White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(WSB/WCN photo of Justin, Ann, and kids Moss and Ruby last year, when Full Tilt marked 15 years)

Five weeks after the death of Justin Cline, who founded Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center in 2008 with wife Ann Magyar, she just sent us the announcement that their flagship store and wholesale operations will close:

Dear Full Tilt family,

Justin founded Full Tilt with the hope he could work for himself and be part of the neighborhood in a positive, fun way. He wanted a place for music and art and for families to play. We opened on June 20, 2008 and were floored from day one at how much the community embraced us. We met so many people and made so many friends that we still hold dear. We loved watching kids learn to play pinball and Pac-Man and beg to stay just a little longer. So many artists and musicians and chefs have shared our space and we’ve been honored to be part of those journeys. Full Tilt was never just about the ice cream. But now Justin is gone, and it just isn’t the same without him. It’s time for Full Tilt as we know it to end.

Our wholesale operations will stop at the end of April. The last day for the White Center shop will be May 26th. The Columbia City shop will remain open but they do not accept gift cards, coupons, or birthday party certificates from other locations. You can find more info about that shop at www.fulltiltcolumbiacity.com.

I’m beyond grateful for the love and friendship and support these past 16 years. It’s truly been the best years of my life. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this craziness. Thank you White Center.

With love,
Mrs. Full Tilt

Justin Cline was just 49 when he died last month, four weeks after a heart attack. Among his many community contributions in White Center besides operating the business, he also was a co-founder of this website the same year he and Ann launched Full Tilt.

(WCN/WSB photo of Justin and family last year as Full Tilt marked 15 years)

Two weeks ago, we told you about crowdfunding to help the family of Justin Cline, White Center community advocate and founder of Full Tilt Ice Cream, after he suffered a heart attack. Today, we just got a call from a Full Tilt staffer announcing on behalf of the family that Justin has died, at age 49. Here’s the announcement published on the original GoFundMe page:

It is with absolutely broken hearts that we share that our beloved friend Justin has moved on to the great ice cream shop in the sky.

Justin died around 6:00 am on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 at Valley Medical Center. At every step along the way, Valley staff did an incredible job monitoring and managing his ever-changing condition, and taking every possible step to give him excellent care.

Ann, Moss and Ruby, their family and friends, and the entire staff and community of Full Tilt are grieving this loss. Justin will be missed by so many, because he touched so very many people in his life. The number of stories of connections and care that we have heard this past month has been incredible. We have loved hearing all the large and small ways that Justin’s open, giving nature has positively impacted the community as a whole and hundreds of individual lives.

Right now Ann and the kids are understandably distraught and overwhelmed with this tragedy. We understand that everyone wants to connect with Ann, share their memories and stories of Justin, and offer love and comfort. However, the community Justin built around himself is so large and deeply connected that we imagine the outpouring of love could become overwhelming for Ann.

We have created a list of ways that the community can support Ann, Moss and Ruby in this time.

* Continue giving to the GoFundMe to support Justin’s family during this time. Ann’s financial needs will only increase as she navigates this shift to single-parenting and keeping Full Tilt afloat.
* Send your memories, stories, artworks, and photos of or inspired by Justin to justininmemoriam at gmail.com. We will be compiling the stories, photos, memories, artworks into a book for Ann and the kids. If possible, title your email “contribution” to help us manage the inbox.
* Email justininmemoriam at gmail.com to offer any practical support you would like – either with your ideas for support you’d like to offer or an open offer for whatever Ann may need. Ann’s friends will be monitoring this inbox and will connect with Ann to see what kinds of supports are needed as time goes on. If possible, please title your email “support” to help us manage the inbox.
* Continue to visit Full Tilt when you can. Every scoop you enjoy, every round of pinball, and every beer you share with a friend helps keep Justin’s family and employees going.
* Hug your people and tell them you love them.
* Consider ways you can support your community. Justin’s store, his heart, and his time were open for those who needed him. Our communities are better when we are community builders.
* Get CPR certified. Ann was able to save Justin’s life the night of his heart attack because she knew how to perform CPR. A couple of hours of your time could save a life. cpr.heart.org/en or redcross.org

We will share more information as services are planned and needs are realized.

Thank you all for your love and support, for all you’ve done this past month and all you will continue to do to help hold Justin’s family, friends, Full Tilt family and community close. We all wish Justin were here to hug each and every one of you.

Toward the request for people to “continue visiting Full Tilt,” they’re open today. Full Tilt started in White Center in 2008 (and that same year, Justin co-founded this website with us).

