West Seattle, Washington
23 Friday
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Two new food establishments are poised to open on California Avenue in the first half of November, bringing new food and drink options and late evening operating hours to a block where restaurant food options are limited after 10 pm.
As we first reported a year ago when they signed the lease, franchises Dave’s Hot Chicken and Gong Cha will be moving into the former Haymaker space at 4706 California Ave SW, which is being divided into two separate storefronts. Now the franchisees are ready to talk about the grand openings for each business, along with employment opportunities. Both franchises are owned by the Keshap Group out of Kirkland and sisters from that family business are heading up the franchise development in Washington state. Prachi has Gong Cha, while Sana is opening the Dave’s Hot Chicken stores.
Dave’s Hot Chicken
“The West Seattle permit took a little longer than expected,” says Sana Keshap. In the intervening months, Keshap has opened several Dave’s from Redmond to Tacoma, including one in Issaquah just last week, with Kent and Lynnwood locations slated for December. “I love this brand very much and I want to give it my all. When we’re opening back-to-back like this, it’s tough. I’m getting support pulled in to make sure these openings go smoothly.”
Keshap says the grand opening will be no later than November 13th, though there’s a possibility they will be able to move it up to the first Friday of the month, depending on how construction wraps up. A soft opening will happen the day before. She says they’re expecting a significant crowd in the early days based on the Keshaps’ Capitol Hill location (also a Dave’s/Gong Cha combo), which had more than 2,000 customers during their openings days. While they will eventually be on delivery apps, they will wait until the volume of customers is manageable. “We want to make sure we take care of everyone who shows up in person.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken offers a variety of fried chicken, in 7 levels of spiciness, along with fried mozzarella, fried cauliflower, mac & cheese, shakes, Slushers and other drinks. Keshap says along with serving the community, they actively look to support it with things like fundraisers that donate a portion of sales on a given day. “We have fundraising programs at all our stores. We have a website where groups like sports teams can apply on line and request a date.”
Assistant managers are already being hired for the West Seattle store, and additional positions are being advertised on Indeed. Keshap says the next round of hiring will be for the rest of the store staff, with training ahead of the grand opening. Open hours will be 10am-11pm Sunday-Thursday and 10am-12am Friday and Saturday.
Gong Cha
The bubble tea purveyor, a Taiwanese brand with 2000+ stores worldwide, has just one store so far in Washington. West Seattle’s store will be the second, so Prachi Keshap is bringing the general manager of their Capitol Hill store to help with the grand opening here. She says they only have immediate plans for two more locations, in the region: Tacoma and Portland.
Prachi says Gong Cha encourages an extended soft opening, so they will do that starting November 12th or 13th, with a grand opening on December 3rd and 4th. She says the Gong Cha grand openings often have activities like face painting or performances—details still be worked out. But she says there will be “buy-one-get-one” specials on select drinks during the grand opening.
Gong Cha’s offerings include traditional tea and boba drinks, plus rotating seasonal specials. A recently released horchata-based drink has been so popular at the Capitol Hill location that they expected to run out of supplies for it before the end of the weekend. Prachi says Gong Cha is much more than a typical bubble tea shop because of its reach and international connections. K-Pop star Felix is their global brand ambassador and the stores feature special merchandise like plushies that fans often line up ahead for hours to buy. She also says a limited number of stores, including the new West Seattle one, will have a Super Wu machine. “It’s named after the founder [Wu Zhenhua], but it’s a machine that basically helps us to accurately measure out the drinks.” She says orders generate a QR code, which the Super Wu reads and then dispenses ingredients, making for a consistent product.
Fliers are already up at the Capitol Hill shop advertising open positions in West Seattle, “Then we’re going to be putting up window clings at our West Seattle location. So we’ve started getting resumes in and we’re starting to look.”
Keshap says the Capitol Hill shop has its busiest hours starting around 9-10 pm and into the early morning hours. She knows West Seattle customers may be on a different schedule, which means the hours may change over time. “So we’ll match Dave’s hours and kind of see where we land. Maybe open an hour later [or] close 2 hours earlier.” With separate entries, the stores can complement each other without being tied to the same hours. Gong Cha will also be on the ordering apps.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
An Alaska Junction storefront where yoga has been practiced for 20+ years will soon be a studio again. The owners of Belltown’s Take Care Yoga say they’re expanding to West Seattle at 4747 California Ave SW early next year.
