White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Shop and play at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW) starting at 3 pm today (Saturday, August 24):

Burger Planet adds, “Free entry into the Tournament with purchase of a burger. We’ll have a DJ and local artists selling their wares from 3-7. Nintendo Switches will be available for folks to play from 3-5 and the Tournament will start at 5p. The top player wins a sweet package of prizes, including a Burger Planet gift certificate and a mystery Nintendo Switch game!”

Allison at Cascadia Wicks tells us her candle-making business is among the vendors at a pop-up market happening right now in White Center. It’s at Future Primitive (9832 14th SW) continuing until 5 pm.

Two years ago, when Corry’s Dry Cleaning/Fuzzy Wuzzy Rug Cleaning took over the former Northmart building in downtown White Center, they told us the plan was for an “expanded cleaning facility.” In recent months, that’s been taking shape, and now the opening date is set. Here’s the announcement:

Corry’s Fine Dry Cleaning is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest brand, Revolution Laundry, on July 8. Located at 9840 16th Ave SW, this state-of-the-art laundromat is set to redefine laundry services in the White Center neighborhood, offering self-serve laundry, dry cleaning, and Drop N Go wash, dry, and fold service.

As part of the Corry’s Fine Dry Cleaning family, which includes Graffiti Busters and Fuzzy Wuzzy Rug Cleaning Company, Revolution Laundry is a testament to the company’s commitment to quality and innovation. The new facility is designed to cater to the needs of a rapidly evolving community, providing residents with modern, efficient, and reliable laundry solutions.

Owners Corry and Simon Bakker are enthusiastic about the launch. “Revolution Laundry is a state-of-the-art facility and will provide exceptional service. This is going to be a game-changer for the neighborhood and the residents who are going to have real options now when it comes to these types of services,” said Corry Bakker.

White Center is experiencing significant growth and transformation, with new businesses and amenities enhancing the community. Revolution Laundry is poised to become a cornerstone of this development, offering unparalleled convenience and service to its customers.

Revolution Laundry is equipped with the latest technology in laundry care, ensuring a superior experience for every customer. Whether you prefer to do your laundry yourself or take advantage of the Drop N Go service, Revolution Laundry promises efficiency, cleanliness, and excellent customer service.

According to the Revolution Laundry website, they’ll be open 7:00 AM-10:00 PM weekdays, 6:00 AM-10:00 PM Saturdays, closed Sundays.

Just announced, a commercial tenant for the big new development on the south end of downtown White Center. The news release is from BECU:

BECU, Washington’s largest credit union, today announced its plans to open a new Neighborhood Financial Center (NFC) in the White Center neighborhood … The location will join more than 60 centers in supporting BECU members’ everyday financial needs, including recently opened locations in Monroe and Columbia City, as well as upcoming locations opening in Gig Harbor, Shoreline and Tacoma.

Located on the corner of Southwest 107th and 16th Avenue Southwest, the White Center NFC will be just over 3,000 square feet and could serve more than 16,600 people who live in the area. It will join existing locations in Tukwila, Burien, Kent and Renton in serving communities in South King County.

At this new NFC, BECU member consultants will provide financial advice and expertise. This includes one-on-one support for establishing membership and opening accounts and loans, such as mortgages, small business services, investments and trust services.

As with other BECU NFCs, the White Center location will have access to technology designed to meet members’ needs quickly and efficiently, such as Video Banking. It will also host new capabilities and special programming designed to enhance the member experience, including offering integrated spaces available for financial health seminars, community events and other onsite functions.

Supporting Local Communities
As a not-for-profit co-op, BECU gives back to local organizations that are creating meaningful change in its communities. Earlier this year, BECU honored the White Center Food Bank during its 10th annual People Helping People Awards as one of more than 30 nonprofits to receive an award. The funds will support the organization’s collaboration with the Silent Task Force on the BIPOC Food Distribution Project, which focuses on increasing access to healthy food within underserved and vulnerable communities.

