White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The grand opening of Fitness With A Purpose, a new business in Greenbridge, is this Saturday. That’s according to an announcement published on a mailing list for nearby South Park. It’s at 9610 8th SW – you’ve probably seen the sign. They’re described as having all-new equipment and Zumba classes, among other things.

THURSDAY UPDATE: We’ve received more information about this:

WHAT: Grand opening of Fitness With a Purpose

WHEN: Saturday, September 14th, 1:00-9:00 p.m.

WHERE: Fitness With A Purpose, 9610 8th Ave. SW (corner of 8th and Roxbury)

DETAILS: New members will receive on full week free between Sept 14 and Oct 13. The 1,750 square-foot facility features an aerobics studio, personal training area and cardio equipment. Members can also take a wide selection of group exercise classes including step aerobics, Zumba, cardio strength, stretch and flex, core and more and TRX suspension strength training from experienced professional trainers.

About Fitness With a Purpose

Located on the corner of 8th and Roxbury near the Greenbridge community, Fitness With a Purpose offers an innovative and positive approach to living a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, Fitness With A Purpose offers a variety of inexpensive fitness groups for walking and running led by certified instructors. And to better meet the needs of the community, free women and girls-only classes will be held on Thursdays at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 a.m.

Fitness with a purpose has a flexible schedule, opening its doors at 6 am Monday through Friday. The facility will be closed weekdays from 1-4:30 pm for personal training, but open after that until 9 p.m. Facility is also open Saturdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Plus, Greenbridge residents receive 25 percent off their monthly membership fee.

Just announced by the White Center Chamber of Commerce and White Center Community Development Association – these are both happening tomorrow (Tuesday, August 13th):

Two agendas. One location.

Join us for lunch or dinner to discuss issues concerning the White Center business community.

August Luncheon guest speaker: King County Executive Dow Constantine

Evening Mixer topic: Changing marijuana laws and their potential local impact in White Center

Got something to discuss or share for the next meeting?
E-mail us!
chamber@visitwhitecenter.com
vy@wccda.org

Times & Locations:

12 p.m. @ White Center Chamber of Commerce Cabin at Steve Cox Memorial Park

6 p.m. at 3.14 Bakery

Can’t make it Tuesday? Join us for happy hour on Friday!
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/176949039133518/

Two events of note this week – first, the two-part White Center Chamber/WCCDA get-together on Tuesday. From the invitation:

One agenda. Two locations.

Join us for lunch or dinner to discuss issues concerning the White Center business community.

June’s discussion will include:
-Health care for Chamber members
-Chamber business

Times & Locations:

12 p.m. @ Young’s – 9413 16th Ave SW
6 p.m. @ Mac’s Triangle Pub – 9454 Delridge Way SW

And at 7 pm Friday, the WC BOSS happy hour:

Come join us for BOSS Happy Hour!!

Meet other business owners, mingle with the neighborhood, and stay for Salsa dancing! Lessons and music start at 9 p.m.

(no host bar)

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Chemo’s – 10230 16th Ave SW

Something new is on its way to White Center – the “Mini Swap Meet,” starting tomorrow (Saturday, June 1st). That link takes you to a bare-bones Facebook page for starters, but we asked for more details, and received this from manager Lynch:

IWe are located at 9800 14th Ave SW Seattle (corner of 14th Ave SW and SW 98th St). We strive to be “Seattle’s Affordable Urban Marketplace.”

Our opening was planned to be later (we just got access to the property) but the weather is nice this weekend, so we are doing a soft opening,

This is not your traditional swap meet. Designed for anyone and everyone to sell their goods and foods (stands/trucks) any and every day.

We have daily rates starting at $15 with weekly, and monthly rates available. We came up with a strategy to manage low overhead in order to keep our rates affordable.

Benefits for those considering garage sales:
– less advertising and signs
– traffic from other sellers
– people don’t come to your house
– convenient in-city location

Craigslisters and Ebayers:
– get it all done in a day in one place

We combine technology with a physical presence:
– Encourage sellers to post items to Craigslist (they can search “Mini Swap Meet”) and our Facebook page.

We hope they follow our suggestion of posting some items for free. If you don’t want to donate and no time to sell? Want some pizza or beer money? Sell your load of stuff to one of our vendors.

Community support:

– We have spaces available at no charge for non-profits, schools, and churches/temples. We understand how hard it is to organize an event.

For example, Mrs. Teacher’s 5th grade class can have a camp fundraiser. Instead of asking for donations (aka pulling teeth) or child labor (car washes), students can ask “hey got any stuff in your house you don’t need?”.

Lynch says you can call 206-905-9828 if you want to know more – or check it out in person starting tomorrow: “We’re looking for vendors!”

The Bike To Work Day party is just wrapping up in downtown White Center – bet you recognize the renowned crew there to provide encouragement, incentives, and treats! Here’s a wider shot of the setup:

For downtown (and vicinity) events on the pm-commute side of Bike To Work Day, check this page on the Cascade Bike Club‘s website.

