At a recent Wallyhood editors and writers meeting (yes, we have those!), we were discussing story ideas, and someone suggested “what is the oldest business in Wallingford?”. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the owner of the top spot has ceded their title.

After squeezing down to make room for a martial arts shop, and, more recently, Comics Dungeon, Petosa Accordions has folded up its Wallingford shop and moved north to Lynnwood. This is the end of an era for the venerable music shop, which has occupied that location since 1922.

They weren’t forced out by rising …

I recently wrote that Fat Cat Records has moved into the funky building behind Murphy’s on Meridian. So what happened to CUTZ, the hair salon that used to be there?

I asked Colleen Kurke, the owner and head stylist, for the story:

I’ve been fortunate to have a business in Wallingford since July 2007. When I first moved to Wallingford, I knew no one here. Being younger and very optimistic I took the challenge and opened CUTZ Wallingford on Wallingford Ave.

At the same time, I joined the Chamber of Commerce, spearheading the Wallingford Art Walk for three years and …

When the Guild 45th theater closed suddenly and mysteriously this past Spring, nobody really believed their story of “renovations planned”, and with good reason, it turns out. Jen Hurley spotted this listing recently for a “Seattle Urban Investment Opportunity“:

The two lots, owned by Los Angeles-based Landmark Theaters, total 11,359 sq ft but are separated by the Octopus Bar in the middle (which has a different owner). That, plus the fact that the fact that theChanges and Silver Tray Thai buildings are all owned by different people, will make this a difficult sale.

If the separated properties don’t make sense …

The Pacific Northwest Shop (4411 Wallingford Ave N) is holding a “trunk show” this Saturday, February 10th from noon to 4, featuring three Seattle-based artists. With the Wallingford Art Walk now a thing of the past, we’ll take what we can get!

In store will be a jeweler, a candle maker, and a print artist:

Maple + Mauve
In her Seattle studio, Sera Rogers creates her concrete, ceramic, and wood jewelry inspired by architectural elements. Her work focuses on highlighting raw materiality and clean lines, all with a minimalistic approach.

Olympic Candle Company
Hou Ong and Jerry Kavalieratos work together …

This past Friday, I poked my head in the new record shop, Fat Cat Records, opening just off 45th on Meridian (4515 Meridian Ave N).

Well, I shouldn’t say “new” record shop: turns out, it’s the rebirth of an old record shop that was on 45th Street (in the building now occupied by Trent’s on 45th, next to Taco Time) from 1999 – 2005. The racks of vinyl I saw come from the collection of the once and present owner, “Jimmy Jam” Laufer, but the day-to-day operation of the store will be handled by the next generation of Laufers, Frank …

Back in January, I mentioned that we’re always open arms to folks from the neighborhood who would like to contribute stories to this neighborhood news and community site. If you’d like to come talk about it with us, we’ll be at the Blue Star (4512 Stone Way N) tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb 7th, starting at 6:30 pm in the back room. Come by, have a drink on me, meet the editors and share your ideas for stories, plus get a glimpse of what’s to come.

As a bonus for anyone willing to write for us, we’ll have these attractive mugs ready …

On Sunday, February 11 at 11:30 a.m., Holocaust survivor Steve Adler will be speaking at the Wallingford United Methodist Church (2115 N 42nd St), and the public is welcome:

“Justice is, for me, the crucial issue, the fulcrum about which my story turns. It is the issue that connects my account of Germany to today’s realities.” -Steve Adler
This special program features Holocaust survivor Steve Adler telling his personal story of survival.

Steve was born in Berlin, Germany in 1930 to a middle-class, Jewish family. At age seven, anti-Jewish laws forced Steve to leave his neighborhood school and enter a …