White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The two men who stood before the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council last month and reaffirmed their intention to open a new business in what was Club Evo appear to be moving forward.

Here’s one sign: Under the name “Club Reventón,” two applications are pending for King County business licenses, both filed in early August, both carrying the name of club partner Daniel Yarbrough (introduced here back in June). One is in the “dance” classification, the other in the “entertainment” classification. The process for public comments isn’t clear, but general DDES contact info is here.

State liquor-license application files also show a new filing by Yarbrough, under the establishment name Reventón, for a nightclub at a former restaurant site at 7047 East Marginal Way South. We found a Facebook page and website, with the latter indicating the grand opening of “El Reventón Nightclub” there is set for September 3rd. (Reventón, by the way, is translated as “party.”)

Its casino has been closed for a while – but now the Magic Lanes bowling alley in White Center is closed too. After a note from Michelle saying she had heard a rumor it was shut down, we came over to have a look. The door is padlocked and the signs, as you can see in our photo, say that it’s permanently closed, and refer people to the co-owned Roxbury Lanes bowling center. We called Roxbury Lanes and were told nobody can comment today because no owner or manager is present. We’ll let you know whatever more we find out!

Our friends at the Washington Beer Blog have the full lowdown on two days of third-birthday partying at White Center’s Big Al Brewing – read about it here. The grand opening in 2008 was among the first stories reported here on WCN.

WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz says more than 20 people joined in a protest this morning organized by Washington Community Action Network, demanding that megabanks like Chase and Bank of America stop foreclosures, among other things. One of those joining the protest was Vera Johnson, the White Center/West Seattle-area Village Green Perennial Nursery owner whose difficulties in dealing with B of A to fend off foreclosure have been reported this past week by WCN partners West Seattle Blog (story here) and the Seattle Times (Nicole Brodeur‘s column here). From Chase, where Deanie shot the video, the group walked along 16th to B of A – where Vera is at left in our photo below:

Washington CAN sent a news release after today’s demonstration – read it after the jump: Read the rest of this entry »

EDITOR’S NOTE: Our previous reports on the meeting are here – as-it-happened notes – and here (unedited video of the meeting). This is a closer look at the most contentious item of the night, and where it stands since then.

By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

The owner of the downtown White Center space formerly known as Club Evo(lucion), Alfredo Lopez, appeared with new business partner Daniel Yarbrough at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) Thursday night before a standing-room-only crowd.

Invited to participate in a discussion regarding their proposed plans to reopen the club as an 18-years-old-and-under “banda” (Mexican country music) dance club, the two addressed council members’ and nearby neighboring business owners’ comments about their past experiences with Lopez as a nightclub owner and more than a few negative expectations for any future business there, which the partners say could include a remodel of the building into a restaurant/lounge (as first reported here).

The proposed business plans of the partners for the Lopez-owned property at 9625 16th SW are contingent on successfully meeting the compliance parameters required to allow the May 17 King County Superior Court permanent injunction to be potentially be lifted by the Court at a later date.

Having introduced himself to those who had not met him since he took ownership of the building in 2000, Lopez began by saying his original intent was to provide Latino teenagers a place to dance because at the time he opened the all-ages club, Club Evolucion was the only such club in Western Washington. Lopez explained that other Latino all-age venues have opened in the years since which serve the areas closer to where those minor-aged Latinos live and he thinks they will no longer drive that far to patronize his club. He said up until three years ago when he moved to southern California, he lived in Des Moines and before that resided in Burien and White Center. He asserted he was a member of the community because of that history.

Permits, Parking and Public Safety

According to Jim Chen and Chris Ricketts, both with King County Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES), the King County Superior Court injunction is on the building itself and cannot be removed until compliance is satisfied, regardless of any future DDES permit applicants’ names. Chen also told WCN the injunction restrictions hold even if a change of ownership of the property were to happen. When someone at the meeting pointed out that he believed Lopez has current warrants with the state of Washington for back taxes owed, Chen told him that DDES applications can be pursued, but if applicants have outstanding back taxes, permits would not be issued.

