"We thought there was a need in West Seattle for a custom gift shop," said Kimberly Lim who, with co-owner Jodie Marr, recently opened Moxie Papergoods & Gifts.

The new shop offers custom wedding announcements and baby announcements as well as personalized stationery, customized change-of-address cards and wrapping paper.

Much of the store is devoted to artistic greeting cards, including letterpress cards and cards from Europe. There are humorous cards too.

Both Lim and Marr are realtors so they also put together "closing gifts" that real estate agents give to brokers, title company representatives and other agents upon completion of a home sale.

Lim saw two opportunities that convinced her to open a new store in West Seattle. There is rekindled interest in greeting cards, which now distinguish themselves from endless e-mail.

The other factor, she said, is West Seattle's economic outlook seems strong.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Address: 3916 California Ave. S.W.

Phone: 932-2800

Tea in the evening

Go up the stairs to reach The T(ea) Gallery, which is open evenings and weekends selling loose tea and tea-related items such as cast-iron teapots and "infusers," perforated metal containers that hold tea as it steeps.

Owner Tracy Shafer also has a small art gallery with a tidy selection of books and greeting cards. But most of the shop's emphasis is on tea, all of which is imported and many varieties are organic and fair-trade certified.

Loose tea is sold by the ounce and that's about enough for four to six cups, Shafer said. Some teas stand up to multiple steepings. Prices range from $2 to $5.16 per ounce.

Shafer and her husband live in the Admiral District and she wanted to share her enthusiasm for tea with her neighbors. She holds a daytime job downtown working for an investment advisor. That's why The T(ea) Gallery is open only on weeknights and weekends.

Hours: 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Address: 2707 California Ave. S.W.

Phone: 932-4805

E-mail: info@myteagallery.com

They call it comfort food

The food at Al's Caf/ and Espresso is as basic as the restaurant's name.

Breakfast offerings include eggs with corned beef hash as well as biscuits and gravy.

There are hot and cold sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch, while hot turkey sandwiches, spaghetti and meatloaf are among the daily dinner specials.

The California Avenue restaurant is owned by Sandra White and managed by her daughter, Sara Box.

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Address: 6022 California Ave. S.W.

Phone: 932-3513

They won't be selling mud

A new pet supply store called Mud Bay is planned to open sometime soon in the Admiral District at 2611 California Ave. S.W.

Mud Bay is a small chain of stores selling 450 types of food for dogs and cats along with dietary supplements, toys and other pet needs.

The business started in 1988 with a store on Mud Bay Road in Olympia. There are other Mud Bay stores in Burien, Capitol Hill, Greenwood, University Village and Kent. The Admiral District store will be the company's 14th store.

Tim St. Clair can be reached at tstclair@robinsonnews.com or 932-0300.