Through its philanthropic giving, BECU has extended funds to other community partners that support White Center residents, including Freedom Church, Highline College Foundation and Renton Regional Community Foundation. More information on BECU’s commitment to its members and communities is available in its newly launched 2023 Annual Report.

BECU says it expects to open the branch this winter. In addition to the South King County locations mentioned in the announcement, the credit union also has a branch a few miles north of White Center, in West Seattle.

As announced by Ann Magyar – who co-founded Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center in 2008 with husband Justin Cline, who died earlier this year – tomorrow is the WC shop’s last day.

Ann announced in early April that, with Justin gone, “it’s time for Full Tilt as we know it to end.” P.S. The crowdfunding page to help the Magyar-Cline family is still open.

(WSB/WCN photo of Justin, Ann, and kids Moss and Ruby last year, when Full Tilt marked 15 years)

Five weeks after the death of Justin Cline, who founded Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center in 2008 with wife Ann Magyar, she just sent us the announcement that their flagship store and wholesale operations will close:

Dear Full Tilt family,

Justin founded Full Tilt with the hope he could work for himself and be part of the neighborhood in a positive, fun way. He wanted a place for music and art and for families to play. We opened on June 20, 2008 and were floored from day one at how much the community embraced us. We met so many people and made so many friends that we still hold dear. We loved watching kids learn to play pinball and Pac-Man and beg to stay just a little longer. So many artists and musicians and chefs have shared our space and we’ve been honored to be part of those journeys. Full Tilt was never just about the ice cream. But now Justin is gone, and it just isn’t the same without him. It’s time for Full Tilt as we know it to end.

Our wholesale operations will stop at the end of April. The last day for the White Center shop will be May 26th. The Columbia City shop will remain open but they do not accept gift cards, coupons, or birthday party certificates from other locations. You can find more info about that shop at www.fulltiltcolumbiacity.com.

I’m beyond grateful for the love and friendship and support these past 16 years. It’s truly been the best years of my life. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this craziness. Thank you White Center.

With love,
Mrs. Full Tilt

Justin Cline was just 49 when he died last month, four weeks after a heart attack. Among his many community contributions in White Center besides operating the business, he also was a co-founder of this website the same year he and Ann launched Full Tilt.

(WCN photo – ex-Bartell Drugs building; we’ve processed the photo to distort the tags)

When the Bartell Drugs store at 15th/Roxbury in White Center closed six months ago, the next step wasn’t clear – would the site’s California-based owner sell it, or seek another tenant? We’ve been watching the commercial real estate listings ever since, and the building has finally appeared there – listed as available for lease. The (currently extensively vandalized) 12,000-square-foot building on a 32,000-square-foot is touted in the leasing brochure as a “prime retail location in the heart of White Center” with “easy access and great visibility.” And while the brochure sings the praises of Seattle (“a picturesque metropolis”), it also notes that since this site is just south of the city line, “The benets of the subject property’s location include not being subject to the Seattle minimum wage requirement and the 1.75 cent/ounce soda tax.” Interested? The listing agent’s contact info is here.

Farmboy Bites, the burger stand at Future Primitive Brewing (9832 14th SW), was closed by Public Health Seattle & King County, the agency announced today:

Future Primitive Brewing (doing business as: Farmboy Bites) at 9832 14th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106
Closed: February 23, 2024 at 6 pm

Reasons: Excessive critical violations including:
Imminent health hazard: no water available on mobile
Person in Charge unable to demonstrate food safety knowledge
Food workers not washing hands when required
Inadequate hand washing facilities
Improper washing of produce
Improper cooling procedures
Room temperature storage of TCS* food

Status: Closed

*TCS = Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS)

On social media, the stand’s page says “Temporarily closed, more details ASAP.” They’re usually open Wednesdays-Sundays.

