks looking to save some money. Pantry and frozen/fresh items, kitchen/office/electronic supplies, holiday decorations, masks, paper goods, kitchen equipment, Vitamixes, metro racks, and much more.” The sale continues at 6032 California SW until 4 pm today, and 9 am-4 pm tomorrow.
6 PM UPDATE: Tomorrow between 9 am and noon, it’ll be “make an offer” – they’re still planning to be there until 4 pm but the faster they clear it all out, the better.
(WSB photo, 2022 West Seattle Ski Swap)
With the summer encore this weekend, it might be difficult to convince yourself that winter weather isn’t far away, but this might help: A reminder that Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) is presenting the annual West Seattle Ski Swap next weekend:
Do your snow dances and get your gear together – you have one week left to pre-register your gear for the annual West Seattle Ski and Snowboard Swap. This event is a great avenue to outfit yourself and your entire family with good useable ski and snowboard gear. The key to this event is to help spread the word! Who knows what’s in your neighbors’ garage that might be the perfect tool for the snow rider you met on the chairlift last year?
If you have something to sell, the dropoff time is 2-5:30 pm Friday (October 13th) – the link for registering to sell is on this page. The venue is West Seattle’s VFW Hall, right across the street from M2SO in The Triangle, 3601 SW Alaska. If you’re shopping, the hours next weekend will be 10 am-5 pm Saturday (October 14th) and 10 am-4 pm Sunday (October 15th).
Back in August, we reported that a permit filing for a commercial space at Maris (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW) showed that All the Best Pet Care plans to return to West Seattle, 14 years after it closed on Alki. The company didn’t answer our inquiry back in August but has finally sent us an update, saying things are finalized now that they have their permits. All the Best says this will be the local mini-chain’s 17th store, and that they’re hoping to open “in early 2024.” The reply adds a bit of background on the company: “Susan and Ira Moss opened the first store in 1985, and we remain locally owned and family-led.” This will be West Seattle’s eighth pet-focused retail shop, by our count (after Pet Elements, Addy’s, Next-to-Nature, Mud Bay, Pet Pros, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus).
That’s the team at Seattle Bridal Rack, a “brand new off the rack bridal boutique” at 4304 SW Walker in North Admiral. They’re planning a grand-opening party in a week and a half. Seattle Bridal Rack is an offshoot of Samila Bridal and Formal, which has been matching women with special-occasion apparel for a quarter-century – “we joined forces with our master pattern makers and trusted vendors to bring forth the same level of excellence and trendy designs at outlet prices.” Seattle Bridal Rack says it’s “the only bridal shop in Washington state to offer both sample sale and brand-new gowns at discounted outlet prices.” They offer free appointments and also say they’re “the only discount bridal boutique that has digitalized our entire dress collection online” so prospective customers can look at the selection before making an appointment. You can even take your dress home the same day. But even if you’re not currently engaged – or expecting to be – Seattle Bridal Rack invites you to the grand-opening celebration, 2-4 pm Sunday, October 15th, which will be not only a showcase (and ribbon-cutting) for the new shop, but also will feature partner vendors with everything from bling to blossoms.
Winter-sports season approaches … and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) wants you to be ready. Today marks the start of M2SO’s winter-sports daily and season ski/snowboard rentals. Here’s how that works:
Mountain to Sound Outfitters offers Seasonal Ski Rentals and Snowboard Rentals for you to try before you buy. Some people know this as Season Ski Lease or Season Snowboard Lease and it’s all the same thing – pick it up now, and bring it back in April … or if you enjoy the gear you rent from us for the season, you can buy it outright in the spring.
Season rentals are typically available starting the first weekend in October and are due back by April 15th. Returns can be extended until May for an additional fee…. Daily rentals may be picked up the day before you head up to the mountain at no additional charge.
More info here, including the link for getting an appointment.
P.S. Also remember that Mountain to Sound Outfitters’ annual Ski Swap is approaching too – October 14-15 – whether you’re interested in buying or selling, you can find info here.