(WCN photo of Justin and family last year as Full Tilt marked 15 years)

Full Tilt Ice Cream co-owner/co-founder Justin Cline is in the hospital, recovering from a heart attack. That’s what Cline’s partner Ann Magyar announced via social media on Wednesday, asking customers to bear with them:

We need to let you know that things at Full Tilt are rocky these days and you might notice some changes as we figure it all out. On February 5 our beloved ice cream man, Justin, had a heart attack. He has been in critical condition since. He is getting better, but very slowly. KCFD and North Highline FD saved his life, and now an army of incredible nurses and doctors are taking care of him. If you notice parts of the website ordering is down or we aren’t as quick to answer messages, please be patient. Justin is the heart and soul of Full Tilt, but our community is rallying and we are doing our best.

Justin and Ann opened Full Tilt in 2008. (That same year he also co-founded this website.)

ADDED: Since we published this, friends have set up a crowdfunding account to help Justin and his family get through this – here’s the link.

(See a longer version of this story on our partner site West Seattle Blog)

(WCN photo)

Justin Cline, Ann Magyar, and kids Moss (12) and Ruby (6) have 15 reasons to celebrate today – that’s how many years since their family-owned Full Tilt Ice Cream opened its flagship shop at 9629 16th SW in White Center on June 20, 2008. To celebrate, they’re donating today’s profits to the White Center Food Bank. FT is open until 8 tonight.

P.S. Trivia point – Justin was a co-founder of this website, just a few months after launching the shop.

Something new in downtown White Center – waffles! Here’s the announcement from Full Tilt Ice Cream, which will host the new endeavor for starters:

Full Tilt Ice Cream today announced Waffle Wizards, a new breakfast and brunch concept. Waffle Wizards is scratch-made waffles and toppings, brought to you by Melisa Nielsen, a longtime Full Tilt employee

“This has been in the works for awhile.” says Mell, creator of Waffle Wizards. “It just seems like a natural extension of ice cream.”

Waffle Wizards will be available October 22nd, inside Full Tilt in White Center. Service will start at 11am until the sell out. Last weekend was the soft opening, and they sold out in under 2 hours.

Waffle Wizards will be converting to a mobile breakfast truck in the coming weeks after getting everything worked out at the Full Tilt storefront.

FT/WW is at 9629 16th SW.

From White Center-founded Full Tilt Ice Cream:

Full Tilt Ice Cream today announced Stout Your Abortion, a new flavor to support SYA. shoutyourabortion.com. Stout Your Abortion is a stout ice cream with chocolate flakes and benefits SYA.

“The SCOTUS has become a political weapon that is now being used to suppress and control people with vaginas.” says Justin, owner at Full Tilt. “This ice cream isn’t going to change anything, but hopefully it raises awareness.”

To celebrate the release of this flavor, there is a launch party on Friday the 20th of May at the White Center location, starting at 4 pm.

Stout Your Abortion will be available starting 5/20/2022 at all Full Tilt locations.

The White Center shop is at 9629 16th SW.

Pizza and ice cream will be cohabiting in downtown White Center starting this week – Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s founder is adding vegan pizza under the same roof (9629 16th SW). Here’s the announcement we just received:

Full Tilt Ice Cream today announced Elder Gods Pizza, a new vegan pizza place inside Full Tilt. Elder Gods Pizza offers the only all-vegan pizza in the area.

“The only vegan pizza we liked was way up in the U District.,” says Justin Cline, owner at Full Tilt and Elder Gods. “Also, we wanted to bring Detroit-style pizza to White Center.”

Features and benefits of Elder Gods Pizza include.

-All-vegan pizza kitchen. No chance for cross contamination.

-A unique pizza style for White Center. This is a rectangle pizza, cut into squares with the sauce on top.

-Once the pandemic quiets down a bit, we will offer in-store dining.

Elder Gods Pizza pre-order will be available starting 02/23/2022. For more information visit eldergodspizza.com.

(White Center Now/West Seattle Blog photos)

Four months after the fire that gutted the Locker Room Bar and Grill, one of the other businesses affected is about to reopen: Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s flagship location at 9629 16th SW reopens tomorrow (Tuesday, January 18th). We stopped by this evening as they finished getting ready.

