White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Within minutes of the official 10 am opening, the new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in White Center (15th/16th/100th) was busy. We dropped by for a couple quick photos, including the festive decor:

We also checked on the hours: They’re posted as opening at 10 am 7 days a week; the lobby closes at 9, drive-thru at 10.

Meantime, not far away, the new Li’l Woody’s burger shop just south of Beer Star is taking shape:

They’re hoping to be ready to open next week.

We have been asked many times in the past few weeks, when is the White Center Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen opening? Today, we have the answer – Wednesday (July 12th). Thanks to Gill for the tip; after hearing from him, we went by a short time ago and a sign in the window confirms it – “Opening Wednesday, 10 am.” (Still hiring, too.) It’s been 13 months since we broke the news that Popeyes and Starbucks were coming to what was then the site of White Center Chevron. Everything previously on the site was subsequently demolished, and the two chains’ new stores have been built by scratch. As reported here last month, Starbucks says it expects to open next month. Both businesses are drive-thrus.

Seven months after we first told you Drunky’s Two-Shoe BBQ was opening a second location in White Center, it’s opening night. We stopped in for photos around 7:30 pm.

The wait was already an hour, we were told. If you haven’t been to downtown WC in a while, this is the old DK Café site on the northwest corner of 16th and 98th.

Lots of unique decor, as they’d told us back in September:

See a photo of the menu here. Grand-opening festivities are promised all weekend; while they didn’t open the doors until 4 pm today, regular hours will be 11 am-11 pm, we’re told.

Almost three months ago, we told you that what had been Company would become The Company Store. And the opening date has finally been announced:

Take a look at what’s happening inside The Co. Store! Don’t worry, we’re opening this SATURDAY THE 22ND @ 5 PM.

In the heart of downtown White Center.

Thank you kindly for your patience!

We cannot wait to welcome you.

Come eat, drink delicious cocktails, and sip ice-cold beer.

Thank you amazing Crystal Barbre for your incredible art that we are so lucky to share with White Center.

We cannot wait to meet you!

The Co. Store
9608 16th Ave. SW
206-257-1162

Company Store’s proprietors also note that it’s a 21+ establishment.

Work is starting on the 15th SW/SW 100th site that was White Center Chevron and will become home to coffee and chicken chain outlets (Starbucks and Popeye’s), as first reported here in June. We noticed this morning that the pumps had been cordoned off and a truck full of fencing had arrived; went back this afternoon, and the site was fenced off. We also noticed the coffee stand that has long been on the southwest corner of the lot was gone; thanks to a WCN commenter, we found it one block west, just west of the White Center Chase Bank branch:

The commenter says the stand will reopen there “in a few days.” As for what’s happening on the ex-Chevron site, we’ll just have to keep watching – it’s not clear from the permit files exactly what will happen first – the existing buildings will all be demolished, and the underground tanks will be removed. Starbucks just finally publicly confirmed its plans last week but still refused to say whether this location will be a drive-thru or not. And we have yet to hear back from Popeye’s.

(WCN photo from mid-August)

7:05 PM: You might already have figured this out from the Airstream trailer that’s been on the site a while, but we hadn’t had official confirmation until a liquor-license application showed up online today: Drunky’s Two Shoe BBQ is indeed what’s taking over the old DK Café site at 16th SW and SW 98th. Its first location is in the Fremont-to-Ballard area known as Frelard. We’ve put in another request for comment to see how soon they’re hoping to open and will update whenever we hear back.

8:01 PM: Just got a reply from Nate Rezac:

We’re very happy and excited to open up in White Center soon! We’re shooting for the first week in November. We’re bringing our same specialty smoked meats, sauces, and rubs from our Ballard location.

The new location will have a grill and fryer, so we have some surprise menu items in mind. The space will have the same type of authentic barn wood walls and shack-like feel. We’re building two large booths, “Jesus” and “Elvis” — themed for large group reservations — a wraparound outdoor patio, and a second edition of our crazy clown bathroom. On the south side of the building we’re constructing an outdoor event space with a stage and outdoor bar built into our Airstream trailer. We’re planning on live music a few nights a week, but that’s still in the works.

Ultimately we want the place to be family-friendly but stocked with a full bar and adult slushies.

