Two more bricks in the wall
So I have griped about not having a walkable market on Alki before [mb]. Sadly, this is not a post wherein I will dance a virtual jig to celebrate the opening of one near my apartment. Nope. Instead, this will be more moaning and groaning about how the developers/market owners of my fair side of the city seem to enjoy drowning my hopes in a sea of (what I believe to be) unwise business decisions. Here are two of the most recent.
The first? Well, it has been announced that a Whole Foods Market [wsh] will be built at the corner of Fauntleroy and Alaska creating the new Fauntleroy Place. Okay, I have a couple of problems with this decision: 1) there are, well, crap, just look at this map, there are four other big chain markets near this location. And yet, do you see the big empty space to the west of California Ave.? Gee, let’s put in a Whole Foods .2 (yes, POINT TWO) miles from a Safeway instead of one in a place that could use it. Grr. And 2) they BEST not be edging the West Seattle Bowl (currently located just to the north of this planned development) out of the picture. Seriously. I will so get my rant on.
And second? I heard from the gossips on the bus today (and other sources) that the empty market space is being looked at (again) for a new restaurant/bar. What? Huh? Why?! Come on, MBA types. This place is begging for a store, can’t someone provide it? I’m looking at you Trader Joe’s.
Aww, there goes Schucks!
NO! NOT SCHUCKS! Where will I make my car-related purhcases?
I understand that Trader Joe’s was approached for that space multiple times last year, but Trader Joe’s ultimately didn’t like the parking setup. I think it would have been perfect – very quirky just like the chain. Everyone I know in W. Seattle has been asking Trader Joe’s for a local outpost and they have been either wishy-washy about it or…? I keep hearing that they are going to move into West Seattle, but it never gets much farther than that.