While Phinneywood has been doing comparatively well as we enter the new normal for the pandemic with regards to our amazing small businesses, three businesses have either closed or announced imminent closures:
Two Birds Tattoo at 7408 Greenwood Ave will be closing early 2022 after nearly 13 years. Entirely women-owned & staffed, Two Birds was founded by Ruby Santiago and Suzy Todd in 2009. Both had a long history of tattooing and wanted to open a tattoo shop that felt more like a boutique art gallery. Two Birds had a reputation for talented artists, great customer service & an open, fun, inviting vibe and also supported local artists by featuring them in its gallery space and storefront.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that Two Birds Tattoo will be closing permanently in January 2022. The owner of the shop, @suzytodd made the difficult decision earlier this year to move to California to be closer to her family and to retire from shop ownership. Her initial plan was to sell the shop to a new owner to keep it open, however when none of the current artists wanted to stay, selling became no longer an option. With time running out & no other viable options it was decided to let the staff go their way & start the closing process.
It’s been an incredible journey for us these past 11+ years, and we’re so humbled, thankful and grateful for all the incredible support we’ve gotten from our clients and our amazing community during our time in the Phinneywood neighborhood…While it is sad to close, there’s bittersweet feelings as we are moving into a new chapter of freedom to travel, slow down and appreciate nature and be close to our family…We thank you all for being here for us! #twobirdstattooseattle”
7-Eleven at 416 N 59th S. is currently boarded up and not in operation. MyBallard.com reported that the owner of this location as well as a Fremont location that is also boarded up has “had some recent health issues, and with low sales, persistent shoplifting, and difficulties finding employees, he decided he couldn’t handle running the store anymore.”
The owner reportedly handed the stores over to the 7-Eleven franchise, and it’s still up in the air whether they will reopen.
The Lodge Sports Grille at 8501 Greenwood Ave N has closed permanently, with no announcement or press release that we have found. It has been well-documented locally that the chain has faced deep tax issues for many years.
