White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

After nearly 11 months of painstaking build-out, the Company Bar (9608 -16th Ave. SW in White Center) had its Grand Opening Thursday night, drawing a packed house of new patrons from near and far.

Large crowds filled the house, roughly 1,000 square feet in the heart of the 16th Avenue “renaissance row,” joining Full Tilt Ice Cream, Proletariat Pizza, Uncle Mike’s Barbecue and 3.14 Bakery as the newest joint on the block.

Owner Jesse Lovell (above left), a former contractor, did the buildout himself, along with major contributions from his stepdad Craig, also a general contractor. The two, along with their team of assorted tradespersons, have created what is being called the “high end” bar of White Center.

The attention to detail and thorough design is evident in the warm space and was noticed by the opening night patrons, who lauded Lovell for creating a comfortable, upscale environment, as well as for contributing to the enhancement of the WC business district and community.

A dynamic, varied selection of art hangs on the expansive gray walls above tables Jesse built and painted. Clamshell style, ¾ round booths occupy every corner of the space and comfortably seat 8 – 10 people. Jesse and Craig built the bar too, a shiny, organic foil to the salvaged industrial lights above and stained concrete floors below. The high-ceilings is exposed, hand-sanded lathe and reflects the history of the building to balance the modern design sensibility.

It is said by some that the success of a bar is dependent upon the quality of the women’s bathroom. Company’s bathroom stands a good chance of becoming legendary among women because of the vivid abstract painting occupying the high ceiling.

But Lovell did not stop with the attention to detail there. The standard Lovell has risen to with the warm urban design is continued with a well-considered menu. Lovell’s friend and mentor, a chef at a popular, well-regarded Seattle restaurant, advised him on menu selections for an enhanced bar menu.

The menu for opening night is strong on appetizers and cocktails. Lovell plans to serve happy hour from 4:00 – closing each night through Sunday for the Grand Opening. While the menu and the tap list are likely to be rotated regularly in the next days and weeks, here is what Company is offering for now:

From the bar:

Tap list: Big Al’s IPA, Manny’s Pale, Rainier, Fremont Universal Pale, Old Seattle Lager, Skagit River Brewery Sculler’s IPA.

Cocktails: All are $7.00 and include Rita Sidecar, Blueberry Lemondrop, Grapefruit Cosmo, Martinique Crusta, Company Old Fashioned.

From the kitchen:

Starters:

Spiced nuts – $3; Chickpea, eggplant or sweet potato fries – $5; salt cod fritters – $6; metaballs – $6; samosas $6; sopas (with la fondita salsa!) – $6; bacon wrapped dates – $6.

Salads:

Iceberg, beets, barley or mixed greens $7

Entrees:

Kebabs $12

Peppered beef, lemon thyme chicken, curried lamb, chili cumin pork

Comes with choice of 2 sides: braised greens, lentils, basmati rice, barley.

(WCN photos by Deanie Schwarz)
As first reported here earlier this week, after almost a year of work, Company opens today at 4 pm in the heart of White Center’s main business district. Prior to Company’s “soft open” event last night, owner Jesse Lovell was busy with last-minute details – finalizing the menu, making sure the local art and salvaged industrial signage/lighting is all in place, stocking the bar shelves, de-papering the windows. He told WCN’s Deanie Schwarz that the Grand Opening celebration will include an extended Happy Hour through the weekend, starting at 4 pm daily. Company is at 9608 16th SW.

We first told you about Company, in the works for the central White Center business district, last February, in a story about that month’s meeting of the White Center-South Delridge Community Safety Coalition. Now, it’s just about ready to open. WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz says owner Jesse confirms Thursday (January 27) will be Day 1, starting at 4 pm, serving their Happy Hour menu. Company’s at 9608 16th SW.

WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz spotted this new Boost Mobile (with Virgin Mobile signage too) store across from Marv’s Broiler, at 9819 16th SW. Nobody around to talk to, she reports, but through the windows, it’s clear the interior is almost complete, and signage says it will be open Mondays-Saturdays, 10 am-7 pm.

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Rodriguez Secondhand Store has just opened in South Delridge, next to 88 Deli. It’s owned by Juan and Marla Rodriguez.

They began selling at the Starlight Swap Meet in Lakewood, then moved to an outdoor location on the parking lot of Jack’s Payless Auto Parts on Martin Luther King Way, but being outside under a tent is tough during bad weather, and Juan was pretty tired of hauling their goods in and out every day.

