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Wicker Basket to become new market and cafe’

Posted by Geeky Swedes on August 25th, 2008


Last week we wrote about the Wicker Basket closing and the post received a lot of comments. We got an email from Michael who says he will be working at the newly remodeled store which will be called the “Take Five Market & Cafe’”. Here is what Michael says:

“We plan to change the concept from convenience store (lotto, tobacco, malt liquor etc. which we will not offer) to a neighborhood market offering fresh produce and espresso with a casual family environment. We will offer a limited dine-in menu emphasizing comfort foods and high quality fresh goods. We are currently facing a huge remodel but we are energetic and hopeful to be opening in late October. We would love to hear your thoughts as our new Ballard neighbors – what do you want to see on our shelves?”

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  • Arisse
    I like the idea of outdoor seating.

    It would also be nice if you were to have a regular (monthly or quarterly perhaps) wine tasting. You could charge a nominal fee ($10 or less) and include a plate of cheese, fruit, nuts and/or crackers to pair with the wine. All items should of course be available for purchase from the store.
  • Linda
    Oops, left out a word in my previous comment. Grandkids always want to go to the candy store
  • Linda
    I like the Wicker Basket. Grandkids always want to the candy store and the people are so friendly. If you take time to talk to them instead of just in and out buying you'd know that. I want it to stay, we need to keep some traditional places for our kids.
  • Suthii
    "I’ve read the NYT “Seattle” edition. It’s not anywhere close to the sort of local/regional coverage that comes from a local paper. "

    The NYT has no 'Seattle' edition. It has a local NYC, and a national edition (and an interntaional edition, the Herald Tribune) .

    FYI you don't read the NYT to read about raccoon wars on Phinney Ridge, you read it, or any other good paper (FT, Guardian, WSJ, LA Times), to stay informed of the world beyond this little town. Since Seattle is a small town, the local papers have to run NYT articles to inform the yokels what's going on East of Lake Washington.

    But then again, I only read the Ballard Tribune now, I find PI and ST readers to be posers.

    Hopefully the new shop will carry the NYT!
  • Duncan
    Sheila, I've read the NYT "Seattle" edition. It's not anywhere close to the sort of local/regional coverage that comes from a local paper. You might as well read the Kitsap Sun in Yakima (with all due respect to both).

    Suthii, we all know you have no class -- no need to defend it.
  • Neighbor Dan
    Wine is good. Wine by the glass is better!

    Hopefully that doesn't make me a Guppy (geezer urban professional)
  • Suthii
    "Suthii and his magic cut & paste & mock routine."

    How else can I defend my class from attack around here? One person stands up for the yuppies and all hell breaks loose when people can't freely kick that dog around any more.

    Looking forward to the gentrified treats at the new store!
  • Sheila
    You should really read the NYT (or at least the online version) before commenting on the lack of relavant news it has for Seattlites, I'm just saying. The printed paper that D said (s)he would like at the new store would be the Seattle edition.
  • Duncan
    Still not sure I understand the whole NY Times thing. Sure, the World section probably has better coverage than, say, the Pee-Eye, but who gives a shit what arthouse theatre production is going on in Park Slope? Or what new stores are opening in the Bronx? Relying on an out-of-town paper as one's primary news source would make someone pretty out of touch with respect to local issues. Of course, I guess that would be a plausible explanation for the local troll...
  • Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
    With partial exceptions in South Seattle and Delridge/White Center, Seattle has been thoroughly gentrified since the mid 90's. This is an argument between admitted yuppies, and yuppies in denial. Bottom line is, the market is going to have something for everyone, and if you're the kind of self loathing yuppie who needs their MD 20/20 and Swishers at 1:59 AM on a Wednesday, either plan ahead or walk the extra five blocks to the gas station.
  • db
    Actually, it's more like 12 posts on the wicker basket and 50 posts on class warfare. And of course, Suthii and his magic cut & paste & mock routine.
  • gooner
    holy heck, i don't check my ballard for 1 day and we get 62 posts on the wicker basket.

