West Seattle, Washington
05 Thursday
(WSB photos)
Meet “Cletus” the one-ton smoker, out on the deck behind Lady Jaye, which (as we reported earlier this week) opens this Wednesday (September 18th). When we first reported on the plan for this new Junction venue (in the ex-Pecado Bueno space at 4523 California SW), they mentioned the intention to spotlight smoked meats and cocktails. They meant it. Co-founder Evan Carter tells the story of needing a forklift to get the smoker into place. We met Evan and the other three co-founders during a preview visit this afternoon:
Evan’s at left. L-R with him are Sara Rosales, Tyler Palagi, Charlie Garrison (all formerly of Radiator Whiskey). They have spent the last few months remaking the space into their new restaurant/bar.
The “dark, warm wood” focus is inside and out; the patio is part covered, part not, and retains the fire pit that predated Lady Jaye. Some art too, including this:
So what’s on the menu, you ask? A specialty will be the “Forever Smoked Turkey Drum,” with ancho barbecue sauce and lime crema. Smoked chicken, too. And a sandwich with smoked bologna. It’s not all for carnivores, though. Evan explains they’re smoking veggies, too. And the opening menu’s selection of salads includes shaved summer squash as well as a salad with burrata cheese, green beans, and crostini.
As for the beverages, they’re focusing on whiskey and agave. But the menu also includes beer (draft as well as bottle/can) and wine plus seltzers/spritzers.
Lady Jaye is all ages and will seat about 60 inside (including the bar, where you can have the “full dinner experience”), ~35 on the patio. They’ll be open 3-midnight for starters, adding weekend brunch soon.
Fourth opening-date report of the day! Earlier this week, Michael sent that photo from outside 4523 California SW, where Lady Jaye has been taking shape in the ex-Pecado Bueno space. Today, we heard from co-proprietor Evan Carter, who says they’re planning to open next Wednesday (September 18th). We first reported on Lady Jaye back in June, when Carter talked with us about the “exciting flavors” and “elevated cocktail experience” planned for their all-ages establishment.
Perhaps the most-awaited West Seattle restaurant opening this fall will actually be a reopening – Phoenecia, which closed at the end of last year on Alki, reopening in The Junction. After a text last night from someone wondering about a date, we stopped by the new space (4717 42nd SW, formerly Alchemy, as announced last May), a short time ago, and talked to the Khazaal family, as they continue with finishing touches. No date yet but they’re hoping to be open by the end of this month. (Our photo above shows one wall in the new space with a tribute to patriarch Hussein Khazaal, gone a decade now; he founded Phoenecia in The Junction before its move to Alki.)
(King County Assessor’s photo)
A new tenant for the old market at 7789 Highland Park Way – Crowfoot Café. We noticed an early-stage permit filing, and then before we could even rev up our research, Harvey sent a tip with the restaurant-to-be’s name and website! We contacted proprietors/founders Steven Baird and Maureen Clark and asked for some backstory on what they’re planning. Here’s what they sent:
Maureen and I are both transplants to Seattle. I got to Washington via the Navy and after getting out of the service moved to the Seattle area in 2004. Maureen attended Boise State University and worked at KBSU, the city’s NPR affiliate, before making a change and landing in Seattle. Shortly after meeting each other we moved from the Fremont area to West Seattle, around 2009. We chose West Seattle because we liked the family feel and we were looking for our own nest. We settled in this cozy little neighborhood of Highland Park.
We were disappointed when the Country Deli Grocery store closed last year, as it was our go-to spot for ice cream and drinks.
We had been dreaming of opening our own cafe or restaurant for several years but, with a busy schedule, (school, soccer and work), the launch of this idea seemed impossible. Meanwhile I was conquering another challenge in life, perfecting my pizza!! I have been making pizza from “scratch” my entire life and it wasn’t until about 10 years ago when I started my own family that this passion for making pizza became stronger as I wanted to pass these skills on to my own family. The thought of watching my kids and possibly even grandkids making pizza really makes me happy!! On this mission to perfect my pizza, the key stone was our patio wood-fired pizza oven. This oven allowed me to make professional pizza consistently enough that it led to us hosting several backyard pizza parties. Afterward, I told Maureen “we should just do this, we should make our pizza for everyone to enjoy.” We started making some small plans here and there but everything really was at a standstill until we saw that the old convenience store was available for lease. Returning from our vacation, we saw the sign from the window of the truck and immediately jumped on the opportunity.
