West Seattle's long-standing glass art legacy is entering a vibrant new chapter as Emily Chick steps forward as the new owner of the former Avalon Glassworks, transforming the beloved shop into Honeydew Glassworks. The transition comes after previous owners Jon and Shannon Felix closed the business in June, concluding a 23-year run that cemented the studio as a cornerstone of the local arts community.

The stage for the handover was set in April 2026, when Jon and Shannon Feilx both 56 years old at the time, realized that the "one day" they had envisioned for kayaking, spending time on the water, and visiting family had finally arrived after running the studio since 2003.

Founded in 1993, Avalon Glassworks spent 33 years enriching West Seattle, notably crafting 100 hand-blown glass floats annually for the neighborhood's popular West Seattle Glass Float Hunt. Hoping to see the studio's creative spirit continue, the Felixes initially offered the space and equipment for $80,000, or the entire brand, goodwill, and inventory for $150,000.

For Emily Chick, who has lived in the greater Seattle area since 2006, acquiring the hot shop turned a lifelong ambition into reality. Passionate about art and creation, she jumped at the opportunity to run her own glass business, describing the sudden alignment of circumstances as a dream come true. Chick brings a rich artistic background to the bench, having started making stained glass in high school before taking her first glassblowing class at Pratt Fine Arts Center in 2014 and later working in production glass. As a glassblower herself, she will feature her own creations alongside pieces from other local artists in the Honeydew retail gallery.

Chick chose the name Honeydew to reflect a playful, light aesthetic, balancing the intense heat of the hot shop with a sweet, refreshing concept. The name also pays homage to the texture of molten glass, which closely resembles honey, while serving as a cute nod to the "honey-do list" of tasks involved in running a small business. Her vision centers on creating a warm, supportive haven for glass artists and providing a bridge for their work to reach the public. Describing her artistic style as a blend of color, fun, retro flair, weirdness, and everyday function, Chick plans to offer hot shop bench rentals so community members can watch molten glass transform into art firsthand.

As Chick works efficiently to stock inventory and prepare the bench, final plans for Honeydew Glassworks are coming together. She anticipates operating Thursday through Monday, plans to join the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and is actively seeking a home in West Seattle to be closer to the studio.

A grand opening event and an online store at www.honeydewglassworks.com are also in development. For West Seattle, the launch of Honeydew Glassworks ensures that the neighborhood's rich tradition of studio glass art will remain vibrant for years to come.