The couple live in Tukwila but decided to find an indoor space for the first time, to run their mom-and-pop business. They say they chose to lease in White Center because it is affordable. The 600-square-foot space is filled with “stuff” from the kitschy to the practical. Magazines are stacked on shelves, coats, pants and purses hang above lawn mowers, or they can even fix the lawn mower and weed-eater you might already have.

One of their first customers in the store was an older gentleman who has lived in WC for most of his 70+ years. He told the Rodriguezes that it has been many years since there has been a secondhand shop in WC. Some years ago, there was a Goodwill in the area – right now, there’s one further south, in Burien – but as far as they know, they are the only one currently in the South Delridge/White Center neighborhood.

They are looking forward to introducing themselves to their neighbor businesses and to serving the neighborhood.

Rodriguez Secondhand Store will be open Mondays-Sundays, 9:30 am-6:30 pm, to begin. They are located at 9416 Delridge Way SW; phone 206-280-5064.

(WCN photos by Deanie Schwarz)
White Center will be in the spotlight on KING 5 TV twice in the next few days. We’ll talk about the second one first: That’s West Seattle resident Jim Dever in the top photo, taken at Big Al Brewing this morning as he prepared to shoot segments of the show for which he reports, Evening Magazine. They were at Big Al because of the poll Jim took via Twitter two nights ago, asking for votes on where to record those segments. Big Al was suggested by @sudsymaggie – Maggie Sudduth of Vashon Island, seen in this next photo with KING 5 photojournalist Darrell Benedict:

Big Al won the poll in a landslide. Maggie tweeted photos during today’s shoot – you can see them on her Twitter stream; this episode of Evening Magazine is on channel 5 at 7 pm Monday.

Before then, a KING 5 News story is scheduled to profile another popular White Center business, Full Tilt Ice Cream – we talked with FT’s Justin Cline back on Wednesday, when a crew not only visited his WC flagship store, but also at least one of FT’s other shops. We’re told that story will likely air around 5:40 pm tonight — but keep in mind that if big breaking news happens, it could get pre-empted, in which case we’ll let you know when it’s rescheduled.

ADDED 10:46 PM: The Full Tilt story did indeed air – if you missed it on TV, here it is again (p.s. it may be preceded by a commercial, which is added to the video clip by KING, not us – WCN is a noncommercial site):

That’s unedited video of a highlight of today’s well-attended White Center Chamber of Commerce luncheon – a celebration of community heroes, including Holy Family School principal Frank Cantwell (who you see in the screen grab on our video clip) – led by Chamber president Mark Ufkes, but featuring the heroes themselves, including two people who saved a life with CPR just last week.

The luncheon event also brought other news: White Center’s first community Christmas tree is scheduled to go up in the Delridge Triangle this Saturday, with help from local Scouts and other volunteers. As for whether it’ll have lights – that’s a little more up-in-the-air. Ufkes says the Chamber is also working to help find a solution to the power problem in the nearby Veterans’ Memorial, as identified by local entrepreneur, once-and-future candidate, and veteran “Mac” McElroy – also now a White Center Chamber board member – who pointed out last month that the memorial’s flag is unlit. And that’s not all we heard at the lunch – other milestones and achievements for the year were celebrated, as was the WC C of C board:

Members who were present were asked to come up to be introduced. The board and Chamber’s revitalization were a key point of a “2010 Community Report” handed out at the lunch. The report began by recounting the decline of the organization 2006-2009, until Holy Family principal Cantwell agreed to serve as interim president and worked with other community leaders to keep the Chamber from dying. (Current board members, minus new member McElroy, are listed on this page of the Chamber website.)

Successes past and hoped-for future were detailed, such as the “Good Neighbor” program seeking businesses’ partnership in responsible alcohol sales and new White Center signage that will welcome people in more than a dozen languages. According to the report, there also will be signs/banners in the Delridge Triangle park celebrating holidays and festivals celebrated by White Center’s many cultures – the Christmas tree will be only the first.

An important issue for the community even beyond its businesses was brought up as well: The Highline Public Schools levy that will be on next February’s ballot. (You can read about it here.) School-board member Sili Savusa discussed its importance and the need for volunteers to help with the campaign to make sure it is approved.

Want to know more about the White Center Chamber? It’s online at whitecenterchamber.org – and be sure to check out the newsletter, which can be downloaded from the chamber’s home page.

Almost seven months after the operators of the Hang Around Bar and Grill at 98th and 16th shut down (here’s our April report), after a back-and-forth that started a month earlier, they are suing the building’s owner. They made the announcement in this comment on an archived, unrelated WCN story. We checked county court records and indeed, a lawsuit was filed on November 3rd; here’s the document. The property’s owner has 20 days – until November 23rd or thereabouts – to respond.