The matter of a lack of onsite parking for the club (with a potential occupancy range of 250 to 500) was another concern of a wide number of community businesses. Lopez said that in the past he had “informal arrangements” with Schuck’s Auto Supply on 17th and Roxbury, which is now owned by O’Reilly’s Automotive. But his first reaction was to say that he wasn’t going to worry about parking until all compliance issues were addressed. He said his patrons were a late-night crowd anyway and typically wouldn’t show up at the club until after 10:00 PM. Also, he said he was not concerned about a shortage of available parking because most other businesses would be closed by then.

However, the point was made a number of times that many complaints from the former club’s operations originated from property damage and desecration, littering, loitering, and violence — including fights, stabbings and gunshots– public intoxication of minors and overall concern for the public safety of clubs patrons and patrons of neighboring businesses owing to the walking distance between non-contracted properties’ parking lots and the club. Chen and Ricketts told WCN that applicants for a Tenant Improvement Permit might need to provide, among many other parameters, signed contracts for offsite parking for discretionary review by the Director. The number of parking spaces required is determined by the square footage and usage, they confirmed.

Yarbrough outlined a few details of their security plan. He says they have received rate sheets from the Sheriffs’ Guild, which handles hourly rates and varying level of services by off-duty KCSO officers who might be hired for security. Council member Mosely noted previous community concerns regarding a conflict of interests by off-duty sheriffs working at the club. Capt. Joseph Hodgson of KCSO interjected that though the Guild handles initial arrangements for off-duty officers, the KCSO has the final determination of whether such arrangements will be approved. Hodgson mentioned, for example, that if alcohol were going to be served at a contracted location, then KCSO has the authority and discretion to decline off-duty work by their sheriffs.

Neighborhood activist Gill Loring asserted that contrary to the owner’s comments that KCSO deputies were trimmed down and then eventually discontinued last year as a budgetary matter, the King County Permit at a Glance website showed that the KCSO stopped off-duty coverage because it was “not a legal business and was operating in a substandard building.” The King County DDES Permit At a Glance site for Permit Enforcement E1000445 states the County’s determination: OPERATION OF A BUSINESS IN A SUBSTANDARD BUILDING WITH MULTIPLE FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS AND OPERATION OF A BUSINESS WITHOUT A KING COUNTY BUSINESS LICENSE.

And to that, Lopez conceded that perhaps it actually was more of a concurrent decision by both himself and KCSO.

Lopez said he made a mistake last year when he changed the format of his club to include a Friday night event with a hip-hop promoter, which he says is where all the trouble started, though there was much disagreement with his assessment of where and what the trouble was and when it began. He realized, he said, that trying to run the club from out of state became more difficult. His new partnership with experienced club owner and developer/manager Yarbrough — who will act as operating manager — will alleviate the previous problems, he said. He told the crowd that that hip-hop promoter had lied to him last fall when the Sheriff’s officers confiscated alcohol inside the club and he had no control over it because he was out of state. He went on to say to the crowd that his “family’s safety is his number one concern” because he, his wife, his 25-year old son and 19-year old daughter will be working there. However, Lopez did not say he was changing residency to White Center or the state of Washington, though he did say he is licensed to practice law in Washington and the state shows his law office is located in White Center.

The issue of alleged gang-related activity associated with the previous club operations was a point of concern to many in attendance. Lopez and Yarbrough said that because the dance club will no longer cater to minors, the number of gang-associated juveniles will decrease because gangs are predominantly, though not exclusively, under the age of 18. Yarbrough reiterated the police-agency training and certification requirements of any security personnel who will work at the club.

Neighboring tavern and bar owners said they had seen plenty of traffic away from and toward the bar on 16th Ave. with fights the off-duty officers standing by did not control, numerous observations of 18-year olds consuming alcohol in cars illegally parked in neighboring parking lots, litter and the overall creation of a gauntlet of public safety insecurities to be negotiated by other 16th Ave. business customers.

WCN attempted to contact Lopez and Yarbrough for an interview after the meeting to determine if they had any new insight into their plans based on the discussions, but calls have not been returned. Also, we sought comment from the White Center Community Development Association and the White Center Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber was the only agency to respond immediately and its official statement follows in its entirety.

“Creating a safe, welcoming, family-oriented venue for the Latino community to come dance their hearts out in White Center is a wonderful business model. We love it, we endorse it and we would welcome it to White Center. But past actions are a predictor of future actions. Mr. Alfredo Lopez is an absentee landlord whose previous business management style and operation of Club Evo, in our view, drastically increased the threat of violent crime on that block when his business was operating.

