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It’s been a few years since we did an annual wrap on the Year in Wallyhood. But this year, we’re bringing it back: a list of our top ten stories ranked by page views*. To put these numbers into perspective, wallyhood gets about 15,000 page views every month and about half as many unique visitors. Business-related stories (openings and closings) dominated our top ten in 2024 but we also see festival news and trees falling over. One thing is clear though, our writer DOUG is top dog having authored 4 of the top ten stories.

Here, then, are the top ten wallyhood stories of 2024:

• Julia’s Closes after 42 Years in Wallingford (Megan, 7147 page views): Well, it’s not closed anymore.
• Gasworks Brewing is Now Open (DOUG, 3506 page views): And it’s still open. And it’s better than ever as they now have enclosed, heated spaces to keep you warm this winter!
• Seattle’s Gas Works Park to Host Music Festival (LBush, 3347 page views). It was only one of many music festivals and other private events held at the park this year.
• Saying Farewell to a Wallingford Icon – First Church of the Nazarene (LBush, 3015 page views). The local developer will be building housing on the site, and Dick’s Drive-in has also purchased a part of the property.
• Wallingford Porchfest Returns (DOUG, 2961 page views). Taking place for its fourth consecutive year.
• Go Fund Murphy’s (DOUG, 2620 page views). This was a tongue-in-cheek attempt to raise money by co-owner Chelly Bassett to purchase the building to prevent a closure of the business. But it’s still there, and it’s still open.
• The Great Wallingford Bratwurst Festival (LBush, 2580 page views). New name, same great festival. To benefit the St. Benedict School.
• Wallingford’s Bartell Drugs is Closing (DOUG, 2529 page views). This actually did close, and it’s still closed. But the building remains … for now.
• Bartells Building Follow-Up! (Rhonda Bush, 2314 page views). A tale of the travails of the Seattle building owner after the old tenant has left, but before new development moves forward.
• Goodbye to an Old Friend, (Geoff Berg, 2310 page views). Of the life, times and eventual passing of a beloved neighborhood tree.

And here’s a quick snapshot of the following fifteen:

*Counts of page views for this article were current as of December 27, 2024.