“It is just such an incredible location,” says Take Care Yoga’s co-owner Anna Douglas. “We are excited to be part of The Junction.” Douglas says she and her husband have been looking for a new studio location for close to 2 years. West Seattle came up frequently as an option, within both their studio community and a number of their teachers who live on the peninsula, but they hadn’t been able to find the right location until this summer.
That’s when Junction Hot Yoga closed its studio after 5 years, citing an uncertain future in the building. As we reported in June, the property is part of a stalled redevelopment project; Junction Hot Yoga’s lease was up at the end of June.
Douglas says they’ve signed a lease for 6 years with eyes wide open. “We’re aware of the project that is on the horizon. We’ve spent a lot of time talking to the people, with the understanding that the project might happen after that.”
Making the studio ready will take several months, with plans in the works to replace flooring and many fixtures, along with installing some supplemental heating. “The space has been really loved,” she says, with the inside knowledge of her friends’ parents, who had the space in the early 2010s when it was Bikram Yoga.
Douglas and her husband Joel Schneider opened Take Care in Belltown right at the start of the pandemic. “It was brutal,” she says. “We opened, we closed, we opened, we closed.“ But after the initial hurdles, “the community helped us keep it alive and bring it to life.” Douglas says she had been teaching yoga and managing studios for 14 years before venturing out with her own business. “When I started the studio, my husband wanted to create one that is beginner-friendly. We wanted it to be a really welcoming community hub experience.” Take Care has grown over recent years to include 26 teachers and a variety of different yoga practices. Douglas and Schneider are planning a similar program in West Seattle.
“We really try to be a third space for people,” she says. Take Care Yoga West Seattle will be open 7 days a week and offer a variety of classes: “From Vinyasa to Hatha to Yin. We’re also looking at putting some strength and mat Pilates on schedule.” As with their Belltown location, Douglas says there will be options for drop-in, class packages and memberships.
With plans to start construction next week, Douglas is expecting to reopen the space for yoga practice in mid- to late-January. “We walked into the space and it just felt really welcoming,” and with improvements over the coming months, Douglas is looking forward to welcoming the community back inside.
(WSB photo, September)
Last month, we reported that the former Avalon Glassworks studio and shop at 2914 SW Avalon Way would become HoneyDew Glassworks. Tonight, proprietor Emily Chick tells WSB she’s set the date for her grand opening: Noon-6 pm Friday, November 13. “There will be live glassblowing, glass art available for purchase by several local artists, and some refreshments!” Emily enthuses – so set your calendar.
(Image from West Coast Self-Storage)
More than a year ago, a mystery drill rig appeared next to West Coast Self-Storage on Harbor Avenue, and after reader questions, we found out it was an expansion of the facility (permits were filed at a different address so that wasn’t so simple to suss out). Now the company has announced its completion. The announcement says the new building has 230 storage units, bringing the Harbor Avenue facility’s total to 1,087 units, featuring “additional storage options, including large heated ground-floor units with high ceilings” as well as “drive-up accessible units (and) digital video monitoring throughout the property.” The self-storage industry has boomed in West Seattle, including – not even counting facilities with storage in addition to other lines of business – another one on Harbor Avenue, two facilities in the Luna Park area, one on West Marginal Way SW.
Miss Tony’s Produce under the red/green/white tent at 35th/Barton? Relatives of the original operators, the Genzale family, have just opened Tony’s Pumpkin Patch – as previewed here – even with a bit of produce (apples). You’ll see “regular” pumpkins outside, but also a variety of others inside, including mini-pumpkins, and other seasonal decorations. We stopped by and met Tony (Morella) and his brother Biaggio:
They’ll be selling pumpkins (etc.) daily 9 am-7 pm through Halloween and then just weeks later plan to switch to Christmas trees.
One of WSB’s longest-running sponsors has launched a new chapter. Here’s the announcement of what’s next for Potter Construction:
After nearly five decades of serving homeowners throughout West Seattle and the greater Seattle area, Potter Construction is beginning its next chapter alongside Haas Development & Construction and Haas Architects.
Founded in 1979, Potter Construction has built a strong reputation for quality residential remodeling, craftsmanship, and trusted client relationships. By coming together, Potter and Haas bring decades of local experience under one family of companies, with complementary expertise in architecture, remodeling, construction, design, custom cabinetry, ADU and DADU projects, and residential development.
For Potter Construction clients, the commitment remains the same. The entire Potter team will remain in place, and current clients will continue working with the same people they know and trust, with uninterrupted service and support.