The two most common complaints we hear from White Center business owners are 1.) The increasing public drunkenness on our streets; and 2.) The aggressive, marginally monitored crowd attracted by Club Evo on Saturday nights.

Until the Chamber sees a management and public safety plan from Mr. Lopez that is approved by the majority of businesses in the core White Center business district on both sides of 16th SW, and is fully funded by Mr. Lopez, our Chamber would take the highly unusual action of not supporting a new business in White Center.

Mark Ufkes, President
White Center Chamber of Commerce

The WCCDA informed WCN that the matter is being discussed amongst WCCDA leadership and WCN will be notified when an official statement is available.

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Harlem’s World Children’s Boutique is one of White Center’s newest businesses, open less than a month in a retail space that is part of a live-work unit in the Greenbridge community directly across from the Greenbridge Plaza on 8th SW in White Center, not far south of Roxbury.

Owner Danté Mitchell is a first-time business owner at 30 years old. He is a graduate of the StartZone small business program at Highline Community College and is ready to make his mark as a specialist in new and lightly worn, hard-to-find children’s clothing.

Dante shared his vision for his small, nicely stocked store, tucked between the King County Sheriff’s Greenbridge Office and another live-work unit housing a hair salon.

“I just want to bring something to the community that is contemporary and fashionable, but at a reasonable cost to my customers. I know how it is sometimes for kids if you don’t have the right clothes or right “look” growing up. Children will tease each other. So I want to provide options to help build the children’s self-esteem, so they feel comfortable and confident,” he said. “And I want to help the parents as well by letting them know they can spend in a way that is not too strenuous for their pocketbooks for great clothing and merchandise.“

“But,” he continues, “this is about more than just making money in the community. It’s also about networking with other organizations, such as Cherish A Jewel, which assists single mothers throughout Seattle. We are partnering to impact the communities at large. I will offer her members discounts at our store. And you know, there are times when mothers can’t afford anything, so sometimes we just bless them with clothing for their children just to help them get started.”

Dante also points out an empty case that was to be filled soon with kids’ jewelry.

“I love kids and hope to be a parent one day — I am working on getting married,” he says with a smile. “But I am mentor to a lot of nephews and nieces and kids in my church. I volunteer at missions and homeless shelters with kids too. Harlem’s World is named after my god-daughter Harlem,” he says softly, pointing to Harlem’s picture, proudly centered on the store wall.

Harlem’s World carries sizes newborn to 18. Name brands such as Juicy Couture, True Religion and Baby Couture and Gap are crisply steam-pressed and meticulously arranged on racks in the small, clean and comfortable space. There’s a bargain table as well with stacks of even lower-priced items available to peruse.

Dante has been debating about whether to open the store to consignment agreements, but is not yet venturing in that direction. The hours are currently Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 am– 6 pm, 9830 8th SW, #104, and he invites you to stop by with your kids to say hello and have a look.

(Photo courtesy White Center Community Development Association, used with permission)
Next time you’re at 16th and Roxbury, take a close look and appreciate the freshened-up planting areas! Nhan Nguyen of the White Center Community Development Association shared the news today that a small group went out on Sunday to beautify the corner. He says that nearby Pho Lynna and Decoraciones Ely have ” volunteered to take care of regular watering.” The planting, according to Nhan, was led by Erika and Clark from Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle and WCCDA member Judy.

Want to be part of an occasional “mini-cleanup” in the business district? WCCDA would love to hear from you – and Nhan says they’ll supply the trash bags, trash pickers, and gloves!

As reported on our partner site WSB yesterday – B & D Aquarium will indeed move into the White Center Eagles-owned property identified as a possible new home. They’re planning a work party this weekend, but say they have all the help they need for to make the move. WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz is working on an update that will include the latest on the move and how long they might be closed during the transition.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Business owners from around White Center gathered Monday night at the Salvadorean Bakery for the monthly meeting/mixer facilitated by the WC Community Development Association.

The bakery’s proprietor Ana Castro (right) offered words of welcome to the two dozen-plus participants: ‘Thank you for supporting the community.” (She had also prepared a dinner feast for those on hand, including the eatery’s famous pupusas.)

