West Seattle, Washington
21 Saturday
Back in May, we brought you first word that White Center’s Future Primitive Brewing would open an outpost at 2536 Alki Avenue SW. Thanks to Ian for the tip that Future Primitive has just announced it’ll open there this Friday (August 4th). Hours will be 11 am-10 pm seven days a week.
(Photo sent by John)
Thanks to everyone who has texted and emailed about the sign that just appeared at the space where Wanna Burger and Teriyaki closed back in May, at 1513 SW Holden in Highland Park: Chef Korea Miso. We’ve been watching the space ever since a commenter on the original closure story noticed a sign indicating it was being remodeled and would “reopen” in June. A return of Wanna didn’t seem likely, as the restaurant’s website had been taken down as soon as it closed, but we didn’t know for sure until now. As with so many times we’ve been by on spec, no one was there when we went back this morning, but we did reach someone by phone who was able to tell us a bit about the new restaurant. She said the menu will be “Korean-food based (called K-food).” Hours will be Mondays through Saturdays, 11 am to 9 pm, closed Sundays, and they’re just waiting on the final health permit before they can open.
Two notes today:
SNAPDRAGON’S SUNDAY POP-UPS: Two people brought this to our attention today (including Aaron, who sent the photo) – Vashon Island’s beloved Snapdragon is doing a Sunday pop-up in the corner spot of the ground floor of the Senior Center of West Seattle, focused on their specialty “rustic pastries” and chai. The SC’s executive director Amy Lee Derenthal says they’re there Sundays through August to see how it goes, and might take the space on a more full-time basis until the SC redevelops it into the center’s new entrance.
SUMMER SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: This is a new Sunday happening 10 am-4 pm, also throughout August, in the alley behind Carmilia’s (4528 California SW) – 10 am-4 pm, you’ll find food, music, shopping, and fun. First word of this came from a popular West Seattle treat provider, Lovely and Dapper Desserts, which will be there this Sunday (August 6th) with their mini-cakes.
(WSB photo, July 2020, post-Tug closure)
According to a liquor-license application, the former home of the Tug Inn may return to its tavern roots. The tavern-license (beer/wine) application for 2216 SW Orchard is in the name of Deluxe Beer Bar and Grill. We haven’t succeeded in reaching its prospective operators yet, but we did reach the owners of Bee’s Plumbing, which bought the site in 2020 and moved their business in until outgrowing it and moving to the former South West Plumbing location in North Delridge. They tell WSB they’re “in the process of renting the old bar out to a company who is going to open a restaurant.” (They’re already renting part of the site to a towing company.)
We’re only a third of the way through summer – lots of time left to enjoy the outdoors. Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) can help you do that – with its biggest sale of summer starting today. Mountain to Sound is offering up to 50 percent off on items throughout the shop: “Every department has something on sale up to 50 percent – kayaks, SUPs, paddles, PFDs, carts, skates, winter, sunglasses, and clothing. Come save big and shop local. Don’t forget, we’ve also got a lot of last-minute backpacking gear for you to grab now too. Thanks for the support, West Seattle!” The shop is open until 6 pm tonight, 10 am-5 pm Saturday, 11 am-5 pm Sunday.
(WSB photo, last month)
Last month – one year after we first told you that the burger chain Five Guys was taking over the ex-Payless spot on the south side of Westwood Village – the company told us it hoped to open “end of July.” With just days left in the month, we checked back today – and a company spokesperson tells us they do have a “projected opening date” for the Westwood location: This Saturday, July 29th. Hours will be 11 am-10 pm, seven days a week.
(WSB photo from Saturday)
The Miss HomeStreet hydroplane, seen in last Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade, is returning to the peninsula this Thursday. HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) is hosting the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly After-Hours networking event Thursday (July 27th), 5:30-7:30 pm. Chamber members can attend free; for others, there’s a $10 fee – register here.
While at HomeStreet (4022 SW Alaska), you can check out their local-business client spotlight. This month, as previously noted, they’ve been spotlighting Full Tilt Ice Cream in recognition of National Ice Cream Month. Full Tilt founder Justin Cline visited last week to draw the winner of a $20 FT gift certificate – with him in our photo is HomeStreet’s Joyce Leslie.
For food/drink at this Thursday’s After-Hours event, HomeStreet’s Bob Livingston tells us they’re “featuring our own West Seattle customers, which include West Seattle Bowl, Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce, Seattle Sorbets, and Drum Roll Wine.” The nonprofit spotlight will be on the Seattle Navy League (which will be very busy with Seafair Fleet Week next week).