We’ve learned that three local Safeway stores, including the one just west of White Center on SW Roxbury, will start closing an hour earlier as of this Wednesday (January 10). The other two are in West Seattle. Regional spokesperson Sara Osborne explains, “Almost all our stores in City of Seattle close at midnight or 11 pm once those three are included. The decision was made out of concern for the safety of our associates and customers because we are experiencing a significant increase of violent incidents and major theft, especially at late hours.” The Safeway at 1st and 148th in Burien already closes at midnight.

This was the first weekend for the co-housed Alpine Diner and Big Mario’s Pizza at 9635 16th SW in downtown White Center. Thanks to Gill Loring for sharing some photos from inside the new two-in-one restaurant:

As we first reported a month ago, other repaired storefronts in that block are now up for lease.

If you’ve been in downtown White Center lately, you’ve probably noticed changes to the fire-ravaged block on the west side of 16th SW south of Roxbury. It’s been more than two years since fires ravaged multiple spaces in this block of businesses. Now seven of the spaces are up for lease to new business tenants (here’s the flyer). The spaces totaling 22,362 square feet could be leased in various combinations, the listing says … Not far south, next to Full Tilt, the Huong Xua Deli is finally getting ready to reopen, with COMING SOON signage … And on the other side of the September 2021 fire site, two venues have uncloaked with plans to share the former Bizzarro Italian Café space at 9635 16th SW:

The Alpine Diner and Bar, touting an “apres-ski” theme, and Big Mario’s Pizza. From the Alpine website:

Try our full food & beverage menu available daily from 7 AM to 10 PM, or visit the bar counter and cozy up to our vintage fireplace in the game room for ski ball and hoops. Enjoy our large outdoor patio with bocci ball and outdoor seating, opening Spring 2024. We share our space with the newest Big Mario’s location, meaning you can order from either menu.

The Alpine is from the same company that operates Lost Lake Café in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood; Big Mario’s Pizza has a location there too, one of four in Seattle. The remodeled White Center space is expected to open this winter.

From King County Local Services:

A new grant program is available to small businesses in unincorporated King County that have experienced vandalism or break-ins since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

The King County Department of Local Services Storefront Repair Program is intended to address vandalism and enhance security in business districts of the unincorporated areas. The program serves small businesses (10 employees or less) by providing a one-time grant up to $5,000 to repair and damage and restore storefronts of commercial buildings occupied by operating businesses. Retail, grocery, food service, and personal, professional, or medical services are eligible to apply.

Eligible expenses include:

Repair or replacement of windows, doors, exterior lighting, signs, or awnings
Replacement of security screens or bars, graffiti removal, security cameras, and insurance claim deductibles

For program guidelines and applications, see the Storefront Repair Grant Program page. For questions or application assistance, email localbusinessgrants@kingcounty.gov

Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31, 2023, subject to funding availability.

The sign outside White Center’s Bartell Drugs – photographed Wednesday – seems to be a play on words. Today is the day the store planned to close. No info yet on what’ll become of the building – our inquiry to its owner, a California electrical contractor, has so far gone unanswered.

Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog

Three years after the national chain Rite Aid acquired Seattle-founded regional chain Bartell Drugs, it’s closing some Bartell stores. And employees of the White Center Bartell store (9600 15th SW) are telling customers theirs will soon be among them. We’ve heard from multiple readers who say they’ve been told in recent days that the store will close at the end of the month, and a visit to the store reveals many items on sale at deep discounts. We have inquired with both Rite Aid and Bartell corporate spokespeople via email and phone, but have yet to receive a reply or acknowledgment either confirming or denying. As we reported here last year, the White Center store’s building changed ownership a year and a half ago, purchased for $5.1 million by an LLC associated with a California electrical contractor (we have an inquiry out to the owner as well). King County permit records show nothing on file for the sizable site. When the 4th Avenue Bartell store in downtown Seattle closed in July, The Seattle Times reported that was the fifth Bartell closure in less than a year; since then, one more has been announced. All this is unfolding against a backdrop of financial challenges for parent company Rite Aid.

Announced by the King County Council:

The King County Council on Tuesday voted 5-4 to approve legislation to require retail businesses in unincorporated King County to accept cash. The measure, brought by Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, is meant to ensure everyone has access to the economy, including people who cannot or choose not to access bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial tools.