Business owners/reps have been convening for these gatherings for more than a year, said WCCDA’s Peter Chum, “and we have accomplished a lot as a community.” He and co-worker Nhan Nguyen facilitated the meeting.

One accomplishment – branding, with the new signs and banners around the area, and a poster unveiled at the meeting:

WHITE CENTER POSTER: The artwork for a new poster was unveiled by Kathi “George” Wheeler and artist Terri Sargent Peart, who was commissioned to create the artwork on which the posters are based. The image, it was explained, was someone weaving a basket together with different-colored cords, the community coming together, acrylic painting on canvas, the diversity coming together. The posters were printed by local business Graphics Plus. “To celebrate our place and our people, how we are pulling together,” said Nguyen.

WHAT ABOUT THE WHITE CENTER BRAND/LOGO? Wheeler showed two versions of the logo – one with the rainbow rings, one with the baskets inside the rainbow rings (modeled after the ones in the small park in the Delridge Triangle), and asked for ideas on how to use it. A brainstorming session ensued. (57 banners with the new logo are now up around Roxbury, it was noted.) Ideas included tying it into the forthcoming shoppers-reward card, or putting it on bumper stickers/window decals. However it plays out, the logo will be made available for businesses to use, Wheeler assured attendees.

SPEAKING OF THAT LOGO … SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR WELCOME SIGNS: Mark Ufkes from the White Center Chamber of Commerce said that two signs, 108th/4th and 16th/130th (near McDonald’s), need sponsors. He also talked about a plan for a White Center food guide that would probably launch in 2012, in connection with local business groups. He also provided an update on the “Good Neighbor” agreement for alcohol businesses; they’re hoping for more participation. And they’re looking for people to adopt trash cans in the business district.

WHITE CENTER BUSINESS RESOURCE GUIDE: A draft version of this brochure was circulated, with information to help businesses find resources to assist their growth and operations. Some of the resources listed in the guide can even help businesses find financing, said Nguyen (left). It also lists media – not just the “mainstream” local media (including WCN), said Nguyen, but also area community/ethnic media, so that businesses can find people who will help them get the word out about their businesses. WCCDA is also looking for ideas on the resource guide – “what’s missing, how can we make it better, how can we make it more user-friendly?” First suggestion: Make it more photocopy-ready. Another suggestion: List more websites. Yet another: Make sure the information is accessible on the WCCDA website, as well as in brochure format. And: What about a list of businesses that might be willing to trade with each other? Plus: Categorize the types of listings – private, public. Host Castro suggested, “E-mail it to everybody.” Nguyen said the guide is “something to be proud of” as the first such resource for the White Center business district.

PLANTER BOXES: More than 20 were given out with help of a grant from the Seattle Foundation, but some are gone – stolen, vandalized – while others are kept “in great condition,” as Nguyen put it, like the one at the Salvadorean Bakery. A new City of Seattle grant for $500 has come in, and they’re brainstorming what to do with it. Mikayla talked about one idea of planting edibles – which was viewed skeptically by some, she said, considering that some planters have been used as makeshift ashtrays. Suggestions for the planter boxes included evergreens – “might be less trouble” — or maybe even replacing them with hanging baskets. Nguyen said it’s up to businesses to step up and take care of the planter boxes, or else businesses that don’t will lose theirs, and they’ll be moved elsewhere, as there’s a long waiting list, he said.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ‘MISHMASH’: King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s law and justice policy adviser Gail Stone addressed the issue, which also was a topic at the last meeting of the White Center group, since two medical-marijuana establishments have opened recently on 16th SW in the heart of the business district. She recapped what happened with the failed legislation in Olympia. “The legislature didn’t clean any of that up, and it has left state and local governments at odds about how do we deal with this mishmash law and regulation. .. We know that the current dispensary business models won’t fit under state law, but the county and the city have been working to figure out what’s the approach that’s going to serve the community.” She said she had no specifics about what that approach will turn out to be: “Do we license these things … what do we do, where should they be located, dealing with zoning and making sure these businesses are in one kind of an area or another … It would be really helpful for us at the county to have some input about what are your concerns about where these are sited, how they should or should not be regulated by cities and counties.”

