Seattle Press on Line - Leary Dreary No Longer

Leary Dreary No Longer

New look at Bernie's Automotive at 8th Avenue Northwest and Northwest Leary Way.

New Hertz sign at AA Rentals on Leary Way Northwest.

Jul 27, 2000 -- Once lined by steel mills and auto junkyards, Leary Way Northwest, which roughly parallels the ship canal along Ballard's southern edge, is also going through some major changes which began, perhaps, with the construction of the big Office Max at Leary Way Northwest and 14th Avenue Northwest, the Fred Meyer superstore on the site of a former steel mill, and Doc Freeman's Marine Supply moving into the former Ernst location at 15th Avenue Northwest and Leary Way Northwest.

Though once known in the neighborhood as "dreary Leary," the salvage yards have been moving out, new businesses have been moving in and many that stay are sprucing up their outsides and transforming themselves in other ways.

On the former Ernst parking at 1455 Leary Way NW, Ballard Lofts, a 66,000-square-foot, four-story office building is under construction.

A new postal distribution center (not a post office!) just opened on Northwest 45th Street east of Leary. An architecturally undistinguished building, it looks a little bit like a medium security correctional facility.

At 999 Leary Way, the former Nix auto salvage yard will soon be home to a new Jack-in-the-Box fast food restaurant along with a gas station and convenience grocery store.

Down the street a little, Bernie's Auto Repair has a bright new facade. And at AA Rentals, long the haven of Saturday morning remodelers and contractors of all types, a new corporate identity beams down on the neighborhood. The local chain was recently bought out by Hertz.

Leary Way is a culinary lure for many. Weekend mornings, customers are lined up in front of the Dish Diner at 8th Avenue NW and Leary Way. Hales Brewpub at 4301 Leary Way NW attracts sizable lunch and dinner crowds and Bright Street Pub and Cafe has expanded is menu and seating capacity recently.

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