The White Center Chamber of Commerce and White Center Community Development Association are teaming up for a Power Lunch and Power Mixer today – two times, two locations, so that businesses can make it no matter what their schedule. At noon, they’ll be at Chemo’s (xx); at 7 pm, they’ll be at TT’s Soul Kitchen (xx). Topics will include business-district lighting and the push to make sure White Center doesn’t lose its Storefront Deputy. Speaking of which – have you signed the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s online petition yet? (It was first reported here, on Monday.)

You can’t beat a free breakfast. And this Saturday is the day some pancake fans wait all year to see – and taste: The annual free pancake breakfast at White Center’s McLendon Hardware (as well as the company’s half-dozen other stores). 7:30-10 am, they’re welcoming you for the free flapjacks at 16th and 102nd, in honor of their 79th anniversary – more info online.

A new name and new night for White Center’s art walk – and tonight (Thursday), just hours away, is its debut. It’s now Rat City Art City, and you’ll find it at venues around White Center on the second Thursday of the month, 6-9 pm. The official Rat City Art City website has the lineup for tonight, with venues and artists. The venues listed as participating tonight:

Big Al Brewing (9832 14th Ave SW)
Center Studio (9611 16th Ave SW)
Company (9608 16th Ave SW)
Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th Ave SW)
Full Tilt (9629 16th Avenue SW)
GnuOrganics (9988 15th Ave SW, Ste G)
Herban Legends (9169 16th Ave SW)
King County Sheriff’s Office (9609 16 Av SW)
Meanders (9635 16th Ave SW)
Proletariat Pizza/ Caffe Delia (9622-A 16th Ave SW)
Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury St)
Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th Ave SW)
Zippy’s Giant Burgers (9614 14th Ave SW)

Rat City Art City is also on Facebook, here.

From the WCN inbox overnight:

You’re invited to our Grand Opening Fiesta! February 24, 2013 2-5pm.

This event is meant for all of Mago Signs’ clients, friends, family and anyone interested in learning about Mago Signs.

This is a time to celebrate the new year as we get ready for another busy anxiously hoping, successful summer. We are ready to show our fans our huge new space! Over 3000 sq ft!

So much more space to design and create signs for all of White Center and beyond! Join us on this festive day as we bring in the new year’s energy and excitement to be doing business in the White Center Community.

GRAND OPENING FIESTA ACTIVITIES:

FREE FOOD FROM TAQUERIA LA FONDITA TRUCK @ 2 pm
FULL MARIACHI BAND- MARIACHI FIESTA MEXICANA! @ 2:30 pm
MAGICIAN & MAGIC SHOW @ 3:30 PM
LION DANCERS W/ DRUMMERS! @ 4 PM
LOCAL ARTIST YAWNING GATES @ 4:30 PM
RAFFLE PRIZES, FACE PAINTING FOR KIDS, CHINESE NEW YEAR CEREMONY, HORCHATA DRINKS, PIÑATAS & MORE!

Did you know February 24th, is also Mexican national flag day?

We have a new showroom, new technology and equipment coming in and a garage for full vehicle wrap services!

“I’ve worked so hard to keep up the standards Jimenez Signs had for over 15 years. It was an undertaking that with my skills and passions it had to click in order for me to make it. And I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Making signs, helping other businesses and people, community organizing and art. It’s perfect. I invite you to meet us if you haven’t already at our Grand Opening. We are a sign shop… the mariachi, lights and magic show happens with my mexican roots and eclectic personality. My family is so proud of all I’ve been able to accomplish, and I couldn’t have done this without them! A special thanks to John, he became so vital in the business and in my life, both he’s helped so much, I’m so lucky! Also special thanks to his family, our past clients and everyone who believed in our aspirations. I wish we had more Mariachi around!” -Eduardo Brambila (Owner)

The shop is at 10032 16th SW.

Got a tip on this a few days ago but couldn’t confirm it till tonight: According to signage posted on its door, White Center’s Blockbuster is closing. Saturday is its last day of rentals; Sunday it’ll be closed; Monday, it’ll reopen for liquidation. That’s the same pattern followed by the two stores in West Seattle that closed a little more than a year ago. The sign on the White Center store’s door says that once it’s closed, the nearest Blockbuster will be in Kent.

In the heart of downtown White Center, Joe is playing guitar – in honor of a brand-new music store, run by his son:

Inside, behind the counter, here’s Joe’s son Brian, who just opened Rat City Records and Relics today at 9632 16th SW and is having a grand-opening celebration till 9 tonight. As noted in our original report two weeks ago, the relics include music memorabilia and old guitars:

You can find RCRR on Facebook, here.

While out covering the White Center Art Walk last Saturday night, we noticed a sign is up in the window of the former VN Market, touting Luso Food and Wine‘s new location – it’s moving a few blocks northwest, to the heart of downtown WC, at 9614 16th SW. The announcement on Facebook says the store is scheduled to open on February 15th, with a grand-opening celebration on March 2nd. It’s been a year and four months since Luso opened in its first location on 15th SW.