Since we are pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps, we decided the best course was to start with a setup where we can make and sell pizza right away. We are starting out small, operating a pizzeria kitchen on wheels from the parking lot with outside covered seating, while we are securing the (change of use) permit to allow people to sit inside the building. As soon as we have the permit, we will have real inside seating! After a year or two we will build a kitchen and while celebrating the history of the building, transform the space. We are working through the kinks getting the trailer finished and submitting our plans to Labor & Industries and Department of Health. We plan for a soft opening – “The Pizza Tasting” – in early November.
Crowfoot Cafe’s Mission: To provide great pizza in a family-oriented environment where everyone feels welcome. To give back to our community that has nurtured us, we want to extend a discount to Seattle Public Schools employees, First Responders, and contribute to West Seattle Soccer Club.
A cafe in our growing neighborhood has been long in coming and we are excited to step up and give back.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Many things about longtime West Seattle Junction restaurant Mashiko did not change when three longtime employees took over.
But some change was inevitable.
For example: The restaurant famed for sustainable-seafood sushi and other Japanese cuisine is now taking reservations online.
When we sat down to talk recently with two of the new owners, Mariah Kmitta and Allison Hill, they were marveling at how fast word about that had gotten out – nine reservations just during the course of our conversation.
They and Brandon Wicks took over in June, after the first sale attempted by Mashiko founder Hajime Sato fell through in March.
Mashiko’s been open at 4725 California SW for 25 years. For 20 of those years, Mariah has been Mashiko’s “sushi wizard.” After working with Hajime for so long, she says, “the quality of the food, the culture, all that’s instilled in you,” and while the new owners intend to live up to those high standards, thy also “want to keep Mashiko moving forward.”
When last we checked in with Youngstown Coffee Company proprietor Zoe, she was testing her Morgan Junction expansion’s food operation. Now, she sent word last night, it’s officially open and ready to go, serving salads and sandwiches in what used to be Harry’s Chicken Joint next door. Speaking of what the space used to be, Zoe adds: “We took down the Jade West sign, but will be cleaning it and putting it up inside the building to honor the memory of it. A new sign should be coming soon.” If you’re new around here, Jade West was a long-beloved cafe, best described here, not long before its proprietor Wah Wong (whose family still owns the building) was seriously hurt in a crash. Back to Youngstown: Starting this week, hours will be Beginning this week, hours for now will be 6:30 am-8 pm Mondays-Fridays, 7 am-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Zoe also sent this image of the new menu:
Address: 6032 California SW.
5:45 PM: Thanks to Emily for the tip at midday today that Alki Chicken and Waffles, months in the works at 2738 Alki SW, appeared to be open. We then went over and talked with proprietor Tom Lin, who said they weren’t open to the public yet but were doing a “friends and family” test run. He told us he’s expecting the restaurant will be open Monday (August 26th). It’s the spot where B’s Po Boy closed last winter.
7:54 PM: Kate from the Alki Chicken and Waffles staff says they’re planning a “soft open” 9 am-1 pm tomorrow.
Three and a half months after we first reported that Biscuit Bitch would expand to White Center, its opening date is set. We talked with proprietor Kimmie Spice at the new location (9602 16th SW) today and she told us it’ll open Thursday, September 5th. It’s just about ready to go:
Biscuit Bitch already has three locations downtown; see the menu here.
The Baja Taco Westwood Village location is closing. Checking out a tip (thank you!), we inquired there today, and were told that Saturday (August 24) will be the last day. We reported back in March that MOD Pizza had filed plans with the city to open a second West Seattle location, with the site plan showing they would combine the Baja Taco space and the former Giannoni’s Pizza spot next door. We checked back with MOD today and they’re still not commenting on the plan or timeline. Baja Taco, meantime, says the Jefferson Square location (which changed ownership last year) will remain open.
