News
Microsoft President Brad Smith: ‘Never Take Your Strengths For Granted’
Washington state’s tech industry needs nurturing, support
Brad Smith is tired of politicians and others who take the state’s tech industry for granted. Smith, Microsoft’s president and vice chair, was the main attraction at the Tech Alliance State of Technology Luncheon May 20. He did not disappoint. During a wide-ranging 40-minute keynote conversation with Seattle magazine Publisher and CEO Jonathan Sposato, Smith…
Done Deal: Nordstrom Is Officially A Private Company
The deal with Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool is worth $6.25 billion
Nordstrom is now a private company. The iconic Seattle-based retailer has closed its $6.25 billion deal to go private with Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool in an all-cash transaction. Brothers Erik and Pete Nordstrom — great grandsons of company founder John W. Nordstrom — will lead the company as co-CEOs. Nordstrom common stock will…
Costco Limits Gold Bar Buys
Issaquah warehouse retailer began selling the bars two years ago
If you’re thinking of adding gold to your financial portfolio during a time of economic uncertainty, don’t plan on making a big buy at Costco. The popular Issaquah-based warehouse retailer just put a limit on gold bar purchases. Costco began selling gold bars in 2023. It’s estimated that the company sells more than $100 million…
Funko’s WNBA Deal Showcases Top Stars
Collectibles company creates Pop! figures of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, others
I love the Seattle Storm, and all things WNBA. My passion for women’s basketball even predates Caitlin Clark. My wife and I recently bought a partial season-ticket package, and my basketball-obsessed son closely analyzes games to help him improve. Now comes news that Everett pop culture collectibles company Funko has signed a deal with the…
BECU Scores Naming Rights For Storm Performance Center
The $64 million practice facility will be known as the BECU Center for Basketball Performance
Credit union BECU has secured the naming rights for the Seattle Storm’s basketball facility. The $64 million facility in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood will now be known as the BECU Storm Center for Basketball Performance. The center opened in April 2024. The Storm says the deal is the first for an independently owned WNBA team. The…
Washington Shines in Best State Ranking
U.S. News & World Report cites education and economic opportunity
Washington may be an “outdoor enthusiast’s dream,” but the state fell slightly in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of best states. The publication ranked the state No. 10 overall, down two spots from its No. 8 ranking last year. Washington finished No. 1 in both 2019 and 2021. Washington received high marks in…
The Numbers Are In: Seattle Tourism Is Back
Visit Seattle numbers reveal uptick, optimism for future
Forty-one percent of visitors to the greater Seattle area last year came to visit friends or relatives. Almost one-third came from other cities in Washington. Fifteen percent came from California. Visit Seattle’s annual tourism report, released yesterday, contains information on “visitor profiles” for the first time. Many of the numbers — which pertain to domestic…
Washington Brewers Win Big at Beer Cup Awards
Twenty-four beers take home medals
Remember that old Tom T. Hall song, I Like Beer? I was a kid when it came out in the mid-1970s, but it must have stuck with me, because I’m definitely a beer guy. I was keenly interested, then, when I learned that seven Washington breweries took home Gold medals in the annual World Beer…
Seattle Pizza Chain Goes National
Tutta Bella ramps up production after deal with Kroger
Seattle’s Tutta Bella pizza has signed a deal with Kroger and will now serve its Neopolitan-style pies in 1,200 stores in 40 states. Kroger’s first order of 85,000 pizzas generated more than $1 million in sales. “We didn’t set out to become a national food manufacturer — it happened organically, one pizza at a time,”…
What Now for Bartell Drugs?
Parent company Rite Aid again files for bankruptcy, seeks sale
The future of Bartell Drugs just got murkier. Parent company Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday, just eight months after it exited Chapter 11. The company says customers “can continue to access pharmacy services and products in stores and online,” though customers and health care providers have complained of poor service and…
Downtown Seattle Again Draws More Workers, Visitors
The number of visitors approaches pre-pandemic levels
Downtown foot traffic hit yet another milestone last month. The Downtown Seattle Association says March averaged 101,000 daily workers, the highest average since March 2020. The figure is still only 60% of foot traffic in March 2019 as employees continue working remotely, but is a 12% increase from a year ago. More than 2.5 million…
The Changing Face of First and Pike
Beautification effort aims to create a welcoming and safe environment
Sure, it’s only a few pieces of furniture, some new lighting, a bunch of colorful planter boxes, and some twirly chairs. But the latest downtown makeover — this time on Pike Street between First and Second avenues, with the iconic Pike Place Market sign in the background — is an important milestone in contributing to…
Curvy Cactus, Chub Rub Launch Seattle’s First Fat Mall
The new pop-up marketplace highlights local makers and body-affirming fashion
Seattle Fat Mall — the city’s first-ever — will turn the Curvy Cactus storefront on Fourth Avenue into a monthlong pop-up marketplace for plus-size fashion, art, and gifts from local makers. “We envision Seattle Fat Mall as more than just a retail space. It’s a celebration of our community,” say Amber and Alyss Seelig, sisters…