Even if you didn’t make it out to tonight’s White Center Art Walk, you have the whole month to check out the featured works … Above, Amanda Kay Helmick is showing her art this month at the fitness/wellness hub Center Studio (9×11 16th SW). Across the street at 9608 16th SW, it was party time at Company Bar, including the show opening for Mark O’Connell:

Company was rocking to music by DJ Transport:

On the same side of the street, while the artist wasn’t on hand when we stopped in, Proletariat Pizza/Caffé Delia is showing work by Aaron Loidhamer:

Keep watch here for word of the next WC Art Walk – and enjoy the art displays as you visit WC businesses the rest of the month!

Thanks to Gill for the photo and the sighting – the sign in the window at 9632 16th SW, right next to Stan’s Superstore, portends “Rat City Records and Relics.” Subsequently scouring the Web, we found RCRR’s Facebook page, describing the business as: “Used & some new vinyl records, turntables, stereo gear, old guitars and more.” and noting that it could be open as soon as the end of this month. We’ll update when we find out more.

Dubsea Bikes gets a boost – from a longtime West Seattle bike-shop owner who says he’s moving to White Center. Posted earlier tonight on partner site West Seattle Blog, here’s the announcement from Aaron Goss of Aaron’s Bicycle Repair:

Aaron’s Bicycle Repair, Inc. says thank you and goodbye to Morgan Junction and West Seattle proper.

However, they are only moving 3 miles away to White Center!

This is very exciting news for White Center and we have been welcomed with open arms by the community.

For several years, Dubsea Bikes, a non-profit bicycle repair and ride group, has been lobbying for a bike shop in Rat City.

Starting February 1st, 2013 that will be a reality!

The bike shop will be located in the White Center Square, anchored by Hung Long Asian Market.

The new address is 9988 15th Ave. SW, Suite E.

Phone, e-mail and web will remain the same. Look for updates on the shop’s website soon. www.RideYourBike.com.

Manager Gregg Sundin said the economic downturn and increasing online sales forced the decision to downsize. The shop will re-focus on bicycle repair and service but will still sell bikes, parts and accessories.

Also offered will be community-building events like Full Moon rides, Free Flat Tuesdays and hosting Dubsea Bikes repair parties.

The space the store is leaving was a state liquor store until four years ago, when the state closed it, and the bike shop moved in from another space nearby.

Sunday was opening day for Meat The Live Butcher, the successor to Top Hat’s Bernie and Boys, now open and selling meat in South Delridge (9432 16th SW), more than a year and a half after B&B closed (here’s WCN coverage from February 2011). We stopped in for a few photos on Sunday afternoon:

Check out the wall of history:

Thanks to Leticia from nearby Café Rozella for the Sunday tip that it was opening day. P.S. You can find MTLB on Facebook by going here.

Have some music with your mocha! The Tallboys are playing at Caffé Delia in downtown White Center right now (with the coffee shop’s co-owner Matt on bass) till 2 pm, as CD celebrates its first birthday. Here’s our preview story from Friday. Caffé Delia is co-housed with Proletariat Pizza – 9622 16th SW.

(This story also appears on our partner site West Seattle Blog)

(Matt, Delia, and Eric – photo by WCN co-publisher Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

You could call Caffé Delia “White Center’s first co-housed coffee shop.”

Or, pop-up coffee shop, as its proprietors dubbed it.

It opened one year ago in the downtown White Center space that, by night, is Proletariat Pizza.

As with Proletariat, Caffé Delia’s proprietors are a married couple – Delia and Matt. And they say Proletariat’s Stefanie and Mike had the coffee-cohousing idea in the first place – stemming from a mutual-admiration society when Delia worked at Bird on a Wire Espresso and referred people to “the fun pizza place in White Center.”

We sat down with Delia and Matt to talk about their shop and its milestone anniversary, which will be marked with a party during Caffé Delia’s regular hours tomorrow (8 am-2 pm Saturday).

Read the rest of this entry »

Thanks to Mikel Davila of the White Center Community Development Association for e-mailing us with the news about this: The long-long-long-awaited successor to Top Hat’s Bernie and Boys, Meat the Live Butcher, is finally about to open. There’s a grand-opening party this Friday night at the White Center Eagles. From the flyer Mikel shared:

OPENING SOON @ 9432 16TH AVE. SW
www.meatthelivebutcher.com

GRAND OPENING PARTY & FOOD DRIVE

· November 2ND 6:00 pm Start WHITE CENTER EAGLES 10452 15th Ave. SW

· FOOD PROVIDED BY THE LIVE BUTCHER

CANNED FOOD OR CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE DOOR – PROCEEDS TO GO TO THE WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK

JIM KING AND THE SOUTHENDERS WILL PLAY @ 8:30

You can read all about Meat the Live Butcher on its website.

Congratulations to the Spencer family – Rich, Joan, and daughter Rachel – as the family business reaches a milestone today: Half a century! Spencer’s Automotive is the Shell station/auto-repair shop at the corner of 15th and 107th:

Till 3 pm, it’s party central:

Bouncy house, climbing wall, Full Tilt Ice Cream treats, and on the east side, hot dogs:

Rich Spencer bought the business from his dad – who died just last February – back in 1989, according to posters that are up at the station, explaining its history.