    not sure my point.
  • Suthii
    "This place is an upcoming gem for boutique pastry shops"

    I agree, any place I can go into and drop $15 and walk out of still hungry gets my vote, as long as my tongue is whistling and I have chocolate dreams that night.
  • J.
    Closed by spring!? I think not Your Neighbor. I happen to understand that Honore' is preparing their backyard for covered courtyard seating for next year as well as adding some shelter for the seats out front. This place is an upcoming gem for boutique pastry shops, they are making some hard to find specialties such as canneles, kouign amann, and not to mention not bad macaron. They have well crafted espresso, offer a selection of special order desserts and supposedly are considering a small selection of hearth breads in the near future in response to neighborhood demand. I expect them to be there many years and would think they appreciate more of a vote of confidence rather than unwarranted blog hostility.
  • Joel Niemeyer
    LOL
  • Spanish Inquisition
    No one expects me to show up. Heretics! No organic milk-no stinky cheese-no foo foo wines. By the decree of gOD and his mighty wrath we shall smite this no where near completed yuppie-poser-hippie-mustache wearing-neck beard having-locally made honey dripping monstrosity before it even eeks into existence. Your organic cottons are vile in the face of the All Mighty! The Spanish Inquisition speaks! and the Wicker Basket shall continue to feed the lowly masses with its delightful malt liquors (perfumed au gasoline), discount menthol lung enhancers, and dainty finger foods (deviled ham). As it has been spoken, so shall it be done.
  • busy mom
    I would like to see the candy, chips and ice cream and other treats to remain, gives the kids reason to work to earn their allowance and have a small modicum of freedom as they walk down to the Wicker Basket. It is really fun on a hot summer day to see sneighbor kids walking to the store for treats - some seem so proud be allowed to go to the Wicker Basket all by themselves.
    I also hope that they keep the simple grocery item- milk eggs, some canned goods - don't need fruits/veg/bakery items, get those from Top Banana or other local places, but I need a place to buy sundries in a pinch. And of course - I hope they keep beer - gives me a reason to get the chores done so I can take a nice walk for beer.
    And more than anything else, I hope the new owners are friendly folk who know all the kids by name or family association - who keep a Ballard High face book behind the counter, who will speak up when they see a neighbor acting out of sorts.
  • suthii
    Right on! Good, funky, stinky REAL cheese! Cheese that is still alive, not deceased.

    And good bread; no processed, sliced 'it's a wonder they call it bread' bread. Did I mention Belgian beers and good wine?
  • Locks Fan
    CHEESE, for the love of all that is holy, HAVE SOME GOOD CHEESES. Think picnic potential. Tote-out stuff like good cheeses, fresh produce, good breads and crackers, decent wines and preferably locally made sodas, chocolates and other candies in small sizes, and things like that. It's hard to find any small markets in this town that have stuff worth eating, unlike SF, where they're pretty common. This is a great opportunity to have good products, friendly service, and repeat business if you do it right. Flowers are also a plus.
  • Sheila
    Who's fighting?
  • Kay
    And I hope the new store has none of this fancy food because I live a block away and need to walk to Ken's for pastries to avoid gaining 20 pounds.
  • Kay
    I think you should all meet at the corner of 70th and 8th for a good old fashioned FIGHT!
  • Rudy
    Poser is the new yuppie then? Hard to keep up with all the labels.
  • Suthii
    "Does that make me a poser? "

    Hell, I only read the Ballard tribune. Anyone who reads the Seattle Times or PI is a fancy-pants, $4 coffee drinking poser in my book.
  • Sheila
    What does it mean if I read a paper's news from the UK online? Does that make me a poser? Does that mean that I'm posing as a Brit?
  • Suthii
    "nobody really gives a shit."

    Hey BB, it's important to know some of my Ballard neighbors have so much insight that they think reading newspapers printed 'over the hill' make you a poser. It reminds me what a small world some people live in. The Nativists for example.
  • Old Timer
    boardbrown, this is what we old timers do in ballard. sit around and bicker with the yuppies.
  • Rudy
    gooner... That was awesome. Nicely played. :)
  • boardbrown
    You guys should take a breather from this stupid bickering. 'Cause at the end of the day, nobody really gives a shit.
  • Suthii
    "Reading another cities newspaper in a veiled attempt to appear intelligent makes you a poser."

