While it’s had a bit of chatter in the comment sections, and an off-hand comment in a post, we’ve neglected to formally inform you that two businesses have left Wallingford.
Big Wheel Auto Parts (455 Stone Way North) is now an empty shell. In solid Wallyhood tradition, I’ve failed to do even the most basic investigation about why, but I can turn to Donn, who commented on another blog post:
The story I got at Big Wheel was that another auto parts type retailer was coming in. I got the impression it was an individual, not a franchise, but coincidentally CarQuest will be vacating their spot on 34th in Fremont so more apts or office space can be built there.
So, it is not “slated to become a bum condominium or a halfway house for meth-addict pedophiles, part of the Great Socialist Agenda”, as another Wallyhood reader suggested, tongue-in-cheek (I think).
Just around the corner, Fuerte Fitness has also left the building, but hasn’t gone far: they’re now co-located with Excellence Fitness at 4100 Aurora. Owner Adriana Medina explained:
“I always needed more space, but the commercial spaces in the area were limited. After a long search, we discovered that co-locating with another business was the best solution for everyone because we can combine our resources in one location.”
In the comments section of the Seattle Meowtropolitan post (where most of this reporting comes from), Sarah said:
My husband walked by the former Fuerte Fitness and was told by people renovating inside that it was going to be a cat cafe
Solving that mystery. From fitness to kittens.
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Maybe the big “RETIREING” painted on the Big Wheel window indicates the reason why there’s a changing of shopkeepers.
Business failed because of poor spelling?
For the record, Sarah was first with the report on the auto parts story, by 12 minutes.
It’s called a “pun,” or a play on words.
In the War on Cars, the kittens are winning!
Yeah, the people who ran Big Wheel retired. The new auto parts store is currently hiring based on the Help Wanted sign posted in the window. Also, the guy who runs the little food stand there might have more info since I understand he has to rent the space from the building owner, and it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere.
While I have probably patronized Big Wheel twice in the years they’ve been there, I’m pleased to know that another auto parts store is going in, as opposed to a condo with some upscale business on the ground floor. (No, please not another tanning salon or cell phone store!). I am sad about the loss of our home-owner-friendly businesses on Stone Way.