There's been a lot of talk on the streets of Wallingford lately about the new businesses moving into the neighborhood - literally!
The other day I found out a new Starbucks was opening up. Ironically, I was sitting on my deck reading "Moby Dick" when I heard a woman who lives in a condo across the street from me shouting to her neighbor about how "awesome" it was going to be to have a Starbucks "within walking distance." Then she hopped in her SUV and drove away.
I assume she defines "walking distance" as a two-minute walk, as opposed to the eight-minute walk it would take her to get to the already-existing Starbucks in Wallingford on North 45th Street between Meridian and Bagley avenues. Or one of the other 437 coffee shops currently in the neighborhood.
The new Starbucks will open up at the intersection of 45th and Stone Way North, along with a T-Mobil store, a Jamba Juice, a tanning salon and a credit union. These stores will fill the ground-floor space of the recently completed, large apartment buildings.
Just like my neighbor across the street, I suppose there are a lot of people excited for these businesses to open. These are the types of stores we want within walking distance, right?
FROM A DAYDREAM TO A REAL STORE
Another possibility is the story of my friends and fellow Wallingfordians, Dan and Emily.
A few years ago, on a New Years's Day, Dan and Emily were lounging in the living room of their house, daydreaming about the types of foods and goodies they wished they could go for a stroll and pick up along the way, like in Europe.
Soon, they grabbed a pad and pen and listed artisan cheeses, Spanish olives, handmade Italian pasta and dark chocolate to the list, as well as olive oils and fine wines. The longer the list grew the more excited Dan and Emily became, and soon, they were asking family and friends what they would add.
An idea was conceived that New Year's Day and today, you can walk into Bella Cosa, Dan and Emily's store on 45th Street in Wallingford and see what was on the list.
It took a couple years of extremely hard work, patience and passion, and, despite the fact that I worked there for the first year, Bella Cosa has succeeded so far and is a unique Wallingford store that recently celebrated its third anniversary.
And it's within walking distance of Dan and Emily's home.
YOUR TURN
So what kind of stores do Wallingfordians want in their neighborhood? There's only one way to find out: from you!
Let me know what type of store you want in Wallingford that isn't currently here. Is it a chain store? A shop that's always been your secret dream to open?
Would you knock everything down and build acres of condos with acres of first-floor retail?
I'll go first: a bowling alley in Wallingord Center. Name: Bowlingford!
Send your suggestions via e-mail to needitor@nwlink.com by Aug. 17.
Please put "Wallingford" in the subject line and include your suggestion, your name, a daytime phone number where we can reach you and the neighborhood where you live. (Fremont, Green Lake, the U-District and all the other neighborhoods can play, too!)
Or send your suggestion to Pacific Publishing Co., c/o Matthew, 4000 Aurora Ave. N., Suite 100, Seattle WA 98103, and include the same information listed above.
One suggestion per person, please.
Your suggestion and name may be listed in the first issue in September. So start daydreaming!
Matthew Wilemski lives in Wallingford.
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