(Photos courtesy Haymaker)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you wonder whether Chef Brian Clevenger‘s new West Seattle Junction restaurant Haymaker might be too fancy for you, consider this:
One of the menu items he’s most excited about is a burger.
It’ll be on the Haymaker happy-hour menu – a “BIG” happy-hour menu, he notes – with two happy hours every day of the week, 5-6 pm and 9-10 pm.
Haymaker officially opens Monday (after friends-and-family and limited-soft-open nights this weekend), in the 4706 California SW space that briefly held Vine & Spoon. We noted Clevenger’s name on a liquor-license application for the space in May; a month later, details were announced.
Clevenger is not only a West Seattle resident, he already has a presence in the local restaurant scene, having opened Raccolto barely two blocks north in fall 2016.
So what will be the biggest difference between the two?
Raccolto is “heavy on pasta, light on protein,” while Haymaker will be “heavier on protein, lighter on pasta.” Also, it won’t be focused on “Italian-inspired” dishes. (Besides that happy-hour burger, he also mentions steak and fries, and a roasted half-duck.)
But Clevenger stresses that Haymaker will still be strong with “what we know” – vegetables, seafood. It’s his fifth restaurant; his three outside West Seattle are Vendemmia, East Anchor Seafood (a market as well as dine-in venue), and Le Messe.
As we talked in Haymaker’s remodeled space, it bustled with pre-opening activity – ingredient deliveries coming through the door, trays of fresh-made pasta visible near the kitchen entrance. Clevenger admits that getting ready to open a new restaurant can be “terrifying,” as you wait to see “if the neighborhood will support it” – and ultimately, he says, Haymaker is intended to be “a neighborhood restaurant,” for the neighborhood he has long loved.
Starting Monday, Haymaker will be open 5-10 pm for dinner, reservations accepted but not required. (Clevenger notes that the 57-seat restaurant can accommodate “larger parties,” too.) He’s hoping to add weekend brunch after the first month or so.
Two biznotes from the food-and-drink department:
THAITAN CLOSING: After a tip (thank you!), we confirmed that The Thaitan at 5258 California SW is closing. We were told at the restaurant that Saturday (July 27) will be their last day. They plan to reopen elsewhere, location TBA. We reported back in January 2018 that a 9-townhouse proposal was on file for the site (with townhouses also planned on the two commercial sites north of it) and the city website indicates that the project continued to proceed, though the newest document is dated this past February. The restaurant has been The Thaitan for almost a decade.
RED CUP ESPRESSO FOR SALE: Multiple readers have asked about the “for sale” sign at the drive-up coffee shop at 4451 California SW:
The shop IS still open. A close-up look at the sign reveals the signage points you to redcup4sale.com. We sent an inquiry and received the reply: “Alex has decided to go back to school to become an EMT, so he’s put the Red Cup up for sale. The owner of the property is hoping it will stay a drive-through coffee shop, or something along those lines.”
(WSB photo from May)
Last month, we reported that a liquor-license application indicated Chef Brian Clevenger – whose restaurants include Raccolto in the West Seattle Junction – had a plan for the ex-Vine and Spoon space. A spokesperson for the chef had no comment at the time – but now, the announcement has just arrived:
Executive Chef and Restaurateur Brian Clevenger has announced his newest restaurant – Haymaker – will officially open in West Seattle late July. Haymaker will stay true to what Clevenger is known for offering a selection of house extruded pastas, fresh local vegetables, and a variety of seafood dishes. In addition, Clevenger will expand the entrée selection to include items such as grilled prime New York steak with French fries and bone marrow; a Happy Hour burger; grilled Copper River Salmon with wild mushrooms, artichokes, and fish broth; and grilled Pork Collar with mission figs and polenta.
The name is a nod to his four existing harvest related restaurants, but reflects less of an Italian approach and allows the freedom to make different American focused fare. The space seats 50 and will offer patio seating for up to 18.
“I’m really excited to open another place in West Seattle. It’s the community that I live in and am proud to be a part of,” said Clevenger. “The neighborhood has been so supportive of us and we can’t wait to add another great dining experience to the junction. We will stay consistent with a casual dining environment, open kitchen, and lots of fresh produce.”
