The 8th Annual All Montlake Yard Sale is September 18, 2022 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Register here if you’d like to participate!
Once you register, you can pick up a sign to put in your yard to help identify your yard sale. The signs are ready for pickup any time at 2467 26th Ave E, the home of Montlake Community Club board members and yard sale volunteers. Signs are up the wooden stairs. Home is located on southside of E Miller and 26th Ave E/Lk WA Blvd.
Get ready to sell and shop!
Kathy Laughman believes in community. That’s not just your TV sitcom version, however. She’s committed to an older, more deeply rooted communal idea–where people living and working in a neighborhood share resources, and support the success and the very survival of each other. Kathy is inspired by the years she spent in southern France where she was taken into membership in such a community. We’re fortunate to have her back home and leading the Montlake Business District Development project, for she is bringing that classic concept of community with a French touch to her role.
Kathy first came to live in Seattle in 1970, found a staff position at the UW, and bought a home in Montlake for proximity to her work, and for love of the drawbridge, the beautiful parks, and the architectural details of the homes. Later, after gaining an advanced degree in design and working in the local garment industry, she was wisely hired by Nordstrom to work on the Fauçonnable product line. Following much travel to France, Europe and Asia on Nordstrom’s business, Kathy rented out her house and was on her way to Nice, France to oversee creative design for the company for seven years. It was in Nice that she first experienced what she perceives as real community.
Kathy explains: “People there had a sense that it was their responsibility to take care of each other. Here, there was a tendency to see that as butting into other people’s business, but over there, they see themselves as responsible for each other. It’s simple things, like I would leave for work in winter … and I wouldn’t have my neck scarf on. The concierge would notice it and remind me that I should go back up and put my neck scarf on so I wouldn’t catch a cold.” She goes on, “The local businesses, many of which have been in their location for generations, believe that it is their obligation to see that their customers are happy.” This commitment, she says, extended to such actions as a shop owner accompanying her home, carrying her newly purchased floor lamp up the stairs, unpacking it, placing it, and making sure it worked. Kathy laughingly offers that: “This is a level of service that not even Nordstrom will give you!” She doesn’t see this as “just about customer satisfaction, but about a sense of community. He wanted to make sure that I was being taken care of….Their idea is that if an individual succeeds, it is good for the community, so its really not so much being generous and self-sacrificing, it’s in everybody’s interest to take care of everybody because then the group prospers….”
Responsibility for enhancing the community within neighborhoods extends to City governmental bodies as well. Laughman recounts, “Nice is definitely organized into neighborhoods and the City spend its tax dollars on landscaping, seasonal decorations, repairing the roads, keeping the sidewalks clean, with proper crosswalk signage and street lights. They take safety and welfare of the people in each community very, very seriously. And they put their money where their mouth is!”
Kathy Laughman thus sees the need in Montlake for the same reciprocity among business owners, residents, and City government. That general principle shows up in how she’s led the Montlake Business District Development Project. For example, she’s engaged the Montlake Business Association (MBA) in a series of meetings to gather the business owners’ ideas for development of downtown and uptown Montlake. Business owners have had roles on the project committee including meetings with the City and hiring the project consultant. Juan Lopez of Glam & Tonics and Carla Leonardi of Café Lago have been particularly active.
In the same spirit, Laughman has made sure that the project engages Montlake residents in the business district development plans and in support of its business owners. She has sought to provide the community with regular project-related information and progress reports via the Montlake Flyer Intrepid Reporter postings. She has assured opportunities to gather concerns and design ideas from residents through community meetings and comment options on Montlake.net. Further. She has helped lead the residents’ efforts to support our Montlake businesses– the Blvd Market & Service Station that have been seriously threatened by WSDOT’s late-declared needs for 520 bridge reconstruction. As Kathy declares: “We support them—they support us.”