When Company Bar closed in downtown White Center earlier this year, its owner voiced hopes that it would be bought and reopened. That’s exactly what’s happening. We heard overnight from Zoe Mandels, who says she and partner Joseph Northrup are reopening it as The Company Store. Zoe is a Boulevard Park resident who grew up in West Seattle and has history in its hospitality scene, having worked at JaK’s Grill for six years. She invited us to share this information on what they plan to offer when they open, which they’re hoping to do in a little more than a month:

Here is a sneak peek of what you can expect:

The Company Store, 21+, set to open at the beginning of September 2016:
9608 16th Avenue SW

First:

~We want our LGBT friends to know that we always stand behind their community as an ally. We certainly stand behind respect being given to each and every person within our business here in White Center.
~Our restrooms will be GENDER NEUTRAL.
~We are a fun-loving, quality, neighborhood joint. We can’t wait to meet you!

HOURS
• We will be open from 4 PM-2 AM EVERY DAY of the week
• We will be open from 9 AM-2 PM for BRUNCH Saturday & Sunday
• We will have happy hour from 4 PM-6 PM
• Late night happy hour from 10-2

Weekday Specials:
~Migas MONDAY
~Puffy Taco TUESDAY
~Memphis Dry Rib WEDNESDAY
~Karaoke (or a Drag Show) will be performed every FRIDAY
~Your “Week-in-Review” will be featured at SATURDAY & SUNDAY BRUNCH

Brunch will feature:
~$4 Bloody Mary’s
~$14 Bottomless Mimosas
~Best Benedict in town
~Hand-pressed fresh juices
~Brunch cocktails
~Champagne TO-GO
~”Your Week-in-Review” Brunch Special
Each week at brunch, one dish with a paired brunch cocktail will be dedicated to the previous week and its political scene, celebrity gossip circuit, world news or other noted event. Think John Oliver in food form.

Our PRIMARY MENU will feature rustic and bold Southwest flavors using our family favorite recipes while refining them with innovative Northwest touches.

~Highlights will include our:
Chili
Memphis Dry ribs
Puffy Tacos
Cream of Spinach Hush Puppies

Our COCKTAIL LIST is all about having fun. We never compromise quality and we deliver cocktails that mean something!

~Highlights will include our:
“Cracker Jack Old Fashioned” – Infused Rye, Disappointing Toy Prize
“Roller Girl” – Vodka, Fresh Basil, Raspberries, St. Germaine
“Fantasy Shop Next Door” – Tequila, Habanero Cubes, Lime, Sugar

They’re also planning to sell wine and beer to go, including growler fills. Stay tuned for updates!

The annual Spoke & Food bicycle-to-dinner benefit is tonight – and Proletariat Pizza in White Center (9622 16th SW) is participating. 5-9 pm, Proletariat and other participants around the region are donating 20 percent of their proceeds; this year, the beneficiary is the Hunger Intervention Project. The first 20 bike riders at each Spoke & Food location get backpacks!

Thanks to the texter (we’re at 206-293-6302 any time) who tipped us to this tonight:

A brand-new land-use sign is up on the periphery of the White Center Chevron at 15th/16th/100th, for a project titled Starbucks of South Seattle. The notice also mentions a separate permit application forthcoming for Popeye’s Fried Chicken.

We won’t be able to reach the respective chains for comment until next week, but county records show the site – long listed for sale – was sold two months ago to Madison, a well-known Seattle developer, for $2,250,000.

Right now, the standalone Starbucks nearest White Center – which of course has excellent independent coffeehouses including Caffé Delia and Dubsea Coffee – is in West Seattle’s Westwood Village shopping center. The nearest Popeye’s is in Renton.

The infosheet that we found posted on the south side of the lot says a public comment period is open until June 27th, and describes the first part of the project as involving “development of a 2,475-square-foot shell building for a future coffee shop, demolition of existing convenience store, gasoline filling station, removal of two underground storage tanks, and car wash.” While the notice says the application was filed with the county May 9th, it lists the “date of mailing” as today (June 3rd).

Thanks to Gill for the photo from Bok a Bok Fried Chicken‘s first day in White Center; he reports that the line was already to the front door, and tables full, by early afternoon. Bok a Bok says it was out of chicken by early evening, running through a quarter-ton (500 pounds if you’re division-challenged), but ready to start frying again at 11 am tomorrow.

