West Seattle, Washington
11 Monday
Thanks to everyone who has pointed out that branding work has been proceeding quickly on the new Fauntleroy Shell station at Fauntleroy/Alaska (that’s its official name, according to the city business license). We’ve been working to find out when they expect to open, and finally reached someone today by phone – they say it could be as soon as this Friday, depending on how “network installation” work goes. For those wondering “why two Shell stations at the same intersection?” – please remember that the pre-existing one is going to be part of the 4755 Fauntleroy Way mega-project. That does not mean it’s closing any time soon – but eventually (though the land deal for that project won’t be done till next year, according to the developers, and construction may not start till 2014).
We’re welcoming Niederberger Contracting Ltd. as a new WSB sponsor today! Here’s what they would like you to know about their business:
As Seattle General Contractors for more than 17 years, Niederberger Contracting brings experienced, reliable professionals to your residential remodeling, home building and commercial improvement projects. We provide top quality construction services — from solid in-house framing specialists to artisian woodworkers and tile designers who have worked with us for years. Niederberger Contracting has earned a reputation for accountability and integrity by consistently exceeding customers’ expectations. Our relationship with customers is based on open communication and respect for our agreements. Clients appreciate our level of detail and dedication. The greatest testament to this relationship is that our clients recommend Niederberger Contracting to their family and friends and call on us again for their additional projects.
Call us to discuss your upcoming residential remodel or commercial improvement project. We offer a complimentary initial consultation and look forward to answering your questions about our building process. Let’s turn your conceptual ideas and drawings into a reality!
Niederberger Contracting is a local West Seattle company – brothers Josh and Seth Niederberger are West Seattleites active in supporting their community through school involvement, sponsorships, and coaching. Niederberger Contracting hosts “Junior Carpenters Workshop” at Alki Bathhouse where kids participate in projects to build tool boxes, birdhouses and more. the team at Niederberger Contracting also support Seattle organizations such as YouthCare and the Ronald McDonald House. You can reach them by phone or e-mail.
We thank Niederberger Contracting for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
For those tracking the medical-marijuana business in West Seattle – another dispensary opened this weekend, weeks before a statewide vote might change the way marijuana is bought and sold: We’ve lost count of the dispensaries in West Seattle but got a tip about Greenlight Care Center, in the former Dollarwise building at 9211 Delridge Way SW. We photographed its signage on Friday and noticed an added “open” sign late today. It’s one of four within a few blocks of each other on Delridge and on 16th, both sides of the city/county line. And it opens as city leaders start a push for new rules regulating medical-marijuana businesses, even as state Initiative 502 goes before voters in four weeks. (Our news partners at The Seattle Times took a look at the medical-marijuana business citywide in this story published today.)
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Though Stitch & Sew Studio – the new southern sibling of West Seattle Fabric Company – doesn’t formally open until an open house next weekend (more on that shortly), proprietor Monica Skov opened the doors today for its first group event, a general meeting of the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild, followed by their sew-in.
While the quilters brought their own machines, Monica says the studio’s own machines are arriving within days. We first told you two months ago about her plan for the former Emerald Spiral space – not a retail outlet to duplicate WSFC headquarters at 2210 California SW in The Admiral District, but instead a comfortable space for classes, sew-ins, and other events. (“Not fussy,” as Monica puts it.)
The back section of the studio space north of Morgan Junction has a cozy living-room feel. And it’s where you’ll find the entrance to a restroom that is, as Monica promised it would be, fabulous – plum walls, art, and a chandelier!
Also in the back, there’s a lighting fixture that looks custom, though Monica reveals it’s from IKEA:
Out front, the studio’s facade is topped by a color scheme you will recognize from the front of the WSFC store:
But – aside from looking at the faces of the quilters who were there today – you can’t see the most important features: The fact that Stitch & Sew Studio is intended as a “happy, positive” place for activities, events, and education. Not just for sewing/quilting experts, Monica stresses – they’ll have something for everyone, beginners through experts (the quilters there today included many of the latter, such as West Seattle-based Emily Cier – check out her books on the right sidebar of her site).