Then there is, finally, the reciprocity with that important third party—the City within which our neighborhood exists. Here Kathy Laughman becomes mildly militant. She says, “We pay taxes to support City services; they provide us with the services our businesses and residents need.” Sometimes, of course, “they” needed to be reminded. As project lead, Kathy has assured that Montlake has made and maintained strong connections with representatives of SDOT, City planners, and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods that funds the project. It’s no accident that we’ve had the opportunity to explore ideas for the future of our business district and neighborhood, tell our side of the story about what’s happening to Montlake and just possibly persuade the City representatives to be our champions. Laughman makes sure those representatives are at the table and quickly informed of what’s happening, what outcomes the community wants, and what’s needed from them.
Yes, we’re lucky to have Kathy Laughman in Montlake. She is helping us live into a model of community like the one she first experienced in southern France. It calls each of us to get engaged; to support and look out for each other, whether business owner or resident; to expect a fair share of service from the City government commensurate with the taxes we contribute. Kathy’s seven years abroad enriched her life and deepened her understanding of community, no question. We in Montlake are the lucky beneficiaries. Thanks Kathy.
*8th report of the Montlake Business District Development Project
**Coming soon, an update on the Montlake Business District Development Project –what’s happening, and what’s known and unknown about what’s coming.
Juan Lopez, owner of Glam and Tonics Aveda Salon, imagines a Montlake with beautiful public art. Juan has worked for nearly a decade to make Montlake a better place. Now you can join residents like him in envisioning how art can improve Montlake.
Juan represents our neighborhood business owners on the Montlake Community Club’s project committee for the Business District Development Plan. To this important project, he brings business acumen developed first in L.A. and then here in Montlake for the past 11 years. Juan also offers an educated design sensibility, natural friendliness and finely honed listening skills. A most interesting man, indeed, but there’s more, as your intrepid reporter discovered recently.
Step into Juan Lopez’s domain, Glam & Tonics Aveda Concepts Salon in Downtown Montlake, and you’re welcomed by cheerful hellos, laughing conversation, your new-favorite musical tracks—and, of course, superb styling service. On a rainy fall day, add a cup of tea and a comfy chair pulled up to the warmth of the flickering fireplace (above which is mounted an eye-catching ceramic moose head).This convivial place feels like a boutique clubhouse—Montlake’s 21st century answer to the iconic neighborhood barbershop. Presiding over the hospitable scene is, of course, Juan Lopez, community service activist, Montlake Community Club Board member, and our own “most interesting man.”
Lopez has made a habit of giving back to the community since he started work at Salon Blast in Montlake in 2007. He became that salon’s owner in 2013. Not long after, he moved to open Glam & Tonics Aveda just two doors down. How many Montlake residents remember the Locks of
Love event, when Mr. Johnson’s Antiques owner, Matt, sacrificed his lengthy locks to Juan’s scissors for the non-profit that provides hairpieces for children in need? And how about the Paws fundraisers that he and his salon colleagues have supported? Then there’s the salon art gallery space provided for Montlake artists throughout the Montlake Unabridged Arts & Music summer of 2015? Ah, now we get to arts advocacy.
As a downtown Montlake business owner, Juan is well aware of the traffic issues that bedevil our community and is highly supportive of practical fixes. After all, his clients—40% Montlakers, 60% from beyond—all have to cope with the traffic challenges just to get to his salon. But his special interest as a project committee member is also in creating a new unique identity for Montlake that incorporates rich artistic expression. Juan gets animated when he talks of public artworks enticing residents and visitors alike to stroll the streets, shop, sip, dine, take advantage of services, and hang out. He already imagines murals, sculptures, archways, plantings, and lighting, all in service of that unique community identity. It’s easy to be drawn into Juan’s creative thought experiments about Montlake’s future as you join him for a cup of tea by the fireplace.
The Montlake C
ommunity Club will soon be forming a Public Arts committee to organize the addition of public art in our business district. That new group will establish guidelines & procedures, identify potential sites, and manage the art acquisition process. You can well imagine Juan Lopez, Montlake’s most interesting man, serving on that Public Arts committee. Can you imagine yourself giving back to your community by serving too? Interested residents are encouraged to contact Kathy Laughman, the project lead (kathleenlaughman@gmail.com).
