Recently we reported that Infusion Tea & Coffee (and its short-lived replacement Juxtapose Cafe), had closed, and that the space would serve as the new home to ‘Balloons And Cupcakes,’ which we just learned is slated to open the second week of June.

So, like any good, award-winning local Journalist who can’t get enough of the balloons and cupcakes beat, we investigated further, tracking down Lee Falley, the Des Moines-based owner of the store. Lee and his wife Shannon own another ‘Balloons and Cupcakes’ shop in Des Moines, and this new Burien one will be their second.

Far as we can tell, this new business will be the only one (north of Des Moines at least) that will be serving up both balloons and cupcakes in the Burien area.

We say yay!

Here’s a Q&A we conducted with Lee:

Q: When are you opening?
A: We will be opening as soon as our health permit arrives, plus the time it will take to have the city sign off; unfortunately the Health Department process is taking longer than expected. We are now hoping to be open the second week of June.

A 'Balloons and Cupcakes' store is also located at 22307 Marine View Drive South in Des Moines.

Q: Are you affiliated with the shop in Des Moines?
A: We are affiliated with the shop in Des Moines, Myself (Lee Falley) and my wife (Shannon Falley) are the owners in Des Moines and plan to make this Burien location number 2. We also have a Mobile Cupcake Bus that you will probably see around town quite a bit at different festivals and local events.

Q: What will you be carrying (besides balloons & cupcakes)?
A: In addition to Balloons and Cupcakes we will be offering espresso, grilled cheese sandwiches and an assortment of “old school” candies such as Saltwater Taffy, candy sticks and giant whirly pops. We will also host cupcake decorating parties and we will have an assortment of gift and party favor items.

Our main goal is to become the one stop event shop for everything from desserts to decorations, eliminating the need to travel to the Southcenter area. We are a full service balloon and cupcake company offering, not only retail, but delivery and event set-up as well. More information can be found at www.balloonsandcupcakes.com (also known as Balloon Wizards and Baby Cakes Northwest).

I have grown up in the Des Moines and Burien areas, I went to grade school at Gregory Heights and Graduated from Mt. Rainier HS. I love this area and hope to be able to provide a valuable service and create great relationships with the community for many years to come.
Thanks again Scott!

Cheers,
Lee Falley

Balloon Wizards + Baby Cakes Northwest = www.balloonsandcupcakes.com
Ph: 206.350.0450

The new store will be located at 15607 1st Ave South in Burien.

Scott Schaefer dropped by the site Monday afternoon (May 23rd) and took the following pics:

Workers spent most of Monday painting the exterior walls where signage will be installed.

A peek inside shows that there's still a way to go before the store opens for business.

A worker is reflected in the glass as he lowers himself down.

While we were there we spoke with the construction foreman, who told us to expect the store to open “sometime in July.”

Crews are making modifications on the space, including re-wiring the electrical and other major work.

As we learn more information about what will surely become one of Burien’s biggest retail shops, we’ll update the blog, so stay tuned!

Benson's Best Bites has closed.

Benson’s Best Bites, a specialty food store located in Normandy Park’s Manhattan Village shopping complex (near QFC), has closed.

Open since October 2008, and owned by Ezra and Loie Benson, the closing was unannounced, as far as we know.

A sign taped to the window reads:

Dear Customers:

Thank you! You have been the best part of our business! You are genuinely nice people whose friendship we value. We will miss you!

We’re sorry that we’re not able to continue with our little business.

Have a great summer! We hope to see you around the neighborhood.

Thanks again!
Ezra & Loie Benson

We called the number listed on their website, but it appears to have been disconnected.

Benson’s featured specialty cheeses, fresh baked breads, donuts, pastries and home-style soups along with Saturday specialties of garlic fries, big shrimp, corn dogs and crepes and more.

At one time, they were an Advertiser on the blog as well; here’s some info from their Blogvertorial:

The Benson family’s long-standing fascination with world foods combined with Ezra’s retail history (he managed the advertising and printing for Benson’s Fashions in Des Moines for 35 years) inspired them to open Best Bites in October 2008.

Ezra & Loie are better known for their unique honor-system, treasure-chest business, Boundary Pass Trader’s NW, which they have operated for 15 summers on Stuart Island, a remote island in the San Juan Islands.

According to an email we received from Alan McGuire, Co Owner of BTB Advertiser Lavina Mays, which is located across the street:

Normandy Park is losing businesses like crazy.

Abruzzi’s Pizza, A Perfect Party and now Benson’s.

People need to support their local businesses or they will be gone!

Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer

If you happen to catch a whiff of some sweet, potent-smelling herbs or teas next time you’re near the Seahurst Post Office, don’t worry, you’re not losing your mind, you’re merely smelling the latest new business next door – Cascadia Herb n’Tea.

