White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Almost two years after Big Al Brewing closed at 9832 14th SW, the site is dormant no longer … Future Primitive Brewing Company opened there today. Our friends at Washington Beer Blog have details. The new enterprise originally was to be called Unified Brewing, as reported here last year, but plans changed along the way. P.S. Hours for the new establishment are at the bottom of this page.

(Photo courtesy U-Haul and Northmart)

U-Haul sent this announcement that Northmart (9841 15th SW) is now offering its products and services:

U-Haul Company of Washington is pleased to announce that Northmart Furniture has signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Seattle community.

Northmart Furniture at 9841 15th Ave. SW will offer U-Haul trucks, towing equipment, moving supplies, and in-store pickup for boxes.

The arrival of U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 is revolutionizing the moving industry through its more convenient, more secure way to pick up and return a truck. U-Haul live verification technology allows rental transactions to be carried out entirely on a smartphone at any hour – day or night. There are no membership fees. Simply visit uhaul.com to create an online account.

Normal business hours are 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling 206-686-2641 or visiting (this webpage) today.

Northmart Furniture owner Hussin Safi is proud to team with the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage to better meet the demands of King County.

U-Haul and Northmart Furniture are striving to benefit the environment through sustainability initiatives. Truck sharing is a core U-Haul sustainability business practice that allows individuals to access a fleet of trucks that is larger than what they could access on an individual basis.

Every U-Haul truck placed in a community helps keep 19 personally owned large-capacity vehicles, pickups, SUVs and vans off the road. Fewer vehicles means less traffic congestion, less pollution, less fuel burned and cleaner air.

It’s been almost five years since Northmart opened on the south side of downtown White Center.

Next to each other at 9823 15th SW, you’ll find:

GOOD DAY DONUTS: Husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Erik Jackson and Alison Odowski have opened Good Day Donuts in the former Golden House Bakery and Deli. They’re making and selling donuts, ice cream, and lunch:

Hours are Mondays-Fridays 7 am-3 pm, Saturdays 8 am-2 pm, Sundays 9 am-1 pm.

MR. BUDS: While checking out Good Day Donuts, we discovered another marijuana store has opened in White Center.

Yes, Mr. Buds is in the same strip mall as the new donut shop.

Founded in White Center, Taco Time Northwest is going all out, all across the chain, to try to bring in job applicants. The local restaurant is one of the places where you can be part of a mega-job fair this Thursday:

Northwest based and family-owned Taco Time Northwest, is hosting a one-day Job Fair on Thursday, May 17, where it is looking to hire 350 people and give away a car to one lucky new employee.

The job fair will be held at 56 participating Puget Sound area Taco Time restaurants, with open interviews for all positions from 7-10 a.m. and 2-5 p.m., on May 17.

In addition to the chance to win a brand-new Toyota Prius, employee benefits include:

Flexible schedule – supporting a healthy work/life balance
Competitive wages
401(k) retirement plan
Free shift meals
Generous paid time off package
Taco Time Cares Employee Hardship Program
Medical benefits (full time employees)
35% off for employees and family members during off hours

After 6 months of employment, all employees hired during this Job Fair will be entered into a drawing for the brand-new Toyota Prius

“We hope the excitement of giving away a new car to someone applying at Taco Time will cause them to visit one of our restaurants on May 17th and consider coming to work with us. Great restaurant employees at every level have made our company a leader in the Northwest in our commitment to serve simple, fresh, great tasting food with outstanding guest service,” states Robby Tonkin, co-president of Taco Time NW. “Whether you’re looking for a career and growth opportunities or to simply pay your bills and learn great skills, there is a place for you if you take pride in striving for outstanding service and quality.”

FIRST REPORT, 10:04 AM: King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht is visiting White Center this morning, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Our photo is from a discussion at Noble Barton that started the visit, which then was scheduled to move to the Beer and Wine Source, with a walking tour to follow.

ADDED FRIDAY EVENING: The sheriff got an earful as she was taken on a tour of the area.

She listened to the continuing concerns of businesspeople, and had some explanations of her own. Resources remain a challenge, and right now she’s working on budget-writing.

With White Center just on the other side of the city limits, collaboration with Seattle Police is important, and Sheriff Johanknecht said her department is working on that.