“This legislation has been an important and sometimes challenging balancing act – trying to protect consumer access, support local businesses, and adapt to a changing world all at the same time,” Kohl-Welles said. “I am very pleased that the legislation as passed addresses this emerging equity issue in a way that is creative, proactive, and collaborative. Further, it signals that as technology continues to rapidly change as we appear to be moving to a cashless society, there is a place for everybody in our local economy.”

During and even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses in the Seattle area and beyond began shifting to cashless operations, leaving people who rely on cash with fewer options to purchase food and other essential consumer goods. Research, however, shows that cashless businesses most impact communities of color, seniors, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, kids, the houseless, and low-income communities.

At least 2.1% of Washington residents are unbanked, meaning they don’t have bank accounts, credit cards or other typical financial services, according to the 2021 FDIC Household Survey. Five-year estimates put that number even higher – at 3.1%. More than 17% of residents are underbanked, meaning they might have a bank account but often rely on alternative financial services, such as money orders, check-cashing services, and payday loans.

If applied to unincorporated King County, these figures mean more than 7,000 people could be unbanked and more than 42,000 people could be underbanked.

The ordinance requires that retail businesses in unincorporated King County accept cash, unless exempted, for most in-person retail food and consumer goods transactions, and to not charge higher prices than for another form of payment. The requirement would not apply to a number of situations, such as transactions by mail, phone or over the internet; those when an employee is not present, such as at a kiosk; for transactions in which a deposit is required or for over $200 in a single transaction; or to businesses providing a device to convert cash to a prepaid card. The Executive branch will be required to analyze enforcement and implementation mechanisms and make a recommendation to the Council on an enforcement mechanism and any other implementation measures by December 1, 2024. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025.

To acknowledge safety concerns raised during the committee hearings, retailers will be able to apply to the Hearing Examiner for an exemption from the requirement to accept cash based on the unique hardships a retailer faces, including but not limited to history of theft, distance to a banking institution, home-based businesses, and businesses with only one employee on site at a time.

It’s unclear how many businesses in unincorporated King County have gone cashless, but Kohl-Welles intends the legislation to serve as a proactive tool to protect consumer access as this trend continues.

Of those who still use cash for most purchases, the largest shares are people of color and those with the lowest incomes, according to data from the Pew Research Center.

The legislation garnered a wide range of community support, including endorsements from the ACLU; ARC of King County; Asian Counseling and Referral Services; Banchero Disability Partners; Be: Seattle; CAIR-WA; Chief Seattle Club; El Centro de la Raza; Faith Action Network; Indian American Community Services; King County Sexual Assault Resource Center; League of Women Voters; Low Income Housing Institute; MAPS-AMEN (American Muslim Empowerment Network); Northwest Immigrant Rights Project; Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action; Purpose, Dignity, Action (Public Defenders Association); Rainier Beach Action Coalition; Real Change; Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness; Solid Ground; Transit Riders Union; UFCW 3000; and the White Center Community Development Association.

Legislation to address this issue has already been passed in New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and the states of Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. At the federal level, the bipartisan Payment Choice Act was passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives last year and has not yet been acted upon by the Senate. In addition to this Act, a similar Senate bill has also garnered bipartisan sponsorship.

“[Our vendors] ask you to allow [those] in unincorporated King County to buy a cup of coffee,” said Tiffani McCoy, Advocacy Director at Real Change. “To buy a bagel. To buy lunch. To buy diapers. To purchase whatever it is that they need.”

In response to the final action on the legislation, which included the addition of several amendments, Kohl-Welles said, “To produce meaningful change, compromise is often necessary, and contrary to the popular maxim, the perfect is not the enemy of the good. Even so, as amended, this legislation will promote the equity that our county holds to be its true north, helping real people, many of whom are too often overlooked, to live and engage in commerce in a way that works for them.”

Among those voting “no” was the Councilmember who represents this area, Joe McDermott.