Montlake Boundary Map
UPDATED with MCC President comments
A request to change the southern boundary of Montlake Community Club (MCC) has been brought before the Montlake Community Club. According to the “official” description in the bylaws, the southern boundary line is E Galer St. Residents that live just south of E Galer St have approached the MCC about expanding the boundary because, even though they feel they are part of Montlake, they are not truly recognized as “Montlake”.
The MCC Board approved a motion to officially bring to a member vote the proposal to make E Helen St the southern boundary line which is four blocks south of E Galer St, the current boundary.
The only way to change the official boundaries is to change the MCC Bylaws which requires a vote by the MCC members. MCC members include all residents and business owners within Montlake. This proposal must be posted on the Montlake Flyer for at least 30 days for the community to consider and members can submit their vote by mail or on-line. This post serves as the official notice.
To be approved, the proposal must receive 2/3 approval from all of the votes submitted by members. You must submit a vote for it to count.
Update: Voting Has Closed
Or look for “Vote” at the top of the web page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you may submit a vote by mail. A ballot is provided in the paper version of The Montlake Flyer that is currently being distributed to Montlake residents within the next few days. The results of the vote will to posted on Montlake.Net after the required time period.
UPDATE:
I would like to thank everyone for their online comments and suggestions regarding the proposed boundary change which is obviously a controversial topic. I’ve been following the conversation closely and now I would like to try and provide some history and answer questions about this issue.
What is a Montlake Community Club (MCC) “official” southern boundary change? Is it a land grab?
No, a community club doesn’t grab land. MCC and other community clubs and councils aim to foster community and offer representation. An “official” boundary change is simply a change of the area the community club represents. It is not a neighborhood definition change. There are many common interests between residents of Montlake currently falling with the boundaries of the club, and residents of areas not within the boundaries. Common interests include bicycle and pedestrian safety, traffic, bus service and schools. Joining together gives members a louder voice so that hopefully we will be heard.
If the boundary change is approved, does that mean my neighborhood will change from the Arboretum to Montlake?
No, of course not. But, in addition to pooling resources with neighbors to work on specific issues, you can get the support of the Montlake Community Club, its representation, its support in obtaining grants, improvements to streets, access to parks, school issues, etc. You also can volunteer on the MCC Board, represent the MCC at East District meeting to vote on grants, etc.
How and when did this proposal start?
The idea to change the “official” southern boundary has been discussed for a while. It first began as conversations with some residents who live south of E Galer St, our official southern boundary. They expressed a desire to be included in the Montlake Community Club representation area. As they are not officially part of Montlake they are ineligible to serve on the MCC Board which is a well organized neighborhood group recognized by city and state officials.
Because of this, The Montlake Community Club started doing some research on the area south of E Galer St, east of 23rd Ave E, north of E Madison St, and west of Lake Washington Blvd, an area where exact neighborhood boundaries have sometimes seemed unclear. We found that, according to the Madison Valley Community, their northern boundary is E Madison St. Some say it is E Helen St, but if that is true, it is not backed up by their own neighborhood description which is clearly stated on their website. Last year the past MCC President, Julee Neuhart, contacted the Madison Valley Community Council and she reported that they supported a club boundary change. A few months ago, I contacted Zachary Pullin, the President of the Capitol Hill Community Council, and he confirmed their east boundary is 23rd Ave E and he also supported a club boundary change. Residents that identify as the “Arboretum” proved to be more difficult to communicate with as a whole, however, we did find that the people we did speak to supported the idea. Considering all of this, the MCC felt a change in the boundary was worth pursuing.
According to the MCC Bylaws, the only way to change the boundary is through a vote by members, which must receive 2/3 approval. Unfortunately, according to the Bylaws, only members that live inside the official boundaries are allowed to vote. The decision to bring this to a vote was made and approved at the December MCC Board meeting, ballots were printed and distributed in the Montlake Flyer and on the Montlake.Net website.
What is Montlake Community club’s motivation to change the club boundary? What are the Pros?
We simply want to provide representation to everyone who lives in Montlake and Arboretum neighborhoods because we all share common interests. A larger group certainly speaks with a louder voice and maybe E Helen St should have been the southern border all along. We also benefit by possibly getting more volunteers that have the desire and drive to get involved and make a change.
