'Rat City' ad campaign ruffles some feathers in White Center
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WHITE CENTER, Wash. -- In the rat race for new business and customers in White Center, there's a raging debate over a new marketing campaign.
On a map, the neighborhood is called "White Center," but people also know it by its long-standing nickname: Rat City.
This unincorporated area of King County, sandwiched between West Seattle and Burien boasts more than 250 businesses.
"It's kind of fun and we think this is a fun, great place, people should come check it out," said Matt Weiner with Caffe Delia
That's the goal of a new marketing campaign and website. Still under construction, the Visit White Center web page features a rat and the phrase "Kick It In Rat City."
"We actually have a really low crime rate so I think it's trying to brand us as a slightly hipper neighborhood," said Justin Cline with Full Tilt Ice Cream.
Cline and other business owners in the Rat City Business Association says it's generational and they're trying to attract the 20- and 30-something crowds.
Optometrist Alan Homestead said he was all for it, until he saw the rat. Homestead says he thinks using a rat as a mascot will turn away business, not attract it. And he's not alone.
"It makes it seem like West Seattle's dirty," one person said.
But the "rat" isn't about rodents, it's an acronym.
"Most people have no idea where the acronym came from," Cline said.
Most here say it stands for "Regional Army Training" or "Relocation and Training" -- both referring to postwar times of the 1940s. And the history on White Center? It resulted from a coin toss between Mr. White and Mr. Green, and you know who won the toss.
"I think (the debate) is a bit silly," Cline said. "I think it's little bit of prudishness, that yeah, it's just a real silly debate."
Maybe a coin toss could settle this latest debate?
The money to pay for the new marketing campaign comes from the White Center Chamber, White Center Development Association, and a grant from the Only in Seattle campaign.
On a map, the neighborhood is called "White Center," but people also know it by its long-standing nickname: Rat City.
This unincorporated area of King County, sandwiched between West Seattle and Burien boasts more than 250 businesses.
"It's kind of fun and we think this is a fun, great place, people should come check it out," said Matt Weiner with Caffe Delia
That's the goal of a new marketing campaign and website. Still under construction, the Visit White Center web page features a rat and the phrase "Kick It In Rat City."
"We actually have a really low crime rate so I think it's trying to brand us as a slightly hipper neighborhood," said Justin Cline with Full Tilt Ice Cream.
Cline and other business owners in the Rat City Business Association says it's generational and they're trying to attract the 20- and 30-something crowds.
Optometrist Alan Homestead said he was all for it, until he saw the rat. Homestead says he thinks using a rat as a mascot will turn away business, not attract it. And he's not alone.
"It makes it seem like West Seattle's dirty," one person said.
But the "rat" isn't about rodents, it's an acronym.
"Most people have no idea where the acronym came from," Cline said.
Most here say it stands for "Regional Army Training" or "Relocation and Training" -- both referring to postwar times of the 1940s. And the history on White Center? It resulted from a coin toss between Mr. White and Mr. Green, and you know who won the toss.
"I think (the debate) is a bit silly," Cline said. "I think it's little bit of prudishness, that yeah, it's just a real silly debate."
Maybe a coin toss could settle this latest debate?
The money to pay for the new marketing campaign comes from the White Center Chamber, White Center Development Association, and a grant from the Only in Seattle campaign.