Back in August, we told you about Sarah Mettler‘s quest for a new home for Lady Di Pet Chaperone, which is about to be displaced by redevelopment for the second time in the dozen years since she took over the business. She asked WSB readers to suggest potential new locations, and says she got “great responses.” And now, she’s found a new location.
If all goes well, she’ll relocate the business to 9037 35th SW, in the Westwood/Upper Fauntleroy mini-business district around 35th/Barton, in late November/early December. That site too has had a redevelopment proposal but like so many other project sites right now, nothing’s imminent; Mettler says she has a two-year lease.
Thanks for the tips. Another big-box closure at Westwood Village – signs up today announce that the shopping center’s Staples store is closing November 17th. We have a message out to the company to ask why. A check of national news doesn’t show any large-scale wave of Staples closures, though the privately held office-supply chain is closing one in Massachusetts this week. Other major retailers that have closed at WWV include Bed Bath & Beyond (in the space currently temporarily occupied by Spirit Halloween) and Barnes & Noble (replaced by Ross Dress For Less), though the center’s new-ish ownership has filled other smaller spaces, and has a Daiso store on the way (as we first reported in July).
West Seattle Wellness has a new location and new owner as of today, founder Joe Bielling has announced. The practice, which has been located in Westwood Village (over NK Nails), is now in The Junction, at 4744 41st Ave SW (the City Watch building). And ownership has been transferred to West Seattle Wellness’s acupuncturist, Dr Xiangyu Xu. Everything else stays the same – business name, website, online calendar access, phone number, contact info for practitioners (they include acupuncture, pelvic health, counseling, and massage therapy). Bielling says he’s long been managing the business remotely while splitting his time between Seattle and Austin; now, he is focusing on a new personal career trajectory, post-psychedelic integration therapy.
Who needs a runway when you can strut your stuff through the West Seattle Farmers’ Market? If you were there just after 11 am, you might have seen the mini-parade walk up from Doll Parts Collective (4832 California SW) and take a lap through the market as the opening act to the shop’s Designer Showcase, happening now. If not – here’s video as participants left the shop, northbound:
Local drag queen Jolene Granby led the way. She was scheduled to perform at the shop afterward.
The main attraction at today’s showcase is a variety of fashion vendors, as previewed here earlier this week. You can check them out at Doll Parts any time before 6 pm tonight!
Until 10 pm tonight, and again 9 am-10 pm tomorrow, you’re invited to a birthday party. The Missing Piece, the café and game lounge on the northeast corner of 35th/Roxbury, is celebrating three years in business. You can drop in and congratulate proprietors Alex and Michael:
From their announcement of this weekend’s party:
During the event there will be a 10% off sale on all food, drinks and games, several raffles including games and cafe related items, new T-Shirts available for purchase, and autumn seasonal drink specials. The all-new pumpkin spice latte served by The Missing Piece is prepared with a delicious house-made pumpkin sauce.
Beginning during the Birthday Bash on October 1, and continuing each Sunday during October, The Missing Piece will be celebrating the spookiest month of the year with a potion brewing event for prizes. The first potion ingredients can be gathered at the Birthday Bash, so be sure to dust off your cauldron and get ready to brew some sweet prizes.
The Missing Piece also has longrunning regular weekly events, as featured in our calendar and daily lists; you can see their ongoing calendar here.
The security-camera images are from Tails to Astonish, West Seattle’s only comic-book shop, burglarized again this morning. Nicole, co-proprietor of the shop at 4850 California SW, says the two burglars “took all the wall books. Still doing inventory” to determine what else is missing.
This is the second burglary at Tails to Astonish in less than six weeks; they also were hit August 23rd. If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 23-283214.
ADDED: The store is closed today for cleanup/repairs, and is normally closed Sundays/Mondays; they’re not sure whether they’ll be able to reopen Tuesday as scheduled: “It’s really devastating to have this happen.”
Get your style on for fall with Doll Parts Collective‘s Sunday event – here’s the announcement, in case you haven’t already seen this in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
Join Doll Parts this Sunday, October 1st for our first annual Designer Showcase!
Starting at 11:00 AM, there will be a pop-up vendor market at our storefront (4832 California Ave SW). The event will kick off with a fashion walk – if you’d like to catch the runway looks, meet us at the shop at 11 (or.. you might want to make your way to the West Seattle Farmers Market around that time).