An extensive bar program will feature hand-crafted signature cocktails highlighting spirits from local distilleries and around the world, a selection of local and domestic beers, and a substantial wine list that features a number of Italian, French, and Pacific Northwest winemakers.
The restaurant will offer brunch service from 10:00 am-2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, with items such as buttermilk biscuits with pork gravy and sage, chicken fried steak with hash browns, hearty breakfast sandwiches, and house-made granola with yogurt and berries.
In the kitchen will be Executive Chef Brian Clevenger alongside Chef de Cuisine Aras Dailide (Raccolto), and Sous Chef David Valencia (Vendemmia).
Haymaker is located at 4706 California Ave SW. The restaurant is open daily from 5-10 pm, with a large happy hour offering at the 14 seat bar from 5-6 pm and 9-10 pm.
The space has been empty since Vine and Spoon was evicted six months ago along with sibling venue Alchemy around the corner (since revealed as the future new home of Phoenecia).
Two weeks ago, we reported that a restaurant/bar called Lady Jaye would be taking over the West Seattle Junction space that’s been home to Pecado Bueno for six years. Tonight, we have word of PB’s closing date. The company’s marketing director Tim Larson tells WSB that this Sunday, June 30th, will be the final day of operation at 4523 California SW. He adds, “No news yet on a new location. All our team there will be transferring to other locations.”
Thanks to Rosario at West Seattle Coworking (6040 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the tip on a new neighbor – as of today, Delridge-founded Youngstown Coffee Company has expanded, with proprietor Zoe adding a Morgan Junction location at 6032 California SW.
That spot was briefly home to a coffee shop that spun off from the now-closed Harry’s Chicken Joint next door.
And later this summer, Zoe plans to open an eatery in THAT space – it’ll be called Crisp, offering fare such as salads and wraps. More info on that as it gets closer to opening, but for now, you can visit Youngstown’s new Morgan location 6 am-5 pm weekdays, 8 am-5 pm weekends.
The sign on the door confirms it: West City Sardine Kitchen at 3405 California SW is closing after tomorrow (Thursday) night. Its building has been sold; it’s been on the market (as a blind listing) for more than a month and a half. We haven’t been able to contact the restaurant/building owners; the two employees working when we stopped by a short time ago said the staff got the news of the impending closure a few days ago, although at the time it didn’t seem the closure would be quite this fast. What’s next for the site? No info on that yet – no public filings of any kind so far. West City opened almost six years ago, two and a half years after the abrupt closure of another venue, The Bohemian, in the same space.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Exciting flavors and an elevated cocktail experience” are the ingredients for what the proprietors of restaurant/bar Lady Jaye plan to bring to the current Pecado Bueno space in the West Seattle Junction this summer.
The space has been for sale for a while; commenter Thee first spotted the liquor-license application. Then tipster Jeremy encountered part of the team at a catered event and provided information that put us on the trail. We connected with Evan Carter, one of the partners, and got answers to our questions.
So what are those “exciting flavors”? “Our food will be styled as Americana, heavily influenced in Southern roots with our own NW flair and ingredients featuring smoked meats. Our food menu will be curated by chefs Tyler Palagi and Charlie Garrison (formerly of Radiator Whiskey) who specialize in fresh ingredients, farm to table, unique cuts and smoked meats.”
As for the “elevated cocktail experience,” this explanation: “While we plan on being family-friendly, our concept will rely heavily on the bar program. Sara Rosales (also formerly of Radiator Whiskey) will be at the helm utilizing her knowledge and passion for American spirits and hiring a talented bar staff to help execute the program. She will collaborate heavily with chefs Tyler and Charlie to create a cocktail menu that pairs perfectly with the food and concept.”
The food and drinks, Carter adds, “will be seasonally influenced, even creating Farmers’ Market specials using ingredients procured from the local vendors on Sundays.”
We also asked about the decor/motif; the space at 4523 California SW has gone through several iterations in the past decade, first part of CAPERS, then for two years a Wing Dome before Pecado Bueno opened in 2013.
Carter says, “The interior will be cozy and rustic, with warm colors and dark wood garnishing the walls and furniture. The patio will be partially enclosed with comfortable seating around the warming fire pit so it can be utilized year round. The other half will be open for seating seasonally.” The dining room will seat 50, bar area 20, patio 50.