The open house next weekend is set for 11 am-4 pm Saturday, October 13th, and noon-3 pm Sunday, October 14th. Monica has set up a new Facebook page just for Stitch & Sew Studio (which is at 5910 California SW) – you can “like” it here (as well as checking out Monica’s own photos of the S&S Studio transformation).
If you drive along the central stretch of Fauntleroy Way SW, between The Triangle and Morgan Junction, you probably have seen the big green “Free Range Mercantile” bus that’s been parked outside an old commercial building. We published a story about it three months ago, shortly after it turned up. Today – your chance to get a look inside:
That’s Mary Summers, FRM proprietor, who’s presiding over an open house till 5 this afternoon. Stop by, take a look inside to see the mobile store she’s put together and what kind of merchandise Mary (formerly of CAPERS) is stocking – 5908 Fauntleroy Way SW.
Received this too late to include in the roundup of West Seattle business notes we published earlier, but it’s somewhat time-sensitive, and you might be able to help, so here it is:
Restita DeJesus and Seattle Wushu Center are moving out of their studio space (located at California and Juneau). We will be holding classes in other locations in the West Seattle area until we find a permanent location. Awaiting to hear back from a few places, preferably Kenyon Hall. We’re looking at renting floor space for 3 or 4 hours per evening Mondays thru Saturdays.
Individuals interested in our Tai Chi, Kung Fu/Self Defense, or Filipino Martial arts classes may call Restita DeJesus (206) 229-4774 or e-mail seattlewushu@gmail.com. Community members who know of or own affordable evening floor space to rent for the longtime members of our kids’ and adult classes, may contact Restita as well.
Four West Seattle business notes:
BARTELL DRUGS HQ SIGN UP: Thanks to Sam for the tip. We think this is the first corporate name on the outside of West Seattle Corporate Center since Services Group of America moved its HQ. Last time we checked with Bartell – whose move was first reported here August 7th – they were expecting to move 100 or so corporate employees here by the end of this month.
Another sign of note:
OLIVIA’S OPENS IN NEW HOME TOMORROW: There will be a consignment consortium of sorts on the north edge of The Junction as of tomorrow. That’s when Olivia’s Consignment for Kids expects to open its new location at 4140 California SW, next to Cherry Consignment. Olivia’s had been at the south edge of the Admiral District.
ZATZ COLORING CONTEST – WITH FREEBIE! Jesse from Zatz A Better Bagel (WSB sponsor) just sent us heads-up about a coloring contest that’s under way at the Admiral District store and continues till this month’s West Seattle Art Walk on October 11th: “It is open to kids ages 1-10 and when they submit their coloring page they get a free bagel card good for 1 bagel free with any purchase. We will choose winners at Art Walk on the 11th. The winning prize is a $25 gift card to Zatz. No purchase is necessary to enter. We will be displaying the colored pages inside our bakery lobby so kids can come back and see their artwork.” Zatz is at 2348 California SW.
BODYLIFE CONDITIONING: You might remember Jill Pagano from NiaDivas, which she ran from Youngstown Cultural Arts Center for almost six years. Now she has expanded her business to a “permanent commercial location just north of C & P Coffee” (WSB sponsor), at 5432 California SW. It’s called BodyLife Conditioning – and her remodeling work there has included heated floors (“just like our feet to be comfortable,” Jill says). She’s offering a mix of “holistic exercise that brings people’s bodies to life.” And they’re planning a grand-opening event 9 am-2 pm October 13th.
Want one of those T-shirts, free? Stop by West Seattle Autoworks (35th and Webster) before they close tonight, wish them happy 2nd anniversary (they opened 10/1/2010), and tell them you heard about it here on WSB. WS Autoworks co-owner Todd Ainsworth says, “We couldn’t organize a formal party, but would like to thank West Seattle and all of our great customers for making year #2 even better than year #1. We’re so proud to be able to be part of the West Seattle business community after living here nearly all of my life, and we are happy to be serving some of the best customers I have ever worked with!”
