City Newsstand News
posted by on September 19 at 16:28 PM
J&S Broadway News is leaving their location, at least according to a sign I saw on the window last night.
I just called to find out the details. Larry answered.
You’re moving?
We just lost our lease and we’re moving four blocks north, just past the Taco Bell and the Greek restaurant and the tobacco shop. We’re moving into the old frame shop, across from the Jade Pagoda. Or, across from where the Jade Pagoda used to be.
You guys have been there a long time, right? I feel sort of sentimental about you in that location.
We’ve been here for 23 years. It’s been a while. But with all the construction starting down here in January [new buildings, a Sound Transit station], we figure it’s a good time. There are a few businesses going in that direction, plus the Brix condos are going in, and there’ll be more businesses in that building too. It seems like there’ll be more things popping up at that end of Broadway.
Who’s going to move all the magazines?
That’ss going to be all the employees. We’ll be shutting down here on Sunday [the last day of September] and we’ll have doors open most likely on the following Thursday or Friday. All the employees here are banding together to get it taken care of. It shouldn’t be too difficult.
How come you lost your lease?
To the best of my knowledge, I think the owner wants to get less independent people in the building and more businesses like American Apparel and things along that line.
Huh. Do you wear American Apparel underwear?
I do not.
Public Intern to the rescue! He can haul magazines, right?
How come African Mama never gets this treatment in The Stranger? Obviously, your new editor is more fascinated with WHITE PEOPLE BIZNESSES
THAT SUCKS. WTH is up with a landlord who doesn't value a stable tenant with a substantial history of success in their location? Ditching Broadway News in favor of more corporate tenants is idiotic. it's not just bad for the flavor of the neighborhood, but it's asking for storefront turnaround. You know any chain that isn't turning a profit right away in that location will just pull up stakes an open somewhere else. ugh ugh ugh.
I seem to recall a very thorough Slog post on Africa Mama and it's neverending going-out-of-business sale.
I cast my vote for Public Intern! Public Intern to the rescue... He's my hero.
Welcome to the north-end, J&S. Hope you do well here.
Now I understand why Christopher is the new editor. Brilliant, probing journalism.
It sucks that a landlord thinks that way, but the conventional idea with mainstream chains is that they usually can be counted on to honor the terms of their lease and pay on time and in full every month. There's nothing tentative about their existence.
That sucks. It's an outrage. Yawn.
@4 : Africa Mama's going out of business ended not once, but twice this year. [seattle.metblogs]
Wow. Is there anything left on the old Capitol Hill?
So what did the owners say when you talked to them?
Wait. You did contact them, right? Or is that a little too much to expect from alt-journalism?
the tenent has been there for 23 years, and their lease was terminated. talking the the landlord might make the story more interesting, but i doubt it is necessary or would change the thrust of it.
Whining about a city growing and changing in provincial nonsense. Great cities rid themselves of businesses and buildings they no longer need so great new restaurants and housing can move in.
I'd like to see a wine bar or kosher Tapas place on B'way. I miss the one back in Williamsburgh.
Issur just made me vomit in my mouth a little
I'm still waiting for Hooters. Maybe either a Claim Jumper or Cheesecake Factory. They seem really popular on the eastside and in Tukwila. Or how something really upscale like the Outback Steakhouse.
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