Coming together with Haas also gives Potter clients access to expanded resources and capabilities across the full project lifecycle — from architectural planning and design through permitting, remodeling, construction, and completion.
“Haas’s full-service capabilities give me confidence that the transition will be seamless, with all staff continuing in their current roles. I’m excited that Potter’s next chapter will carry forward the same approach we’ve upheld for years,” said Gary Potter of Potter Construction.
About Haas Development & Construction
Founded in 2016, Haas Development & Construction provides residential renovation, remodeling, custom cabinetry, ADU and DADU, and design services throughout the greater Seattle area, with a focus on quality craftsmanship, clear communication, and exceptional client service.Haas is pleased to announce the bringing together of two trusted names in residential remodeling. The partnership enhances our ability to serve homeowners with expanded design, cabinetry, and renovation capabilities. Together, we will continue delivering outstanding craftsmanship, personalized service and beautiful spaces for years to come."
About Haas Architects
Founded in 1987, Haas Architects specializes in industrial, residential, commercial, and multi-family architecture. With expertise in design, master planning, project management, and administration, the firm has helped create homes for more than 30,000 families throughout the Puget Sound Basin.
(WSB photos)
CraftLab Seattle proprietor Laura Duris and her family celebrated the studio’s grand opening at 4411 California SW with a ribboncutting this afternoon. Free crafting is happening during the grand-opening open house:
Visitors are being asked what kind of crafting would bring them back for a visit:
The studio is offering crafting for all ages:
Today’s open house continues until 5 pm.
After a question from reader Abhi, wondering about the status of The Last Parlor – the event venue planned by Cori Luckenbach in the space where she used to run Bebop Waffle Shop (now a pop-up next door) – we checked in. Abhi was worried because the boards over the windows had stopped mentioning The Last Parlor, almost two years after Cori announced the plan. Not to worry, Cori told us, “The Last Parlor is very much alive!” As for why the exterior at California/Admiral stopped mentioning it, she explained, “I held off on painting a Parlor update because the new windows were supposed to go in any week, and then the boards would come down. That ‘any week’ kept moving.”
She continued, “The good news is that the windows arrived [earlier this week] and are being installed. Once they’re in, the wood comes down and I can finally paint the façade and show the neighborhood what’s been happening inside.”
The Last Parlor’s website was down for a bit too (we can relate) – that compounded Abhi’s concern – but it’s back up now, and you can sign up there for updates. As for an updated projected opening date, Cori says the interior of the 1906 building had to be brought up to code for an “assembly space” and that dealing with the city has been a “long, detailed (awful) process” – but the end (and The Last Parlor’s beginning) is in sight!
The entire staff of the home of West Seattle history – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s executive director Elizabeth Rudrud and program coordinator Oli Castañon Villa – visited Mechanics Bank in The Junction (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) this afternoon to accept a gift – a $5,000 grant from Mechanics. Vice president and branch manager Bob Livingston said it’s in honor of the SWSHS new Log House Museum exhibit “Beyond Alki” as well as the celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary. The museum at 3003 61st SW is open to the public noon-4 pm Thursdays and Fridays, 10 am-4 pm Saturdays. (Oli and Elizabeth are L-R in our photo’s center; Bob and banker Andrew Tento are flanking them.)
(Photo courtesy CraftLab Seattle)
Back in May, we told you about CraftLab Seattle‘s plan to open a studio on the north edge of The Junction, at 4411 California SW, more than four years after it was founded in a West Seattle home, with classes, workshops, and events around the city. At the time of our story, they hoped to open in mid-September. They’ve now set the date, and they’re not far behind that – this Saturday, October 3, they’re opening with a free community open house, 11 am to 5 pm, including a ribboncutting at noon. They’re offering studio tours, free crafting, and snacks. CraftLab Seattle founder Laura Duris says that “sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at CraftLab” – with projects featuring “upcycled, donated, and thrifted materials from our own community — giving fabric scraps, jars, tiles, paper, and other everyday items a second life as art.” All are welcome at Saturday’s open house, free to attend, but they’re requesting registration here.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Dozens of landlords are telling the same story: They’ve been ghosted and unpaid by West Seattle-based property management company Dwellings Seattle, Inc. in recent months, struggling with the ensuing legal and financial mess, while most live out of state or even out of the country. They have banded together online, filing complaints that are spurring investigations by Seattle Police and other agencies into the principals of the firm that owners say has withheld more than $1 million from them.
