Erin Leach-Kemon, Author at Wallyhood

Siblings Team Up to Help Family Business Hit 100-Year Mark

Erin Leach-Kemon March 2, 2010 12 Comments

George Swanson Sr. never had the chance to attend high school, yet he built a family-operated Seattle shoe repair business that continues to thrive today—more than 80 years later. And, it’s still in the family.

Swedish-born George Sr. left school as a kid to work in a shoe factory due to Sweden’s then famine-stricken economy. Later into his teens, he immigrated to the U.S., where he gained citizenship and was drafted into World War I—landing him in Fort Lewis, repairing military boots. Following his service, he began working in various downtown Seattle shoe repair shops. By 1928, George Sr. owned …

University Fitness: Bankrupt

Erin Leach-Kemon February 5, 2010 6 Comments

I’ve gone to University Fitness (45th and Roosevelt) for nearly a year now. After noticing that they hadn’t charged me for my February membership, I asked the owner’s wife about it on Monday. She told me that she already knew about the issue and it was just a glitch in the system–one that they would soon fix.

Stopping off at the gym yesterday for a workout, I found it empty, the doors locked, lights off and a notice taped to the door essentially stating, “We went bankrupt. Sorry.”

The notice did include a recommendation for American Athlete at Green Lake …

Neighborhood Market Struggling, Needs Community Backing

Erin Leach-Kemon January 29, 2010 27 Comments

In the coming weeks, Meridian Market—located in Tangletown, across from Zoka and Mighty-O’s—will distribute a notice with customer purchases: Customer headcount has plummeted 40 percent since last year, and the market’s looking for all the help they can get.

Store owner, Wallace “Wally” Wright [Ed note: no relation to the blog] says he’s had no choice but to shorten store hours, cut staff and hold back on products they once carried, leaving some shelves bare. An eccentric, independent neighborhood market, Meridian’s the only one of its kind in Wallingford. With nearby competitors, such as QFC, Trader Joe’s and Safeway, though, …

Wait Your Turn, Even If You’re Dave Matthews

Erin Leach-Kemon January 27, 2010 3 Comments

This is not fast-food hair. It’s not exactly “your grandfather’s barbershop,” either. Spin’s Barber Shop (4501 Interlake Ave N) primarily works on an appointment basis; men, women and youth make up its customer base; cuts last 30 minutes; and, 90 percent of storeowner Spin’s customers are regulars—some for the past 20 years.

And, Spin’s in his late 30s—a far cry from the 60-something-year-old you might expect to see running this type of operation. It makes sense though, if you know his career took off in the eighth grade.

Born and raised in Washington state, Spin (born Spyridon Nicon, but nicknamed …

Senior Center Decision to Be Made By End of January

Erin Leach-Kemon January 4, 2010 Comments are off

Photo by Matt Mason

A final decision regarding the potential closure of the Wallingford Community Senior Center will be reached by the end of January, according to their Board. Just before Christmas, Board members agreed to make this the final month for decision-making. To help in the process and for a fresh outlook on the situation, they’re bringing in the outside aid of seven to eight community members. At this point in the game, the conversation will center on the reality of financial resources, the possibility of reconstructing the Board, staff and volunteers and community dedication.

Kathleen Cromp of the …

Truly Bizarre

Erin Leach-Kemon December 22, 2009 5 Comments

I’ve probably passed by Bizarro Italian Café a hundred times, but last weekend was the first time I actually noticed the 23-year-old restaurant, located on Stone Way and 46^th.

From just the entryway, my boyfriend and I were able to take in the entirety of the lively, intimate interior: chefs whipped through the kitchen, tending to an array of saucepans; mouthwatering scents burst into the dining area as the cooks passed piping hot pastas, blanketed in rich cream sauces, through the hand-off counter to wait staff; and, laughter and energized voices bounced off the restaurant’s vibrant red walls.…

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