posted 06/30/10 10:38 AM | updated 06/30/10 10:38 AM
Views: 2877 | Comments : 18 | News, etc.

Bubble bursts for Bliss Soaps: Broadway shop shuts down

By jseattle
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Phil Wright said it was a blow to the business that Bliss Soaps just couldn't overcome. This fall's $20,000 dispute over a soap business deal gone bad set a series of financial hurdles in place that make continuing Bliss at its 619 Broadway E location impossible, according to Wright.


Proprietor Originally uploaded by sea turtle

Today, the windows of the shop area already papered over and, inside, Wright is working to pack away years of small business detritus. Wright said he and co-owner Chuck Sapronetti had no choice but to shut Bliss down even though he says the business was successful in its arbitration following this fall's financial dispute. "Business was fine," Wright tells CHS. "Chase [Bank] closed our account just before Thanksgiving. They re-opened it and then closed it again. We ended up with no inventory. We had no choice."

The closure marks another small, quirky, possibly not always well-run but interesting business leaving north Broadway. Earlier, we reported on Harem getting booted by a landlord and the Museum of the Mysteries has been scooted along by the success of (CHS advertiser) Metrix: Create. Yeah, even the Yeti is gone.

Wright said he told his landlord -- who Wright said has been "very, very good to the business" -- that Bliss just shouldn't go on. Wright said he needs to get the financial side of things cleared up before continuing business.

He hasn't given up on Broadway. "I have no clue what I'll do next. Keep checking the web site and hopefully we'll be back on Broadway," Wright said. "I won't open if we can't be on Broadway. Or at least on the Hill."

Thanks to Leedale and Sea Turtle for the tips that the shop had put the butcher paper up confirming rumors we started hearing earlier this month.

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oh no!
this makes me very sad

one of our favorite neighborhood business owners--always so helpful & friendly :(
Comment by yancy
June 30, 2010
:(
This makes me physically ill. Bliss Soaps has always been good to me and my son, both of us having sensitive skin and all. Will they still be selling product online? I'm not sure my little man can survive without his banana soap.
Comment by Josie
June 30, 2010
RE: :(
Sorry to leave that vague but it's not clear. Wright told me two things:
1) The online store will be coming down soon
2) He might make the business online only

Those two facts don't line up. You can contact Phil here blisssoap@blisssoap.com and we'll also follow up when they're not overwhelmed with the move. Sounded like there's a lot to get done.
Comment by jseattle
June 30, 2010
RE: :(
I dropped into Bliss yesterday (picked up a lot of their final inventory at rock bottom prices) and Phil told me that they were going to take some "time off" to rebuild their inventory & take a break, and then they would resume online sales.

I'm really sorry to see them go, as I only discovered them last year after the business deal fiasco, and I enjoyed shopping there very much. We'll miss you Bliss!
Comment by songstorm
June 30, 2010
So sad
one common theme I keep seeing in people's financial distress CHASE

Those folks fcked over WAMU when they got them from the government, fuck over seattle in general and continue to fuck over anybody who is unfortunate enough to be in a business deal with them.

How sad
Comment by angry
June 30, 2010
RE: So sad
WAMU fucked itself otherwise it would not have been taken over.

Taking out a mortgage you can't afford is fucking over yourself. There are many people who should take responsibilty for their own actions.
Comment by Mike Silva's Alter Ego
June 30, 2010
.... Chase is a collection of scum suckers
Agree. The WORST bank in America.

Do NOT do business with these scum.
Comment by Mike with curls
June 30, 2010
RE: So sad
Agree with Mike, Chase is the worst bank ever. I used them for a few months after they took over Wamu and then promptly switched to BECU. Best decision I'd made in a while.
Comment by JS
June 30, 2010
sad day
I first met Phil and Chuck when Bliss was on a cart in the old Broadway Market, about 10 years ago. Nicest, friendliest business owners (and human beings) that you'd ever want to meet.

Very sad that the store can't continue. I hope Chuck and Phil can stay involved in the community, and I wish them the best of luck.
Comment by sea turtle
June 30, 2010
Not OK
So Phil gets conned by these thugs and now he loses his business. That is tragic and so unfair. Can't any lawyers do a little pro bono and help the guy out? Ugh, so sad. :(
Comment by Van
June 30, 2010
RE: Not OK
They have an attorney, but the situation is complicated and schtuff doesn't happen overnight.

Be well, Chuck and Phil!
Comment by j__
July 01, 2010
RE: Not OK
lawyer understand the contract. bilss soap don't. learn to be a business man, stand up do what you said.
Comment by mike
5 months ago
Flakey
Yes, their soap rocks.

Yes Phil and Chuck are really nice guys.

But what do you expect when you never open your store or never open until like 2-4 pm? (And this was before the whole $20,000 "scandle"...
(Phil calls it CPT, if you know what that means...)

Plus, he has had offers to re-do his website and he just plain flaked. The website sucks.

Good soap, bad business plans.
Comment by Me
July 01, 2010
Oh my, what a slippery surprize...
I am not at all shocke that this place is closed. While enjoying many experiences on Broadway, this shop always seemed never to have the doors open. The shop was closed during the Pride on Broadway event just last weekend. I was shocked by this and mentioned to my fellowing ducklings that the store is missing out some great revenue. I am sad to see a local business idea fold, but for quacking sense... why did they not appear open more often than not. I felt this store was open as a cover shop only, but oh well... I am just a duck without any business ideas for quacks sake!
Comment by Soappy the Duck
July 01, 2010
RE: Oh my, what a slippery surprize...
Cover/front for local sex dungeon?

Plenty of soap to clean up afterward... tee hee.
Comment by Me
July 01, 2010
Bliss closing
Seem like this store was destined to close for several reasons. Bad management, poor hours and all the blood sucking customers like the ones I read who took advantage through the years of giveaways and discounts even on the final days. True and loyal friends would have offered help and support to maintain a business which everyone states was important in the communtity. I would imagine in this part of Seattle any business can be considerd a front for some form of sex business. Shows me the mentality of those on the "hill"
Unless you have solid proof to offer, keep you sick perveted opinions in that gutter you call your head.
Poor business practice, tough economy and blood sucking piranhas, aka customers, led to this downfall
Comment by jessica nelson
July 03, 2010
RE: Bliss closing
In defense of the "front" comment, the dungeon was just a joke. dot dot dot... Although, trying to be a "clean" joke... it would be a clean dungeon!

Phil and Chuck do have a sense of humor. And I do wish them the best.

And they do have great soap!
Comment by Me
July 03, 2010
any updates?
Any updates on Bliss and Chuck and Phil (July 2011)? The website is gone. I was hoping they'd be back in business by now.
Comment by sea turtle
10 months ago