The Martin Luther King Business Association (MLKBA) will meet this Thur., Jan. 15, from 8 to 9:30 am to establish a workplan for 2009 and discuss a proposed street banner project with SEEDArts & HomeSight.
MLKBA member Linh Thai asks members to “come and find out what the association has done on your behalf, [MLKBA] needs your active participation so that we all can survive and strive in this tough economy and the ever changing environment.”
Unfortunately it’s too late for Salima, a strictly halal Vietnamese, Malaysian, Cambodian and even a little bit Thai restaurant that – until just a few weeks ago – had spent most of its delicious life located in the heart of the light rail construction corridor on Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
In an email he sent to friends and faithful customers last week, Salima’s owner (and MLK Business Association Secretary) Asari Mohamath announced that he and his wife were – after three years – abandoning the MLK location for a more “competitive and profitable” one in Columbia City that they hope to open sometime this summer.
What a difference a day makes… What has been Salima Restaurant for three years is now Karama East African Cuisine. Photos/do communications, inc.
Who to know, where to eat & what to do in one of America’s most diverse zip codes!
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I can understand the need to move to a more profitable spot during a risky economic time. I look forward to this retail study that will provide recommendations on how to better market this MLK commercial corridor due this April.
I would advocate for more exterior punch w/ interesting landscaping accents and removing the plywood out of the window, however.
Places should “invite” you in and sadly, I don’t feel the architecture up and down MLK is very inviting yet. I do walk around quite a bit out there, but I think at the same time, it doesn’t encourage more walking around…its a concrete-asphalt landscape w/ unimaginative architecture.
I’m very glad to hear that Salima is not moving far…great food. I look forward to checking out Karama!
Amber:
Wow, you never let me down. I just saw the Salima switch yesterday evening on the way home, and was really disappointed; I’d only had the chance to eat there once, but I thought it was delicious and was looking forward to going there again. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for their Columbia City location!
That is one of my favorite spots, the lamb curry is incredible,actually everything I’ve had there has been great, really nice people too. I’m glad they are only moving to Columbia City (although I don’t care for Columbia City) It’s closer for me.
It’s kind of funny the feeling that you have to get away from the light rail to be competitive but it makes sense with no parking.
People can ride the rail by your restaurant all day but it does not mean they are going to get off at the next station and walk a half mile or so to get something to eat.
The rail is going to close down more restaurants,but who cares more room for condos right?
Here comes the end of diversity.
Mark, MLK was crap for businesses before light rail. The slow train coming promises a better life for retail, but it’s not here yet.
Soon, you’ll be able to complain about how you don’t like MLK because it’s too hip, and start going to CC again.
MLK hip?
@Ratzby
I only travel on M.L.K to eat, so in the future when there is no parking I will not be frequenting any of these businesses any longer.
I highly doubt that I will be complaining about M.L.K. being to hip.
I will go to Columbia City to eat at Salima though since they are some of the nicest people I have met and do not act like they are better than you as I have witnessed with some of the other CC businesses.
How will it be better for/attract new retail with no parking? I for one am not going to go shopping anywhere that I can only take a train to and from with a bunch of bags/packages so I can get mugged when I get off.
Tonight we ate at the pizza place on Rainier toward Renton. It’s right on Mark’s shopping route, and I highly recommend it.
@Ratzby
I already have the flying squirrel pizza place close to me.
@Mark B
“I already have the flying squirrel pizza place close to me.”
That’s my next food adventure. I hear they have pizza.
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