    So if I read the Guardian, or FT, the WSJ, I'm a poser too? Or can I only read papers published within a 50 mile radius of my home to be a non-poser?

    Joey, you're the reason I thank God for gentrification.
  • Old Timer
    Reading the NY Times is a 'veiled attempt to appear intelligent?!"

    Seriously? Maybe you should read it sometime, it contains just a tad more info about the WORLD than the Seattle Times.
  • Suthii
    "we don’t live in New York for one thing….."

    Uh, we actually live on Planet Earth and the NYT is one of the few papers remaining with foreign bureaus.

    It's why your beloved Seattle Times carries so many NYT articles. Ever noticed?

    "I live in Seattle."

    Ever get out?
  • Joey
    And for the record, I hate the Stranger.

    I read the Seattle Times, since you know, I live in Seattle.
  • Joey
    Um, we don't live in New York for one thing.....

    Reading another cities newspaper in a veiled attempt to appear intelligent makes you a poser.
  • gooner
    rudy, why did you say ballard is awesome. that is a lame thing to say. poser
  • Rudy
    I love this ... everyone getting all worked up at what might/might not be in a corner grocery store. People all pissed off about designer coffee and newspapers other than the Stranger. Ballard is awesome.
  • Sheila
    I didn't get the poser comment. What does coffee, a paper and milk have to do with being a poser?
  • Elizabeth
    I see nothing wrong with grabbing a cup of coffee, reading the NY Times and buying organic milk...when did this become something a poser would do. Sounds like a healthy and educated person to me. I like D.
  • Suthii
    "could you be a bigger poser?"

    Reading a newspaper makes you a poser? My the Natives are soooo tolerant and community oriented.

    D, I'll be joining you for that Sunday coffee and New York Times ......

    "Pass the Style section dear. Did you read Krugman today!"

    How about tables outside in the summer so we can really pose for Joey ?
  • Joel Niemeyer
    buncha, I have to respectfully disagree with you, at least on the details of your point that condo buyers are displacing working class folks. But I would ask what you mean by "working class". I think what you really mean is "blue collar". I work. Hard. And a lot. I still live here! As for the uptightness of Seattlelites, depending on how you look at things, one could say that Seattleites have been uptight for years! Decades! One could also say that being uptight is NOT isolated to "yuppies" (if there even is such a thing, as much as people proclaim there is!), and I might even go so far as to say that it's the opposite- that it's the anti-yuppies (so exemplified by folks like some of the nuts that write for the Seattle Weekly).

    So come on! Enjoy and reap the benefits of the progress and improvements, and work to save the things that should be saved. I'm as nostalgic as anybody that pays any attention to my posts knows, but I guess I have to agree that some things need improvement! And you are getting a nice, neighborhood, family grocery here. Enjoy it!!
  • Suthii
    "what is best for this community whether you are a yuppie, a homeless person, an average working class person, a child, a racoon"

    What about condo-owning racoons, do they have rights?
  • Spaghettio
    I think Suthii should put a gun to their head and call it a day...You are a narcissistic that is only good at copying and pasting other peoples God given rights for comments into your own negative rebuttles. That is great that you are a yuppie. If you are so proud of this you would not feel the need to bring it up in every topic on the site. I am sorry you are so insecure that you have to get your jollies from hiding behind a computer to act like such a badass. We are here to figure out and discuss what is best for this community whether you are a yuppie, a homeless person, an average working class person, a child, a racoon etc....I really feel sorry for you.
  • Joey
    "29 D // Aug 26, 2008 at 9:08 am

    I have to second the penny candy (nickel candy? dime candy?) request. Also, MILK!!! There’s no place to run out and buy a gallon of milk (preferably organic . . .). Coffee would be great, especially if I could buy the Sunday NYT and read it inside with my coffee"


    Wow, could you be a bigger poser?
  • Suthii
    " All these condo buyers are washing out the old working class Ballard"

    No ones forcing the working class to sell and move...last time I saw, no one was putting a gun to their heads. Want to blame anyone, blame the working class for being so greedy and selling.

