Two corners of Admiral/California have vacancies – and now we’ve learned that change is on the way for a third. After reader tips, we’ve confirmed with Cori Luckenbach that she’s planning to close Bebop Waffle Shop at year’s end, after a decade. But the intersection’s southeast corner is not going dark – she plans a reinvention:

There IS a silver lining. The flower shop is moving to all-online ordering and they will be moving out of the space (sometime next year). I plan on taking over the entire space and converting it into an event space. Which I have experience with from running South Park Hall. In January I’ll be selling a bunch of our furniture and equipment then beginning the remodel. For me pivoting to an event space will support the local restaurants that want to offer catering and also have space for people to come together with events that I’ll curate and a space for people to rent.

Since our email exchange, Cori has published this official announcement, including:

MANY people are asking how to support me during this transition and all I ask is come TIP my staff, pay in CASH, tip in CASH, buy all our merch, lobby for tax breaks for small businesses, AND BOOK the space when we open.

Before rebranding as Bebop, Cori’s shop in the front of the corner space shared with Flower Lab was the Admiral Bird coffee shop.

(Photo courtesy Matt Vaughan)

10:08 AM: Thanks for the texted tip. The Easy Street crew is cleaning up after flooding again this morning, one month after the indoor deluge that damaged records and clothing. But this time, proprietor Matt Vaughan says, it’s the café, not the record store. Though last month’s flooding was blamed on a pipe from an upstairs apartment, Matt says the source of today’s flooding remains undetermined. The café is closed until cleaned up but he says tonight’s 7 pm in-store performance with Thee Deception is definitely still on.

10:54 AM: Matt clarifies that the flooding was definitely from above – as in, over the café.

6:50 PM: Thanks for the texted photo! We reported last month that See’s Candies was returning to Jefferson Square, three years after a seasonal shop there. The company never replied to our followup inquiry but reader Mel sent the pic, noting that the store is stocked and apparently ready to go. On the See’s website, we note the “seasonal” status is confirmed, and Sunday is listed as “open,” 9 am-8 pm. Last “seasonal” See’s shop stayed around through Valentine’s Day.

FRIDAY MORNING: Commenter Shannon says they’re actually open now.

(WSB photo, November 2023)

With Thanksgiving less than four weeks away, it’s time for planning to heat up. One essential event on the peninsula is the annual Holiday Taste at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor), and it’s now just days away – 4 to 7 pm this Thursday (November 7). The store offers samples of its own prepared holiday feasts, and they also host vendors who serve up samples of their own – breads, cheeses, desserts, beverages, more. No admission charge and no RSVP needed, but keep in mind, it can get crowded!

… what do you do with the pumpkins? Here’s one solution …

Mark sent the photo and explains, “Two pumpkins each weighing more than 400 pounds were trucked today from Metropolitan Market to a farm in Enumclaw. ‘Yeah, the pigs just love ’em,’ the crew said.”

Two biznotes for kids of all ages …

TAILS TO ASTONISH: One of the fans of West Seattle’s only comic-book-store, Tony, sends word that Tails to Astonish is doing great in its new location and, two nights from now, “They are holding a Halloween extravaganza! They’ll be open from 1 – 8 pm, giving away free candy, comics and awarding prizes for the best costumes! So all those Batmans, Wonder Women, Power Rangers, and other spooks should stop by! They are located at 5633 California Ave SW, Suite C. Can’t miss their store – there are a ton of Comic-Book-related posters in the window.”

SOLDER & BUBBLEGUM: The North Delridge makerspace (4025 Delridge Way, #140) has launched a new Scout group that meets for an activity on Friday nights. It’s called Ada Scouts, and it’s described as “a new kids-focused scouting group, ([the name is] a nod to Ada Lovelace). Note that there’s no ongoing commitment.” They’re meeting again this Friday, November 1, 4-6 pm, $20 fee. Solder & Bubblegum has lots more going on, too, as evidenced by the calendar on their website. They’ve also finalized their membership rates for the space – see those here.

(Reader photo from April, the formerly planned Molly Moon’s space)

Half a year after Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream uncloaked plans to expand to West Seattle by hanging a banner at 4540 California SW, we have updates.

For one, Molly Moon herself tells WSB today that “We hope to open in West Seattle in the spring. It’s been a wild ride with this location and real estate in the Junction. we hope the community believes we’re worth the wait. We’ll try hard to get open around the time the sun stays up until 7 pm again!”

(WSB photo)

Here’s a big part of that “wild ride” – Instead of opening in the ex-Seattle E-Bike space, they’ll be opening in the space that Cupcake Royale just vacated a few doors down, as rumored. When we asked about it previously, they weren’t ready to comment, but they’re confirming the plan now: “It was touch and go and I wasn’t sure it would happen, but we closed on the purchase of the West Seattle Cupcake Royale on Friday. We will file for building permits there and open our shop on the corner of California and Alaska. … Our plans for the corner space are the same — we’ll be making all the ice cream on site, like we do in all of our locations, and creating about 15 – 20 living-wage jobs with upward mobility opportunities when we open. We’re really looking forward to joining the WS community!”