(See a longer version of this story on our partner site West Seattle Blog)

(WCN photo)

Justin Cline, Ann Magyar, and kids Moss (12) and Ruby (6) have 15 reasons to celebrate today – that’s how many years since their family-owned Full Tilt Ice Cream opened its flagship shop at 9629 16th SW in White Center on June 20, 2008. To celebrate, they’re donating today’s profits to the White Center Food Bank. FT is open until 8 tonight.

P.S. Trivia point – Justin was a co-founder of this website, just a few months after launching the shop.

Here’s the announcement for a first-ever event, happening Thursday:

West Seattle/White Center LGBTQ Business Owner Meetup
Thursday, May 11th | 7 pm to 9 pm
Launchpad Co-Working Space, 6030 California Ave SW, West Seattle

It’s about time LGBTQ West Seattle and White Center business owners gathered together for support, networking, and fun! Join us for our first-ever meetup Thursday, May 11th at 7 pm at Launchpad Co-Working space in Morgan Junction. Let’s get to know each other and see what ways we can support each other. This meetup is specifically for those who identify as LGBTQ and are local business owners (all-size businesses, contractors, entertainers/artists). Drinks and appetizers will be provided.

Hosted by Monica Colgan and Autumn Lovewell, owners of Youngstown Coffee, HeartBeet Cafe, and Launchpad.

When we spoke earlier this month with the co-proprietors of Tim’s Tavern, taking over the ex-Drunky Two Shoes space in downtown White Center, they weren’t ready to announce the music lineup for their opening weekend – but now they are. Here’s the poster and announcement:

The shows must go on! After almost 2 years of searching for a new location, local music champion and legendary live music dive bar Tim’s Tavern is reopening in White Center on March 31st, 2023 with an exceptional line-up of Seattle’s finest musicians.

The grand re-opening festivities include 3 nights full of performances from some of Seattles hottest acts including Marmalade, Grace Love, Asterhouse, Dining Dead, Low Hums, Randy Weeks & The Silent Treatment, and many more.

The new Tim’s (which stands for Together In Music) is located at 9655 16th Ave SW, will feature live music 7 nights a week, all ages shows, a dog friendly patio, and a full menu including plenty of gluten-free and plant-based options. Tim’s will be open from 2pm-12am to start but will be expanding hours in June to offer weekday lunch and live music brunch on weekends.

Co-owner and Chef Mason Reed has spent the last few years preparing meals backstage as a personal chef for many of music’s major artists that have passed through Oregon and Washington. Reed says “We are excited, honored and proud to bring the Tim’s spirit to White Center.”

Please keep an eye on TimsLiveMusic.com for further updates.

(WCN photo: Matt O’Toole, Mason Reed, and Elvis)

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The transformation of White Center’s ex-Drunky Two Shoes into the new Tim’s Tavern is about halfway complete.

That’s the assessment of co-owners Matt O’Toole and Mason Reed, who sat down to talk with us this week, one month after they announced they were taking over 9655 16th SW.

They plan to open March 31st. But first, the rest of the transformation. If you ever went to Drunky’s, you might remember the taxidermy. All gone (though the salmon over the front door might stay). Since Tim’s is all about music – “music is our vibe” – they plan to fill the venue with history and memorabilia, new and old. And they’ll keep adding to it.

What has them particularly giddy is the extra space. The original Tim’s Tavern, which closed a year and a half ago in Greenwood, was only 1,000 square feet, they ecplain. Now they have so much room, they plan two music stages – out back with the Airstream bar (which stays), inside in a space dubbed the “Jesus room” – its new decor will be a “shrine to Seattle music history,” and it’ll be for acoustic acts, open mics, weekly trivia (Wednesday nights).

Inside, they’ll feature the sign that previously hung outside their Greenwood location; all new signage is planned outside, arriving soon, so that part of the transformation is close too.

