Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 6, Issue 12, December 2002

Copyright 2002 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article and photos below in your research. Be sure to quote the Seattle Sun as your source.

Business Briefs

ActivSpace owns new facility

ActivSpace recently opened a new facility at N. 49th and Aurora Avenue, near the Woodland Park Zoo. The new building, ActivSpace@The Zoo, offers 82 art studio/work space units, ranging in size from 100 to 400 square feet, and which are equipped with 110- and 220-volt power, utility sinks, large windows and phone lines with DSL capability. The owners are Jude Siddall and her husband Gary Romain.

Fremont Still Life sold

Ruth Quinet recently sold the Still Life Cafe in Fremont to a partnership group led by Bob Day. He said he has no plans to change either the ambience or the menu. Quinet was a co-founder of the Still Life in Fremont, which opened in 1986. This past April, she opened second Still Life Cafe, which is located at 1405 NE 50th in the University District. She will continue to run that restaurant. She said she choose the U-District location, which is about half the size of the original Still Life in Fremont, because she was "yearning for something smaller."

First Mutual moves to new digs

The Ballard branch of First Mutual Bank moved into its new building at 6301 15th Ave. NW at the beginning of October. The new building, built on the site of an old Econo Lube, is more than twice the size of the bank branch's old location at 2038 NW Market St., its home since 1994. The Ballard branch's new building also offers on-site parking for eight cars, an automated teller machine, a drive-through window and a night deposit slot. The branch is managed by Jo-Anne Kernan and employs five workers.

First Mutual, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, is a Bellevue-based bank with 10 branches, most of which are on the Eastside. The bank serves both individuals and business customers.

LC Chamber gets new director:

On Nov. 1, Jo Ellen Merry took over the post of executive director of the Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce. She replaces Janet Thompson, who plans to pursue a consulting business. Merry is originally from Bremerton and now resides in Bothell. She holds Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance from Cornish College of the Arts, and teaches dance in the evenings in West Seattle. Merry most recently worked in the accounting office for a local flower wholesaler. "(Lake City) is a wonderful area that needs to be developed more. I would like to see it become another or the next University Village shopping area (with) boutiques and gift shops," said Merry. "To do that, of course, we will need a little face lift." For details, call the Chamber at 363-3287.

Port Chatham opens new store

Port Chatham Smoked Seafood recently opened a new Portlock retail store at 2821 NW Market St., one block east of the Ballard Locks. The new store replaces the company's historic Ballard smokehouse just a few blocks away.

Ballard Mail & Dispatch opens

Ballard Mail & Dispatch, a coffee shop, mailing service and gift boutique, recently opened its doors at 1752 NW Market St. Owners Stephen and Diana Naramore moved to Seattle last year from Los Angeles, in search of a better place to raise a family. The couple are parents of two young children. Prior to launching their own business, both worked for cruise ship lines.