Meantime, they’re looking for a “great tenant” for their originally planned space at 4540 California, for which they have a 10-year lease. If interested, email (updated) hello@mollymoon.com.

Spotted this sign on the interior east side of Jefferson Square today – looks like See’s Candies is coming back. Three years ago, the classic candymaker had a holiday-season shop at J-Square that lingered until Valentine’s Day; we’ll check with the company tomorrow to see if that’s the plan this time – nothing on the See’s website yet.

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Earlier this month, we reported that baker Chely Smithgall was very close to opening her Fine Baking Co. storefront at 6971 California SW in south Morgan Junction, after a long process going back more than a year, waiting for approval of permits and getting everything ready.

We stopped by on Friday to check on the progress, and were welcomed by Smithgall saying that yes, they’re open!  She said they had a “soft opening” last Saturday the 12th and sold out of stock, and have had a busy week of happy customers stopping by. 

For now, they are continuing their “soft open hours” of 11 am-3 pm on Thu/Fri/Sat (including today), and 11 am-5 pm Tue, or until they sell out each day (the shop is closed Mon/Wed/Sun).

Smithgall said she is tentatively planning a “grand opening” event next Saturday Oct 26th, “weather permitting” because she wants to do a ribbon-cutting outside the shop.

Smithgall is already a well-known baker in the area, known for cupcakes, cake pops, custom cakes and printed cookies as a “home baker with a cottage food permit.” She said that currently she is the only baker at the shop, but will need to hire more staff to keep up. 

Visitors to the shop will likely first notice the entryway sign with a subtle suggestion: 

Smithgall said she is grateful for people stopping in, and said their recurring comments have been “we’re so glad you’re finally open; we’ve been drooling every time we go by!”

ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Several readers asked how West Seattle’s Junction True Value store would be affected by national news about True Value’s Chapter 11 filing and sale. Short answer: Not much if at all, store management told us – Junction True Value is a locally owned, independent store, like 4,500 other stores carrying the True Value name. The True Value company involved in the filing and sale has just basically been one of the store’s vendors; until about seven years ago, we’re told, it was basically a buying cooperative. (The co-op was explained when we reported on Junction True Value’s long history in 2013, as the store celebrated its 60th anniversary.)

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: As commenter Lance notes, the store has announced it’s affiliating with Ace Hardware. From its website:

Exciting News! We’re switching to Ace Hardware!

After 70 amazing years of serving West Seattle with True Value Hardware, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re officially switching to Ace Hardware!

Don’t worry, it’s not just a new name – it’s the same great people, the same friendly service you’ve always loved. We’re still your go-to spot for all your hardware needs, from DIY projects to home repairs and garden goodies.

We’re excited about this change and can’t wait to see what the next 70 years hold. The transition will take a little time but we hope you’ll come on in and check out our new look!

See you soon,
Bruce Davis, Brian Coulston and the Junction Hardware family

(WSB file photo)

Five months ago, we reported on Cupcake Royale‘s statement that they would eventually close its West Seattle cafés (and its others). No timeline, at the time. Now there is one – next Monday is CR’s last WS day. Here’s the announcement we received from proprietor Jody Hall:

Thank you and farewell West Seattle!

We are closing our West Seattle location. Our last day is Monday, October 14.
Come visit us!

A love note from Jody – founder & ceo:

Thank you. We’ve called this corner in the Alaska Junction home for 19 years. Thanks for being a part of our journey and story. Thank you for including us into your family and celebrations. It’s been an absolute honor and pleasure to have been a part of the West Seattle community. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

West Seattle was our third location in as many years after opening one of the nation’s first cupcake shops in 2003. You may recall that we announced earlier this year that we planned to close our locations once we found new tenants to take over our leases. We did this because we knew we wouldn’t survive if we continued business as usual.

Don’t fret! Cupcake Royale will still be making the city’s best cupcakes! While we’re closing our cafes (Madrona is still open – our last of the original cafes), we are NOT CLOSING Cupcake Royale. In fact, we’re expanding. We’re opening a new location on Capitol Hill (1102 E Pike Street & 11th) – across from the old Cupcake Royale locations. It’s 300sf vs 3,000sf. Our bakery in South Park (a hop-skip from West Seattle!) is also open to the public for pre-order pick ups. In fact, we’re excited to narrow our focus and team on just cupcakes – made every day, from scratch with real ingredients–from the oven to your belly.

SO COME VISIT US IN WEST SEATTLE – OUR LAST DAY IS MONDAY OCT 14!