Lady Jaye will be open for dinner weekdays (3 pm-midnight), “all day for brunch service followed by dinner service on Saturdays and Sundays with a unique breakfast-cocktail menu incorporating a ‘Bloody Mary Project’ as well as low ABV cocktails and smoked pineapple Mimosas” (10:30 am-midnight Saturdays-Sundays).
And we had to ask about the namesake. Carter says only, “You will soon be introduced to the mystery of Lady Jaye.”
How soon? Aiming for mid-summer, but as with every project these days, a lot of factors including permit time will factor into that. But whatever the wait, Carter promises it’ll be worthwhile: “Our mission is to combine outstanding food/drinks with an energetic and fun atmosphere. Who says you can’t get great food and cocktails AND have a good time?”
P.S. For Pecado Bueno fans, we’re checking on their timeline for closing here. (PB has three other locations.)
(WSB photos)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Kurt Niemeyer has a degree in marine science.
His love for sealife is visible throughout his new restaurant/bar on Alki, the Pacific Room.
The ex-Hawks Nest West/Bamboo space at 2806 Alki SW is now totally transformed into a classy – but not overly high-brow – dining, drinking, and entertainment space, three months after we reported the Pacific Room was on the way. Until its grand opening next Tuesday, it has soft-opened by reservation. We stopped by this afternoon for a preview.
Kurt, a West Seattle resident, explains that his restaurant career started as something he did between maritime gigs from diving to piloting. He found himself in management, and eventually had a idea for his own place – now the Pacific Room.
If you visited the space in its previous incarnations, you wouldn’t recognize it now.
Four months after first word that Harry’s Beach House was on its way to the ex-Tully’s at 2676 Alki SW, we spotted crews at work this afternoon, so we stopped in to ask for an update. Proprietor Julian Hagood – known for Harry’s Fine Foods on Capitol Hill – was there, with family members too. He’s currently hoping to be open “late July, early August” but says the biggest bottleneck is a challenge faced by so many projects: The slow-moving permit system.
(WSB photo, last week)
Exactly one year after we first reported that The Habit Burger Grill would take over the ex-KFC at 3501 SW Avalon Way, the full grand-opening plan has just been announced. Last week we had word that it would be open by June 2, as the West Seattle Food Bank announced it would benefit from sales during part of that day; now, a news release reveals the rest of the plan:
Free Burger Day – Saturday, June 1, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m.
Get a pre-opening sneak peek of the newest location and enjoy a free 100 percent fresh ground beef, chargrilled burger that is made-to-order, plus French fries and a regular beverage. Offer is limited to the first 200 people.Fundraising Event with West Seattle High School’s Varsity Volleyball Team – Sunday, June 2, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The West Seattle High School’s varsity volleyball team, coached by Abby West, is made up of a variety of high school students, ranging all grades. Money raised during their Habit Burger Grill fundraising event will be used for equipment and uniforms for the team to utilize during the upcoming season.Fundraising Event with West Seattle Food Bank – Sunday, June 2, 5 – 7 p.m.
The West Seattle Food Bank is committed to providing food security and community connections to its neighbors in need. It envisions a strong and connected community in which all people have access to safe and nutritious food and the essential necessities of living.Free Habit Day – Monday, June 3, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The first 200 guests in line will receive a delicious chargrilled meal from one of our preset menus.
During the fundraiser events, the specified beneficiary gets 100 percent of the sale proceeds. Next Wednesday, June 5th, is the official grand-opening date. Also from the news release:
The Habit Burger Grill currently operates more than 250 restaurants across 12 states, coast to coast, and welcomes the newest 1,933 sq. ft. West Seattle location, which seats 24 guests. The restaurant is the eighth of the Washington franchise, with several additional locations set to roll out across the state before 2020.
The Habit Burger Grill West Seattle dining room is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the drive-thru is open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday – Saturday. On Sundays the dining room and drive-thru are open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
P.S. As a followup, we asked the company’s spokespeople if the above-specified windows were the only times the restaurant will be open on those pre-grand-opening dates. Short answer: Yes. Longer answer: If they hit 200 giveaways on the “free” dates before the two-hour windows are over, that’s the end for that day. And they will be closed June 4th, getting ready for the official June 5th opening.
