News
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…
Seattle’s Influence Grows Across the World
International Downtown Conference welcomes almost 1,400 visitors
Seattle is truly on the global stage this week. Starting Sept. 11 and running through Sept. 13, the International Downtown Association convenes in Seattle for its 70th annual conference. The event features almost 1,400 community leaders, urban planners, and elected officials from 46 states and 10 countries. “This conference is an annual highlight for urban…
Dive into the Design Behind Seattle Aquarium’s New Ocean Pavilion
A team of designers, artists, architects, scientists, and engineers worked together to complete the multi-year project
“When we started the project, the viaduct was still there,” says architect Osama Quotah, a partner at LMN. “We were imagining a project that would happen in a condition that didn’t exist at the time.” As part of the larger waterfront overhaul, the pavilion needed to fit into the existing fabric of downtown Seattle’s western border, which includes the ferry terminal, Pike Place Market, the Great Wheel, and public piers full of shops and restaurants…
Bellevue Arts Museum Shuts Down
Aggressive fundraising campaign falls short
The struggling Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) has closed to the public. Its last day was Sept. 4. “Unfortunately, the financial model in the new building has never been sustainable and it has relied too heavily on ‘one-time’ big donors,” says Kate Casprowiak Scher, who was appointed permanent executive director early this year. “We are caught…
Lots of Questions About Nordstrom Merger Proposal
Deal calls for merger with Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool
You’ve probably heard the news that the Nordstrom family, led by Erik and Pete Nordstrom, wants to enter into an agreement with Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool to sell all outstanding shares of the company for $23 per share in cash, or $380 billion…
Bartell Owner Rite-Aid Exits Bankruptcy
Rite-Aid vows to become a ‘more efficient’ company
The owner of Seattle’s Bartell Drugs has exited bankruptcy with a plan to “rightsize” its store footprint. Rite-Aid, which purchased the 134-year-old Seattle institution for $95 million almost four years ago, declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy last October after struggling for years. It has since closed about two dozen Bartell Drugs locations across the state. Philadelphia-based…
Town & Country Cooks Up More In-House Restaurants
Popular Field House opens next in Lakemont, Poulsbo
Town & Country CEO Ryan Ritter and Executive Brand Development Director Susan Allen knew the grocery’s chain’s collaboration with iconic Seattle chef Ethan Stowell would resonate with guests. It has, however, far exceeded expectations. In July, the independent, family operated upscale grocer opened Field House in its Mill Creek location. The market-to-table restaurant uses only…
Sue Bird’s Latest Honor? A Seattle City Street.
City renames part of Second Avenue North ‘Sue Bird Court’
You can now go from Lenny Wilkens Way to Sue Bird Court. The city of Seattle has renamed a portion of Second Avenue North adjacent to Climate Pledge Arena “Sue Bird Court” in recognition of Bird’s contributions on and off the court. Mayor Bruce Harrell said in a ceremony that Bird is as much a…
Seafair Names New CEO
Emily Cantrell will begin in September
Emily Cantrell has been a huge fan of Seafair since moving to the Seattle area from Germany when she was 12. Now she’ll get to run it. Cantrell, interim CEO at Seattle nonprofit Provail, is the new president and chief executive officer of the Seafair Charitable Foundation, the entity responsible for Seattle’s annual summer festival…