    And don't we yuppies work too, so aren't we also 'working' class?

    So bring on the gentrification!
  • D
    I have to second the penny candy (nickel candy? dime candy?) request. Also, MILK!!! There's no place to run out and buy a gallon of milk (preferably organic . . .). Coffee would be great, especially if I could buy the Sunday NYT and read it inside with my coffee (although I LOVE Honore I have to agree the seating is less than ideal, especially if you have kids who can't balance on those high stools.).

    Maybe rotisserie chicken? Who wouldn't love to run out on Sunday afternoon and grab one for dinner?

    And of course all of those other convenience items- coke, popsicles, gum . . .

    Anyway, very excited you will be in the neighborhood. We'll make it a point to stop by frequently!
  • buncha yuppies
    i can't believe people here are excited about the prospect of a $4 coffee. That's really expensive coffee! It seems perhaps that it's true; All these condo buyers are washing out the old working class Ballard. A basic old convenience store has character, and is far better than another yuppie catered coffee snob shop full of uptight seattlites.
  • Joel Niemeyer
    No Suth, no ciggies for me! I'm about the worst anti-smoker you will ever meet. And I don't mind admitting THAT logged in under my real name! Red Bull I don't mind. But I can get that anywhere on the rare occasions I think I need it! Follow a $4 coffee with one of those, and you're good to go. ;-)
  • Old Timer
    Please, please bring back the shopping trip of a 6-pack of Coors and cigarettes. This is what 'real' Ballardites shop for!!!

    Not these yuppies, with their 'organic' food and their 'healthy' lifestyles - not to mention their 'working to hold back the recession' jobs!
  • Galapagos Jim
    I'll echo for baked goods- specifically fresh, locally baked bread. Also pies and cakes- something I can pick up for a nice dessert when the relatives visit. I was hoping Honore would fill that pie and bread hole in the neighborhood, but they decided that fancy pastries and coffee were more important.

    With Top Banana closer to me than 8th, I probably won't come by for fresh produce. But if you put together some yummy soups and a quick but hearty breakfast you'll see me often.
  • Mary-Pat
    Whoops--and better spelled. I meant eloquent...
  • Mary-Pat
    Popsicle Fan--your post is so much more eloquant and friendly sounding than mine--but that's exactly what I meant! :-)
  • Suthii
    I look forward to $4 coffees and some good Cote de Rhones (or any other Southern French wines).
  • Popsicle Fan
    Thanks, Mary-Pat and the rest. There's something special about a place that's as friendly for kids with car-wash money as for their older sister grabbing a (fair-trade + shade grown?) espresso and their dad picking up the (local?) produce for dinner. In my 30s now, I still remember my walks to the corner store for an ice cream bar and a Jolly Rancher. As an adult, I'd love to have a "real food" place to shop close by, but I'd regret seeing the place too snobby for "the ice cream sandwiches, the laffy taffy, the cans of diet pepsi, and the culture of the neighborhood" as Mary-Pat wrote. Welcome, and thanks for the fresh air on our corner. See you there.
  • kw
    I love the dine-in option, like the (sadly, now defunct) Phinney Market. I like the idea of neighborhood/community seating dinners once or twice a week with a little live music or something. And some wines you can buy and cork there. Good luck! I love supporting the neighborhood businesses like this, Honore and Neighborhood Cafe.
  • Mary-Pat
    I love those "thanks for your business" signs! :-)
    I hope you'll continue to carry ice cream bars and almost-penny candy. The "baked goods" sound great, except every coffee shop is starting to look like a Starbucks--they all "bake" the same old stuff. So along with your "espresso and baked goods," please keep the ice cream sandwiches, the laffy taffy, the cans of diet pepsi, and the culture of the neighborhood--please not another no-soul rip-off of Starbucks!! And I'm ok without the malt liquor, but I do like the convenience of having basic grocery items available in an emergency, just a block away! Good luck with your business!
  • Steph
    YES!!!