As WS Autoworks enters year three, we asked Todd what’s new. For one, he says, “a program that we offer now that provides a year of roadside assistance when the vehicle is serviced at our shop (at no extra charge to the customer) and the fact we have loaner cars available.” He adds that they now offer gift cards: “We think it’s a good way for parents to make sure their young drivers will always have a way to take care of the car (without giving them cash!).” They’ve also added two more employees, and are enjoying the opportunity for lots of community involvement, too – co-sponsoring the West Seattle Junction Car Show again this year as well as involvement with organizations including the West Seattle YMCA (also a WSB sponsor) and West Seattle Little League. Congratulations, West Seattle Autoworks!
Full Tilt Ice Cream proprietor Justin Cline sends word that pre-packed pints of FT are about to go on sale at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor)! Starting next week, he says, Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan) will be selling 12 flavors of Full Tilt – vanilla, salted caramel, übe, green-tea chip, Thai iced tea, backyard-mint chip, dark chocolate, Mexican chocolate, huckleberry chip, lavender, peanut butter and jelly, and strawberry basil. P.S. Justin tells us this is Full Tilt’s first retailer in West Seattle!
What had been a boat business at 5050 Delridge Way SW is in the process of conversion to a martial-arts/fitness center. David Stegman from West Seattle Fight & Fitness e-mailed us to share the news of what he and his business partners have in progress there, and shared photos too, saying, “We are very excited to be a part of this growing community of local businesses!” They’ll specialize in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which he will teach: “I’m currently one of the highest-ranking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts in the Northwest and the only one that lives and will be teaching in West Seattle!” They’ll have a “full-fitness gym area,” too – here’s where it’ll be:
(More remodeling photos are on their Facebook page.) And they’re planning on classes for children ages 3 and up – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, tumbling, and Tae Kwon Do. He’s expecting West Seattle Fight & Fitness to open sometime next month.
A major function of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is to bring local businesses together so they know about and can potentially work with each other. Toward that end, the Chamber sponsors a monthly “After Hours” event, held at a different local business every time. Thursday night, Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor) in Gatewood hosted visiting Chamber members; in our photo, that’s Chamber board chair Dave Montoure of West 5 at left, with Chamber staffer Terry Ahern and Swedish proprietor Dave Winters. Next week will mark two years since Swedish Automotive moved into its spacious, sustainability-focused location at 35th and Kenyon.
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Because working on a master’s degree in post-Katrina New Orleans and being pregnant with a third child while raising twins wasn’t quite enough to keep Gretchen Williamson-Evans occupied, she decided to move to the Northwest and start a business … selling fully cooked, frozen organic grains.
They’re now arriving in local stores, packaged as Gretchen’s Grains.
The idea of having those staples available for easy use started in the Evans’ kitchen in New Orleans, while Gretchen was working on her Master’s and husband Bill Evans was operating his flight-training school.
Gretchen wanted the ease of eating the grain-and-vegetable salads featured in the healthier delis, but didn’t want to pay the deli prices, so she made grains in advance and froze them. Friends and family began requesting packages of the cooked quinoa, brown rice and wheat berries for themselves, and the couple recognized a niche market.
They did some research and realized “the whole-grain market was exploding,” says Gretchen. “We decided to throw our whole weight into it.”
The decision was the easy part.
West Seattle-founded Easy Street Records is a finalist for one of the second annual Small Business Awards to be announced by King County Executive Dow Constantine next month. The county just sent the list of finalists, and Easy Street is one of three up for Small Business of the Year. So far as we can tell, none of the other 40-plus nominees is from this area – you can see the full list on the county website. The award ceremony is October 10th in Bellevue.
Continuing the trend of founded-elsewhere-in-Seattle mini-chains finding their way to West Seattle, we’ve confirmed that Rudy’s Barbershop is planning a West Seattle location. Since getting asked about that “rumor” this morning, we confirmed with a company spokesperson that – as is noted on this page of the Rudy’s website – a West Seattle shop is on the way. But she said she couldn’t release any other details yet – maybe before month’s end. The “rumor” question mentioned one possible location, so we checked with its owner, who told us he couldn’t discuss forthcoming plans for his space, either. The 10-minute video above (found on their website but coded for embedding anywhere) tells the tale of Rudy’s, founded on Capitol Hill in the early 1990s by three guys – none named Rudy – now with 16 of its funky/quirky walk-in shops in four states, and the 17th to open later this month in Redmond (where a news story cites January 2013 as the WS opening date). More info as we get it!