Three West Seattle biznotes:
SPRUCE MODERN APOTHECARY: The photo is from the folks who just opened this new business at 4156 California SW, offering “mindfully curated green beauty, wellness and lifestyle goods, as well as a holistic skincare studio. …. We want to welcome our community to come check us out!! We fill a need in West Seattle and the city for sustainable home goods, plant based wellness, and lots of nontoxic skincare and general self-care items for everyone.” They’ll be open Memorial Day, though usually they’re closed on Mondays. Hours 10-6 Tuesdays-Saturdays (“occasionally 7 in summer”), 10-5 Sundays.
LOCUST CIDER: That’s who’s taking the ex-Alki Urban Market space at 2820 Alki SW, according to a liquor-license filing that appeared online today. Locust Cider is based in Woodinville and has a taproom in Ballard. Reached via e-mail, their executive team promises more info next week, so stand by for a followup.
TALARICO’S ADDS LUNCH: Talarico’s Pizza in The Junction (4718 California SW) wants you to know it’s just expanded its hours, now open 11 am-2 am Tuesdays-Sundays (3 pm-2 am Mondays)
8:41 PM: Beautiful night at The Hall at Fauntleroy, inside and out, as the West Seattle Helpline hosted its annual Taste of West Seattle, raising money for emergency assistance that helps keep people from becoming homeless. Dozens of local food and beverage venues/providers were there with samples and sips – like Mission Cantina (WSB sponsor) with esquites con nopale:
Flying Apron‘s offerings included chocolate cupcakes with curry frosting:
The tasting tables were spread throughout the Hall and across its grounds, including both of its big rooms:
Serving up chicken paella, Colleen and Kim from Dream Dinners West Seattle (WSB sponsor):
Lots of beverages too – winemaker Ben Viscon of Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) was pouring:
Michelle, Brie, and Shauna from Pecos Pit BBQ (WSB sponsor) were dishing up all-beef spicy hot links and mac ‘n’ cheese:
We have a few more photos to add – plus, we’re awaiting the results of Taste-goers’ voting – more later!
ADDED LATE THURSDAY: Also at the Taste – Husky Deli‘s Jack Miller:
And from Salty’s (WSB sponsor), Victor was serving aleppo-pepper-crusted ahi:
New participants included Indulge Desserts, a relatively recent arrival at 35th/Henderson.
ADDED FRIDAY: Update from the Helpline:
The winners for best…
Taste – Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes
Veggie Taste – Mission Cantina
Pour – The Bridge
Mocktail – All In
Sweet – Bakery NouveauThough there are still some donations and matches coming in, so far we have raised over $57,000. This is enough to keep over 160 families safe and stable in their homes while they recover from unexpected hardship!!
Lots of questions about when The Habit Burger Grill will finally open its West Seattle location at the ex-KFC (35th/Avalon). No exact date yet but we have reason to believe it will be open by June 2nd, because the West Seattle Food Bank made this announcement today:
Bring the family and join the West Seattle Food Bank on Sunday, June 2nd from 5 – 7pm, to welcome the new Habit Burger Grill to Avalon & 35th. Have a great chargrilled meal and 100% of the proceeds will go to providing the 11,500 individuals we serve with nutritious food and other much needed services.
That dovetails with what the franchisees told us a few months back when we checked in, that they would, just before their grand opening, “host a couple charity events by partnering up with local non-profit organizations in the Seattle/West Seattle area. We will be giving them 100% of the sales from those events.” We of course have an inquiry out to see if we can find out more about their timeline but in the meantime, plan to help out the Food Bank on June 2nd!
Five months after an eviction order permanently shuttered Vine & Spoon in The Junction, the restaurant space at 4706 California SW appears to have a prospective new tenant on the way. A liquor-license application just appeared in online files (and on the window) under the name West Seattle Harvest, bearing names including Brian Clevenger, the acclaimed chef who runs Raccolto on the north end of The Junction (and three other restaurants around the city). A spokesperson for Chef Clevenger – a West Seattle resident – responded to our inquiry tonight by saying she had no info to share “about how/if Brian might be involved in a potential new venture.”
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