Rob Smith
It Starts Here
Seattle has momentum heading into 2024
Seattle is far from perfect. But, as the new year unfolds, there’s a lot to like. Here are several reasons why Seattle remains one of the nation’s most innovative — and, in many cases, unsung — major cities.
The billion-dollar waterfront makeover is perhaps the most ambitious public-private project in the country. The transformation of 20 acres along the city’s shoreline includes hundreds of new trees, native gardens, viewpoints, and a pedestrian promenade and cycle path. It will, once and for all, connect the waterfront to several nearby neighborhoods.
Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions
Washington state residents are surprisingly disciplined
A new survey says Washington residents on average remain committed to their resolutions for the entire year, three times more than the average American. Almost six in 10 state residents make resolutions, with the most popular being enhancing savings, reducing spending, and improving fitness and nutrition.
Sweetgreen Opens First Seattle-Area Location
Popular and fast-growing healthy food chain plans more Seattle outlets
The fast-growing Los Angeles-based chain will open its first Seattle-area location in The Village at Totem Lake in Kirkland. Another location on South Lake Union may open as soon as this spring, followed by a third on Capitol Hill.
Most Influential, Philanthropy: Melinda French Gates
Founder of Pivotal Ventures, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
“The principles underlying my work at the foundation and Pivotal are the same. I believe in equity and opportunity. I’m focused especially on helping women run for and win public office because I want women to exercise power and influence in society, and elected officials are in a unique position to control resources, make decisions, and shape policies and perspectives. 2024 is going to be a critical year when it comes to whether our political system truly represents women or marginalizes them. Voters will get to decide.”
Seattle’s Most Influential People
Making a significant difference in our community
Five women fighting Asian hate. The Medical Mythbuster. A woman in charge of revamping Seattle’s waterfront. The Civic Poet of Seattle.
They are just four of Seattle magazine’s Most Influential People of 2024. These extraordinary individuals sometimes (not always) toil in obscurity, but they’re fighting to improve their communities with whatever means available. They are truly heroes working to make our constantly changing city, state, and nation more livable, accessible, and equal.
Hey Seattle, We Like Smoke Shops, Taylor Swift, and The Last of Us
Google search data reveals some interesting trends about the Emerald City.
Google has released its annual “Local Year in Search” data for 2023, for both Seattle and the U.S. The trends reveal some obvious and downright strange interests.
Black Black Friday launches in Seattle
The event is designed to boost Black-owned businesses
An initiative launched in Seattle encourages residents to spend money at Black-owned businesses, starting on Black Friday. Called Black Black Friday, the movement was organized by Laura Clise, founder and CEO of the Intentionalist, an online directory of thousands of small businesses owned by women, people of color, veterans, LBGTQ+, families, and differently abled people,…
Retail Crime in Washington the Worst in U.S.
Forbes Advisor report finds that retailers here are ‘most impacted’
A few years ago, a thief brazenly used a pair of bolt cutters to snip the wires securing several high-end purses at the former Macy’s department store in downtown Seattle. He then calmly left the store. Retail theft remains a driver of numerous store closures throughout the city — Target and Bartell Drugs are two…
The Tinsel is No Longer in a Tangle
Seattle shoppers are ready to spend this holiday season
One iPad pro: $799. One 24” MacBook: $1,599. If those are on your holiday shopping list, chances are you’ve already busted your budget. The 2023 Deloitte Seattle Holiday Retail Survey finds that the “average” holiday spend in Seattle is $2,073, up a whopping 59% from two years ago. That’s not all. That $2,073 is 25%…
Editor’s Note: An Experience That Lives Forever
The world isn't always as it seems
It was Friday night after a long week. I had just arrived home. The red light was flashing on my answering machine (remember those?). I was ready for the weekend. The call crushed me. My first love, my high school sweetheart, my partner in mischief, had passed away due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis. Gwen…