What are the Cons?
The MCC does not recognize any Cons at this time. If you fall within the boundary area, you automatically become a member. No forced fees, no obligation whatsoever. You can, in fact, ignore the MCC if you want to.
Bryan Haworth
Montlake Community Club, President
Good Folk, Hear Ye! Yea, Listen up!
Come Ye to the Annual Autumnal All-MONTLAKE YARD SALE!
Saturday, October 3, 9 to 3
Doubt Not! Over 80 neighborhood locations,
Click for 2015 Item Summary Sheet & Map by Zones
Draw forth your wallet–Draw on your shopping shoes–Steer forth your truck– Bring well-muscled friends. Join the throngs seeking fantastic bargains along the tree-lined streets of Montlake.
Ye shall find big booty (furniture, canoes, dorm fridge, kiln) and little treasures(comics, jewelry, tchotchkes, CDs, DVDs); electronics (big screen TVs, laptops-ancients and newbies) and antiques (wall clock; cradle, tea set) sports equipment (bicycles, skis, scuba gear, snowboard) & leisure gear (lawn chairs and rockers); artwork (noteworthy and obscure), books (very old & quite new; scandalous &/or educational) and yard tools (lawnmowers, and practical stuff); kids toys (American Girl Dolls, jigsaw puzzles, games ) & grandma’s collectible (silver, crystal & linens).
Verily, it’s going to be a “Munificent Potpourri!”
Whilst Ye shop for great bargains, stop off for a deli lunch at the Montlake Boulevard Market or picnic supplies at Mont’s Market. Take a latte or tea break at FUEL. Visit Mr. Johnson’s Antiques and the Montlake Bicycle Shop. Stay after the sale ends for dinner at Café Lago or a burger and brew at the Traveler Montlake. Peruse the beauty bounty found at Glam & Tonics and Coven. We love our Montlake businesses and thee will too.
**BEWARE YE, The devilish WSDOT single-lane closures on the 520 Westbound Exit to Montlake & intermittently on single lanes of Montlake Boulevard between East Roanoke and the Montlake Bridge. Verily, Ye can still get to the great booty at the Shelby & Hamlin Streets’ 9 bountiful yard sale sites.
Be Ye early or Be Ye Late, Be in Montlake– It’s a Date!
There have been many changes within Montlake Blvd Market aka the Hop-In; I recently chatted with Aaron Gepner, the store manager, about how the store has evolved and plans for the future.
LAS: The full shelves are hard to miss when you enter Montlake Blvd Market, I love all the recent additions and changes I have seen at store since you took over as the store manager in June 2011. How many new items have you added? What do you look for in new products?
AG – Well, first of all thanks to you and others in and around Montlake neighborhood for all the support of this locally owned and independent grocery market. Since I joined we have added roughly 5,000 new items, bringing our total of grocery goods to 12,000 plus.
Our product selection has been heavily influenced by our loyal clientele base. We encourage customer comments on any part of the store, especially when it comes to items they want see on our shelves. They are the people that are buying them, so naturally that makes the most sense to accommodate their needs. The items we are adding are unique to a store our size. Just the other day someone called looking for lingonberry jam, we had it. She was ecstatic because our big boy competitors do not carry it. We really try to accommodate for not only the conventional consumer but also for higher end choices. We have most of everything that you would find at the big stores and many of our new items added are niche, local, organic, independent fresh and small batch made.
LAS: I love the new additions of Thai Fusions Sauces, Uli’s Sausages and Seattle Cider – What are some other popular items that have been flying off the shelves?
AG: The Thai Fusions Peanut Sauce is amazing! Oh, where do I start? Some new additions over the past year that have been a success include High 5 Pies, Britt’s Pickles and Kimchi, Uncle Buds Peanuts, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Hot Cakes, Local Salt Water Taffy, Essential Baking Co (delivered every morning at 7), Rapa Nui Empanadas, Seastack Cheese – the list goes on and on.
LAS: Tell me about other changes around the store.
AG: Another store area that has seen a nice makeover is our produce department, with an amazing selection, just recently added Rainier and Bing Cherries and Jumbo peaches.