The fashion walk will culminate at the shop around 11:30 with a performance by local drag queen Jolene Granby, followed by live music spun by DJ NotSoGood, personal cakes from Lovely & Dapper Desserts, coffee from Till Dawn, and a FREE table sponsored by Freeya!
Featured local vendors include: Batch Life, Chub Rub Clothing, Playdate Vintage, So Fun, and Soft Stella! Festivities will continue until 6:00 pm, with clothing & accessories available from all of our designers, and of course the best selection of vintage in town!
Some readers have been wondering what’s going on with the vacant Fauntleroy space where The Original Bakery closed in February. As we reported at the time, the space at 9253 45th SW was taken over by the same company that owns Endolyne Joe’s next door. Owner Peter Levy told us in February that they planned to open a new establishment that would serve “morning pastries and espresso,” with other details to come. But with no outward sign of activity in the past seven months, readers asked if the plan was still on. Reached by email, Levy tells us they’ve been waiting all this time for a building permit: “We finally did get approval and the final permit required was issued yesterday.” So, he says, “We will be starting construction activity immediately, with an expected opening now estimated in mid-January.” Some details are still being worked out: “What we know at this point is that we will be opening at 7 am, providing an assortment of baked goods and coffee/espresso. We are still in the development stage as to what our service will include for the lunch and dinner hours. We are at this time intending on a limited breakfast menu with the aforementioned baked goods and continuing service throughout the day and evening. Up until about a week or two ago, we were still not clear if we would be able to secure the permits required to proceed, but with permit in hand it’s full speed ahead.”
Today we’re welcoming a new sponsor to the team of local businesses advertising on WSB: Blooma Tree Experts. When new sponsors join us, they get the opportunity to tell you about themselves – here’s what Blooma Tree Experts would like you to know:
Fall has arrived and you might be considering tree work before winter sets in, but you’re unsure how to navigate the city’s tree permit process. That’s why Blooma Tree Experts works to empower you with comprehensive information, enabling you to navigate the regulations effectively. At Blooma Tree Experts, we manage permit compliance for you, ensuring a hassle-free experience for our clients. Blooma is there to help you navigate the city’s tree regulations and permit process. You can read a detailed overview of the Seattle tree-work permit process at bloomatree.com/seattle-tree-work-permits.
Blooma provides complimentary tree-work estimates with an ISA-Certified Arborist and then handles publishing public notices and following through with all needed paperwork. Blooma Tree Experts is licensed with SDCI under license #LIC-TSP-18504, which underscores our commitment to excellence in tree care. Whether it’s tree pruning, tree removal, hedge trimming, tree healthcare or any other tree work, Blooma is ready to work with you. We are locally owned & operated in Seattle and have 17+ years of experience serving the region – check out our Google Reviews to see what our clients say about us!
You can contact Blooma by filling out a contact form at bloomatree.com or call/text 206-735-4081. We will be in touch within 24-48 hours to set up a complimentary consultation with an ISA-Certified Arborist.
We thank Blooma Tree Experts for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
As noted when we reported three weeks ago on the seasonal shutdown of Tony’s Market, proprietor Joey Genzale told us he’d be reopening as usual for pre-Halloween pumpkin sales. And we noticed this afternoon that a sign’s up outside the canopied market at 35th/Barton: Open for pumpkin sales September 29th (this Friday)!
We’ve received several questions about this in recent hours – people wondering if the Westwood Village Target is one of the two Seattle stores the company is closing, especially considering the recent expansion of locked shelving for many items in the store. Answer: NO – this store is NOT on the closure list. Here is the official Target announcement about closures – the Seattle stores it’s shutting down are in Ballard and the U-District.
Three restaurant notes:
MISO OPENS: The new Highland Park “K-food” restaurant at 16th/Holden is open at last, as of today. We took pics yesterday as their preparation stretched out one more day. Ben is the proprietor:
He tells us Miso (which is Korean for “smile”) will be open 11 am-8 pm Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays. We photographed the menu: here and here.
