UPDATE Nov. 28
Well not so fast! The Firefly Cafe & Creperie at the corner of California Avenue SW and SW Genesee Street has to delay one more day, said owner Charell Estby via Facebook. " Had a dry run with our staff and families tonight - and we clearly need one more day to get ready. FRIDAY is the soft opening - PINKY SWEAR!" Look for them to be open in a "true soft opening" "before noon" FRIDAY.

UPDATE Nov. 27
Unless the food truck doesn't arrive (and that's not likely) Firefly Cafe & Creperie will open at 6am on Nov. 29. The art is on the wall, and the windows are clear of the paper (in case you want to look inside) and owner Charell Estby is anxious to get going. "A year and a half ago I would drive by this spot and imagine what this would look like and now here it is," she said. It's a family affair with daughters Hannah and Shay both working there plus a few other employees.

Original Post
The Firefly Cafe & Creperie, in the works for months at 4160 California Ave. appears to be close to opening, likely the week of Nov. 19 (or shortly before if possible). Owner Charell Estby has been working on getting all the fixtures in place, getting the training done, working with suppliers and of course securing all the necessary permits but that now appears to be almost done.

The West Seattle Herald was allowed in for a sneak peek at the new restaurant just north of the Junction (see the slideshow or gallery).

Estby chose to place the crepe makers in the front window so passers-by will have a chance to see the delicate creations being made. She and her daughter Shay and their staff have been training with Andrew Eigenrauch, owner of La Crêperie Voilà.

They will serve and carry Zoka coffee and a wide variety of teas, plus a range of other products to take home.

Crepes start at $2 and you can build your own, adding the ingredients you specify or you can have one of the house specialties ranging from a Vegan Breakfast Scrambler (among several vegan offerings) to something sweeter like a Cinnamon & Cashew Cream with walnuts crepe.

As the Herald reported previously Estby said, "About 4 years ago I started making some pretty significant changes in my personal life and, after having worked in the corporate world for the previous 18, I had a sudden epiphany: I don't think this is what I am supposed to be doing. I became "enlightened", if you will. Hence the name: "Firefly"*.

I thought long and hard about it and realized that I am happiest when I am preparing a meal for others. It's my way of showing you how much I value our relationship. I want to serve and become "a part of" my community. My vision really started out as a simple cafe that would serve specialty coffee, teas, pastries, sandwiches, soups, etc. I would love to take credit for the idea of crepes - but I got that idea from my landlord, John Bennett."

The Firefly will seat about 20 people. Hours will be determined once the business has had some time open, but expect them to be open for breakfast, and be busy.