One attendee asked about prospective shutdowns: “Can we expect an iron fist?” “We’re really trying to figure that out – we’re meeting every other day with (a group including prosecutors, sheriffs, Seattle officials),” she said. She indicated no decisions have been made but “hopefully soon after July 22nd, when the state law goes into effect” they will know what they are doing.

“It’s going to be interesting to find out what happens next year in Olympia,” she added. It was also pointed out that a legalization initiative is circulating as well. WCCDA’s Nguyen wondered if existing dispensaries would be grandfathered in, and all Stone could say is, “That’s a good question,” while musing aloud whether they could change their business model to fit the new rules for “collective gardens.”

Why doesn’t the county just go to the State Attorney General’s office and ask for a ruling? it was asked. “It’s an interesting question,” Stone said, again, adding that she will forward the suggestion. If you have any questions/comments/ideas, she said, contact her. All she could say they know for sure is that they know businesses, patients, and others involved need “clarity.”

King County Sheriff’s Community Service Officer Peter Truong, asked for comment by Nguyen, said he had none – “(people) complain about it, but .. (the way) the law is, there’s nothing we can do about it right now.”

BICYCLE SHOP FOR WHITE CENTER? Ellie Weiss delivered a presentation – asking rhetorically “Why should Ballard have all the fun?” – positing that White Center deserves a bike shop, and presenting a variety of reasons why. As a transitional point, she is suggesting a “regular repair clinic” to have “some kids come in and work on bicycles.” She pointed out that White Center is making strides into the bicycling world – with bike parking introduced to the central business district by Proletariat Pizza (whose co-owner Mike Albaeck was among those at the meeting). Nguyen challenged the group to see if anyone knows of a space “to put this idea into motion.” No particular space requirement, she clarified, “even if you can get in there with one bicycle and work on it” – they would just like a regular weekly or even monthly clinic space to start with.

WHITE CENTER ART WALK: Amanda Kay Helmick talked about the film festival – three 30-minute programs, starting at 6 pm at Southgate Roller Rink, then on to Full Tilt Ice Cream, then to Big Al Brewing – that is the theme of this Saturday night’s WC Art Walk. (Here’s the preview we published Monday.) “This is the first month we’re going to do something big for the community,” Helmick said. “(Before) there really wasn’t a lot to bring the outside in … we’re hoping to draw from a large area.” Next month, she said, they’re planning on live painting. “Every month we’re just going to do something bigger and bigger. … In September we’re going to have the White Center Weird Festival again – would love to shut the street down … not as easy as it sounds, but it would be cool to shut it down. We’re working toward that.”

KING COUNTY IN MOTION: White Center is getting involved with In Motion, partnering with WCCDA, with a goal of reducing car trips.

BUSINESS OWNERS’ HAPPY HOUR: Aileen Sison announced that her next Happy Hour for WC business owners is going to be at Be’s Crawfish Grill – while there’ll be a Family Happy Hour too, at Zippy’s Giant Burgers.

Five days after breaking the news that B & D Aquarium has been ordered to leave its White Center storefront, WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz reports that on Monday, the Trustees of the White Center Eagles (F.O.E. 2568) will be discussing the possibility of B & D using their property at 10450 15th SW, adjacent to their meeting hall. B&D employees will be in attendance as representatives of owner Bruce Donohue, who told WCN he “might have found (his) miracle” which will allow him to continue operating his 40-year old business serving West Seattle and White Center. Eagles Trustee Stein said that they are very interested in helping the White Center business district. Stein said a couple of offers have been made to Donohue. Both the Eagles and B & D will update WCN when the outcome of the Eagles discussion and rental negotiations are final and confirmed.

Story and photo by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

KING 5 photojournalist Lorenzo Townsend – in the photo above – was at B and D Aquarium with reporter Eric Wilkinson on Tuesday afternoon, talking with owner Bruce Donohue. We checked in to see how his struggle against the imminent loss of his rented space at 106th and 98th is unfolding. Donohue received word last week that the property has been foreclosed on, and then was told there is a new owner who wants him to vacate immediately, but Donohue has yet to find another site.

Kellie Greer, a 25-year employee and store manager, said a few phone calls have come in with possible new properties to rent, but that most are not suitable.