That wall is an example of what had to be fixed before Full Tilt could reopen – firefighters had to break through it while working to stop the fire in September. And they’re two doors down from Locker Room; the damage was even worse at neighboring Huong Xua Deli and, on the other side of Locker Room, Bizzarro Italian Café. No updates on them yet (Bizzarro is still open in Wallingford). Full Tilt will reopen with a few new touches – like this Simpsons-themed pinball machine:

Hours will be the same as they were pre-fire – 3 to 8 pm.

Here’s a tasty way to help the White Center Cooperative Preschool:

We need you to eat ice cream, cookie dough, and cotton candy for a great cause!

The past year has brought all sorts of challenges for schools. Our local preschool, the White Center Co-Op Preschool (part of the larger South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools) has seen a huge increase in financial assistance requests, and outdoor classes and remote learning has meant new demands for class materials. But through it all, the school has kept kids learning and playing, and given families invaluable support through community and the parent education program. Now we are offering our newest and most sugary Covid Pack ever to help raise money for this incredible school.

The Sugar Rush Covid Pack includes a pint of ice cream, a pint of vegan chocolate chip edible cookie dough, and a quart of cotton candy. You’ll also get a one of kind piece of art from one of the kids you are supporting. The cost is $30, with half going straight to the school.

Order online now through Thursday, April 29 and pick up starting Friday, April 30th at Full Tilt in White Center.

(Full Tilt’s co-founders, photographed for West Seattle Blog in 2008)

(UPDATED: Party’s been moved to 5-10 pm June 23rd)

Not long before WCN was launched in summer 2008, a White Center business that’s since expanded in a big way got its start. Next week, you are invited to the original location of Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th SW) to help celebrate its 10th anniversary:

A milestone is fast approaching for Full Tilt Ice Cream, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary on June 20th, 2018.

A celebration is planned for at the Rat City location. Live music by Rats in the Grass at 8 pm. A portion of the day’s proceeds will be going to the White Center Food Bank

On June 19th, they will be celebrating the newest store with a day of free ice cream at the Capitol Hill location. From noon on, the first 200 people will receive a free kids scoop.

We have had a lot of amazing memories from the past 10 years. We have hosted some great bands, some had their first show at Full Tilt. Other nights we hosted bands and artists that we are grateful that they decided to actually play. Mudhoney, Spencer Moody, Damien Jurado, and Kimya Dawson come to mind.

There have been countless birthdays and celebrations hosted inside our walls, and we are overjoyed every day to see the faces of our community members that have supported us for an entire decade. Our first day we had no idea who would show up. We figured our friends would come see us, and maybe a few people in the neighborhood. We sold out of everything in a few hours, and the next day was even busier. White Center has changed so much in the past 10 years. Some of it good, and some of it a little sad, but we are happy to be a member of the community.

Full Tilt Ice Cream, established in June 20th, 2008, in Rat City, was founded by Ann Magyar and Justin Cline and originally had one location, no employees, and no idea what they were doing. Now, with over 30 employees and 5 locations, over 200 wholesale clients and plans for massive future expansions, it seems the next 10 years will be even more fun.

See you at the party!

Sun’s out and it looks like an ice-cream kind of day. (OK, every day looks like an ice-cream kind of day.) If you go to Full Tilt Ice Cream in downtown White Center today (open noon-10 pm) and show this flyer with your purchase, 10 percent of the proceeds will benefit the ASB (student-body organization) at nearby Chief Sealth International High School.

From books to scoops! Seattle’s legendary librarian Nancy Pearl is scooping a special flavor at Full Tilt Ice Cream until at least 3:30 pm, as the first chapter in Full Tilt’s series of special one-week-only scoop-shop flavors honoring local icons, to “pay homage to the people, places and events that have made Seattle the amazing place that it is.” Hers is peanut butter with a fudge swirl, and she’s opening the series in part because it’s National Library Week! We were there around 2:30 and the shop was wall-to-wall with fans.

Part of the proceeds, FT says, are going to the White Center Library Guild, which will soon be supporting this brand-new branch:

FT says future icons will include “Mudhoney, the Space Needle, Richard Hugo, Sub Pop, Frances Farmer, Easy Street Records, and August Wilson.” Stay tuned for dates, and flavors!

Something fun to get on your calendar for next month and beyond – a new series of “Seattle Icon” flavors that White Center-founded Full Tilt Ice Cream is about to launch. And it starts with a celebration of libraries – especially the new one in the works for White Center! – check the special event mentioned in the announcement:

Full Tilt Ice Cream is launching the Seattle Icon series this spring and summer. This series will pay homage to the people, places, and events that have made Seattle the amazing place that it is. The series will run from April to September, and span both living and existing icons as well as Icons from Seattle’s rich past. The flavors will be available in the 4 Full Tilt scoop shops for one week only.

