Rob Smith
Costco’s Gold Rush Continues
Sales of gold bullion rise again
In one of the many iconic Seinfeld episodes, comedian Kenny Bania describes a popular bit from his comedy act: “That’s gold, Jerry! Gold.” He may as well have been referring to Costco’s ever-increasing sales of gold bars. The Issaquah-based warehouse chain said in its earnings call yesterday that sales of gold bars rose “double digits”…
The Numbers Point to a Downtown Seattle Recovery
The city’s core is slowly inching its way back
Visit Seattle says downtown Seattle hotels sold 403,000 rooms in August, the second-highest monthly total since March 2020. More than 3 million unique visitors came downtown — that’s 96% of August 2019 numbers, and a 6% increase year over year…
Filmmaker With Seattle Ties Debuts New Movie
Escape from Extinction: Rewilding includes both the Seattle Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo
His brother lives in Kirkland. He has shot several commercials here, including promos for Monday Night Football. And you may remember his 2012 movie, Grassroots, based on the true story of former local journalist Grant Cogswell, who helps his friend run (unsuccessfully) for Seattle City Council. It was shot in Seattle and featured several iconic places, including the Space Needle and the Comet Tavern. For that, he was given a key to the city…
PCC to Reopen Downtown Seattle Store
Smaller-format store will feature prepared foods and a deli
The Seattle-based co-op grocer will return to its former location at Fourth Avenue and Union Street in the second half of next year. The new store will be smaller, occupying only a portion of its former space. The grocer says it is “contractually obligated” to its long-term lease obligation. The former store was open for two years before PCC shuttered it last January.
Sonic Gloom
The NBA delays its much-anticipated announcement of the return of the Sonics
I had never seen my friend Carter so perturbed. “This is a load of crap,” he said, reflecting the views of NBA fans across the city. “I’m starting to wonder if this is ever going to happen.” Carter — who remains an avid NBA fan, unlike many other Sonics loyalists — was reacting to an announcement this week by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who said the league would deal with expansion at some point in the season…
Editor’s Note: So Common, Yet So Underappreciated
Most of us have been, are, or will be caregivers in our lifetimes
My mother’s voice was calm, even more measured than usual. “Your father’s breathing tube came off last night while he was sleeping,” she said over the phone from Portland. “I had to take him to the hospital. He’s doing fine.”
This was almost three decades ago, and I still vividly recall not being surprised that something had happened.
Starbucks CEO Vows to Reduce Wait Times, Reestablish ‘Community’ Focus
Brian Niccol writes an open letter in just his second day on the job
It’s only his second day on the job, but new Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol isn’t wasting any time as he seeks to revitalize the Seattle coffee giant. “We aren’t always delivering,” Niccol said in an open letter on the Starbucks website. “It can feel transactional, menus can feel overwhelming, product is inconsistent, the wait too…