A new ice cream vendor is about to open in a somewhat unlikely place. Moon-I Ice Cream, owned by Ji Moon Jang will open next week inside Ali's Corner Gasco at 8856 35th Ave. s.w.

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The owner of the Gasco, Thomas Jun, who has been in business for the last 11 years and who is sub leasing the space said, "We sort of talked about it, it was my idea but I didn't want to get into that business."

"I searched for a lot of things I might want to do in West Seattle," said Jang, "and I decided to settle on Ice Cream because nobody is selling waffle cone, organic ice cream here."

The counter/store will likely open in late September or early October after they get their ice cream maker and select an organic farmer to supply the raw ingredients. "Right now I'm looking for a local farmer to supply the organic milk and organic fruit to make the ice cream," said Jang.

"My goal is to serve kids. I'm trying to make a space for them to rest. We will have free Wi-Fi and they could come here after school and study or just get some ice cream and relax." There will be a sofa, tables and chairs inside the store and on good weather days chairs will be outside too. He believes the proximity to the library and area schools mean a steady stream of customers.

Jang also plans to take photos of his customers with a Polaroid camera (he's laid in a good supply of the film) and put them on the walls around the Ice Cream stand. He will ask people to sign them so they have something to look for when they come back. His marketing plans also include contests in which customers could win an mp3 player or other prizes.

"So many convenience stores have bad things for kids, I want to have good things," said Jang.

It's worth noting that the former Hoagy's Corner sandwiches (they used to be at the store at 35th s.w. and s.w. Barton) are still available now at the Gasco too. Jeanette Cummings, who was well known at Hoagy's, has brought all the sandwich favorites to her job at the Gasco.