Kellie, Bruce and Steev Ward, another longtime employee, are associated with Seattle Public Schools’ salmon program, as well as hands-on consulting and participating with the Fauntleroy Creek stewardship efforts.

This year, Kellie is assisting fifth-grade teachers at Roxhill Elementary School troubleshooting and maintaining their educational tanks for the salmon-raising program.

Asked about the store’s current crisis, she said, “I just hope something falls into our lap, soon.”

Meantime, the KING5 story is online here.

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Got someplace a business owner can move $25,000 worth of fish, fast?

Bruce Donahue, owner of B & D Aquarium at 10402 16th SW, has been selling live fish and tank equipment for 18 years in White Center. Like most businesses during this economy, things are slower, but he has been holding steady and been able to retain his two almost-full-time employees and pay his bills.

Now, though, he’s dealing with a crisis. Donahue’s landlord, Tony Califano – who Donahue describes as “great” — delivered final notice that he must be out of the store this week because the property is going into foreclosure.

B & D Aquarium rents the space they’ve occupied, but they’ve maintained it all of these years as if it had been their own property. “We never bothered the landlord. We fixed everything ourselves,“ Donahue told WCN.

He is uncertain whether there is a new owner or not, but for him it doesn’t matter as he has been told to vacate by the landlord. He says he found a Notice of Foreclosure on the door in April, warning that if payment from the landlord wasn’t received by June 8, the building would be put up for sale at auction. Donahue hoped a sale would be arranged and that the aquarium shop’s uniquely complicated inventory was being explained to potential buyers so Donahue could remain as a renter. As of last week, the hope of remaining in the space vanished. He now is desperately seeking a new space in the White Center, West Seattle or Burien areas.

B & D Aquarium has a 40-year history in southwest Seattle. Donahue says the shop was located next to the old Fred Meyer on Roxbury for a dozen=plus years and before that, next to the old Arctic Circle at 35th and Roxbury. He’s been selling for nearly 50 years, and many of his West Seattle and White Center customers go back three generations.

Moving an inventory of more than 200 tanks with thousands of live fish is no simple process. In order to migrate the fish out of the current location in plastic bags, tanks have to be set up, acclimated and ready to receive them in a new shop that has been specially wired and piped for the equipment.

He and his employees have begun packing up as much as they can, but the live stock is problematic until they secure a new location. His inventory value exceeds $25,000 and is in jeopardy. Somehow, he must find a site, negotiate the costs, take measurements, wire and pipe it and set up the tanks; and all of this while trying to conduct business at the old location to keep revenue rolling in, all while honoring the June 8 deadline (Wednesday).

“I’ve been out of touch with the rental market for 18 years,” he said. “I’ve looked at a few places. My employees, friends and customers have been looking too.” But Donahue has not found one that fits his site requirements or his budget. “The rental prices in White Center I’ve found are ridiculous! Things have changed. I am currently paying about $1,000 per month. I’d like to find something near that, or less, “ he said. He says he needs between 1,500 – 2,000 square feet. “But I know I might not find what I want.”

(Steev Ward, an employee for 18 years, enjoys a good conversation with a couple of longtime customers)

Just in from Nhan Nguyen at WCCDA:

Please mark your calendar for our next White Center Business District Mixer meeting on Monday, June 13, 6-7:30pm at the Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury). Light dinner and translation will be provided. We have a packed agenda planned for this meeting:

1. Update from the May 14, 2011 Spring Clean. For the business district, our volunteers picked up litter, planted edibles, painted a mural, and planted shrubs. Does anyone want to lead a regular clean-up for our business district? The CDA can supply trash pickers, garbage bags and gloves.

2. We will have a robust discussion on a Shopper Card including a food guide that the CDA and the Chamber are working together. We need your ideas to design and promote it.

3. We have designed a resource guide for businesses to include important contact info for organizations/government entities that serve small businesses. We need your input to see if it will be useful to you. Is there other information you want to see in there?

4. We have commissioned a local artist to work with our graphic designer to paint and print an art poster. The theme of this poster is our brand: “White Center – Growing a Global Village.” We will give each of you one to hang at your business. We will have a discussion to follow on what else we can do to promote our business district brand.

