While I was shopping for kitchenware at Portland’s West Elm store this weekend, a salesperson approached and asked, “How can I help you?”

The answer was easy: “How about opening a shop in Seattle?”

In my home, we like the catalogue, we like the quality of the furniture and housewares, we like the pricing, and we like that West Elm intended to open years ago in University Village—though they ultimately canceled that plan due to the economy.

Salesperson then said with a smile, “We’ll be opening in Westlake this fall.”

Happy day. After further inquiry, I learned that West Elm will be on Westlake (across from Whole Foods Market), with a targeted opening of October. Now it will be easier to buy those napkin rings and nightstands, though the allure of travel to Portland remains with the absence of sales tax and the promise of good eats like I just enjoyed at Le Pigeon, Lardo, and the like. (More on those eating experiences soon.)