White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz reports that Hung Long Asian Market in the new White Center Square has opened (15th/14th/100th) – it’s not fully stocked yet, but getting closer. Here’s the produce section:

And hot ready-to-eat food is being sold too, with box lunches starting at $4.99:

You can get whole roasted ducks:

Or soon as these tanks are stocked, you’ll be able to choose from among live fish:

This is a new feature at the store, we’re told.

They’ll also offer an aisle of Mexican products. This is a “soft open,” by the way – a grand opening is expected in a month or so.

The deli and pho shop adjacent to the supermarket should be open within two weeks. In addition to the big store opening, some of the smaller businesses in the buildings comprising the rest of the shopping center are opening too. It’s been about a year and a half since ground was broken for the project (WCN coverage here).

Noticed this while in downtown White Center for a few photos at midday Monday – Pho 54 at Roxbury/16th is closed until at least next Monday (the handwritten sign was a litle difficult to read) and will reopen as Pho Lynna. Don’t know if it’s an ownership change or just a name change.

White Center’s main business district welcomed trick-or-treaters this afternoon, and WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz photographed some of the fun. She says participating businesses included Full Tilt Ice Cream, 3.14 Bakery, Uncle Mike’s Barbecue, Proletariat Pizza, Cafe Rozella, and Big Al Brewing.

MORE PHOTOS ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Just some of the costumed characters young ‘n’ old who came out this Halloween!

Two events happening today/tonight in White Center: I Care Vision Center is having an open house, 1-6 pm, 9650 15th SW, with new fall frame styles to try on, and free single-vision lenses with all frame purchases. Tonight, Café Rozella will host a pumpkin-carving party, 6:30 pm, 9434 Delridge Way SW.

From Proletariat Pizza‘s Facebook page:

Starting tomorrow- White Center Mondays!!! Bring in your receipt from ANY White Center business from the last week, and receive FIVE DOLLARS OFF your Proletariat purchase of twenty five dollars or more! This includes 3.14 Bakery, Full Tilt, Stan’s Adult Superstore, Taboo Video, Restaurant 88, and all of your other favorite White Center businesses!

Caught that photo on our way to another story in White Center this morning – apparently job applications are being taken at the site of the new Dollar Tree.

2 notes discovered while wandering online tonight: First, Dubsea Coffee is inviting babies – and parents – to a baby meetup tomorrow (Sunday) morning, 10 am, hoping it’ll be a regular feature on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Details on Facebook. Second, 3.14 Bakery is seeking artists and musicians to show/perform their work at the new bakery/coffeehouse. More here.

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Jessica Haury offhandedly mentioned to a family gathering last Thanksgiving that she might like to have a bakery “someday,” she had no idea that “someday” would arrive soon, well before the family’s next Thanksgiving holiday.

She and her family have been diligently converting favorite recipes for commercial applications for months as they prepared for 3.14 Bakery & Coffee’s debut on Saturday morning, Grand Opening Day for her shop at 9602 16th SW in the core business district of White Center.

Opening right on schedule at 9:00 AM Saturday morning with son Aden at foot, Jessica had her first customers five minutes later, perusing the fruit breads, bagels, pound cakes and, yes, the pies. The number in the name of the bakery is a mathematical constant, a symbol of a “never-ending number” which is spelled “pi” and pronounced “pie”. So, the play on words announces just one of the specialties of the house she has been developing for her menu, the two-crusted pies. Today’s pie choices were apple and peach, each sparkling with a dusting of sugar on top.

Three types of cinnamon rolls appeared, of which Jessica says the strawberry is the most decadent. Fruit loaves (raspberry or banana), cookies (chocolate chip and peanut butter), and buttons (her version of muffin tops with seasonal fruits) arrived in the display case with the help of her sole full-time employee, an experienced culinary worker. “We call them buttons because muffin tops have a different meaning these days. Buttons are cuter.”

Employed full-time as a fifth and sixth-grade teacher at Fairwood Elementary in the Kent School District. Jessica now thinks that opening this bakery and coffee shop (serving Caffé Umbria coffee) with her husband/partner David, a Safeway employee, is largely because of her mom and dad. She learned how to bake in childhood, at her mother’s side. Buying this business from the retiring previous owner, Sokha, and re-opening the coffee shop in the very neighborhood she has lived in since she was four years old, now seems to her to have been a little inevitable.

“I had talked to other people, in particular a cake decorator I know who has always wanted to do something like this,” she said. “But her parents would tell her things like ‘Why would you give up a good job to do all that? ‘ And my parents [said] ‘go for it’. So, I feel really blessed and lucky that I have parents that were supportive, emotionally and financially and in all ways, really.”