By nearly all accounts, Dwellings Seattle Real Estate & Property Management had a stellar reputation for much of the last 10 years, with 5-star reviews and referrals from top real estate agents and word-of-mouth. Looking at online reviews, tenants didn’t always have nice things to say, but complaints from property owners didn’t snowball until 2026. Now the firm’s state real estate license is canceled, its designated broker has left, the balance of its client trust account is unknown, and the company has gone dark. A steady stream of tips from readers alerted WSB to the unfolding situation in recent weeks, some in an effort to recover their own money and others to inform remaining Dwellings tenants and owners, as well as the larger community.
From an office at 3806 California Ave. SW and a website (now essentially nonfunctioning, except for the “pay rent” icon) clients say, Dwellings’ owner and CEO Roland Gonzalez marketed the company as a specialist in higher-end rentals, coaching clients to make improvements that Dwellings in many cases would manage, markup, and charge back to property owners. “We actually put a ton of work into our house through working with Roland, like $80,000,” says Katie Drake. She and her husband own a 3-bedroom home in Seaview built in 1910. “Everything honestly went great. We had absolutely no complaints working with Roland. They really delivered what he promised us in terms of rent. Our money was just coming in like clockwork.” She says everything was fine, until it definitely wasn’t.
(WSB photos)
As the first Starbird Chicken in this state, the new West Seattle location (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW) opened this morning with plenty of pomp, and a line for freebies. We counted ~80 people in line just before the doors opened at 11 am, with a promise of free food for the first 200. Rachel Porter of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce emceed multiple iterations of the ceremonial ribboncutting:
The actual cutting was done by executives of the Mehta Investment Group, which owns this location and more than a dozen others to come (Capitol Hill among them), Vin Mehta and Rohit Mehta, with special guests including India‘s Consul General for Seattle, Prakash Gupta:
We have already shown you the interior – and the menu – so we didn’t go inside again today. Two of the selling points mentioned in the ribboncutting ceremony: Their chicken gluten-free, and they’re open later than many eateries (11 pm).
The new Admiral home of Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) will be a concert venue this Saturday afternoon, as announced by proprietor Frank Gross:
We are pleased to welcome Dave Hause and Tim Hause for a short in-store acoustic performance this Saturday, October 3rd, at 3 pm here at Thunder Road Guitars in Seattle. This in-store will be free and all ages.
Dave Hause & The Mermaid are in town playing 2 nights at the Sunset Tavern on Oct 2nd and 3rd, and we couldn’t be more stoked to welcome them here to Thunder Road in West Seattle.
Haven’t been to the shop yet? You’ll find it at 2611 California SW.
Thanks for the tips on this, following our earlier reports on major work in the parking lots at Taco Time (which is closed until the weekend) and The Home Depot – West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) has work under way in its lot too. But like The Home Depot, it’s still open, and it’s business as usual inside. One of the managers, Ted, tells us the work is centered on a pipe (which isw why the crews at work include O’Neill Plumbing, also a WSB sponsor) and should be complete tomorrow – they’re hoping to get most of the work done early in the day.
Thanks to Al for the tip on this. The Home Depot‘s parking lot on Delridge is a work zone today too – about three-quarters of it is roped off for paving crews. In this case, though, unlike Taco Time, the store is still open; the available parking spaces are on the north side of the lot.
Five months after we reported that Shannon and Jon Felix had decided to sell Avalon Glassworks and move on to new adventures, they’ve found a buyer. We inquired after spotting the marquee message in our photo above, suggesting something is “COMING SOON” to the glassblowing-studio space next to Luna Park Café. Avalon Glassworks officially closed 2+ months ago, aside from a few pop-up shopping opportunities. And now a new owner is getting ready to take over. Via email, glass artist Emily Chick explained the plan:
Basically I saw the ad Shannon and John put out for the business and I knew I had to go for it!
I love blowing glass and playing a supportive role in the glass community. With this hot shop and retail space, which I’ve named HoneyDew Glassworks, I plan to make a space that other glassblowers can utilize both in the making of their art and the sustaining of their livelihood. As well as creating and selling my own work, I will be renting out studio bench time to glass artists and providing the opportunity for anyone to sell their work through the Honeydew Store.
I’m not exactly sure when I’ll be able to open but I’m really gunning for before December. I want to have a fun little opening event when that time comes! Planning on being open 5 days a week but not exactly sure which days yet.
