News
Shrinking Starbucks
Customer visits are on the decline. What’s going on?
Been to Starbucks lately? For a company that helped put Seattle on the global map, the coffee giant sure receives a lot of criticism, whether it’s about product quality, founder Howard Schultz’s bungling of the Sonics during his ownership tenure or wait times…
Sweetgreen Expands Again with Capitol Hill Opening
The fast-casual chain now has three Seattle-area locations
Clearly, Seattle loves fast-casual salads and customizable grain bowls. With two locations already in South Lake Union and Totem Lake, Sweetgreen is opening a third spot at 11th and Pine in Capitol Hill on Oct. 22. This new Capitol Hill location will be the first in the Pacific Northwest to feature the Infinite Kitchen —…
The Sea Boss Retires
From the Ocean Pavilion to Seattle’s Waterfront makeover, Seattle Aquarium CEO Bob Davidson leaves a legacy that will last for generations
When Bob Davidson visited the Seattle Aquarium 22 years ago as newly appointed CEO, he brought his three college and high school age sons along to tour the facility…
New Overlook Walk Draws Crowds
Downtown visits are up significantly
Foot traffic along Seattle’s Central waterfront is spiking since the new Overlook Walk opened earlier this month. From Oct. 4 to 11 — the first week Overlook Walk was open — nearly 50,000 people visited, a 142% increase over 2019 levels. The Walk connects Pike Place Market and downtown Seattle to Puget Sound and the…
Whitman Nabs State’s Top University/College Ranking
UW places second in WalletHub study
In a battle fought in the classroom and not on a field or court, a new study ranks Whitman College No. 1 in the state. Personal finance website WalletHub compared more than 800 higher-ed institutions across the U.S. in more than 30 categories (including post-graduate salaries) for its College & University Rankings (2025). Whitman, in…
‘Transformative’ Overlook Walk Opens Along Seattle’s Waterfront
The elevated walk is another sign that the massive renovation is almost complete
Seattle’s multi-billion-dollar waterfront renovation was always about connecting Pike Place Market and downtown Seattle to Puget Sound and the new 20-acre Waterfront Park. With the Oct. 4 opening of the elevated Overlook Walk, that dream has been realized…
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…
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.