Both her mother and father have been operating businesses in White Center for the better part of Jessica’s life, and are her entrepreneurial role models. Her mother, Jeri Finch has worked as a real-estate broker for S&L Realty as well as owner/operator of an early education school, “Learning Way School and Day Care” while her father, Brian Finch, operates his own contractor/handyman business called Good & Handy.

She’s made some changes to the large, airy ex-Sokha space. Tables are set to honor her connection to her family. The field of cheery, mismatched vintage tablecloths belonged to her grandmother; Jessica is glad to be able to display them and put them to good use. Her sister replaced artificial flowers in each of the green glass vases with live, long-stemmed ivory roses in honor of the opening day. The south wall of the high-ceiling space is covered with full wall mirrors reflecting daylight — they were installed in the ’80s, when the space was a kickboxing studio.

Her father, the handyman, says he’s the “slave labor” and lovingly built office space into the back of the store. The office wall is adjacent to an area set aside for kids, with scores of toys, art supplies and educational materials gleaned with the well-informed eye of an experienced educator. A huge round table is set up to accommodate the future Picassos and Kahlos, who are as welcome at 3.14 as their coffee-drinking adult chaperones.

“In college, I started to figure out how I really enjoyed ‘my baking therapy’,” she says. “Then I was dating my now-husband, David. When we would go to potlucks and dinner parties, I would always bring desserts. One time I was invited to bring dessert before my husband was invited to the party.” So that experience gave her a vote of confidence to pursue her therapeutic passion.

Jessica recalls saying something else offhandedly to friends at some point in the not-too-distant past, while mulling other careers after a lousy day of teaching. She thought maybe being a barista might be a decent career alternative if she ever needed it. Fast-forward to the present, with her perspective as new baker and barista on opening day, and Jessica says, “Maybe, be careful what you put out into the universe, because here I am.”

Story and photos by Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for White Center Now

Noelle and Alejandro (“Al”) Brown of Renton arrived in White Center in August of 2008 with such a crystal-clear vision of what they wanted to do, how they wanted to do it and over what period of time it was to be done, that it is little wonder that on this second anniversary of their Big Al Brewing (9832 14th SW), the entrepreneurs have not only met their own expectations but exceeded those of the most discerning regional connoisseurs of adeptly crafted microbrews.

As if successfully executing their business plan were not reason enough for celebratory events this past weekend, they also learned this past week that Seattle Weekly named Big Al Brewing as the Staff Pick for Best Microbrewery in Seattle 2010 and Staff Pick for Best Guide to Home Brewing in Seattle 2010.

So, the raising of glasses and some special events were scheduled this weekend to honor the customer and the crafter both. Home-brewing devotees, the brewery’s team of employees, loyal and newly converted customers, and a few collaborating close-by White Center businesses arrived for some fun in a steady stream all weekend.

Saturday features included Dante’s Hot Dog Stand (one of his six carts serving the famous cream cheese injected hot dog) and Full Tilt Ice Cream was scheduled to pay a visit.

A Rat City Brass performance in the rentable upstairs “living room” was a highlight of Saturday’s evening events, as the unseasonal rain kept some of the crowd indoors but with little complaint. A beer tour van shuttled in aficionados visiting from regions unknown to sample some of the ten items on Al and Noelle’s current lineup.

Sunday continued the weekend-long celebration with a very family-friendly day delivered as promised, with the hugely popular Caspar Babypants (aka West Seattleite Chris Ballew from Presidents of the United States of America) mesmerizing dozens of enthralled kids on the floor.

Neighboring family-friendly eatery Proletariat Pizza served up pizza-by-the-slice.

The absence of food service in this production brewery allows for a unique opportunity for folks to bring their food to Al’s to throw on the grills provided on their patio. Customers also bring local take-out to Al’s from other eateries in White Center as well as from Zippy’s Giant Burgers in Highland Park.

It wouldn’t make much sense to celebrate Big Al’s two years of achievements without mentioning an additional landmark accolade received in 2009. A national nod at the North American Beer Awards conferred the Bronze medal on Al’s Smoky Porter. Big Al’s didn’t enter this well-regarded and important national competition this year. But the recognition of one of their most popular year-round beers has been an important stepping stone on their path, as Al and Noelle continue to pursue their business plan, which includes visions of filling a gap in a niche national market.