Lots to work on and finalize for me but I’m so thrilled for this journey!
The space at 2914 SW Avalon Way has been a glassblowing studio for more than 30 years.
Two quick West Seattle Triangle business notes:
TRADER JOE’S HOURS CHANGE: Thanks to Ian for the tip on this: As posted at registers in the West Seattle Trader Joe’s, the store will open an hour later starting Monday, October 5th – 9 am instead of 8 am. We have an inquiry out to the company asking why the change. (Trivia note, the store marks its 15th anniversary next year.)
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS RIBBONCUTTING: As mentioned in today’s highlight list, the new paint store at 4457 Fauntleroy Way SW is having a grand-opening celebration until 2 pm today. It started with a ribboncutting:
Thanks to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce for the photo. The store is in a former Midas location that closed in 2019.
(WSB photo, February)
We first reported back in February that Delphinium Delicatessen and Goods was on the way to 3902 California SW, and published a May update on progress. As is almost always the case for new businesses, things took a little longer than hoped for. Some readers have asked for an update, and tonight we have one from proprietor Cindy Beaver: She has set Friday, September 25, as her official opening date, provided all goes well with an inspection later this week. Once that’s in the rear-view mirror, she’ll start stocking shelves, and might even be able to soft-open sooner. Hours will be 11 am-7 pm Tuesdays-Sundays, closed Mondays.
Thanks to Todd for the tip. He wondered if the 7-Eleven at 2429 Harbor Avenue SW was closing, after noticing people carrying items out. We went over after getting his note. Nobody was there, but some empty shelves were visible from outside, as were two handwritten notes, saying the closure was for cleaning and renovating, no time frame mentioned. We checked permit files; nothing recent, though not all renovations would require one,
It’s a great time to get healthier. Longtime WSB sponsor Fitness Together West Seattle in The Junction is offering a discount right now on this personal-training program:
Why This Works
Fall is the second-best time of year to reset. Routines come back. Schedules firm up. But most fall fitness programs fail the same way – they start intense and fade by mid-October.
This one doesn’t. Here’s why:
Six Weeks – Long enough to build a real habit.
Twice a Week – The frequency that actually moves the needle. This is where progress compounds.
Just you and your trainer – We build your plan, track your pace, and notice when you miss a week.
Fitness Together West Seattle is upstairs at 4546 California SW in the heart of The Junction (Above The Matador).
A “gem of an opportunity” awaits at California and Juneau. Hannah and Sean, proprietors of Moon Room (WSB sponsor), explain in this message to you:
Dearest West Seattle,
After enjoying 4+ years of being a part of this wonderful community, we are deciding to look for a new owner or owners for Moon Room, our “Sweet Little Gift Shop in the Universe.” We have made the intentional decision to move closer to our family and as a result will not be able to take this fantastic, well-loved business with us.
We are reaching out through the West Seattle Blog first before we list in the greater Seattle area because we would absolutely love to see Moon Room continue to grow and thrive with someone local who is familiar with the shop and is in alignment with the positive vibes that it resonates with the community. It is a great opportunity to own a healthy, successful, and growing local business. Specifically appealing to those who are passionate about crystals, rocks, jewelry, and eclectic, fun retail gift products.
If you or someone you know is interested in this gem of an opportunity, please direct all serious inquiries via email to moonroomwellness@gmail.com. We are looking for the right qualifications, intentions, and fit for this special business. We will be keeping all communications private beyond this announcement.
In the meantime, we will happily continue to run the store with all the same joy, integrity, and service we have for the last 4 years. It is truly a pleasure!
Thank you all so much for your continued support and kindness,
We appreciate you!Hannah and Sean
Summer’s not over and paddling season isn’t either! Today until 5 pm, Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) offers you the opportunity to get new (or new-to-you) watercraft during its end-of-summer Boat Swap.
You don’t really need to bring anything to “swap” – consigners already dropped oiff their kayaks and stand-up paddleboards in time for the sale; just come to the shop and browse the expanded inventory!
Gear too:
The second-ever West Seattle Junction Sweet Stroll continues until 8 pm, and you can still get a ticket – just go to the check-in table in front of KeyBank at California/Alaska:
Above is one of the four treats your ticket is good for, a Molly Moon’s Ice Cream mini-flight – below, you also get your choice of Husky Deli mini-scoop:
Two berry-pie choices from A La Mode Pies:
And pumpkin-spice beverage plus donut from Top Pot:
You get all those for $25,
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