More Wallingford Closings

We're number 133!

WalkScore.com, whom we mentioned in an earlier post, has released a list of 138 "walkers' paradises" representing the most walkable neighborhoods across the US. Our own neighborhood of Wallingford just squeaked on to the bottom of the list in spot #133. Yay us!

List of walkers' paradises: http://walkscore.com/rankings/walkers-paradises.php

This week at the Guild

This week at the Guild Theatre, originally uploaded by weskimcom.

"Best of Seattle" voting closes tomorrow

Seattle Weekly's annual "Best of Seattle" survey closes tomorrow, so there's still time to put in your two cents about any neighborhood businesses who deserve some bragging rights. Of course, we're not so bold as to suggest that we're ready to be considered for "Best Neighborhood Blog" just yet, but "Best Cupcake?" "Best Taco Truck?" Oh yes, we might have some ideas about that...

Link: http://polls.seattleweekly.com/polls/bestof08

This week at the Guild

This week at the Guild Theatre, originally uploaded by weskimcom.

Starbucks sayonara

The flurry of speculation has come to an end as Starbucks released the official list of the 600 locations closing in the US. One of the 19 Washington and 7 Seattle locations to go? The recent addition to Wallingford at 45th and Stone Way. Of course we can still get coffee without leaving 45th St at the Starbucks location less than half a mile east, or at the Tully's on 45th and Meridian, at Fuel on 45th and Densmore, at Diva Espresso on Stone and 46th, in QFC...

What could Wallingford use in the soon-to-be-empty commercial space? Discuss in the comments. My vote is for a Than Brothers Pho restaurant I can easily walk to on freezing raining days, but that may be wishful thinking.

Antonio Chicketti

A new door has gone up at 1911 N 45th, the location of the upcoming Not a Number expansion. Or, to be more precise, an old door.


According to the note attached to the door, the hand-lettered sign was for a 1940s-era shoe repair business that operated in this space. (The note is taped over the street number "1911", in the same hand-lettered font.)

Interestingly, one "Antonio, Chicketti" is the listed inventor of US patent number 2562771, filed in 1951, for a "sewing machine presser-foot automatic control attachment". Could it be the same person?

Does anybody know anything more about this man or his business?

This week at the Guild

This weekend: Wallingford Kiddies Parade and Street Fair

Snapshot from 2006 Wallingford Kiddies Parade, originally uploaded by jwalsh.

This is it, folks—tomorrow brings what could well be the signature public event of our little 'hood. At 11am, the Wallingford Kiddies Parade begins, bringing assorted drill teams, packs of local schoolchildren, and sundry parade floats to N 45th Street. There will also be a street fair running from 10am to 5pm on Wallingford Avenue N along the west side of Wallingford Center.

As the only kid-focused event of the Seafair summer cycle, it's a nicely low-key event in comparison to speedboats and fighter jets. Plus, there'll be high-stepping drill teams galore and lots of candy-flinging marchers. Join the fun tomorrow at 11!

For more info: Wallingford Kiddies Parade and Street Fair

A recession-proof business?

Not a Number Expansion, originally uploaded by jlrose70.

Fuel prices and related hard costs have put the squeeze on many a retailer, but Not a Number, Wallingford's emporium of lefty tchotchkes (political left, not items for the left-handed), is actually expanding their empire. Whether they've stumbled upon the ultimate blue-state business model or are simply riding high on an anti-Bush bubble remains to be seen. For now, at least, Wallingford's freak flag flies high.

Dessert tidbits

Two bits of dessert-related news:

• Trophy Cupcakes has a new Wednesday flavor, no doubt inspired by the weekly farmer's market: Farmer's Market Blueberry, described as "Sidhu Farm organic blueberry cake with blueberry-infused buttercream."
• According to our spies, Molly Moon's was closed Tuesday night for a special all-hands meeting to discuss the attack plan for how to handle the hordes of people who will be descending upon Wallingford this Friday for the 4th of July fireworks. This writer shudders to think what the lines might be like for ice cream this Friday when they already stream out the door on normal weekends...
  

Swash Press

You’ve probably noticed by now that the old Apex dry cleaners’ building looks a bit different. The space has been split in two and things are changing. One new business appears to be in the building out process, but on the left half Swash Press has settled in and really spruced up the place. With a fresh coat of sunny yellow paint and a sweet window display, plus that beautiful antique letterpress in the front of the studio, owner and designer Julie Cook is making her mark on the neighborhood. I recently got in touch with Julie to find out the scoop about this new Wallingford business.

Swash Press specializes in letterpress wedding invitations and announcements for all occasions. Julie prints on one of four antique letterpresses including two table-top presses, a Chandler + Price treadle press and a Heidelberg Windmill. She designs and prints her own work but will also print files provided by other graphic designers. If you’re looking to order for a special occasion, be sure to plan ahead: letterpress printing is a labor-intensive art, and custom invitations can take up to four weeks to print. Commercial orders are processed in two weeks. If you’re interested in speaking with Julie about a custom order, give her a ring at 206.696.0685 to schedule an appointment.

Julie also gives classes where students learn the basics of letterpress printing and complete their own project, such as a greeting card or small print. The session consists of 3 three-hour classes plus a separate printing day and costs $200.00.

If you peek in the windows at Swash, you’ll notice a few shelves of wrapping paper and other goods; this is the start of what will become a larger retail section. Based on what’s in stock now, I hope it expands soon. If you're unable to stop by the studio to see for yourself, you can find out more by visiting www.swashpress.com.

Finally, because we Wallingford bloggers do love to eat, I had to ask if Julie has a favorite neighborhood restaurant. Her picks? Bizzarro, Tutta Bella, and the recently departed Chinoise. You heard it here first.

Swash Press
4515 Meridian Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206.696.0685