They came to White Center with strong business backgrounds and passion for a craft and have, in part, successfully positioned themselves because of the even application of each of their unique strengths and talents. Al provides a wellspring of creative and technical crafting of beer, while Noelle navigates the business side. For six years prior to opening the brewery, Al was a fiendishly enthusiastic home brewer who had already developed a solid knowledge base and authoritative brewing skills prior to ever turning on a tap for the public at large. Noelle’s business degree and marketing background informs the execution of their original goals they set out as well as their evolution as they find themselves at the forefront of the competitive Seattle microbrewery culture. They have accumulated 100+ commercial accounts already.

The economic downturn and any risk of fluctuations in materials cost such as hops seems to have done little to hinder the Browns’ original goal of producing 3,000 barrels of beer in three years. In 2009, 1,200 barrels were produced, and the estimate for 2010 is between 1,800-2,000 barrels.

In the closely aligned home brewing market, which is estimated to include several hundred brewers in Seattle, the brewery is something of a magnet of inspiration and experimentation. As well as being congenial, most of the employees are somehow affiliated with home brewing. Collaborating with the Local Hero program, a competition is held four times a year for home brewing customers. The winner is given the chance to produce their beer using Big Al’s production tanks. The opportunity to show off their recipes to a wider audience is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some and is highly sought after.

In honor of the celebration, Al tapped just one keg of a young Kriek and will allow the rest to age. Two of their flagship beers, the Abbey Wheat and the Irish Red, were available to honor their beginnings, but there are also seasonal offerings currently up on the menu including Tripel, Summer Lager and Brougham Bitter. The Regular Lineup includes the Irish, Smoked Porter, Papa Charlie’s Pale Ale, India Pale Ale and Tutta Bella Amber Ale . The listing of some of the one-ups Big Al’s has offered is fascinating and, according to Noelle, the true craft of brewing goes well beyond the classic IPAs, pales and ambers.

Watermelon sour and jalapeno spice beer are just a couple the brewery has put up. But for this weekend, the shining stars were the flagships and the Kriek – a cherry sour. Down the road, they say, if and when the day for expansion comes, they would like to develop a line of sours for national distribution. This wouldn’t happen until a second brewery location is established to house the stainless tanks they currently use. The vision is that the 3,800 sq. ft., golden-green White Center warehouse would be used strictly for production of sour beers, a niche market in beer brewing, which would be stored in wood casks there. This line of beer would be the only type they want to take nationally. Though they have not yet even begun to look or pursue second properties, they are keeping in mind the dream’s evolution.

The ripples of Big Al’s success are felt throughout the White Center business district, since the first day they opened up shop and became what is now recognized as one of the anchors in the new wave of entrepreneurial energy that’s been sweeping the area.

We’ve covered its trials and tribulations in recent weeks and now there’s one final note from the proprietors of the Hang Around, at the spot of the former Wall, left as a comment on an earlier story:

The Hang Around is not Around no more!

As of this Sunday, the doors of The Hang Around Bar & Grill will be closed forever! The owners want to express their thanks to everyone for their help in this situation with the landlord and now we are in the process of moving things out. Unfortunately we can’t find another rental property around the area, If anyone knows of one where we can reopen, please let us know through our e-mail or phone at Joeglennis@gmail.com and/or 206-571-7006 /206-571-7003
Thank you all and God Bless!

While in White Center at lunchtime today, we walked by the Hang Around Bar and Grill and noticed two copies of a letter taped to its door, informing the occupants they are to be out by April 30th. This was foreshadowed in the court hearing we covered two weeks ago. But Hang Around proprietor Joe has left a comment on another WCN story saying the notices went up today and that this is happening despite their investment of $50,000 in the premises and so he feels, “WE GOT RIPPED OFF!!. Now we are asking EVERYONE for help to do something … we are begging for help, either to have us stay here or to have this state take over posession of this building for illegal activities or something. We have had it and we are so hurt we cannot believe this. How dare they!”

(National Development Council’s Michelle Morlan with White Center Square developer Con Vong)
By Tracy Record
White Center Now

Con Vong says his family hasn’t chosen the date yet for the anticipated July grand opening of White Center Square, but the choice will be a big one: “You’ve got to pick a good day.”

The date was strategically chosen, after all, for last May’s groundbreaking (WCN coverage here) at the site along 100th between 14th and 15th SW (map), and the ceremony featured prayers and blessings as well as shovels.

Now, 10 months later, the buildings are up, though the future 68-space parking lot is still rocks, dirt and heavy equipment. We took a hard=hat tour of the site this week at the invitation of local reps from the National Development Council, a nonprofit agency that helped arrange the financing for the $11 million project, including the use of New Markets Tax Credits – a federal program whose future is by no means guaranteed, which is why those involved with it are working to get the word out about what it’s helped achieve.

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