Grand Central Bakery, a longtime bakery in Seattle and Portland, is building its newest location in downtown Burien, at 626 SW 152nd Street, in the building formerly occupied by Restaurante CentroAmericano.

Employees from the bakery were on hand at the finish line of last Sunday’s Cove to Clover 5k race, passing out Oatmeal Stout Cake and bread with jam. Rumor has it that some runners even ended up “hitting each other with baguettes.”

It’s nice to see an established bakery come to Burien, and on a personal note, we have many fond memories of eating at their original location in the Grand Central Building in Occidental Square in downtown Seattle.

Here’s a pic of their Burien space taken Tuesday (Mar. 16), currently under construction but moving towards a summer opening:

Here’s a blurb from their website:

COMING SUMMER 2010!

Freshly baked artisan breads, hand-made pastries and delicious sandwiches will soon be available in charming downtown Burien.

Soon we’ll pick up our hammers and get to work building a café that is as warm and inviting as the food we serve.

We can’t wait to meet you!

Here are some links:

• Grand Central Bakery website
• Facebook Page
• Twitter

by Ralph Nichols

With only five of the 124 condominiums at Town Square sold to date, more than five months after the grand opening of this complex in June, prospective buyers and those anticipating future downtown development in Burien wonder if condo prices might be lowered.

This question has been raised in the weeks since Chicago-based Corus Bank – the construction lender for Urban Partners, the private developer of the condo/retail complex in Town Square – was seized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on Sept. 11.

Corus Bank’s deposits were sold, then the FDIC conducted a private auction for the remaining assets. Now Starwood Capital Group, TPG Capital, Perry Capital and WLR LaFrak have acquired an equity interest in a limited liability corporation that will hold the construction loans and real estate-owned assets of Corus.

“The $4.5 billion portfolio consists of more than 100 loan and (real estate-owned) assets linked to high-quality condominiums, multi-family housing, office properties, and land representing nearly 23 million square feet,” according to a recent news release from this investment consortium.

Urban Partners, however, has yet to comment publicly on whether it might reduce the prices of its Town Square condos – phase one of the planned Town Square project. A primary reason for this is that it’s not a simple matter of lowering those prices, despite the fact that the investment consortium purchased the construction loans of Urban Partners and others well below their original value.

Two or three or even more banks usually are involved in large construction and real estate loans, notes Burien Economic Development Manager Dick Loman. This, in turn, creates a slow and involved process for a developer to obtain permission from lenders before it can make a corresponding reduction in its housing prices.

In the meantime, Loman says, Urban Partners is “hanging in there. They’re not leaving town. They’re trying to do the right thing. I know that Urban Partners wants to meet the market, but they can’t act until they receive a green light for moving forward. This means that (Town Square condo) prices aren’t going to go down without permission from the bank.”

Burien City Manager Mike Martin emphasizes that “no public money is involved” in the Town Square condo-retail complex. “There is no financial to the taxpayers” because the Urban Partners’ development is privately financed.

But, he adds, “We do want to see them fill up sooner than later.”

“Clean Sweep,” Burien’s annual spring cleaning event, is planned for Saturday, April 25th, starting at 8am at the fire station on 8th Ave SW.

Citizens are encouraged to join this effort to improve the appearance of the downtown area and neighborhoods by picking up trash and other debris along streets, sidewalks and parks.

Volunteers are asked to report to the Burien Fire Station, located at 15100 8th Ave. SW (map below) at 8am, where they can enjoy a free continental breakfast and then head out to the community to clean, pick up trash, remove graffiti and more.

At Noon the crews return to the fire station for a hot dog lunch and raffle with prizes donated by area businesses. The event ends at 1:00 p.m.

Last year 7.61 tons of garbage was collected.

Participants should bring their own tools, gloves and, if needed, rain gear.

Call Discover Burien at (206) 433-2882 for more information.

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Our own Gina Bourdage took the photos above at the scene of the crime late Wednesday afternoon, where a man’s body was found inside the Burien Jewelry and Loan building in the 200 block of SW 152nd in downtown Burien (map below).

According to KOMO News, a gun was found near the body, it’s being considered “suspicious” and no identity has yet been released.

As Bourdage was on the scene, the Medical Examiner pulled up.

The investigation is continuing.

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3pm 2/3/09 UPDATE: We may have uncovered the cause of Tuesday morning’s gas line break in downtown Burien, and it could result in triple cost damage charges against the company involved in the accident.

Apparently one of the subcontractors was digging a trench across the high pressure service between the gas shut off valve and gas meter or what Puget Sound Energy refers to as a curb valve.

The subcontractor of construction was given permission by the superintendent of the construction, whom was in a safety meeting and thought he didn’t need to get permission from PSE prior to the dig; according to an anonymous member of the crew on the scene.