5. Update on the issue of medical marijuana in White Center.

6. Anyone interested in the idea of opening a bike shop in White Center? With the impending closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, there will be incentives to use alternative transportation. Come hear presentations on both topics.

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

A White Center Now reader tipped us to the upcoming closure of Pony Express in White Center – concerned that WC is losing its last mailbox provider. After 22 years of operation — three at the current location, after 19 years across from McLendon Hardware on 102nd — owner Claire Denning confirms she will close the doors forever on June 30.

When Claire began operating the private mailbox shipping center, it was one of twelve original centers independently owned in the Seattle metro area known as Pony Express. She says only a few remain, as the need for shipping services, including postal services, declined in large part to the growth of Internet use. Business transactions are conducted digitally and people tend to purchase items for free shipping, which cut into the UPS service Claire had provided for years.

“I haven’t been on the main thoroughfare that everyone uses for three years, and that’s another reason why I’ve been struggling here. I never recovered financially from the move that took everything I had in retirement and savings. It was a 50% drop in business. I was never able to get a contract with the Postal Service because of cutbacks there. That might have guaranteed some income.

“But, before all that, the business was successful for all those years, in large part because of apartment dwellers who moved a lot, or for people who traveled. They wouldn’t have to change their addresses with a private mailbox and could just pick up their mail from here where everything was secure.”

The only other places in White Center which will provide mailboxes will be Stor-More (16th and 114th), though they do not provide postal services, like UPS, Federal Express, or Western Union.

The Westwood Post Office in West Seattle has mail boxes, but there is currently a waiting list for them. She is also referring customers to an independent shipping service shop, MailBox West, in West Seattle’s Morgan Junction, across from West Seattle Thriftway; it’s also a contract station for the post office. They are equipped to handle registered and international mailings.

Once Claire closes the store, the only blue mail drop box that will remain in White Center will be the box located at the Rainbow Grocery on 16th. The nearest post services will be the Westwood Post Office in the Westwood Village and the Burien Post Office on 152nd Ave. SW.

“I was the neighborhood secretary, “ Claire said proudly with a smile.

“It’s really a kind of pickle-barrel kind of place, “ chimed in the USPS letter carrier in the office, picking up and dropping off mail. “People run into each other here and know each other.”

Indeed, Claire has known the whereabouts, comings, and goings of a lot of folks over the course of 23 years. And she says that those customers have been very understanding of the necessity to close and supportive in her decision to start a new chapter in her life.

But it’s not hard to imagine how different life will be for those customers, without Claire and the White Center Pony Express.

The invite’s in from Aileen Sison from White Center Business Owners of Sustainable Support (WC-BOSS) – the next Happy Hour is set for:

Tuesday, May 31 from 04:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Company Bar 9608 16th Avenue SW

You can see the official Evite here.

From WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz, photos and this quick update:

The long-vacant space at 9603 16th SW will have a new tenant as of May 1. Decoraciones Ely, a decoration and wedding supply shop, currently located down the street at 9640 16th SW, will be moving in with their vast inventory of wedding, baptism, and quinceañera supplies.

Below, shop owner Elisa fits a young woman for her quinceañera, a traditional Mexican birthday affair akin to Sweet 16 birthdays, honoring a young lady at 15 years old.

Lots of chances lately for White Center business owners to network – and the next one is coming up tomorrow: Aileen Sison‘s been getting the word out about the White Center Business Owners Happy Hour she is hosting at Company, 9608 16th SW, Tuesday 4-7 pm. Here’s the Evite invite, with the event description:

Meet up and mingle at Company Bar with White Center Business Owners. Open to anyone who wants to meet local business owners and enjoy this new bar. Get ready for some killer $2 kebobs and giveaways (Contributions welcome). This event is held every LAST TUESDAY of the month.

By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

The monthly Business Mixer, a White Center Community Development Association event for local businesses, was held tonight at 3.14 Bakery, hosted by owner Jessica Haury and the CDA.

People socialized and heard updates on upcoming projects in White Center, but also were introduced to two medical-marijuana businesses opening up within a half a block of each other on 16th SW in the next few weeks.

GAME Collective owner Brionne Corbray – whose existing businesses include one in West Seattle – and Herban Legends owner Chris Cody stood before the crowd of about 30 and were asked questions regarding security measures, business structures, licensing, hours of operation, current legislation and issues of legalities.