(WCN photos)
That’s Chef Brian O’Connor (second from left) and his crew at Bok a Bok Fried Chicken, ready for opening day Wednesday (June 1st) on SW 98th just east of 16th SW. We reported almost two months ago that Bok a Bok was on the way to that space; tonight we stopped in for a few photos during Bok a Bok’s “media preview” night. We were a little early so the food wasn’t ready yet; we don’t eat on the job anyway, so we’re happy to show you the crew and the space, seating 22:

Chef O’Connor describes it as “fast casual” but not mega-fast – it’ll take about 12 minutes to fry up your order. Speaking of which, here’s the menu, given to us on paper at tonight’s event:

Bok a Bok will open daily at 11 am, running as late as 11 pm if they haven’t run out of chicken yet. The website should be ready before opening day.

P.S. Chef O’Connor is also still working on a second White Center restaurant, as we mentioned in April, Same Same Noodle Bar, location still TBA.

With Mother’s Day tomorrow, brunch is on many minds. Starting this weekend, Proletariat Pizza is serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 9 am to noon (with lunch starting at 11, if you prefer). Co-proprietor Stefanie sent the first menu:

Proletariat Pizza is in its seventh year at 9622 16th SW.

We noticed recently that the Charlie’s Buns eatery space next to Pho Tai at 16th/98th was up for sale already, just months after opening – and as of last week, it’s closed. Today, we know who’s moving in: Bok a Bok, promising “Korean fried chicken and biscuits.” We contacted its proprietor, Chef Brian O’Connor, after seeing food writer Allecia Vermillion‘s report on his plans for two restaurants in White Center. At the time of her story, he had just signed a lease for Bok a Bok but wasn’t disclosing the location yet; we contacted him to follow up, and he confirmed to WCN today that it’s the ex-Charlie’s space.

Chef O’Connor has a background with a variety of well-regarded Seattle restaurant enterprises, including Skillet, and along with Bok A Bok is planning to open – somewhere in WC – Same Same Noodle Bar. But he tells us today that “for now we are going to focus on getting Bok a Bok open and operating while we continue to work toward securing a lease for Same Same Noodle Bar.”

Three notes from the White Center food and drink world, all along 16th SW:

NEW RESTAURANT AT 16TH/ROXBURY: The former TJ’s Soul Food and Pho Lynna storefront on the southeast corner, long vacant, now sports a new sign, for Taqueria Los Potrillos, “coming soon”:

Thanks to Gill for first word of the sighting. Looks like there are other restaurants by this name around the region, including one in Renton.

LUSO FOOD AND WINE FAREWELL: While looking around 16th/Roxbury for any more info about the new restaurant, we noticed that what had been Luso Food and Wine was empty. Checking online, looks like it’s been a few weeks since Luso closed.

BYE-BYE, BEIGNETS: Mardi Gras Donuts‘ run in WC is over. One month after cutting back to weekends only, they announced on New Year’s Day – no surprise if you’d noticed the covered-over windows – that they’re closed forever.

Story and photos by Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
White Center Now co-publishers

“Welcome to Taradise.”

That’s the greeting you’ll see when entering White Center’s newest restaurant/bar.

“Tara” is for proprietor Tara Scott, who’s celebrating the grand opening tonight for her Taradise Café in what used to be Marv’s Broiler at 9808 16th SW in downtown White Center.

The restaurant will serve breakfast all day as well as a full lunch menu and rotating dinner menu.

While Taradise Café has a bar – and two pool tables! as well as darts and TVs for sports-viewing – the restaurant is open to all ages. The hours for starters will be 6 am to midnight Sundays through Wednesdays, then 6 am to 2 am Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Including tonight.

Taradise Café is expected to draw from West Seattle as well as WC because of its proprietor’s background with the legendary Charlestown Café, which closed 4 1/2 years ago in WS. She’s also hired some former co-workers, and has permission to use some of the Charlestown’s recipes. Her permanent menu is still being finalized, so we don’t have the full lineup, but she mentioned the curried chicken salad, the pancakes, and the clam chowder.

Tara told us that she has long wanted to open her own restaurant but needed to wait until she could devote more time and attention to it – one key factor, her youngest child is now at an age where some self-sufficiency is starting to emerge.

So if you’re still looking for some place to welcome 2016, the grand-opening/NYE Party is on until 2 am at Taradise. This date holds significance for the location, the proprietor adds, because Marv’s Broiler opened on New Year’s Day in 1976.