The law allows recourse for a service break caused by third party damage to PSE utility equipment, such as this one, to triple of the cost of repair and charge the company involved in the excavation.

Residents and companies interested in digging twelve inches or deeper must call 811 two business days prior to their project to have the underground services marked free of charge.

Approximately 50 customers from local stores and construction workers in the new city hall we evacuate as a precaution. There were no injuries.
PREVIOUSLY:

A gas line broke Tuesday morning around 11am on 4th Ave SW between SW 150th and SW 152nd in downtown Burien, forcing the evacuation of The Dollar Tree Store and Grocery Outlet, both located across the street.

The leak happened outside the garage entrance behind the new city hall construction area, and crews from Puget Sound Energy and Pilchuck Construction repaired the leak shortly before Noon.

No injuries were reported, and when we came on scene around 12:35pm everything had been repaired.

A workman from Puget Sound Energy refused to speak to us though, but another construction worker said “be sure to mention that Pilchuck capped the leak.” We are not yet sure what caused the break.

Here’s a Google Street View of the location (note that this image was taken before the new city hall building had taken shape):

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It plays a huge role as part of Burien’s “secret passageway” to downtown Seattle, and it often allows one to get into town within 15-20 minutes.

We’re speaking of course about the Alaskan Way Viaduct, which will be the topic of a public meeting on Monday, Dec. 15th, from 5pm to 7:30pm in downtown Seattle.

Everyone has an opinion on how best to deal this aging behemoth, and this meeting will be a good opportunity to not only learn about the final options for replacing the viaduct and seawall, it’ll give you a chance to speak your mind and propose your amazing ideas.

There will be a presentation, question and answer session, and opportunity for public comment on scenarios being considered. No word yet on what kind of donuts will be served.

According to a press release we received:

WSDOT, King County and the City of Seattle want to hear from you.

You can learn more about the options or provide comments at www.alaskanwayviaduct.org.

WHAT: Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall public meeting/discussion

WHEN: Dec. 15, 2008, 5pm-7:30pm

WHERE: Town Hall Great Hall, located at 1119 Eighth Avenue in downtown Seattle

INFO: 1-888-AWV-LINE or viaduct@wsdot.wa.gov

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Here are some photos of Saturday’s “Boo In Burien” event, which involved businesses in downtown Burien handing out thousands of pieces of candy to costumed trick or treaters, as well as a Governor and other politicians:

(photos by Janet Grella & Mark Neuman)

Some scenes from Saturday’s Highline Homecoming Parade and “Boo In Burien,” which goes until 5pm (we’ll post more pics & video later so check back):

Discover Burien is presenting their annual “Ladies Day Out” this Saturday, Oct. 4th, from Noon to midnight in the downtown Burien area.

It’s a fun, all-day event meant to raise funds to fight breast cancer (and as you may know, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month).

Activities will include:

• Purchase a Pink Bandana for just $5 (100% goes to Highline Cancer Center) and get special discounts and promotions
• In-store specials throughout the area
• Wine tastings
• Book signings
• Ballroom dancing at 4:30pm at Karuna Yoga

So, get out, look for the pink balloons at participating businesses and enjoy the festivities, knowing it’s for a great cause.

Some scenes from Saturday’s annual Artwalk (videos coming soon):

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Saturday’s annual Artwalk (aka Arts A-Glow) was a resounding success, with a wide variety of art, artists, musicians, performers and more spread throughout downtown Burien on SW 152nd all day long.

We had a booth outside Jay Lauris Jewelry and met quite a few friendly neighbors, then managed to find time to sneak away to enjoy a few of the festivities ourselves.

Hours of video were shot, dozens of photos taken, all of which will be edited and doled out over the next several days here, so be sure to check back often.

Some of our fave moments of the day included:

• Stumbling upon an acrobat rehearsal in the parking lot of Karuna Yoga
• Writing messages on the glass to the artists living inside the storefront windows
• Seeing autistic artist Chris Stiles’ original paintings up close at Sterling Savings Bank
• Seeing children dance the night away during the first-ever BlogstockAPalooza Music Fest
• Gathering new “slogan ideas” for Burien and reading them aloud between bands at BlogstockAPalooza (which we’ll be revealing over the next several days so stay tuned…)
• Watching great local bands with distinctly different original styles
• Happening upon the Ballard Ave Jug Busters, who played good ol’ boy honkytonk music on the sidewalk outside the Continuing Education office on SW 15nd:

Busy and beautiful day in B-Town today, and here are some of the artsy, family-style, rockin’ activites and events going on:

Kid’s Day at the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Dept. goes until 3pm with all sorts of interactive fun, educational games & food.

