With so many talented individuals and so many unique businesses, it's hard to select just a sample to share with you. This month I've decided to focus on unique businesses that I've always been curious about and some that I've just now learned about.
Books4cars has been located in Columbia City for six years after moving here from the automotive capital, Detroit. This business offers specialty repair books for all cars, especially older model cars, trucks and motorcycles.
Eighty percent of their business is via the internet. They sell and ship books as far away as Botswana and just about every other corner of the world. They have over 40,000 books in stock and most likely have what you need. What you might not know is that they also purchase automotive books.
Books4cars has also become a tourist destination for some car aficionados. People stop in before they take their cruise to Alaska or take a break while they are at a convention in downtown Seattle - just to see what they have in stock.
This little shop in Rainier Valley has sold many celebrities their books, including President Bill Clinton and Jesse James from the television show 'Monster Garage.'
Alex and Ruthie Voss and their staff have been doing so well with their internet business that they've had to expand their business location. You can find them at www.books4cars.com or at 4850 37 th Avenue South in Columbia City.
Liberty Sidecars is a place that I've always been fascinated with. I drive by every day on Rainier Avenue and think to myself - how many of those sidecars do they really sell? I might see two or three sidecars in an entire summer. Where are all those sidecars going that keep them in business?
Well the answer is everywhere around the world. They have orders from Canada, Japan, Holland, Hong Kong and many other countries, not to mention many areas around the United States.
Patty Billings and Pete Larsen founded Liberty Sidecars in 1990. They have been building specialty, high-quality sidecars specific to Harley Davidson brand motorcycles for over a decade. Each sidecar is sold direct and special ordered.
Liberty Sidecars has been noted as the boutique sidecar builder. Aren't we lucky to have such a unique business right here in our backyard located at 2310 Rainier Ave. S.?
Speaking of custom made projects, Stephan Hultberg Furniture Maker LLC is located in Hillman City at 5800 Rainier Ave. S. This Southeast Seattle resident and custom furniture maker moved to Rainier Valley after operating his business on South Lake Union and operated it there for 15 years.
The transition has been a very positive one for him and for his business. Most of his business is from referrals, and he's got quite a waiting list for his creative pieces of furniture and residential design pieces. He offers both contemporary and traditional styles.
Currently in his workshop is a fireplace mantel that he is hand carving and crafting. His work is quite exquisite and perfectly crafted to fit your home or office. If you're willing to wait for his projects, you'll see that his craftsmanship is pristine. Hultberg is one more artist in the neighborhood living his dream.
Neighborhood notes:
Columbia City Wifi has been in the neighborhood for almost a year as a test project for the city of Seattle. It got off to a rough start, but in the last six months the city has been able to make the system more stable and predictable.
Now that they know how many people are using the system, city officials would like to know more about why they use the system. The next time you are on the free Wifi service in Columbia City, you may find them asking for a survey, please help them out and complete the survey with as much information as possible.
With the city testing this program in many locations around Seattle, you may find that the success will increase the free area. We are hoping that the Columbia City Wifi project can be duplicated in other neighborhoods around the Rainier Valley.
Tiffany Crosby is the manager of the Rainier Chamber of Commerce. She may be reached at editor@sdistrictjoural.com.[[In-content Ad]]