MORE ABOUT BANH MI XO: We mentioned briefly Tuesday that this sign had gone up at 35th/Henderson:
We’ve since connected with proprietor Guy by email. He says hours will be “most likely breakfast and lunch (8 am-3/4 pm).” Menu plans: “Banh mi, bun (vermicelli), fresh spring rolls, bubble-tea drinks, fruit smoothies, and Vietnamese waffles.” Guy adds, “This will be our first sandwich shop, but hope we can expand. We have been in the restaurant for 10 years+ in the past.” As for when they’ll open, “Later October/November will be our best guess.”
PORTAGE BAY CAFE: Peter from Portage Bay Café emailed us with news of a fall change in hours:
Our location in West Seattle will be shifting to our fall hours starting next week. Like our smaller neighborhood stores in Ballard and near Ravenna, West Seattle will be switching to five days a week, open Thursday through Monday. Thursday, Friday, and Monday, we’ll be open 8-1:30, and on Saturdays and Sundays, we’ll be open 8-2.”
September 26 and 27 will be the first weekdays we’ll be closed, resuming five day a week service starting on the 28th.
It’s been almost nine months since Portage Bay opened at 4725 42nd SW.
One month ago, we reported on the announcement that the couple who own Youngstown Coffee, HeartBeet Organic SuperFoods Café, and Launchpad are closing all three businesses, which are side by side at 6030-6032 California SW in Morgan Junction. Tonight we have updates from Autumn Lovewell and Monica Colgan:
FAREWELL PARTY: This is happening tomorrow night:
Farewell Party for Youngstown and HeartBeet w/ Tomo Nakayama at Skylark Café (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Thursday, September 21 at 7 pm
All-ages show
Free (donation recommended at the door)
More info here
CLOSING SALE: This starts Friday:
HeartBeet Café and Youngstown Coffee are having a closing sale open to the public starting Friday, September 22nd, located in Launchpad, through October 8th. Tons of inventory needs to be sold through. Items will be deeply discounted and folks can make offers. Here is a link to find out more details. Kitchen equipment, coffee supplies, office furniture, decorative items, bulk foods, electronics, so much more.
REMAINING OPEN SCHEDULE: Here’s the updated plan:
Youngstown’s last day will be this Saturday, Sept 23rd
Thursday and Friday open 8 am to 12 pm
Saturday 8 am to 2 pmHeartBeet West Seattle is still on track to close Saturday. Sept 30th.
Their current open hours and days are Monday through Saturday 8 am to 3 pm
(HeartBeet Queen Anne’s last day was last Friday Sept 15th)
As noted when they announced their closure plan, their building is being sold.
Three biznotes tonight:
BANH MI AT 35TH/HENDERSON: Thanks to Arlene for the tip! The former Indulge Desserts and Stuffed Cakes storefront at 35th/Henderson, between Goldie Lux and West Seattle Fish House, now has a “coming soon” sign up. The space at 9003 35th SW will soon be home to Banh Mi XO, promising sandwiches and tea. We have a message out to the Renton-based proprietors.
SHUG’S GETTING OH-SO-CLOSE: Three months ago, we reported that Shug’s Soda Fountain was finally close to opening their “mini” location in the California/Charlestown spot they’ve held for five years. Now Shug’s says they’re expecting to open next month! The owners of Shug’s are West Seattleites, and they’ve had plenty of community involvement over that long wait – even pop-ups right outside – but this will be the long-awaited final step.
ADMIRAL VISION: One more quick followup: We told you last month about Dr. Peter Wu‘s new optometry practice at 2715 California SW, in the Admiral Station building, nect to West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor). Dr. Wu tells us his clinic is now open – you can call or text 206-589-2882 for an appointment
Starting this weeik, Outer Space Seattle plans to fully relaunch its all-day open-play space on Alki. Here’s the announcement:
Outer Space Seattle’s unfortunately timed opening in December 2019 (just two and a half months before the pandemic) left them in quite the financial predicament. The owners, Caitlin Huertas & Jeannie Hammock, pivoted their business plan by offering learning pods, child care, and preschool. While this allowed them to keep their doors open, they are thrilled to be going back to their original plan — full-day open play and café.