WCCDA Economic Development Director Nham Nguyen had invited the businesses’ owners hoping it would be an opportunity for a multifaceted discussion in the health and growth of the business district, but noted to WCN the disappointing absence of a representative from the King County Sheriff’s Office, which might have provided more authoritative answers to some of the group’s questions.

WCN has been invited to a tour of the GAME Collective “lounge” and will be following up with a look inside the newly remodeled building where the former Hang Around (preceded by The Wall) operated.

WCCDA Board members were present and read an official statement from the Board regarding the presence of the two new enterprises. We are awaiting a copy of the statement and will publish that in a subsequent report, along with the many other community updates shared at the event.

(Photos by Deanie Schwarz for WCN/WSB)
Almost since its opening day three years ago, Zippy’s Giant Burgers has been one of West Seattle’s most buzzed-out restaurants, so its impending White Center move is fodder for close-up coverage. White Center Now/West Seattle Blog contributor Deanie Schwarz checked back inside the new location (9614 14th SW) now that we’re less than two weeks away from its scheduled opening. Above, that’s the expanded counter, where for the first time, Zippy’s will be processing credit-card transactions. Next – the kitchen, with features much more expansive than Zippy’s current, cozy quarters in the Highland Park neighborhood:

Still a lot of setup to be done, but there will be five booths, as well as tables and counters, with 40 able to be seated comfortably:

The gold wall, Deanie says, will be the “bun wall,” with a sesame-seed look – behind it, the pinball/game alcove. And check the floor – freshly polished concrete, “a labor of love” as Zippy’s proprietor Blaine Cook describes it. Last but not least, note the windows … should be lots of light, with the southern and western exposure (Highland Park faces north-northwest):

But don’t worry that it’ll be too hot in summertime – a high-efficiency, quiet fan will keep things cool. Zippy’s plans to close in Highland Park once it’s out of food this Saturday, April 16, and then hopes to swing open the doors in White Center on April 25th.

From the White Center Community Development Association: Tuesday, April 19, 6-7:30 pm is the next White Center Business District Mixer Meeting, and the agenda includes a discussion of the impending openings of medical-marijuana dispensaries in WC, including the one we’ve already reported on here. The announcement says WCCDA has “invited the owner of one of these businesses, the G.A.M.E Collective, to attend our mixer meeting and he has accepted. We have invited folks from the health organizations, law enforcements, and social service organizations to attend as well.” GAME Collective, whose other dispensaries include one in West Seattle, is believed to be moving into the former Hang Around Bar and Grill space (The Wall before that), whose onetime owner identified it as the setting for a TV interview done recently by GAME owner Brionne Corbray.

The agenda for the Business District Mixer also includes, from the announcement:

1. Annual White Center Spring Clean Event (May 14, 2011): drawing over 400 volunteers completing about 20 projects throughout the community. Registration is currently open; a fun event for the entire family. Volunteers received free “I heart White Center” t-shirt, breakfast, lunch and entertainment.

2. Social media marketing: assistance to businesses to set up business Facebook account

3. Business Resource Guide: a brochure to assist existing and new businesses finding relevant resources from governmental and private agencies

4. Shopper Incentive Card: guide to find discounts and good deals in White Center.

The location is TBA; we’ll add it here when it’s announced.

New businesses are opening in our business district:

1. Opening of the South Gate Roller Rink:
https://whitecenternow.com/2011/04/08/southgate-roller-rink-is-open-scene
s-from-opening-night/

2. Upcoming opening of Zippy’s Giant Burger:
http://zippysgiantburgers.com/

3. VN Market and Trading Company, LLC – a new food store on 16th
Avenue

At any rate, we are building on great momentum in the White Center
community; let’s keep it strong:

http://www.westseattleherald.com/2011/02/07/news/update-white-center-bus
iness-district-mixer-focus

Sincerely,

Nhan H. Nguyen

Neighborhood Revitalization Program Manager

White Center Community Development Association

1615 SW Cambridge Street

Seattle, WA 98106

206.694.1082 ext 166 phone

206.658.8344 fax

nhan@wccda.org

www.wccda.org

Connecting people and place to build community