The Beer and Wine department will blow you away. Better selection and just as competitive as those other guys.
Our cold beverage selection could possibly be Seattle’s best. Come in and check out our “Alley of Beverages” down aisle 8. Daily, we see customers stunned by the variety of choices. A few staff favorites are Stumptown cold brew coffee with milk, Yerba Mate drinks, and the 50 plus glass bottle vintage style sodas.
In the Deli, the quality of the items, freshness, and selection has changed drastically. I am fortunate to work with Max Gottlieb who has over 30 years’ experience in the food industry. He has transformed the deli to a whole new level as of now and many other changes to come. With the sandwiches, the secret is the fresh ingredients. All the produce used in the deli comes from our produce department. Additionally, we have seen an influx of catering orders the past couple of months. Our popular chicken tenders and Max’s homemade ranch dipping sauce that compliments them well have been a big hit for parties and get-togethers. Grab one of our menus next time you come in to the Market.
We are continually growing the store. Some other areas that will be improving in the next year will be an expanded meat selection, more organic produce items, a better selection of “meal ready” options for those busy families, fresh refrigerated dog and cat food, blended smoothies and coffee shakes, expanded hardware and household item and whatever else our clientele suggests. Anyone can speak up to either me or anyone on our team; we want to assist ours neighbors. Customers can email Ryan and me via email: montlakemarket@gmail.com. We try to be as accessible as possible.
LAS: What is a hidden treasure of the Market that you think more people should know about?
AG – I would say that a hidden treasure at the store is not anything that we sell. The treasure is the people who work for me. I can honestly say that everyone at Montlake Blvd. Market wants the best for each other, the store, and the customers’ products and experience. Trust me; it isn’t always that way in business. We have set a new standard of customer service at the market, and we all execute that mindset. We all have fun at the store and it is a great ‘work hard and have fun’ environment, just talk to the people who work here and you will understand what I’m saying.
I attribute a lot of the advancements in the store to 2 people in particular: Max, Deli Manager, and Ryan, Asst. Store Manager. Max is the reason you can get those treasures in the deli. If you haven’t had one of our made to order sandwiches lately, try one! I usually don’t even give him a specific sandwich order if I’m hungry. I just tell him to surprise me. The Flyin Hawaiian Sandwich will be the July sandwich of the month. It is crazy good. Ryan has been instrumental in advancing the product selection, media and advertising, along with all of our custom chalk signs around the Market. He has a skillset that is far above an assistant manager role, and a great person to work with.
LAS: I heard a rumor that the market is considering wine tastings, are they still in the pipeline? What other products or events are in the works at Montlake?
AG – Yes, wine tasting and beer growlers are in the works. The wine tastings will highlight winemakers and their product. This will be an opportunity for people to try it before they buy it, and become educated on specific wines. I envision this as being a weekly staple at the Market….maybe “Tuesday Night Tastings at the Market”? Free wine, sounds good to me.
The beer growlers will be a chance for customers to purchase beer that you do not typically buy at a grocery store. There are many local microbrews that do not bottle or can. A growler is a 64 oz. glass bottle that can be filled and chilled in your fridge to consume when you want, Ryan and I will only serve local brewers in the Seattle and Washington state region. No out of state beers because we love our state and the small businesses.
LAS: I have also noticed the Market’s increased community outreach. Is this a change from the past or something that has slowly been evolving? Many people may not be aware that the Market donated dinner for each of the Outreach Events that were hosted by Montlake Family Fitness and Montlake Community Center last summer. Would you share any other local events you have been involved in? Are you seeking to continue this community outreach?
AG – I am not sure about the community involvement in the past. I do know that moving forward the Market is trying to be as active as possible. A few events that we did contribute to and were involved in last year were the community yard sale, the 3 outreach events you mentioned for the construction of the outdoor fitness equipment and sport court at the playground, the 4th of July parade, a fundraiser for a school nearby, neighborhood park work parties, Halloween trick o’ treating, etc.
Recently, I made arrangements with NW Center to park one of their big blue trucks out back of our parking lot on every Saturday and Sunday. They will be accepting donations for people in need. More information is at the store.