So why White Center? They explain that it took almost two years to find a site that worked – big enough, not close enough to residences to “make the neighbors angry” – but in the end, it turned out to be a place they wanted to model Tim’s Tavern after anyway. Coming out of COVID, they explain, they thought outdoor space would be important, and so they kept telling their real-estate agent to look for someplace “like Drunky’s.” Mason marvels, “This was our model – then it became available!” (It closed rather quietly at the end of January; the Tim’s team says the prior proprietors are focusing on an establishment in Spokane.) Matt adds, “We’re going to put a lot of love in this place.”

They’ll have music seven nights a week, counting open mics on Mondays, with hours expected to be 2 to midnight for starters, then hoping to shift that earlier for lunch by June – White Center has limited lunch options, they note. Once lunch is launched, they’ll go for weekend brunch, “with some entertainment.” And yes, Tim’s will be all-ages, except for some 21+ shows outside. So what kind of food will they serve? Mason is in charge of that, with a resumé including gigs as a “backstage chef” for music stars. “Fun bar food, Northwest pub” is the style, he suggests, later adding that vegan and gluten-free options will be available too. They’ll even have a separate gluten-free fryer. Beverages? “Full wine list, full beer list, some slushies,” and a non-alcoholic cocktail lineup too. They promise it’ll all be “high quality (with) exceptional service” – Mason’s been in the restaurant business for 30 years. (Both co-owners are musicians, by the way.)

We tried to coax them into revealing what’s in store for the opening weekend’s music lineup, but they’re not ready to make the announcements. They do say they plan to book local favorites, mentioning that Billy Joe and the Dusty 45s, for one, will be there every month or so. And their longstanding reputation was as an “incubator,” which means rising stars are likely to be in the mix. So watch for news on the music slate later this month. Till then, as they continue “transforming” their new space, they are impressed by the “great vibe” in White Center, and how welcoming they say everyone’s been so far. They observe that people in White Center are “very proud” of their community, and they hope to be part of the reason for that pride, soon.

Just out of the WCN inbox:

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today the launch of the Economic Alliance Program, a collaborative effort between the Department of Local Services and community organizations in unincorporated King County. This new program will further help businesses and individuals recover and thrive as the region continues to emerge from the economic slowdown of the last three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The launch of the Economic Alliance Program is a critical step forward in our commitment to promote an equitable recovery for everyone in King County,” said Executive Constantine. “Partnering closely with community organizations throughout unincorporated King County will ensure the needs of businesses and individuals disproportionately impacted by the pandemic are better met and supported.”

The $5.25 million program, which was recommended by Executive Constantine and approved by the King County Council, was developed to address concerns voiced by unincorporated area business leaders and residents that local small businesses needed urgent help, particularly those owned by members of the BIPOC community, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, immigrants/refugees, low-income, limited-English speaking, and those living with disability who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

The Economic Alliance Program will focus on three main areas:

Career Connector: Low-barrier, highly supported workforce development and entrepreneurial training, living-wage career education, subsidized internships, and job placement for workers impacted by COVID-19.

Businesses Builder: Providing technical assistance for small businesses, including accounting, legal support, business planning, and more.

Community Innovator: Offer small business “incubation” resources, including networking opportunities, mentoring resources, and skills-based learning in disproportionately impacted areas of White Center/North Highline and Skyway/West Hill.
This month, Local Services turned to the community to help implement the program and its three elements by contracting with United for a Community Led Economy, a partnership co-founded by representatives of three groups that are embedded in the communities of their respective areas – the White Center Community Development Association, Skyway Coalition, and Comunidad Latina de Vashon.

The Economic Alliance programming that United for a Community Led Economy will foster in the coming months is designed specially to meet the needs and recognize the challenges of businesses and residents in unincorporated King County.

Local Services serves as the local government for residents and businesses in unincorporated King County, including areas such as Skyway, White Center, Vashon Island, East Federal Way, the Snoqualmie Valley, Fall City, Greater Maple Valley, and the Bear Creek/Sammamish areas.

To learn more about the Economic Alliance, visit www.publicinput.com/ukcalliance.