After dropping some mail off, our nose led us over the other day, and we met Owner Vicki Winston, who told us that, even thought they’re already open, they’re holding a Grand Opening celebration on Thursday, March 17th.

“Everything we sell here is organic and sustainably grown,” Vicki said. “And a lot of the herbs are grown locally, right here in Seahurst.”

Owner Vicki Winston stands in front of her herb-filled cabinets, which were made by her husband.

Vicki said that many of the herbs she sells are grown on the roof of her house, which is located just down the hill, within walking distance. Cascadia sells medicinal herbal remedies and teas, and will be offering outdoor seating once the weather clears up. Oh, and Vicki’s also currently offering FREE tea tastings.

A retired Boeing Engineer, Vicki has lived in the Seahurst area for 19 years, and this is her first retail business. Vicki has deep roots in the northwest – so deep in fact that the cities of Winston, OR and Winston, WA were named after her ancestors! She is studying to be a Naturopath, and when talk turned to this Reporter’s hayfever problems, Vicki naturally offered this one-word nugget of advice:

“Nettles!”

“N-n-nettles???” I gulped.

“Yes, freeze-dried, fresh nettles!”

Growing up near Schimitz Park in West Seattle, I am much more familiar with nettles than any normal human being should be. Just the thought of the stinging and resulting painful welts brought back many an unpleasant childhood memory.

“I’ve fallen in many a nettle patch,” I explained to Vicki with a wince.

“Oh – that’s another way you can beat allergies,” Vicki said with the hint of a smile. “Many hayfever sufferers actually beat their naked bodies with nettle branches as treatment. And it apparently works for many – one treatment and you’re good for the year!”

“Wait. Did you say they ‘beat their naked bodies with nettle branches’?”

Cascadia Herb n'Tea is located at 2118 SW 152nd, next to the Seahurst Post Office.

“Yes.”

Apparently the nettle beating self-torture therapy causes the body to build up immunity against hayfever.

I think I’ll pass on that idea, but will certainly look into taking the freeze-dried variety.

Cascadia Herb n’Tea is located at 2118 SW 152nd, next to the Seahurst Post Office.

Don’t forget to drop by and sample a free cup of tea and say hi to Vicki.

Oh, and be sure to tell Vicki you read about ‘em on The B-Town Blog.

by Ralph Nichols

Tom Salle’s repeated comment to customers at his meat counter says it all.

So does a message posted on printer paper around the store.

Bernie and Boys, a local fixture in Burien and Tukwila since 1937, which has been located at 11225 1st Ave. S. for the last 16 years, is going out of business.

When asked for some cuts of meat, Tom tells his customers, “I’m out” – or running out – “of the product.” It won’t be resupplied.

The 8½ x 11 notices inform shoppers:

“We will no longer be offering a weekly ad and we will not be able to honor the coupon book that was mailed to some of our customers. Thank you for shopping at Bernie and Boys.”

Tom confirmed the pending closure to The B-Town Blog on Friday, Feb. 4. They are selling and not restocking perishables.

And a 20 percent off sale on the rest of the store’s merchandise will begin Monday (Feb. 7).

The slumping economy is a major culprit, and “there’s not enough business at this site for a building this size,” Tom said.

Their electrical bill alone was $7,000-$9,000 a month, “so we installed more efficient lighting. Then the power rates went up.”

After closing this location, Tom Salle said "we want to open a meat shop" as part of a specialty store.

And when neighboring public housing was closed, they lost 200 families who were customers. “They didn’t have a lot of money but it was steady money,” he noted.

Now Bernie and Boys has also lost its lease because the landlord put the property up for sale.

“It’s sad,” Tom continued. “We have such a good corps of customers. We’re going to miss them, but they’re really going to miss us.”

In addition to providing true neighborhood service for customers over the decades, Bernie and Boys also supported the community, including the annual Classy Chassis auto show, fundraisers at Kennedy and Evergreen high schools, and special events in the Italian community.

But this family business will continue. Tom and his brother Joe will downsize at a new – as yet undetermined – location.

“We want to open a meat shop” as part of a specialty shop, he said. They don’t know what yet. “It depends on our location and the size of the building.” And they’re not sure if they will locate within the Highline area.

Home delivery or internet sales are two possibilities, and Joe does a lot of catering.

Their father, Bernardo “Bernie” Salle, the original “Live Butcher,” died in 2004. His Italian immigrant parents, Nunzio and Carmella Salle, opened Salle’s Grocery at 13003 Pacific Highway S. in 1937.

In 1995, the family opened Bernie and Boys in north Burien, and closed the original store five years later.