Huertas says, “We were happy to help West Seattle families by offering remote learning pods and child care during the pandemic. But the time has come for us to go back to our original plan: All-Day Open-Play Indoor Playground & Cafe. This also allows us to offer more play opportunities to more families. We have updated our menu, improved our sensory room, and we added sound absorbing panels to help with the noise level. We look forward to seeing everyone at our Grand Reopening this Wednesday, September 20th, 2023!”
Things to know:
-Socks are required for all
-No outside food allowed, but unopened, prepackaged baby food is ok.
-Parents need to stay onsite and supervise their children.
-The menu offers a range of family-friendly foods.Hours:
Monday – Thursday 10 am to 8 pm
Friday 10 am to 9 pm
Saturday 6:30 pm-9 pmOuter Space Seattle is closed to the public on Saturdays until 6:30 pm and all day Sundays for private parties.
They’re at 2820 Alki Avenue SW, between Locust and Cactus.
If you run a business, your fellow entrepreneurs at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor) have two chances ahead this month for you to get helpful info during free presentations/workshops.
SEPTEMBER 22: At noon Friday, September 22nd, West Seattle Coworking is hosting “a presentation from master librarian Jay Lyman on the vast collection of business tools available for free to Seattle Public Library patrons. Typically, many sophisticated business softwares require the purchase of expensive licenses if you access them privately. The library pays these licenses so you don’t have to. To learn which tools are available, and discuss some applications for your business’ needs, reserve one of the remaining seats here.
SEPTEMBRER 26: At noon Tuesday, September 26th, at WS Coworking, “a more interactive workshop on common-sense marketing. Choosing what marketing works for your business needs and where your time and resources are better spent can be a daunting task by itself. Join Barney Cohen (a fellow coworker and successful entrepreneur) in this interactive workshop. Bring your questions as well.” You can register here. https://westseattlecoworking.zohobackstage.com/CommonSenseApproachtoSmallBusinessMarketing
“Every mom is an athlete.” That’s the premise driving West Seattleites Jess Fleming and Karlie Causey as they release a line of “high-impact nursing & pumping sports bras” via Kickstarter, for their company Jen & Keri (which already sells other items). They explain:
Unlike traditional nursing sports bras with fasteners like clips, zippers, or velcro, Jen & Keri’s approach stands out in the world of postpartum attire with a unique focus on activewear designed specifically for the needs of moms, not just their babies.
Their design not only improves the ease of nursing & pumping pre or post activity, but also significantly improves upon the daily quality of life for active moms. … This new style of bra looks and functions like a traditional sports bra, but with the full functionality of a nursing bra. By taking an athlete-first approach in their design, this new nursing bra empowers new moms to tap into their sense of self and move with confidence during this transitional phase of life. … Jen & Keri’s bras are purpose-built to support athletic movements with novel bounce-reducing designs that provide compression without constriction, while still offering amazing breathability.
Their wide straps and waistband target maximum support for all of life’s movements, and their buttery-smooth fabric is perfect for sensitive skin. Above all else, Jen & Keri’s bras are built without any cumbersome clips, zippers, or velco, ensuring moms never have to sacrifice form over function, and enabling them to be worn long after infancy.
The founders are both former college athletes; Causey is a chiropractor and Fleming is a strength coach. They say they’re also concerned about sustainability, so their bras are made with “recycled, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 fabric.” If you scroll down their Kickstarter page, you’ll see details of how the new bras work, what colors and sizes they’re available in, and more. (That’s also where you can support their crowdfunding campaign – the only way to get this specific line of bras right now.)
The photo is from Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle, where the West Seattle Boat Swap is happening until 4 pm. It’s all about, as M2SO describes it, “human-powered watercraft (Kayaks, SUPs, Canoes) and accessories!” With weather like this, there’s still lots of prime time to get out on the water, and it’s also never too soon to get ready for next year. The shop’s at 3602 SW Alaska (and once you’re all geared up, join tonight’s sunset paddle for Maui, presented by M2SO’s sibling business Alki Kayak Tours).
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