As far as future projects and involvement, we are open to many ideas and are willing to assist when we can.
Yelp
LAS: Ok, I must know, so be honest, how do you and the owners feel about everyone calling Montlake Blvd Market – the Hop-In?
AG: Honestly, from what I understand is that the owners wanted the store name to associate with the community when they did a slight remodel roughly 4 years ago. Hence, Montlake Blvd Market. Many people still call it “Hop In” because that is what it was named for 30 or so years. That is perfectly fine with us; whatever it is to you – call it that! We don’t mind.
Many people do not realize that the store was one of the original Safeway stores in Seattle. I actually plan on printing and displaying a very cool 1930’s photo of the original store. It is remarkable to see that this Market has been here as long as it has serving the community.
I along with the staff at MBM look forward to serving you soon!
Montlake Blvd Market/ Hop-In
Monday – Friday 6 am – 12 am
Saturday 7 am – 12 am
Sunday 7 am – 11 pm
THE MEETING – 10 APRIL, 2014 – WABN Construction Update
Some people had a meeting just the other night,
at the Queen City Yacht Club with a WSDOT invite.
WSDOT’s people paid a visit, their panel fronted the room
to inform us about WABN which would be happening soon.
A mayor’s office representative sat far in the back
and waved when introduced but never said jack.
People from distant neighborhoods were plentiful there
and a man from Roanoke was the meeting’s acting chair.
The chairman was polite with well-prepared questions
all carefully worded to avoid any hint of contention.
The chair’s polite questions were vaguely answered by WSDOT
and those ambiguous answers caused the audience to get hot.
Many folks were just there because they were curious
while a few of our neighbors almost sounded furious.
When the time came to give the audience their turn,
the hands flew in the air – they were starting to burn!
THE DISCUSSION
The first public comment came from Madison Park.
A man stood and said this WSDOT plan is too stark.
He had tried working that plan for now seventeen years;
seems this WSDOT fiasco had nearly brought him to tears.
Then the audience helped him out with loud applause and cheers!
Though most of the speakers were cool and polite,
the audience mood was hardly contrite.
Both S DOT and WS DOT did their own traffic studies
but, our analysis has shown their results are too muddy.
So intentionally focused at just the traffic ‘on-shore’,
they’ve ignored the real reasons that the neighbors deplore,
reasons that keep the neighbors from getting to the store.
Then a man from Montlake stood and pointed out the fatal flaws
in WSDOT’s traffic study, to more loud audience applause.
That study’s missed out the Arboretum’s five thousand cars;
WSDOT didn’t answer – perhaps the cars are on Mars.
Next a lady from Laurelhurst complained about the long time
driving from her home neighborhood waiting in traffic lines,
all the way through Montlake full of traffic lights and stop signs,
she said her trip downtown in minutes takes about forty-nine.
A second man from Montlake stood up, then he rambled,
though his thoughts were pertinent they were a bit scrambled.
When the chair finally asked is there a question in there,
man two paused – but before sitting back in his chair –
he held up the evening handout, WSDOT’s March newsletter,
and asked ‘Why is this intentionally misleading information in there’?
What was in that newsletter that excited the man so?
It was this one simple question to be answered yes or no:
Will there be traffic impacts when WABN lets go?
And to their own question, WSDOT’s short answer was no.
More audience applause then helped Montlake man two to his chair.
THE REAL PROBLEM
University Village keeps adding more and more parking,
and at the car-intense U dub only the huskies are barking.
As for the drawbridge that flies open for just one solitary boat,
stopping hundreds of cars from crossing our own Montlake moat,
fixing that outdated maritime law is our neighbor’s big hope.
It’s a big Montlake deal to which all our politicians say nope.
THE ENDING
WS DOT responded weakly to most questions from the audience,
as though they would have preferred to just sit there in silence.
When their talking points got repetitive people started looking bored
and before too much longer we all headed for the door
So, did the neighborhood appreciate WSDOT’s evening PR show?
If I could speak for the neighbors, I’d say the short answer was NO!
By: ArtArchitect