It’s been three months since Johanknecht, a West Seattle resident was sworn in as sheriff as the culmination of a 30+-year career with KCSO.

Last night, we reported briefly on a state Liquor and Cannabis Board action against The Smoke Shop in downtown White Center. Today, we asked the LCB for details; here’s the reply from spokesperson Brian Smith:

Enforcement received a tip that “The Smoke Shop”, an LCB licensed tobacco and vapor products retailer located at 9823 16th Ave SW in White Center, was illegally selling marijuana, including to minors. An LCB Officer entered the store yesterday afternoon and made an undercover buy from a clerk.

The officer paid $50 for 9 grams of flower. After the purchase, the officer obtained a search warrant for the smoke shop. LCB enforcement officers executed the search warrant yesterday afternoon. Three King County deputies also assisted. The officers located over 13 pounds of marijuana flower, concentrates and pre-rolled joints in the smoke shop. The retail value of the product was estimated at over $50,000.00.

The clerk was arrested by LCB officers and booked into the King County jail. The marijuana, a 12-gauge shotgun, and approximately $2,700 were seized as evidence. The shotgun was located in a backroom safe with the marijuana and cash. During the operation, officers also contacted a 19-year-old minor who purchased marijuana from the store. Officers will be recommending felony charges for unlawful possession and distribution of a controlled substance (RCW 69.50.401). LBC will also be serving a violation to The Smoke Shop for operating the tobacco and vapor licensed business in violation of chapter 69.50 RCW (RCW 70.155.150). The penalty of the AVN is revocation of both the tobacco and vapor product licenses.

It’s been almost six months since our first reports that Brass Knuckle Bistro was on the way to the former 3.14 Bakery space at 9602 16th SW. Now they’ve announced that March 6th will be the opening date, with a “friends and family” event this weekend for other local businesses. BKB will focus on sandwiches – you can preview the menu online. (Thanks to Gill for the tip!)

(Photo courtesy Gill Loring)

We first told you last month that A Dog’s Dream Natural Pet Supply was adding a White Center location. And now its doors are open. The announcement sent to WCN:

We are now open!

Our hours are 10-7, seven days a week.

We will be hosting a Grand Opening/12th anniversary weekend event March 3rd and 4th, where we will be offering 20% off all purchases at both stores.

The White Center store is at 9620 14th SW; the original location is at 5913 Airport Way S. in Georgetown.

In our coverage of last week’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, we mentioned that the White Center Chamber of Commerce is relaunching. Today, a followup: First, there’s a survey for WC businesspeople, about your priorities – if that means you, you can answer it here. Second, the survey results are to be announced at an open house event on Wednesday, February 21st – Miss Sheryl’s Ballet, whose proprietor announced the Chamber relaunch at the NHUAC meeting, is hosting; from the announcement:

The White Center Chamber of Commerce, with support from the White Center Community Development Association, has an open house to share the results of a survey to see what the highest concerns of business owners are, gain feedback about White Center, and to develop interest of revitalizing the White Center Chamber. All business owners are encouraged to attend, and you can come anytime between 4 PM to 8 PM.

Miss Sheryl’s is at 9650 16th SW.

The proprietors of A Dog’s Dream Natural Pet Supply tell WCN they’re expanding to White Center. Their original location is in Georgetown; now they’re getting ready to add a WC store at 9620 14th Avenue SW, which is in the same mini-center as Zippy’s Giant Burgers. They’re hoping to open in about a month.

By Linda Ball
Reporting for White Center Now

If the ’70s vibe is your thing, then you are in for a treat when Dottie’s Doublewide opens in White Center.

Nate Rezac, the pit boss and co-owner of Drunky’s Two Shoes, has partnered up with his old bartending friend B.J. Kaiser, to create a new concept where Zanzibar briefly lived at 9609½ 16th SW. We mentioned Dottie’s briefly two weeks ago, and finally got the chance to talk with them this week.)

Imagine walking into a retro, sort of midcentury-modern-looking doublewide trailer with ’70s art and vintage neon signs decorating the interior. That’s Rezac and Kaiser’s vision. Rezac has an old vintage travel trailer that they plan to cut up. The side with the door will become the façade; so to enter the restaurant you’ll be opening the travel trailer door. The other side of the trailer will be used in the back between the restaurant and the kitchen, so the food will look like it’s coming from a food truck. The back of the trailer, where the taillights are, will be used for beer taps.

