NEWS HOME

The Little Store opens to neighborhood acclaim!

Neighbors in the West Haven area and beyond have been anxiously awaiting the opening of “The Little Store” at the corner of Leahy Road and 90th. It opened in mid-August and it’s already become a neighborhood gathering spot. With indoor and outdoor seating, a deli, a wine and beer bar, Tillamook ice cream, and a coffee shop, it’s a lot more than a convenience store, but they have that covered too.

David and Suzan Galt bought the property in 2013 and began working on county permits and plans. They originally planned to remodel the building, but discovered so many structural problems that they decided to do nearly a complete rebuild. Dave did a lot of the work himself.

The original store was built around a large fir tree. When the Galt’s realized they would have to remove it, they had it milled onsite and used the wood for beams, moldings, and the bar. Other large trees on the small lot have been preserved. The parking lot features permeable concrete that allows rainwater to seep into the ground. “It’s much better for the environment than letting it run off and then pouring it into a sewer,” says Dave. They plan to add more landscaping this fall.

A selection of beer and wine is available by the glass to enjoy inside or on the patio.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner!

They’ll soon offer PO Boxes

Stop in for freshly made breakfast burritos, sandwiches, or quiches along with coffee and espresso from Umbria. Lunch or a light dinner could include a sandwich or Panini, soup, and salad, and there are appetizers to go with your beverages.

Suzan notes that they’ve been tinkering with the stock in the store based on customer requests. Basic grocery items, produce, and a well-stocked cooler (milk, sodas, beer) are supplemented with specialty deli meat and cheese, fresh pastries, packaged snacks, and common household and toiletry supplies.

David came up from the basement where he’d been working on tile!

The store is just down the street from West Tualatin View Elementary and within walking distance from the older neighborhoods and the rapidly developing infill lots. Parents stop in to have coffee and meet friends after dropping kids off, and others enjoy reading the paper on the patio. The fenced patio is dog-friendly too! Suzan mentions that neighbors who had lived near one another for several years finally met up on the patio. That’s community!

They’re open Sunday-Thursday, 6 am-9 pm, and Friday-Saturday, 6 am-11 pm. The address is 8998 SW Leahy Rd., phone 971-865-5956. Email is TheLittleStoreWestHaven@gmail.com.

The permeable surface on the parking lot helps the environment!

Previous article

NEWS HOME