Last Farmers Market a Wet but Good One

Rain in the morning, sunshine in the afternoon. It was a wet day but the harvest was plentiful at yesterday’s farmer’s market.

That’s it for the season, except for the special special Market on November 20, right before Thanksgiving.

Zaw Pizza Coming to Tabit Square

Zaw Pizza, the fancy take-and-bake pizza chain, is coming to Mercer Island. Have never tried it myself, though I’ve heard it’s good– and Sahara Pizza could use some competition.

Here’s their planned location at Tabit Square:

Thanks to hot tipper Bill, who always has the scoop on downtown.

We Could Learn a Lot from Crossroads: MICC Lunch Thursday

Never thought I would say this about a mall, but we could learn a lot from Crossroads. It’s not really a mall: it’s an event space, a library, a grocery store, a community place, a food court (ok, maybe it is really a mall.)

This Thursday at the MI Chamber of Commerce membership lunch the developer of Crossroads, Ron Sher, will be the guest. The MICC says: “He is a different kind of developer – a number cruncher who loves books and believes in community which he incorporates in all his projects.”

Here are some of the cool things Crossroads does:

• Host community celebrations, like India Days which draws from and celebrates the nearby Indian community
• Have retail that engages people in activities beyond shopping, and brings them back regularly. There are a couple of craft shops for kids, and a Michaels and JoAnn Fabrics that bring out the crafters.
• Have only local food in the food court, no chains.

There’s a lot more, like putting a supermarket right in the middle of everything and having tons of kids and music events. Downtown Mercer Island could be that good, and even better, our common space is outside not inside a mall. We just have to connect up a few good walking strips and get rid of some of the massive parking lots that break up the vibe of a downtown walking area.

If you’ve got time, join for the Thursday lunch.
Cost: $15 for members, $18 for non members
RSVP: info@mercerislandchamberofcommerce.org

Stopsky’s Goes All the Way

… to dinner. That’s right, the new deli on the Island is now open for dinner and has been for about a week. They announced this a few weeks back:

I stopped in (not at dinnertime) to see how it was going. The hostess said they’ve had pretty good traffic, and they also have their liquor license now so they have a wine list. The dinner menu looks good, if fully priced:

Stopsky’s also joins Bennett’s, Cellar 46, and the Roanoke as a good place to be found between 4 and 6 pm. At Stopsky’s, that Nosh Hour:

If you’ve been by for dinner, leave a comment and let us know how it is. I’m sure we’ll make it there sooner or later.

What’s Going Up at the Old Safeway?

The old Safeway site near Aljoya and Freshy’s is finally seeing activity. After a few years of sad destitution, including acting as a temporary parking lot for the Park & Ride while it was under construction, it’s under development:

Destruction of the Safeway seems complete, now to build something in its place.

The MI Reporter reports that BRE Properties is the developer. Plans are:
A six-level mixed use building with one floor of below-grade parking, a ground level accommodating different commercial uses and four floors of apartments.

The new building will have an estimated 166 residential units, and 312 parking spaces with 85 set aside for business customers. A total of 12,000 square feet will be for retail spaces, a restaurant or professional offices.

In keeping with the modern tradition of pretentious and meaningless condo names, the project will be called “Aviara.” Sounds like a step forward for that area of downtown, though, and I hope they get some great retail in there. BRE is based in San Francisco and has built developments from San Diego on up, including several in the Seattle area. Here’s a list.

New 4-Way Stop at 78th Ave SE and SE 34th Street

This week the City put in a new stop sign by the Thrift Store and Mercerdale Park:

The City’s announcement says, “The intersection, located at the south edge of the Town Center, is the last four-way intersection on 78th Avenue in the Town Center currently not all-way stop controlled.”

“Residents of the area have been concerned for pedestrians crossing the street and the increase in traffic volume at the intersection due to the Thrift Store and the Park.”

Welcome Mid-Century Modern Love

Coming back off my lazy summer break I discovered a comment on the blog by Brandy O’Briant, who started a new blog called Mid Century Modern Love. It’s a cool mix of thoughts and news on design along with notes on their remodel of a mid-century modern house in Mercer Island– the one on the masthead, I expect:

Check out her blog for anything from thoughts on creating a hanging gallery to a weekend show and tell that reads like you’re browsing in an upscale and offbeat thrift store.

Mercer Island’s Coffee Shack Closes

You know that little coffee hut in the lot just north of Mercerdale Park? The only non-corporate coffee house on the Island? (The others are 3 Starbucks and a Tully’s, for the record.)

Well, it closed. At first I thought the owner was just taking a summer hiatus. Believe me, I can understand that. But the place is for rent:

Yup, that looks pretty closed.

There have been a number of retail changes in downtown coming out of the downturn, most for the better. This one is a loss, though. Thanks for all the coffee and best wishes!

Back from a Long Break

Hello readers, it’s your local blogger. Sorry for the long break this summer. It was a combination of vacation, work projects, summer, and general malaise that prevented me from blogging. But I am endeavoring to come back.

One of the dangers of having a non-professional blogger with no commercial commitments is the occasional unaccountable hiatus… it just goes with the territory. My apologies for any inconvenience!

Beautiful Evening at Mostly Music in the Park

What a summer night at Mercerdale Park, at this evening’s Mostly Music in the Park. Photos of the scene:

With the warm weather, people hung out on the lawn long after the band ended.

This lightpost at 32nd St. got dressed up, but for what I don’t know:

Mostly Music in the Park continues on Thursdays and Sundays through mid-August. You an find the lineup on the City website.