(WSB photo)
Suddenly, there are two restaurant closures happening after this weekend in one block of the West Seattle Junction. Kizuki Ramen announced tonight that Sunday (October 25) will be its last day at 42nd SW and SW Alaska, after 10 years. After getting a tip (thank you!), we went over to verify; a staff member confirmed it and says corporate blamed it on slow business (though the restaurant was busy when we stopped in). Kizuki is part of an international chain, unlike the nearby restaurant also closing after this weekend, Portage Bay Café. This also makes three empty spaces in one block, as a new tenant does not appear to have surfaced yet for the Rudy’s Barbershop space that was vacated when its operations were consolidated into the Rudy’s on Fauntleroy Way in August. Jefferson Square across 42nd has several longrunning vacancies. Meantime, three businesses are about to open on the southwest side of the block – Anchorhead Coffee tomorrow, Dave’s Hot Chicken and Gong Cha in mid-November.