News
Seattle Aquarium Names New CEO
Peggy Sloan will replace the retiring Bob Davidson
The Seattle Aquarium has a new CEO. Peggy Sloan, the chief animal conservation officer at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, will begin her new job in May. She replaces Bob Davidson, who will retire after 23 years as CEO. Davidson, one of Seattle magazine’s Most Influential people of 2025, is credited with reinventing the aquarium (it…
Popular Black Diamond Equipment Opens in Fremont
Outdoor gear retailer says the store is its largest and most immersive
A popular and highly regarded outdoor gear purveyor has set up shop in rival REI’s backyard. Black Diamond Equipment, a Salt Lake City-based outdoor gear retailer that sells, among other items, climbing gear, ski equipment, and apparel, just opened its largest and most immersive store yet in the heart of the Fremont neighborhood. It’s the…
Expect The Largest Comic Con Ever This Weekend
Attendance is estimated at 90,000 during the four-day run
Tony Morigi recalls the first Emerald City Comic Con back in 2003. It was a one-day affair that drew about 3,000 people. Flash forward to today, and the Comic Con at the Seattle Convention Center is expected to draw upwards of 90,000 people. “It’s been attracting bigger celebrities,” says Morigi, who has been working at …
Frying High With Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A and other franchisors will be in Seattle next week to pitch their wares
My son would eat at Chick-fil-A every day if he could. There’s one right across the street from his basketball club, and it’s not unusual to see 20 idling cars in the drive-thru line waiting for a spicy chicken sandwich or chicken nuggets. Company executives, along with representatives from four other franchisors, will hit Seattle…
Seattle Chocolate Rebrands With Inspiration from Irish Queen
Company will now be known as Maeve
Seattle Chocolate is no longer. It is not, however, out of business. It does have a new brand and name: Maeve. The company, known for its meltaway bonbons and chocolate bars, rebranded after more than 30 years, drawing inspiration from a first-century Irish warrior queen who believed women should make their own choices, own land,…
Downtown Seattle Association Focuses on Future
Annual meeting highlights major events, opportunities
The Downtown Seattle Association regularly tracks the city’s slow march toward post-pandemic recovery but is increasingly excited about the future. The DSA — a nonprofit organization that represents 1,100 members — held its annual meeting yesterday, an event featuring Gov. Bob Ferguson, Mayor Bruce Harrell and DSA President Jon Scholes. Next year’s FIFA Men’s World…
Six Seattle Neighborhoods With Unbelievably Cheap Rent
Luxury living without sky-high prices
West Seattle is a renter’s paradise. In the 98116 zip code (right below Elliot Bay), rents average about $880 less than the citywide rate for high-end units. The Delridge neighborhood is also a bargain, with rental rates about $800 less. Throw in Ballard, Fremont, Eastlake and even Capitol Hill, and Seattle boasts six neighborhoods in…
H Mart Is Coming to Ballard
Permits indicate plans to open in a space formerly occupied by New Seasons Market
Popular and rapidly growing Asian grocer H Mart has filed permits to open a store in Ballard. The Asian food grocer already operates stores downtown, in Capitol Hill, South Lake Union, Lynnwood, Bellevue and the University District. An application filed with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board on Feb. 21 lists the address as…
These Two Seattle Companies Make Global Innovators List
One is Amazon. The other is a company you may be unfamiliar with.
A Seattle company often referred to as “the Amazon of South Korea” has been named one of LexisNexis’ “Top 100 Global Innovators for 2025” based on its intellectual property. Coupang has 912 active patent families, and has increased the size of its patent portfolio by more than 15 times the past five years. Amazon, with…
How Seattle Is Preparing For The World Cup
A bigger impact than Taylor Swift’s two concerts in 2023
Though the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still more than a year away, Seattle is actively preparing for the coming economic rush. The city will host six matches of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup at Lumen Field in June and July next year. Four of the games are in the group stage, one is…
Downtown Seattle Foot Traffic is Up, Thanks to Amazon
Still lags pre-pandemic numbers
Amazon’s return-to-office mandate resulted in a measurable increase among downtown Seattle office workers in January, but the numbers still aren’t anywhere near where they were six years ago. The Downtown Seattle Association’s Revitalization Dashboard shows foot traffic in neighborhoods where Amazon’s offices are located (South Lake Union and Denny Regrade) at 74% of that of…
At Starbucks, Ceramic Mugs and Handwritten Notes
Seattle chain moves quickly to change its image
Starbucks is out to change the perception of itself and a world accustomed to grab-and-go culture. How? Ceramic mugs, handwritten notes and condiment bars. Company CEO Brian Niccol talked about the company’s reintroduction of ceramic mugs several times during an earnings call with analysts yesterday. It’s a decisive shift from the signature paper cups prevalent…
Seattle Restaurants Capture 16 James Beard Award Semifinalist Nods
Winners will be announced in June
The Seattle area’s critically acclaimed food scene is once again receiving national recognition, this time from the James Beard Awards. Sixteen individuals and restaurants are on the prestigious 2025 semifinalist list. The restaurants represent numerous different cuisines, reflecting the city’s diverse fusion of cultures. Finalists will be announced April 2. Winners will be named June…