Founded in 1903 and revived in 2021 as a popular hub for morning coffee, food, snacks, wine, Frosé, neighborhood connection and more, the business at the historic Three Tree Point Store is preparing to leave its longtime beachside home. Soon, workers will pack things up and move up the hill to a new location in downtown Burien.
Owner Nelle Reichert confirmed that the store will close its historic Maplewild Ave SW location on Friday, Aug. 22, and reopen in the fall at 646 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien. The new space, formerly home to Helen Custom Upholstery is near Be Yoga, Centro Mexican Kitchen, and Sitka Living.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We are aware that there are potential legal issues involved in whether or not the new location can be called the “Three Tree Point Store,” and will be reporting again if and when a decision or agreement is made.
“After nearly three wonderful years at Three Tree Point, it felt like the right time to take the next step,” Reichert told The B-Town Blog. “Moving into downtown Burien is an opportunity to bring the spirit of the store into a new, more accessible location—while continuing to offer the connection, quality, and charm our customers love.”
“The move is rooted in growth rather than conflict,” Reichert said, explaining that the transition to downtown Burien will give the store room to thrive in a space better suited to its future. She added that ongoing lease challenges at the current location also made the relocation a practical choice.
The historic original store, first opened in 1903, was restored and re-launched in September 2021 as a charming neighborhood store offering coffee, food, drinks, trivia nights, and a welcoming space for community connection. Its revival was made possible in part by owner Todd Manola and the Burien City Council’s February 2021 approval of the “Legacy Storefronts Zoning Code Amendment,” which allows historic old neighborhood storefronts like this one to reopen with limited commercial use.
Reichert emphasized that the spirit of the store will remain the same.
“This move isn’t goodbye, it’s a continuation,” she said. “What made the store special will remain: connection, great food and drinks, and the joy of coming together.”
The new Three Tree Point Store location is expected to open later this fall, pending buildout and permitting.
“Even before a formal announcement, word has gotten out, and the feedback has been incredibly positive,” Reichert added. “People are excited to see the store continue and grow. Many have expressed that it’s not just about the address – it’s about the people, the spirit, and the energy that make the Store what it is.”
History of the Store
Opened in 1903, the historic Three Tree Point Store at 16957 Maplewild Ave SW is considered Burien’s first grocery and a cornerstone of its beachside community. In its early days, the neighborhood was accessible only by foot, horse or boat – often via the Mosquito Fleet dock just to the west – or by hiking the historic region-wide Indian Trail, as Maplewild Ave SW was not developed until the 1920s.
Over its 120+‑year history, the store has served many purposes, including grocery, butcher shop with one of the area’s first electric meat slicers, lending library, dive shop, art gallery, and coffee counter, all while housing a residence in the back.
After purchasing the property in 2019, Manola carefully restored the building, repainting it, preserving its original scale, cash register, meat slicer, signage and history.
Reichert Starts GoFundMe
Store owner Reichert has started a GoFundMe page, hoping to raise $7,500 to help her pay for the relocation, where she wrote:
“After nearly a year of difficult and unexpected lease negotiations, I’ve made the heartbreaking—but ultimately necessary—decision to relocate the Three Tree Point Store. While I don’t know what the landlord plans to do with the space after I vacate, the repeated changes to my lease and the uncertainty around its future no longer make it financially sustainable to remain in my current location.”
She added, “It’s deeply emotional to leave behind the space that has meant so much to me, to my family, and to this community. But with your help, I’m hopeful for what comes next.”
What Will Take Over the Old Location?
Manola said a new tenant is already lined up for the historic space, though he wasn’t quite ready to reveal the details. He hinted that an exciting announcement is expected after Sept. 1, so stay tuned…
Contact
- Questions? Email hello@threetreepoint.store
- Follow them on Instagram: @threetreepoint_store
The new Three Tree Point Store will be located at 646 SW 152nd Street in downtown Burien:
This is so sad for this community. This was a fun meeting place any time of day or evening for people living here and from elsewhere as well. What a shame.
I agree. While I’m happy to continue supporting the business wherever they move, the store in that location is iconic and one of my favorite places to be. <3
This must be a joke. The Three Tree Point Store is not something that can be moved. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for over 40 years and that location has always been “The Three Tree Point Store”, even when it was not operating as a store. You can open a business on 152nd and call it that name but it won’t be The Three Tree Point Store.
The Three Tree Point Store has been just a “location” and a “landmark” for most people for a very long time. With that said, credit and a big THANK YOU to the actual business owner for creating such a great neighborhood gathering spot over the last 4 years. I, personally, will choose to call the 3TP location the “Old Three Tree Point Store”, but will both respect and support the actual “business” that has been operating under that name as they are forced to move to 152nd.
I thought the Manolas owned the store and the name and she was just renting???? What changed???
The current tenant is leasing the space, but is doing business under (as) the Three Tree Point Store name (DBA) therefore can take that name with the business to the new location.
I look forward to visiting the TTP store on the point as a destination spot with my grandkids!
Great asset to the community.
Hope the new tenants keep it up!
The “Three Tree Point Store” isn’t just a business name – it’s the building, the location, the community (which they didn’t create), and a 100+ year legacy. The name, logo, and signage were established before the current tenant ever moved in.
Using that identity for years, then trying to take it out of the neighborhood like it’s hers to claim? That’s not just odd – it’s misleading.
See you at the real Three Tree Point Store when it reopens!
The “Three Tree Point Store” IS a business name (obviously) and the only reason anybody is taking about this is because of the great business that was being run there for the past 4 years. Nobody was walking/driving by prior to 2021 talking about their love for the Three Tree Point Store. Some may not like it, but the owner now has a legal right to the name for that type of store. It’s called DBA. Look it up. I understand that in our community that location has always been known by that name – so I get it – but it has not been a legal business for a very long time and therefore there aren’t any legal name ownership rights for a “Store”.”. Individuals can choose to call it what they want going forward, but to expect the current business owner to be forced to move and forfeit the name is silly (also not legal). Whatever ones opinion, let’s all take a deep breath, put a smile on our face, and simply enjoy and support either location as we see fit. Those in the 3TP community won’t be negatively impacted (assuming the new tenant can be as great as the current) and let’s hope for great success on 152nd as well.. There’s enough to go around.
Thank you Jason. I have been shocked at the animosity toward the business owners with this decision. I love the business and location both, but there’s no reason for that to be mutually exclusive!
It truly comes down to a bunch of entitled 3TP residents not wanting the (neighborhood name) diminished by some ex businesses new outpost far from the Point. Oh the horror, we can’t walk there and it says 3TP!
It’s too bad that the business owner did not have an option to renew lease . She took the risk to resurrect this iconic location and it was an obvious success, but shrew property owners have higher ambitions. I hope they get what they’re asking for. A new tenant that fits their agenda. . I hope the local residents can keep it afloat.
I agree. The rent was being paid, the staff has been awesome, the commiunity loved the set up (a little something for all walks of life). Ultimately, the owners can do what they want as they own the building, but it cearly wasn’t broken. Let’s see how they try and fix it. Whatever the outcome, it will be nice to have another great location on 152nd. I plan to support it.
I hope whatever opens there still has a retail element. The not that it had many options, but TTPS was the only thing keeping this neighborhood from being a food desert as well as a transit desert. As someone living in this neighborhood who is both mobility impaired and shares a single car with their partner, this store/cafe was a vital component if me having any semblance of independence and will be sorely missed (especially if the next tenant is only a cafe/restaurant. Really we need a full fledged Bodega down here).