Three West Seattle business notes:
EX-FITNESS GARAGE: One of the locations on our long watch list of future business (and other) sites is 5659 California SW, a former auto shop that most recently was home to fitness businesses. Readers noticed that the “for lease” sign came down and the building was repainted. We’ve been trying to find out whether that meant a new tenant had been signed. Today we caught up with the building’s owner, who says no, no new tenant yet – they decided to spruce up the building before continuing the search for one, and that’s what the paint job is all about.
ALKI KAYAK TOURS DISCOUNT: Want to see West Seattle from the water? Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor SW) has an offer:
Are you new to West Seattle or just interested in exploring our coastline and learning about the history of the “Birthplace of Seattle”? Join us for a sea kayak tour on Elliott Bay to the Alki Point Lighthouse and back. We begin at Seacrest Marina, and after an introduction to the gear and technique, paddle to the Alki Lighthouse to explore the West Seattle shoreline. Common sightings of sea lion, harbor seals, jellyfish, and seabirds will keep you scanning the horizon as you paddle past historic site of Luna Park and the original 1851 landing of the Denny Party and land at the lighthouse for some tide pooling in some of oldest bedrock in the NW. (Yes, there is a fault line that is visible just south of the Alki Lighthouse, and the anemones and moon snails have made it home.)
We have offered this three-hour tour since 2005 and if you’re comfortable with a few hours of outdoor activity you should be fine. These are not tippy river kayaks, but stable 21′ NW Kayaks that cut through the water and travel with relative ease. We are offering the Lighthouse Tour Locals discount for those interested in joining us at $99. So use Code “WSlocal” to book your Alki Point Lighthouse Sea Kayak Tour and come see why we live in West Seattle.
TAILS TO ASTONISH ANNIVERSARY SALE: Happy second anniversary to West Seattle’s only comic-book shop! Tails to Astonish (4850 California SW) is having a sale the next two days:
Big sales on back issues and used trade paperbacks & hardcovers!
Friday, July 21: 11:30-7:00
Saturday, July 22: 11:30-7:00
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP AT OUTER SPACE SEATTLE: Just out of the inbox – Outer Space Seattle (2820 Alki SW) is having family-friendly watch parties for the Women’s World Cup games tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday of next week. Free admission for adults and babies under a year old, $14 for kids 1 year and up. Times and teams are on this page of the Outer Space website.
Elyssa and Matthew Cichy are welcoming players into their newly opened West Seattle Arcade at 2758 Alki Avenue SW! Today is the second official day of business, six months after we first reported on their plan. We stopped in last night for pics. You’ll find a wide variety of games, from classic arcade fare …
… to games brought in from Japan:
And if you want to try your claw-machine luck …
You can go see for yourself right now – hours are 11 am-10 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 11 am-11 pm Fridays, 10 am-11 pm Saturdays, 10 am-10 pm Sundays. As noted in our original January report, they’re also offering birthday-party space.
Two West Seattle Junction business notes:
CHILL WITH HOMESTREET’S ICE-CREAM SPOTLIGHT: We’ve told you before about the monthly local-business spotlights at HomeStreet Bank (41st/Alaska). This month’s spotlight – with the display shown above – is HomeStreet client Full Tilt Ice Cream, headquartered in White Center, made in South Park, available at stores in West Seattle and elsewhere. To celebrate, visitors to the HomeStreet branch this Thursday (July 20th) can enjoy free Full Tilt ice-cream bars – founder Justin Cline will be there to serve them, and you can enter a drawing for a $20 Full Tilt gift certificate. (July is National Ice Cream Month.)
MIDDLE-SCHOOL SUCCESS WORKSHOP: If you have middle-schoolers in the household, this might be of interest:
Do you have or know a kid who feels nervous about starting middle school this fall? Or maybe you know a student who has completed a year of middle school but could use support making friends or staying organized? Northwest Kids Life Coaching is offering a week-long, half-day summer camp for kids entering 6th and 7th grades. The “Middle School Success Workshop” takes place right here in West Seattle at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. If you’ve seen the flyers around the neighborhood, please note that Session 1 (July 24-28) has been cancelled. There are still spots available for Session 2 (July 31- August 4). The scholarship application deadline has been extended to 7/21. Apply online asap!