Almost a year and a half after it closed during a conversion from 76 to Arco, the gas station/mini-mart on the east side of the Fauntleroy/Alaska intersection appears to be on the way to reopening, under new ownership. We checked its status after a tip from Paul of PB&J Textiles (WSB sponsor); he noticed the fence that had ringed it for a year was down and the site appeared “cleaned up.” It was fenced off last January and then listed for sale; county property records show the $1.3 million sale to PacWest Energy LLC closed a week and a half ago, and city online records show an application for a sign permit – under the Shell brand. What we’ve found online so far indicates that PacWest is a joint venture between Shell and Idaho-based Jacksons Food Stores. Does this mean anything for the also-Shell-branded station across the intersection? We’ll be checking on that, and on the timetable for this one.
The city’s new rules about employer-paid sick leave and safe time are about to take effect, so the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is co-sponsoring a workshop to help businesses be sure they’re in compliance. It’s next Tuesday (August 28th), 5:30-7 pm at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW). The workshop is free but the Chamber requests that you pre-register – you can use this link to do that online right now, or call 206-932-5685. (If you’re not sure whether the new law applies to your business – the city offers lots of info here.)
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB; above, Bamboo bar manager Erika Pirzadeh, speaking)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tonight’s community meeting at Bamboo Bar and Grill was preceded by a completely different kind of meeting – one called by authorities and agencies because of what happened outside Bamboo early Sunday.
The Alki Beach establishment’s future depends on how it respond to both meetings.
The community meeting brought about 20 people, including several Bamboo managers and staffers, to the back of the restaurant/bar. Hours earlier, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had filed two assault charges against the man arrested following the Sunday fight that turned into a shooting (here’s our report).
During tonight’s meeting, Bamboo management insisted that while the establishment’s “new” owners (who weren’t present) have actually owned it for almost a year and a half, they have been making changes since a new general manager – longtime West Seattleite and hospitality-industry veteran John Theofelis (below center) – took over a month and a half ago, and will do more.
“We’ve been making changes, but nobody knows if they are too scared to come in here,” Theofelis told WSB before the meeting.
During the meeting, more than one attendee said security presence would make a difference, as Bamboo acknowledged they did not have a security guard on hand Saturday night because they felt that, without live entertainment that night, it wasn’t needed.
They also acknowledged that both groups involved in the clash – which, court documents revealed today, left one victim with a bullet lodged close to his heart – had been inside Bamboo earlier. Employees say the groups had been “cut off” but had not shown signs of trouble or conflict in time for them to make any sort of proactive call to police.
First: What the authorities are doing. While the Seattle Police Southwest Precinct had two representatives at tonight’s meeting – Operations Lt. Pierre Davis and Community Police Team Officer Ken Mazzuca – the major news came from the City Attorney Office’s precinct liaison, assistant city attorney (and West Seattleite) Melissa Chin.
Late in the meeting, she rose to discuss the Code Compliance Team meeting held at Bamboo earlier in the day, explaining that participants included police and fire representatives as well as the city’s Director of Nightlife and the state Liquor Control Board.
“Wow!”… “Awesome!”… “I never knew this place existed!” Paublo Smith from Pink Gorilla Games, one of the newest WSB sponsors, says those are “the first three things we hear from people.” They expanded to add a West Seattle location earlier this year, and here’s what they’d like you to know:
When you are looking for classic/retro games in Seattle, Pink Gorilla Games “simply is the first place to look,” explains Paublo. “We are a small local company that has a great loyal community willing to share their knowledge and passion for gaming. The people of Pink Gorilla are not ‘Fan Boys’ of any one gaming console, genre, or series. At Pink Gorilla, you know the item has been cleaned, tested, and guaranteed.” Pink Gorilla Games sells, buys, and trades all video games and also sells board games and tabletop games, trading-card games such as Magic the Gathering, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh! etc., and has plenty of imported and domestic video game memorabilia.