To add to the fun, they plan to have a CD jukebox as well as a turntable with real vinyl records to choose from – or bring yours, and they will spin them for you! They plan to have house DJs from time to time, mostly on the weekends.

Rezac has been in the restaurant industry since he was 15-years-old, and creates most of the recipes at his restaurants. With family in Mexico, he knows a thing or two about tacos, and Dottie’s Doublewide will feature more than 20 varieties of tacos. Of course there will be traditional Mexican tacos, but also some with smoked meats from Drunky’s, vegetarian options such as portabella-mushroom tacos, avocado tacos, and egg tacos. As Rezac put it, a really “wide net” of tacos. Additionally, the menu will feature Tex-Mex cuisine, marinated carne asada, and al-pastor (boneless pork shoulder with pineapple).

Happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. will be offered seven days a week with two-for-one margaritas. Rezac and Kaiser will have a full bar with an extensive tequila collection, in addition to beer and house wine, plus a selection of better wines. The retro-style bar will seat 20 patrons, with two 65-inch flat-screen TVs behind it. A projection screen will be positioned opposite the bar on a large wall. They plan to show sports or fun video loops – perhaps vintage themed.

Rezac will have a staff of five at Dottie’s Doublewide. He and Kaiser will be in the house as well. Monday through Friday hours will be 3 p.m. to close, with lunch on the weekends and hours of 11 a.m. until closing. Dottie’s will have a capacity of 80 customers.

Kaiser, who is also a general contractor, has built out several restaurants, and Dottie’s is moving along fast since they weren’t changing uses of the building, thereby avoiding many permitting and county headaches. That said, they expect to be open as soon as February 1.

Ever since noticing brown paper over the windows at Zanzibar (9609 1/2 16th SW), we’d been trying to confirm whether it was closure or remodeling (though the former seemed more likely, given it hadn’t been open that long). Now a notice in the state liquor-license application list appears to have confirmed the former. The new establishment seeking a license for the spot is Dottie’s Doublewide, and the applicants are the owners of Drunky Two Shoes BBQ down the street. More to come.

Last month, we brought you the story of new owners for Village Green Nursery – and today, it’s their official reopening day. We stopped by for a photo of Noah and Sarah in the rain – after all, April showers bring May flowers. They’re open until 6 pm, and again 10 am-6 pm tomorrow, at 10223 26th SW.

(King County photo)

McLendon Hardware, which has stores in White Center and six other Western Washington communities, has a new out-of-state owner. After a tip, we confirmed this with McLendon’s marketing director Steve Miller, who said a news release is forthcoming. The buyer is Central Network Retail Group, whose website says it has 14 brands in 10 states, mostly in the Southeast. Employees were told this morning that the ownership change will take effect next month and that McLendon will keep its name. McLendon’s history dates back to 1926, according to its website, which notes that the White Center store opened in 1993.

(Photos courtesy Village Green Nursery)

Village Green Nursery is reopening under new ownership. One year after its longtime proprietor Vera Johnson closed it and moved, we received this announcement from its new owner, Noah Trutzschler, who plans to open next month:

Announcing the grand re-opening of Village Green Perennial Nursery, White Center’s premier provider of organic herbs, veggies, fruit & plant starts.

HI, I’m Noah, the new owner of the Village Green Nursery. My partner, Sarah, and I are in the process of setting up the nursery to its former beauty, and plan on continuing the tradition of providing the community with healthy and beautiful plants. Both of us love to garden, but have never tried anything as ambitious as starting our own nursery before. We have big shoes to fill, but are looking forward to journey.

We will be specializing in organic herbs, veggies, fruit, plant starts, and small ornamentals. We’re in love with heirloom tomatoes and think you’ll love them too, which is why we have 12 different types of heirloom tomatoes. Want fresh basil for pesto, edible flowers to add a little zest to your plate, or Italian herbs for your latest culinary creation? We’ve got you covered. In fact, we currently we have over 70 different varieties of edible plants to choose from, and will keep our website up to date with the complete list as we continue to add more.