Young Jasmine helps wash cars at a fundraiser for the kids of Brian Storer at
B & E Meats parking lot at the intersection of Ambaum Blvd. & SW 150th until 4pm today.

Come drop by the B-Town Blog booth, located right in front of Jay Lauris Jewelry at 920 SW 152nd.  Robert Simpson-Clark is the Owner/Designer who’s been in Olde Burien for 35 years. JoAnn Davey is a Designer, and above is a photo of her cute-as-heck Shitzu “Babee,” who will be greeting people at their wine tasting session, which goes on all day and costs just $2. On display today as part of Artwalk are photos by Robert, so come on up, check out the art, say hi to us B-Town Bloggers as well as Babee while having a sip!

Artwalk/Arts A-Glow on SW 152nd all day, with three artists living in the
windows of Karuna Yoga until around 11pm tonight.

And of course, B-Town BlogstockAPalooza rocks Olde Burien tonight starting at 6pm, with two areas of extended outdoor seating at The Mark Restaurant and The Tin Room!

The B-Town Blog is proud to welcome its latest Advertiser – Burien Town Square!

Burien Town Square is that major new development in the heart of downtown Burien that’s changing the shape of the entire area.

You’ve probably seen the crane, driven past the workers and watched the amazingly quick progress of the growth – but have you really explored what’s going to be there?

At completion, Burien Town Square will have as much as 70,000 square feet of retail at the base of over 400 condominium units. The Square is situated on approximately 10 acres and includes a one-acre park, a brand new King County Library and the future Burien City Hall.

The centerpiece of the downtown B-Town revitalization, Burien Town Square will serve as a centerpiece destination for an untapped trade area of over 50,000 employees and nearly 100,000 residents with average household incomes of just under $80,000. When complete, the project will feature ample surface and garage retail parking throughout, making it easy to dine, shop and spend quality time.

We’ve personally toured the demo unit, and can say from experience that the residences at Burien Town Square are very nicely designed. There’s a mix of one and two-bedroom condominiums (some with dens), townhomes, and live/work lofts. And with open floor plans and plenty of light, views (look, there’s Mt. Rainier!) and a resurgent walkable neighborhood, this will be a wonderful place to call home.

All homes feature high-quality designs and finishes, with many upgrade options available. You’ll be proud to entertain here, and happy to spend time at home.

If that’s not enough for you, how about this: homes at Burien Town Square qualify for a 10-year tax abatement under the City of Burien’s tax exemption program. That means 10 full years of property tax savings to homeowners!

So click on their Ad in the lower right sidebar, check out their fun and highly-interactive website, and/or drop into their Presentation Center, which is open daily from 12 Noon to 6pm and located at 455 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien (map below).

Or for more information, call (206) 901-0000 or complete their residential inquiry form.

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B-Town’s annual Artwalk is coming up Sat. Sept. 6th, with a wide range of amazing arts-related activities, including:

• Do the Art Walk!  11am – 6pm
  Art & Performance in the shops & main street
• Lantern Making  10am – 3pm (at B.F.D.’s Kids Day)
  Burien Fire Station, 15100 8th Ave SW  &  4pm – 8pm in front of Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub (435 SW 152nd)
• Arts Bash  6pm-9pm
  Music, Performances & Happy Hour
• Performance MEMOIRS
  3 Artists – 1 Storefront Window – 30 Hours Straight (including a brave artist “living” in a storefront window)!
• Lantern Parade  8pm
  Meet at Mick Kelly’s Irish Pub and join the parade!

There will also be some other very exciting things going on, including a very special event sponsored by this here Blog, so stay tuned for more info soon!

B-Town’s own specialty wine bar (and BTB Advertiser) Vino Bello will be celebrating its second anniversary this Saturday, July 26th, starting at Noon and going until 8pm.

From their press release:

Join us in celebrating our 2 year anniversary this Saturday, July 26th. Winemakers Tim Sorenson of Fall Line Winery and Alex Manoni of Stomani Cellars will be sharing their new vintages with us.  Don’t miss the door prizes and specials!

• Noon – 8pm: Wine Tasting
• 4pm: Meet the Winemakers
• 5pm: Live Music featuring JD Hobson
• 5-7pm: Door Prizes

More info at the Vino Bello website.

This Sunday is Father’s Day, and what better way to celebrate with by treating Dad to a Classic Car Show and Chili Cook-Off right here in Burien?

Now in its sixth year, this annual event features lean mean cruz’n machines and has become a perfect date with Dad, where you can flash back to the days of 39-cent gas and tail fins while bopping to the oldies and chowing down great chili and winning prizes.

Beautifully restored classic cars and their present-day cousins line Southwest 152nd Street in downtown Burien from 4th Ave SW to Ambaum Blvd.