“People seek us out as there is nothing quite like us. People still love their vintage game consoles. And they want a clean, organized, trusted place to buy, sell, and trade classic stuff, from Atari and Intellivision, to oddball things like Atari Lynx and Virtual Boy, to the newest of the new, like Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita, to the upcoming Nintendo Wii U.” Paublo adds that Pink Gorilla Games customers “return simply because we care about what we sell. Which is why we clean and bag/protect and organize all the old games the way that we do.”
Pink Gorilla Games may be new to WS (their other two stores are in the International District and U-District), but they’ve jumped right into the community, participating in West Seattle Summer Fest and co-sponsoring the recent festival in Morgan Junction. That’s where their West Seattle store is located, at 6053 California SW. You’ll find them online at pinkgorillagames.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/PinkGorillaGames, and by phone at 206-462-0801. (And check out their WSB discount coupon to save $!)
We thank Pink Gorilla Games for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
It’s a cross between a flea market and a sidewalk sale, as Admiral District Business Association president Parris Sadow (with son Quinn outside the family’s shop Atomic Boys) will be the first to tell you. Merchants were invited to bring out stuff that’s been in the back closet a while. Parris’s items include party supplies. Over at Alki Bike and Board, we found proprietor Stu Hennessey wheeling out “recycled bicycles”:
Deals so good, we almost sprung for one, but then somebody texted us about a car crash and we had to move on. Not before, however, we said hi to Flower Lab proprietor Wendy Damoth:
Her items include everything from that metal heron to Christmas bric-a-brac (really, there’s no better word). And you can even get snacks at today’s sale – Chris was outside Zatz A Better Bagel (WSB sponsor):
He’s selling treats including bags of bagel chips, plus cookies and mandelbrodt. Other stores we noticed participating include West Seattle Fabric Company and even tables on the Heartland Café/Shipwreck Tavern block. This is all on till about 2 pm today.
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Rick Cook, aka the “Psychic Barber” (per the iconic neon in the window of his shop, featured here in 2009), is moving operations – another West Seattle business displaced by development.
Rick says he recently received 30 days notice to vacate the 19-year home of his Rick’s Barber Shop at 5251 California, to make way for a future project.
His landlord Hasan Ocak, who also owns the adjacent restaurant Ephesus, told WSB he isn’t yet ready to discuss his plans for the new development (a preliminary city filing mentions a 3-story mixed-use building, which is the height limit for the zoning on that site).
But Rick already knows where he’s going – someplace that’s both new and old:
The Admiral District Business Association invites you to come on over and wander their shops this Saturday (August 11th), 10 am-2 pm, for flea-market-style shopping. First time the recently organized Admiral merchants’ group is trying a sidewalk sale like this, so as you browse and buy, let them know what you think!
(West Seattle Fabric Company’s Monica Skov and daughter, outside WSFC’s future sewing-studio site)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
After less than two years in business, West Seattle Fabric Company proprietor Monica Skov has learned what might be the most important lesson an entrepreneur can learn.
Listen to your customers. And respond.
Hers have been asking for things that just wouldn’t fit into her cozy retail space at 2210 California SW in the Admiral District – an area for open sewing (your machine or theirs), for parties, for quilting.
Now, she’s found a place where that can all happen, a second site that will become the West Seattle Fabric Company “Creative Sewing Studio” (working title, so that might change). The space is at 5910 California SW, in the former Emerald Spiral space in the California/Juneau business node (directly across from Pan Africa Grill).
We talked with Monica there this morning, just as remodeling work was about to begin:
Another business is joining Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor) and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt in the retail building north of Admiral Safeway: The fitness studio Inspire Seattle, based on Queen Anne, is expanding to West Seattle. Thanks to Crys for tipping us to a brief announcement on the Inspire Facebook page; we contacted owner Sue Hahm to find out more. She replied:
We’re expanding to West Seattle because we felt it was the right demographic for our target client base. Queen Anne has been very successful for us so we wanted to open our second studio in a similar neighborhood. We provide an effective and intense workout in 40 minutes, so it’s important that we’re in a neighborhood where clients can take advantage of the quick workout and not have to commute too far to work out… because clients tend to stay more motivated to work out if it’s convenient.
According to its website, Inspire Seattle is the city’s only studio offering the Lagree Fitness system. Hahm says they expect the West Seattle location (2620 California SW) to open late this year or early next.
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