We provide a safe environment to share our feelings, as well as fun ways to engage with others and learn strategies for success! For more information about the program, visit our Summer Workshops page. Questions? Email Althea at info@nwkidslifecoaching.com
BEAUTY THERAPY COLLECTIVE: Nikki Nguyen sends word that her multi-practice center at 4208 SW Oregon has added two more providers:
Babe World specializes in hair-blowout spa treatment from Asia, for both men and women.
Skin Glo by Mary specializes in aesthetics, red-light therapy, and organic airbrush tanning (coming soon).
Nikki says the women-owned businesses of BTC “welcome you to come take a tour and learn what we do!”
On Summer Fest Eve 2015, that sign appeared in the window of what previously was a butcher shop at 4541 California SW, next to Next-to-Nature in The Junction. Over the subsequent eight years, the “coming soon” has never transitioned to “now open.” We checked in now and then, and finally stopped checking. Then tonight:
(Photo sent by Joseph)
Suddenly the paper’s down and the space is open. A person who said they were affiliated with it told us – as the chalkboard signage says – it’s rented to City Council candidate Phil Tavel this weekend (he’s having a campaign event, and they’re offering it for rentals, but they’re waiting for permit approvals before they can open. We’ll see what more we can find out over the course of the festival weekend.
Quick notes on two eagerly awaited Alki Beach openings:
WEST SEATTLE ARCADE: Six months after we first told you about the plan for West Seattle Arcade in the former Top Pot-and-other-food-biz space at 2758 Alki SW, it’s about to open. We happened to see the proprietors at a grocery store (couldn’t miss the WEST SEATTLE ARCADE T-shirt) and they told us they’re hoping to open as soon as this Monday (July 17th) – that’s also mentioned in discussion here.
FUTURE PRIMITIVE BREWING: Two months after we first told you White Center’s acclaimed Future Primitive Brewing was expanding to 2536 Alki SW, they’re promising a sneak peek to participants in their fundraising fun run this Saturday, the Shark Jump 5K, starting from the new location at 9:30 am. Proceeds go to the White Center Food Bank (which also serves south West Seattle). Here’s how to register!
(WSB photo from first Admiral Junction Funktion, 2022)
In addition to everything happening right now – and soon – here in the heart of summer, some big events are yet to come. Next month, Admiral’s block party returns for a second year – and the Admiral Neighborhood Association wants you to know how you can jump in right now! Here’s the announcement:
The Admiral Neighborhood Association in partnership with Admiral businesses is excited to announce the 2nd annual Admiral Funktion Block Party. It will happen on Saturday, August 26th, from 11 am till 10 pm.
This event will include a live music stage, local merchants and vendors, activities, and of course the food and drinks you enjoy from our local Admiral restaurants. The Admiral Funktion Block Party is now accepting vendor applications.
Sign up at admiralblock.wufoo.com/forms/admiral-funktion-block-party-vendor-formEveryone planning to enjoy this year’s event can also receive an Admiral Funktion Block Party wristband this year – good for 10% off local food and drinks at the block party.It will also enter you into a drawing for a local prize pack valued at $500! You will get a free wristband with any $25 donation to the Block Party to help cover costs. gofundme.com/f/admiral-funktion-junktion-summer-block-party
Today we welcome West Seattle fragrance-maker Filigree & Shadow to the WSB sponsor team, joining other businesses advertising on WSB to let tens of thousands of neighbors know what they’re about. Here’s what Filigree & Shadow proprietor James Elliott would like you to know:
Filigree & Shadow is well-established: “I’ve been in business online for seven years. I had a pop-up event at Twilight Gallery in 2017, then sold my fragrances out of Virago. I worked out of a 117 sf studio at ActivSpace until my business grew beyond the space, and I was lucky to find my new 700 sf space behind Canna West Culture Shop. I moved into my new digs in March and I’ve been (quietly) open since April.”
About Filigree & Shadow fragrances: “I’m an olfactive synesthete and my fragrances are largely inspired by music. I am a self-taught perfumer who began my study of perfumery in 2011, then later launched an inaugural collection of natural perfumes in 2015. I released my first conventional fragrance in 2018 and continue to work using natural and synthetic materials. I made the choice in 2020 to use distilled water as the fragrance carrier after years of frustration with international shipping restrictions, exorbitant shipping costs, and lack of shipping options.” His handmade products also include soaps and candles.