Beignet fans – another change in the food scene on the south end of downtown White Center, an announcement from Mardi Gras Donuts: “We will no longer be serving donuts during the week. Our new hours are Saturday and Sunday, 7 am till 2 pm.”

That’s according to owner Miranda Krone, writing on the still-up Meander’s Kitchen Facebook page. This past Wednesday was apparently the last day for the café; things were being moved out later in the week. Krone writes that she plans a new restaurant somewhere else soon – but has not yet said where. Meander’s started in West Seattle in early 2011, moved to the ex-Papa’s Pub spot (now Noble Barton) in White Center in fall 2012, moved to the former San Fernando Chicken spot less than a year later, and then made headlines when staffers announced three months ago that closure was imminent (it wasn’t). Now, though, it’s gone; one more empty spot on 16th SW.

Another new restaurant is on the way to White Center. Veronica Weaver, proprietor of the Charlie’s Buns N’ Stuff food truck, is opening a restaurant at 1521 SW 98th St., Suite D, next week. That’s two doors east of Pho Tai. Starting September 25th – one week from today – Charlie’s Restaurant will be open seven days a week, 11 am-7 pm. The food truck has specialized in cheesesteaks and “gourmet half-pound burgers.”

UPDATE: Looks like the hours have changed a bit – Tuesdays-Sundays, 11 am-9 pm.

Thanks to Stefanie at Proletariat Pizza for the photo and tip – the sign went up this weekend at Noble Barton, taking over the former Papa’s Pub (and briefly Meander’s) space at 9635 16th SW. It’s long been in the works – we saw the name on a liquor-license application many months ago. An early-stage website declares it to be a place for “comfort food, comfort mood.”

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Popular White Center diner Meander’s Kitchen closed early today, about two hours short of its usual 3 pm closing.

That wouldn’t be noteworthy, except for the circumstances: A management change, made with King County Sheriff’s Office deputies standing by, following 12-plus hours of unofficial claims, attributed to employees, that today would be Meander’s last day of operations.

First word of this came with postings in various spots on Facebook late Saturday night/early Sunday morning – including the “posts by others” section of our business FB page for West Seattle Blog – saying that Sunday would be the restaurant’s last day open and urging customers to come show support. We also received a text message to that effect, saying the staff was opening the restaurant in hopes of making enough money to cover payroll and vendors. By morning, this sign was up at the restaurant (several people texted us the image):

Patrons told us employees were also telling them personally that it was closing. Contacted via Facebook, restaurant founder Miranda Krone – working out of town as a maritime chef – told us that was definitely not true, and that a new general manager/partner, Afton Larsen, who had been part of Meander’s operations in its early West Seattle days, would arrive at the restaurant later in the day to sort things out.

Larsen also contacted us directly to say she would be at the restaurant “this afternoon to talk with staff in person and keep our doors open.” And a post on the restaurant’s official FB page echoed, “We are NOT closing”:

We had planned to check in by mid-afternoon – and then came a text from a patron about the arrival of deputies, around 1:15 pm, with diners being told that service was ended for the day (regular daily closing time has been 3 pm). That accelerated our plan to go check on the situation. Co-publisher Patrick Sand was told on arrival that the deputies were there to ensure an orderly transition, but that there was no trouble and no one had been arrested.

Some employees say their paychecks had bounced, but so far, no one has reported filing a complaint with state Labor and Industries. Larsen (photo below) told us she was just starting to go through the books so didn’t know the status of the restaurant’s accounting yet.

She said some of the current staff has agreed to stay on; she said she hopes Meander’s will be open tomorrow, usual hours, but if circumstances make that infeasible, they would expect to reopen by midweek, potentially with limited service until things are straightened out.

Meander’s first opened in West Seattle in January 2011 in the tiny ex-Jade West Café. Its popularity led Krone to seek a new, larger space, and Meander’s moved to its first White Center space in fall 2012. The former Papa’s Pub turned out to be a bit too big, she said, moving the restaurant to its current space at 9809 16th SW (which had previously been a short-lived chicken restaurant) in late summer 2013.

6:57 PM: Larsen says via e-mail that Meander’s will be open tomorrow (Monday), 10-3, with a limited menu and “skeleton crew.”