The first Icon in the Series is going to be Nancy Pearl, Seattle’s librarian. This will coincide with National Library Week. A portion of the proceeds will be going to the White Center Library Guild to help with the new library being built. Nancy has requested a peanut butter ice cream with a fudge swirl. She will also be a guest scooper at Full Tilt’s White Center location April 16th, at 2 pm. The White Center library is also going to unveil pictures of the yet unfinished library. Future Icons in the series will include Mudhoney, the Space Needle, Richard Hugo, Sub Pop, Frances Farmer, Easy Street Records, August Wilson, and many others.

Full Tilt Ice Cream is a family-owned ice cream shop that started in White Center, Washington in 2008. All of Full Tilt’s ice cream is produced using local cows, and as many local ingredients as possible. Now with over 30 flavors in pints available at grocery stores all over the Pacific Northwest, and hundreds of flavor possibilities at the local scoop shops as well as restaurants and hotels around town.

The first special flavor will be available starting April 11th, FT tells WCN.

Tomorrow night in downtown White Center, you’re invited to join Full Tilt Ice Cream at its flagship WC location for a free all-ages show celebrating FT’s 7th anniversary. Info’s on this Facebook event page, which announces:

Performances by:

The wonderful and fantastic Kimya Dawson!
Folkish duo, Bird Teeth
And the lovely Apis Malifera!

Live music, ice cream, beer and pinball!

If you’re new in town … FT is at 9629 16th SW.

Full Tilt Ice Cream is six years old today – and White Center is still home, though they’ve opened other locations, partnered in other ventures, and distributed their popular ice cream in many a store. So there’s a party tonight, and you’re invited to stop by, including music from Rats in The Grass around 6 pm. See you there!

ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: Chasing breaking news in West Seattle, we missed the party but got there in time to see Full Tilt founders Justin Cline and Ann Magyar (photographed with son Moss):

Asked for the latest Full Tilt news, Justin mentioned their soon-to-launch truck, which he says will spend a lot of time at Alki Beach this summer, and a deal that will double the number of grocery stores carrying Full Tilt pints. Right now, they’re in about 60 stores, and they’ve been picked up for more than 60 QFC stores in Western Washington.

Maybe you’ve been in Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s White Center shop with a wall-to-wall crowd on a sizzling summer day? Multiply that size of crowd times five or so – and that’s what filled the shop Wednesday night, with plenty of crowd spillover out front, for Mudhoney, whose members arrived via … crosswalk:

Full Tilt proprietor Justin Cline told us the shop filled to capacity way before showtime:

Back inside, this had all started as an ice-cream launch party, for new Full Tilt flavor Mudhoney, and yes, there was scooping going on:

But the spectre of grunge-rock legends at centerstage next to the counter, less than a week after sharing the KeyArena bill with Pearl Jam, was the main course. Now that the band’s played on, go check out the ice cream.

In honor of International Ice Cream for Breakfast Day – yes, really! – the Full Tilt Ice Cream flagship store in downtown White Center offered free waffles to go with ice cream purchased this morning. Above, we photographed Octavia and Ophelia enjoying theirs shortly after Full Tilt’s early opening for the occasion. (Syrup? Who needs it when you have ICE CREAM!)

Just a few weeks after West Seattle Thriftway became the first supermarket in the area to carry pints of White Center-headquartered Full Tilt Ice Cream, proprietor Justin Cline was at the store this afternoon to scoop it up for shoppers.

This afternoon, we found Mike on duty behind the counter at Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center – on the fourth anniversary of the shop’s grand opening. And once again on this birthday, Full Tilt is giving the gifts rather than receiving – making donations to White Center Food Bank based on your purchase/s. (For a trip into the past, here’s our June 2008 story from grand-opening day – White Center Now was launched shortly afterward, but wasn’t even in soft-launch yet, so the story was on our partner site West Seattle Blog.)

Nothing says “summer” and “ice cream” like three people in jackets standing on a sidewalk in the chilly rain. Wait! Turn your attention to what’s in the photo with Full Tilt Ice Cream proprietor Justin Cline and the folks from Portland’s Icicle Tricycles … a brand-new ice-cream bike!

The tricycle that arrived on Saturday (we know, not the same kind you remember from preschool days) joins the one Full Tilt has had running for a few summers now.