Here’s what James hears about Filigree & Shadow fragrances: I’ve been told by customers that my fragrances are both beautiful and evocative, and some of my scents have become their companions (every so often introducing a new one).”
How can you find out more about Filigree & Shadow? Online here, plus: “My fragrance studio is open by coincidence or appointment. If you see my sign on the sidewalk, come on in!”
P.S. James isn’t the only entrepreneur in his household – “My husband Justin owns and operates Sound & Fog.”
We thank Filigree & Shadow for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
(WSB file photo)
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Starting next week, Swedish Automotive (7901 35th SW; WSB sponsor) is changing its hours. Swedish’s Todd Ainsworth says the new hours will be 7 am-6 pm Mondays through Thursdays – a four-day week with longer days. By the way, if you’re new to West Seattle, Swedish Automotive repairs and maintains more than just Swedish cars – see the list of specialties (and certifications!) on their website. That’s also where you can make an appointment; the new hours are reflected starting Monday.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: We asked Todd about the reasoning behind the change. His reply:
It’s certainly non-traditional for our industry, but the idea has caught a lot of traction in the last few years. The primary reasoning behind it is to give our staff an added benefit and allow them to have more free time to spend with their families, hobbies, etc and give them more work/life balance. There are several auto repair shops I have talked with all over the state and in different parts of the country and all of them who have successfully made the change say they only wish they had done it sooner, because the employees love it. We will be one of the first shops in our area to try it and everyone here is excited about it. It will also benefit our clients by being here for earlier drop-offs and later pick-ups.
The new-ish owners of Westwood Village have tended to announce new tenants by simply adding them to the shopping center’s site map and directory. For example, that’s how we learned last year that the burger chain Five Guys – expected to open later this month – was on the way. So we check it periodically, and discovered today that the Japan-based discount variety store chain Daiso is mapped for what looks to be a combination of the recently vacated ex-SportClips space and the 5-years-empty ex-Fresh Vitamins space, next to Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor). If you haven’t been to a Daiso store (they’re already semi-nearby in the International District and at Southcenter, plus thousands of other locations worldwide), we’d describe it as the kind of place where you find yourself buying small inexpensive things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. We have an inquiry out to Daiso to see if they’ll comment on the Westwood Village plan.
The location is new – the shop is not. You’ve probably noticed the work going on at the former Wild Roses storefront at 4529 California SW in the West Seattle Junction. It’s the new location of The Brocante Beach House, which is moving to The Junction after two years on Alki. Proprietor Kim Medica says she plans to open this Friday (July 14th), just in time for West Seattle Summer Fest and Bastille Day. If you haven’t been to Brocante before, its specialty is “vintage home and garden.” Kim is excited about what the new location will make possible, telling WSB, “The new space will be 3 times the size of our old space on Alki Beach, allowing us to bring in more furniture, vintage garden items, longer hours. etc. We will still keep our vintage coastal vibe with a European flair, but will be offering many seasonal items as well.” On opening day this Friday, Brocante Beach House plans special hours – 12 pm-8 pm (so the shop will be open throughout the festival that day); after that, regular hours will be Wednesdays through Saturdays 11 am-5 pm, Sundays 10 am-4 pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays (but available by appointment).
So who’ll be at West Seattle Summer Fest this year, you ask? We talked about the added music – two stages! – last night. Tonight, with five days to go until the three-day festival in The Junction, the vendor lineup. As always, booths will line California Avenue SW from SW Oregon to SW Edmunds. Lots of cool shopping, but also surprises. For one – if you love to read, Summer Fest will introduce you to local authors. West Seattle’s Susan Whiting Kemp (featured here in January) tells WSB that she’ll be at the Author Event Network booth Saturday and Sunday: “My novel The Climate Machine and book of short stories We Grew Tales will be available; other Puget Sound authors will also be there with signed copies of their work.” You’ll also get to learn about some West Seattle businesses from outside The Junction who will have festival booths – like Camp Crockett from North Delridge and Upper Morgan (a WSB sponsor), Meeples Games and Inner Alchemy from South Admiral, Canna West Culture Shop and Moon Room from north Morgan Junction, The World’s Fossils and Minerals (which moved from a Pigeon Point driveway to a SODO shop) … lots of other local vendors, plus more than 30 year-round Junction businesses having sidewalk sales. Festival hours are 1 pm-8 pm Friday (July 14th), 10 am-8 pm Saturday, and 10 am-5 pm Sunday. See you in The Junction!