    Ballard is sorely lacking a good newsstand. A good selection of magazines and newspapers would be much appreciated!

    Along the same lines as the Cowen Park grocery, the Meridian Market in "Tangletown "(ugh, I hate that name) is also a great neighborhood market.
  • puggles
    Lynn - right in the second sentence of the article:

    "newly remodeled store which will be called the “Take Five Market & Cafe".
  • Your Neighbor
    Amen Anon--

    This blog is amazing. A great community service.

    And for the record Honore is on 70th not 10th. And with enough coffee in my bloodstream I can actually spell coffee correctly.

    Three cheers for this blog and best of luck to the new owners of Wicker Basket!
  • lynn
    Will the name stay the same??
    I started going there when I was a little girl as my grandmother lived in the neighborhood.
    Now I live down the street and we appreciate the convenience.
  • anon
    just wanted to point out the value of your blog geeks. these last 2 posts are great examples. a new store in the neighborhood getting feedback directly from its future customers, and a family going through some tough times recieving help and support from total strangers. this has turned into a community meeting place. thanks for your efforts.
  • Their ideas sound much better than the current state of the Wicker Basket, I hope they are able to implement them. If they do, I promise to shop there at least once a week. I love corner stores, provided they provide something other than the malt liquor/cigarette stuff. If they do coffees, with the bus stop, that should be great. And with the new park on 70th & 9th, I can see bringing the kids to pick up some snacks and having a picnic.

    Good luck owners!
  • Suthii
    Please, some good wines!
  • Suthii
    "This sounds great. "

    What, no ciggies and Red Bull for you?
  • ets
    would love "to go" type options too -- fresh salads, comfort foods, etc.
  • Joel Niemeyer
    This sounds great. I don't live all that near, so it's not "convenient" for me, but glad to see that the neighborhood is getting a nice upgrade!
  • true
    This sounds great. What I would love is if they would carry fresh breads from either Tall Grass or Macrina. Would love to walk over and pick up a baguette and some cheese and fruit. The prepared food and such sounds like a good idea, especially if you can get it to go as well as eat in.
  • Your Neighbor
    I'd love a nice place to have a coffee/bagel or baked good and sit and read. There's no place nearby (and I'm 3 blocks from this place) to just walk and sit and read with coffee for 1/2 hour or so. Up to Phinney Ridge is too far and down to Market Street is too far. If this is done right you'll be wildly successful.

    For what not to do see the new Honore (sp?) on 10th. Sure, good coffe and nice baked goods but where do you sit? Yeah, you can sit outside which is nice these two months of the year but come the rain heck if I'm going to walk down and hope no putz is sitting on one of the 4 uncomfy stools by the window. They'll be out of business before spring.

    The Kafee Kefa (or whatever it is) is too yucky--to big to be comfortable, food is crap, coffee is only alright.

    So, hurray! The "porn" basket is closing. I can't wait to see what you do--just leave me a seat and I'll be there getting wired.

    And +1 to Cowen Park Grocery idea.
  • Elizabeth
    A kid friendly area..perhaps a little retail (cards, stationary, small gift items, ribbon and wrap)...homemade cake, pie, muffins...community board...bike racks...I'm thrilled as you're right around the corner!
  • 14th Ave ballardite
    Cowen park grocery in the U-district did a very nice job of converting from "convenience store" (lotto, tobacco, malt liquor etc.) to a well rounded neighborhood market with produce, coffee, etc. Looking forward to the upgrades! http://www.yelp.com/biz/cowen-park-grocery-seattle
  • Evan
    PS - How about some sidewalk seating?
  • Evan
    Ditto on the baked goods - the new Market sounds GREAT! Glad to hear the new owners are going to make an investment.
  • Lindsarella
    A friendly face, and those terrible tacky red "THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS" signs outta there! If you're thankful for me, give me a smile... I'm excited to hear about the new market! YAY!
  • Baked goods! I'd love a fresh baked cookie, brownie or slice of pie.
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