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According to the packet for Monday’s Burien City Council meeting (Dec. 13th), a new Ross “Dress For Less” department store will be opening soon at the space formerly occupied by Office Depot at 15716 1st Ave South, and will open sometime after the first of the year.

“Ross Department Store has been in contact with the City’s permit staff and is expected to submit for a building permit,” reads a statement in the packet. “They will be making modifications to the tenant space previously occupied by Office Depot at 15716 1st Ave S. and will open sometime after the first of the year.”

We’ve heard this rumor for a while, but haven’t reported anything because we’ve not heard any confirmation until now.

Currently, the nearest Ross store is located in Tukwila at 17672 Southcenter Parkway.

by Ralph Nichols

Tired of navigating traffic on Southcenter Parkway as you drive to shop for holiday gifts at Toys “R” Us® in Tukwila?

Of course you are.

But now there’s good news for Highline residents who plan on going to this popular specialty store for just the right toys for kids and grandkids, nieces and nephews this holiday season.

A 5,000 square foot Toys “R” Us Express store will open this Saturday, Sept. 18th, at 14200 1st Ave. S., Suite A, just north of the Fred Meyer parking lot and opposite the Jack in the Box drive through.

Burien Economic Development Manager Dick Loman said company officials will review their sales activity in early January “and will make a final decision as to whether to continue operations” locally.

“We’re very pleased that the Toys “R” Us people have decided to open a store here in Burien on a trial basis,” Loman told The B-Town Blog on Sept. 15.

“They’re a very strong retailer and I’m very confident that their sales here this holiday season will encourage them to remain on a permanent basis.”

He added that the addition of the toy outlet and the recent re-opening of Burien Nissan should boost a slow “upward trend” in city sales tax revenues during the fourth quarter this year.

The national retailer will operate approximately 600 Toys “R” Us Express stores in malls and shopping centers during the 2010 holiday season, in addition to its 587 full-size Toys “R” Us stores in the United States.

“By doubling the number of Toys “R” Us locations nationwide, now more than ever we will be available when and where customers want to shop with us this holiday season,” Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, said in a news release.

Last year, the company opened about 90 Toys “R” Us Express stores including one in Federal Way – its first express store venture – many of which have remained open.

The company has announced that, “similar to last year [it] will look for opportunities to keep select stores open following the holiday season.”

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Jessica finally got all the kids off to Marvista School, and is pleased to be going back to her career as a book seller. She named her “used and antiquarian” bookstore Bumbershoot Books as “it has a well known local name and with local flavor, and there’s everything under one umbrella in my store.” “Everything” includes a reading area with a cozy fireplace .

Books and reading have been an important part in raising her family. Therefore, she has created a large children’s section, complete with comfy little chairs and toys. “I want this to be a place to bring kids,” she said. Aside from the kids section, she calls her selection of books “general interest.” Jessica is buying books as well. She offers two ways to redeem your books. She’ll buy your books, or you can turn them in for credit against future purchases.

She’s also in the process of creating a meeting room in the back of the store which can accommodate up to 10 people, and will be available for business meetings as well as book club get togethers.

As a long-time Friday night bar tender at 909 she’s seen many changes in Downtown Burien. “I love what’s happening in Burien, and am looking forward to being part of it.”

Bumbershoot Books is open Tuesday-Thursday 10-6, Friday and Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 10-5. Jessica is planning her grand opening on Saturday September 18 where she’ll have refreshments and door prizes. Stop in and welcome her the the neighborhood.

Bumbershoot Books is at 639 SW 152nd St., next to CC’s Lounge and across from Grand Central Bakery.

Lavina Mays is located at 17824 1st Ave South Suite 103, next to Curves. Lavina Mays brings back a Garden and Gift shop to the area that has been without one since Five Corners Garden Center closed many years ago. The store carries an assortment of outdoor and indoor plants, Eco friendly gardening products, cards, gifts and a big selection of home decor items.

A local institution has completed its move and the doors at Burien Books are now open in Olde Burien. As of Tuesday, July 13, Burien readers can drop in at the new location on 152nd Street, right next door to B-Town Burgers and Shakes.

New owner Allison Lee-Moore — busy working on finishing touches like polishing the new store windows today — said the official grand opening is still two to three weeks away. Right now there is just temporary lettering on the windows but new vinyl window displays and a hanging sign over the sidewalk will be coming soon.

In the mean time, the book store is open 11 AM to 6 PM Tuesday and Wednesday, noon to 7 PM Thursday and Friday and noon to 6 PM on Saturday. The store is closed Sunday and Monday.

Allison plans to eventually offer story time for kids in the store, and is investigating ways to serve local book clubs.

Be sure to stop by and poke your nose into the store during this weekend’s Olde Burien Block Party on Saturday!