Jody will be at the cafe over the weekend to say thanks – open 10a to 5p thru Monday. Come by and grab a box to enjoy and share with pals. We’ll have a yard sale of some classic merch and other treasures too. We’d love to see you and thank you for the love.

We invite you to continue to support our business!
Order online at CupcakeRoyale.com.
Pre-order the day before for best pricing!
Delivery available in Seattle & Bellevue.
Visit our Cafe in Capitol Hill: 1102 E Pike St
Visit our Bakery in South Park: 1605 S 93rd St
Keep it Royale West Seattle!
Thank you!
Jody

We’re following up on what’s ahead for the space.

Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan had a special delivery to make this morning: Tarps. Five days after firefighters from Station 32 helped with initial mop-up after a burst pipe flooded part of the store (as first reported here Friday), he brought their tarps back.

We found out Matt was on his way over to Station 32 when we stopped at Easy Street while in The Junction this morning to see how things were going post-flood (and post-broken window). He’s grateful for the community support and appreciates everyone’s continued patience as they recover.

Though he lost thousands of records and hundreds of apparel items to water damage, the shop is open, as is its café and bar, and the ongoing schedule of shows, signings, and listening parties carries on.

The journey to opening a storefront can be a long one. More than a year has passed since we first told you about baker Chely Smithgall‘s plan to open a storefront for her Fine Baking Co. at 6971 California SW in south Morgan Junction. Her window signage is up but she hasn’t opened yet, so we checked in. She had good news: “We are finally approved! We are working on some last details and running tests on the new equipment, hopefully we’ll be ready in a couple of weeks.” She’s gained a reputation already, selling cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, personalized printed cookies, and other “treats” as a “home baker with a cottage food permit.”

West Seattle PCC Assistant Store Director John Reed and Store Director Renee Crovisier

Photos and story by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

It was a neighborhood birthday party 35 years in the making on Saturday, as PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) celebrated their 35th anniversary in West Seattle. 

PCC staff hosted the afternoon festivities at the store (2749 California SW) and drew an appreciative crowd of neighbors and customers, with highlights including a performance by the student band from West Seattle High School, food samples from several Northwest makers, demo stations, and various other activities.

Upstairs, kids were invited to decorate their own mini-pumpkins:

…and PCC’s Ed Kernan led customers of all ages in a pasta-making demo:

Downstairs, customers enjoyed wine tasting as well as food samples throughout the store:

The first West Seattle PCC store opened in 1989 (the co-op’s sixth store, and largest at the time), and in 2019 the store doubled in size to 24,000 square feet after a two-year hiatus for construction.

PCC’s roots in West Seattle actually go back to the mid-1960s, according to this article from the PCC website, when the co-op had a drop-off site for grocery deliveries on a member’s porch in Delridge (prior to the co-op even opening their first storefront, in Madrona).  

(first two photos courtesy of Matt Vaughan)

Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan opened the shop a little later than usual this morning after cleaning up from flooding. No, it wasn’t a weather problem – Vaughan says the water was from a burst pipe in an apartment over the shop. So far, he says he’s lost about 5,000 records and 300 hoodies and tote bags to water damage.

Both the shop and the café are open, however (and as noted in our daily event list, an in-store concert is planned tonight).

1:08 PM UPDATE: WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen stopped by and talked to Vaughan, who took a quick break to show us that his staff had things mostly cleaned up at that point, with fans running. He noted where the water initially came into the store upstairs, before leaking down to the lower level of the store and even through to the Corner Pocket bar in the basement:

He added that he was grateful to those who worked hard to mitigate the damage, and said he had experienced “much worse” in terms of water damage during the store’s 36 years in business.

Three biznotes tonight:

REOPENING: Azuma Sushi (4533 California SW) reopened Saturday in The Junction, as its now-retired founders said it would, when they announced they were selling it to a longtime employee. The restaurant is now offering dine-in service, for the first time since pre-pandemic. It continues to be open Mondays through Saturdays.

LISTING: When we reported the sale of 2358 California SW – the commercial building formerly owned by Wells Fargo, which closed its branch there back in March – we noted that it was expected to stay as-is rather than being redeveloped, at least in the short run. Now we have confirmation – leasing broker Jason Miller, first VP at Kidder Mathews, tells WSB that the ex-bank space is now officially listed (here’s the flyer) and that they’re seeking a “long-term tenant.”

FEATURING: Every month, HomeStreet Bank in The Junction (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) features a local business or nonprofit, and ends the month with a drawing that bank visitors entered. This month, HomeStreet has been featuring Northwest Art and Frame, and Dan Reiner – who’s owned the shop for 50+ years! – visited this past week for the drawing, giving away a $100 gift certificate to his shop:

The October spotlight at HomeStreet will shine on youth-soccer organization Highline Premier FC. Stop by during bank hours to enter the monthly drawing!