If you’ve been to Alki in the morning or early afternoon recently on a Saturday or Sunday, you might have noticed the new coffee cart outside Driftwood (2722 Alki SW). Jackie from Driftwood emailed to tell us that it’s Numa, a new mobile coffee business launched this spring by West Seattleites Nathan and Seth. They’re operating as a pop-up 8 am-2 pm weekends throughout the summer. The proprietors have been best friends since college and a combined five years of experience in the coffee-service business, for companies small and large. Their philosophy is that “coffee is a gift to be stewarded well while service is an opportunity for creativity and goodwill.” According to the Numa website, they’re serving coffee from Olympia and Passenger. As for the name – they explain that “Numa is the Greek word for spirit.”
Thanks for the tips – Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) has added two new features:
MOMMY MATINEES: Fridays at 10 am, The Admiral has added special early, less-loud shows of selected movies from their current lineup, with babies and young children welcome. This is actually a comeback for a feature that the theater offered pre-pandemic – not just for mommies but for anybody caring for a very young child. UPDATE: Times vary. Here’s the list for this week (Friday, July 7):
Joy Ride (R)
Fri: 9:30 AMIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (PG-13)
Fri: 9:00 AMRuby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (PG)
Fri: 9:20 AMAsteroid City (PG-13)
Fri: 9:10 AM
R.CUPS: As mentioned on the marquee, The Admiral is now offering beverages in reusable r.Cups – one of the first theaters in the nation to do so: “r.Cups are collected, washed, sanitized, then used again & again & again. r.Cups can be used hundreds of times!”
P.S. If you’re considering a movie to get out of the heat, The Admiral is air-conditioned.
The executive director of Village Green Senior Living (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle is celebrating a milestone. Here’s the announcement we received:
Cheers to 30 years! Eva Thomas has been working for Village Green West Seattle, formerly known as Daystar, for 30 years officially as of June 10th; she is pictured here with director of operations Kim Salas and owner Diane Powell. Eva shared her story with her team and mentioned she wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. Eva started as a housekeeper and eventually became the Maintenance Director. She has worked almost each position in the community. In 2021 she became the Executive Director, and our team wouldn’t want any other fearless leader. So again, cheers to 30 years!
Cameron and Pete Moores are the C & P in their C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – but if you’ve seen the online posts for C & P, you know the two initials always stand for a different phrase relevant to the topic of the moment. This afternoon, “community party” would have applied, as that’s why the coffeehouse held a crowd of people, there to celebrate C & P Coffee’s 20th anniversary. (Which actually was on Valentine’s Day, they admit, observing that winter isn’t ideal party weather.) Special guests helping mark the milestone were the poets of PoetryBridge, one of the community groups that calls C & P their home away from home:
They put together commemorative poetry for the occasion, and read it in the garden out back, after a few words from Pete:
(Read the poem here.) C & P – which already has a Peace Pole – also now has a Poetry Tree:
It’s been a little over five years since another big party at C & P, one at which the Moores expressed gratitude for the community campaign that helped them rescue C & P from redevelopment. (PoetryBridge presented a poem for that occasion, too.)
Two notes from West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) – first, a call for Community All-Star nominations:
West Seattle Thriftway is seeking nominations for the West Seattle All-Star Giveaway, which aims to honor local individuals making a difference in children and youth sports and after-school activities. Nominate someone deserving today for a chance to win two tickets to the MLB 2023 All-Star Game on July 11th at T-Mobile Park.
From July 1st to July 8th, visit the guest services desk at West Seattle Thriftway to submit your nomination. Tell us about an All-Star in your community who exemplifies dedication, leadership, and a positive influence in children’s lives through sports or after-school programs.
On July 9th, the winner of the Community MVP program will be contacted with the exciting news. They will receive two tickets to attend the MLB 2023 All-Star Game, a unique opportunity to witness the pinnacle of athletic excellence and sportsmanship.
Next – the Taylor Swift concert-ticket giveaway:
Win Taylor Swift Concert Tickets at West Seattle Thriftway’s “15 Days of Summer” Promotion!
Join West Seattle Thriftway’s exciting “15 Days of Summer” promotion for a chance to win two tickets to Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” Concert on July 23rd. From July 1 to July 15, hunt for hidden Taylor Swift song titles on promotional signs throughout the store. Guess the correct number of titles to secure your spot at the hottest concert of the year, complete with club-level seats and a parking pass!
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