Prefer to start your own plants from seeds? We not only have local organic seeds, but are the only nursery we know of in the area that has Cow Pots. Haven’t heard of Cow Pots? We hadn’t either until we started research for the nursery. These are a biodegradable, natural, and sustainable method for quickly transplanting plants because it’s the biodegradable pot you plant. We’ve tested them in our garden, and are seeing amazing root growth (just as promised).

Our Grand Re-Opening will be April 22nd and April 23rd, 2017 from 10:00-6:00:

– The first 10 customers will get a free gift.
– We want to encourage kids to get outside, dig in the dirt, and eat healthy. So, the first 50 kids 12 and under can pick their very own free organic fruit or veggie start (think rainbow carrots, kids sized cucumbers, or edible flowers).
– For the adults, we’re offering 1 free plant with the purchase of 10 plants.
– We are also featuring the work of 3 Seattle artists:

*Peggy Johnson creates oil paintings of garden scenes, meant to invoke feeling, awaken memories, and nudge the viewer to see things in a new way.

*Dehanna Jones is a native Seattleite who specializes in colorful blown glass floats.

*Jessica Wilkinson’s creative spin on ceramic pots is sure to put a smile on your face.

For a sneak peek at the featured artists’ work, take a look at the Garden Art section of our website. Every month we plan to feature new art, and new artists. If you’re a local artist that would like to be featured, contact us at agentsarahy@yahoo.com and share an example of your work.

Please visit VillageGreenGarden.com for more info, or better yet, come see us in person April 22nd or 23rd!

Noah Trutzschler
Sarah Young

Village Green is at 10223 26th SW.

(Also posted to partner site West Seattle Blog)

Thanks to Jen Calleja for the tip – multiple White Center businesses are closed today for the Day Without Immigrants protest against the federal crackdown on immigrants. We stopped by some of the businesses she mentioned – above, the sign at Greenbridge Café; below, the signs at Salvadorean Bakery and Best Roasted Corn:

And Jen sent this collage of other businesses she found closed nearby:

We haven’t seen/heard of any other West closures – if you have, please let us know – texting 206-293-6302 is the fastest way to reach us.

Meantime, there’s news about the court fight over the presidential order on immigration – according to a news release from state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, saying a federal appeals court was notified that “the President intends in the near future to rescind the Order and replace it with a new, substantially revised Executive Order” to eliminate constitutional concerns. Ferguson’s reaction: “Let’s be clear: Today’s court filing by the federal government recognizes the obvious — the President’s current Executive Order violates the Constitution.”

Coffee fans are reminded that My Choice Espresso has reopened. It was closed for three months before new owner Andre Johnson took over, we’re told, but now it’s back in business and ready to serve you. The stand is at 10439 16th SW and open 5 am-5 pm Mondays-Fridays, 6 am-5 pm Saturdays, 7 am-3 pm Sundays.

(WCN photo: Big Al on opening day in 2008)

Back in August, the New York Times spotlighted five White Center establishments.

Among them: Big Al Brewing, which had opened at 9832 14th SW on an August day, eight years earlier – one of the first stories covered here on WCN.

Today, in the mid-January chill, “Big Al” himself, Alejandro Brown, announced he’s closing. From his announcement:

Every time I sit down to write this I have to stop because it’s too damn hard. But some things have to be said. Saturday, January 14th will be the last day of Big Al Brewing as we know it. We are closing our doors. Phew, hard part over. There are many contributing factors that led to this decision but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter. I’d rather focus on the positive. What an amazing 8 years it has been!! I lived my dream and experienced things I could have never thought of in my wildest dreams!

Big Al Brewing’s award-winning brews include the Chile IPA that won a silver medal in the Washington Beer Awards last year.

In case you haven’t been downtown in a while … Aaron’s Bicycle Repair has moved a few blocks to a new location in the heart of downtown White Center, 9614 16th SW. Closed Sundays and Mondays, so your next chance to check it out is on Tuesday (hours listed here).

If fitness is in the plan for you for 2017, here’s an irresistible offer: FitBody Solutions in White Center (a new advertiser on our partner site West Seattle Blog) has free bootcamps coming up next week:

January 2nd, 4th, 6th, at 5 am, 6 am, 7 am, 45-minute classes. Call or e-mail to save a space – 253-642-7179, info@fitbody-solutions.com – FitBody Solutions is at 1521 SW 98th, next to Bok-a-Bok.