Also on tap are:

• Brand new Chili Cook-Off Competition (Noon-4pm)
• Raffles and prizes
  
• Special contests for classic cars
  
• Tunes from the 50’s & 60’s (10am-3pm)
  
• Food from local Restaurants
• Shops with lots of food, drink and in-store specials

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The Burien “Clean Sweep” takes place this Saturday (April 26th) from 8am to 1pm, so get your brooms, dustpans and work gloves (and maybe even white ones too to check everyone’s progress) and come on down to Fire Station #2 at 8th SW and SW 151st.

Heck, it’s worth coming just to get the free lunch, courtesy of Discover Burien.

WHAT: Burien’s Annual “Clean Sweep”

WHEN: Saturday April 26th, 8am – 1pm

WHERE: Meet at Fire Station #2 at 8th SW and SW 151st

WHO: Everyone’s welcome to come help clean B-Town up! Lunch will be provided, and the Burien Teen eadership Council be selling “I Heart Burien” t-shirts.

You may even see some B-Town Bloggers there taking pics/video…so be sure to work hard and smile…

Burien’s own Australian Pie Company (located at 425 SW 152nd in downtown Burien, across from the new Town Square construction), is now selling its own Aussie Bakery brand puff pastry at Central Market, Haggen, QFC, Thriftway and Top Foods stores in Snohomish County.

PCC Natural Markets and Whole Foods also are carrying the products in their Puget Sound area locations.

That’s all happened this past year, as the 9-year-old business has expanded its sales beyond its own storefront and begun competing against much larger companies on supermarket shelves.

“We are keeping one step ahead of everybody else. As a small business, that’s the only way to compete in the big arena,” said Glen Rosser, who’s heading business development for the Australian Pie Co.

A native of Australia who now lives in Mountlake Terrace, Rosser joined the company in 2006 after tasting its products.

“I walked in there, said I believed his product was impeccable and had real potential. I felt it was an injustice such a great product wasn’t more available,” said Rosser, 32.

Angus Wood, 40 and also hailing from Australia, began baking his meat pies out of frustration at not finding a suitable pie after he moved to the United States. Soon, other Australian expatriates began asking for the pies he baked in his house. By 1998, he launched his Burien bakery, selling products there and then through mail order.

The places where the bakery has ended up sending its products show their wide appeal, Rosser said. They’ve gone everywhere, from Hollywood film sets to transplanted Australians living in Wyoming.

While Wood initially set out to replicate a taste of home, he ended up creating a relatively health-conscious product as well. The company’s puff pastry, for example, is made of wheat flour and contains no trans fat, no cholesterol and no artificial additives. Many of its products, except for the meat pies, are vegan friendly.

It also happens to taste good enough to develop loyal fans. Geoff Wall of Piccadilly Circus, a British restaurant and pub in Snohomish, drops by the Burien bakery whenever he’s in that area.

“It’s excellent. I’ve eaten all of his stuff,” Wall said.

That reputation for tastiness and quality ingredients has been a selling point as Rosser has tried to convince stores to give the Aussie Bakery products a shot. Up until now, most stores have carried one nationally produced brand of frozen puff pastry. Central Market’s Poulsbo-based parent was one of the first to give the company shelf space.

“They really believed in us, they really gave us our big shot,” Rosser said.

Other stores have followed their lead, including Haggen and Top Foods, QFC, Whole Foods and PCC Natural Markets. Whole Foods also is giving Aussie Bakery’s fruit pies a place at its Northwest stores.

But fighting for shelf space in the first place isn’t even half the battle.

“Getting in the stores is not difficult if you have a good product with good packaging,” Rosser said. “They key is staying in the stores.”

So far, sales at most stores of Aussie Bakery’s frozen pastry have been good, meriting continued shelf space. Wood estimates the bakery’s sales over the past year have increased 30 percent to 40 percent.

“It’s fantastic to see the products out there,” he said. “It’s exciting to make an impact on the food world.”

The company is now talking to other supermarket chains and looking at distributing to stores in Oregon and California as well.

Additionally, Aussie Bakery pies can be found in cafes around Microsoft’s campus and are being sold on AmazonFresh, the online retailer’s grocery service.

So far, ramping up production to meet the greater demand from wider distribution hasn’t been a problem. Some customized machinery and an efficient production team of four people have been enough so far, Wood and Rosser said.

Rosser, who worked at the Shanghai Commercial School in Asia before moving to be near his wife’s parents in Snohomish County, said he’s happy to see the company’s products getting recognition and respect on store shelves.

And with just one of the Aussie Bakery products out in stores right now, there seems to be plenty of room to grow.

“I think we’ve only scratched the surface,” Wood said.

Stop into The Australian Pie Company soon and let ‘em know the B-Town Blog sent ya!

SOURCE:

• The Everett Herald