Business & Community Development Update: August 2015

As summer winds down, businesses are ramping up to begin build-outs for their spaces.

  • Flatstick Pub is bringing an indoor mini golf course with a fabulous selection of locally-sourced beers to the basement of the Pacific Commercial Building (aka Furuya Building) at 2nd Ave S & S Main St.
  • Gary Manuel Salon is moving from Belltown to Pioneer Square! They’ve leased the long-vacant space at 2nd Ave & James St in the Collins Building. They plan to open in early 2016.
  • The Estate Wine Room will bring a collection of fine Washington wines to their tasting room at 307 Occidental Ave S. They hope to be open before the end of the year. More details to come.
  • The Pioneer Square Post Office will be moving from their space on S Jackson to 217 1st Ave S before the end of the year.

The ribbon cutting for Galvanize, the tech-education company at 111 S Jackson, is scheduled for Friday, August 7 at 4:30 PM. Stop by if you’re in the vicinity. We’re delighted they’re part of the neighborhood.

The Mayor is seeking candidates to fill four vacancies on the Pioneer Square Preservation Board. The four positions available are for a historian or architectural historian, human services representative, district property owner, and architect. The deadline is Friday, August 7. More information available here.

Have you heard that the first Seahawks preseason game against the Denver Broncos will be at CenturyLink Field on August 14? Curious about upcoming stadium events so you can make decisions about staffing, parking, or planning your own event? Bookmark both the CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field event calendars so you’re always in the know.

 

See you in the neighborhood!

Business & Community Development Update – February 2015

galvanize

  • The lease is signed and the process of build-out has begun at 111 S. Jackson. Galvanize will be a technology campus for students and start-ups. They will also host events. Galvanize will be occupying the entire building, with the exception of the retail spaces at street level – Dry Soda on 1st Ave S and the currently vacant space on the corner of 1st Ave S & S Jackson. We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available.

 

  • Artifact Gallery is opening their doors for this month’s First Thursday at 313 First Ave S. Joshua Majchrzak, the gallery owner, describes Artifact as a gallery and “merchant outfitter”. Curious? Stop by to check it out and welcome Artifact to the neighborhood!

 

  • And venture down the street to introduce yourself to Ross Burtness and his team at Surface Theory at 536 1st Ave S. Their new showroom will feature custom flooring, furniture, and fine art. You will be amazed.

 

 

  • Pioneer Square is known for its creative and collaborative vibe, so it’s no wonder why the founders of The Pioneer Collective thought this would be a great location for their co-working space scheduled to open in April. Watch their website for more details.

Business & Community Development Update – January 2015

Before talking about new businesses coming to our neighborhood, I’d like to thank and acknowledge the businesses who set up shop in Pioneer Square before the rest of the city was talking about us. They saw the potential, made the investments, took the risks, and made it work. If I didn’t think readers would roll their eyes from the repetitiveness, I’d start every announcement of a new business with a tip-of-the-hat to these people. Thank you.

Now a few updates…

Elm Coffee at 240 2nd Ave S.
Elm Coffee at 240 2nd Ave S.

Openings:

It was worth the wait. Elm Coffee is now open in the Furuya Building at 2nd Ave S & S Main St. (The entrance is actually on Main, one door east of Pizzeria Gabbiano.) Both the coffee and space are gorgeous. Stop by and introduce yourself to Brendan Mullally, Drew Fitchette, and the rest of the gang.

Have you checked out Calisea yet? Alden Alvarado quietly opened her charming new retail store in time for the holidays on Yesler Way in the Pioneer Square Best Western Hotel building. Take a look at the website to get an idea of the variety of merchandise she carries. It’s a winner and a nice addition to the block.

Coming soon:

Entrance to Casco Antiguo at 115 Occidental Ave S.
Entrance to Casco Antiguo at 115 Occidental Ave S.

We’re in the midst of another flurry of activity behind paper-covered windows:

  • Pioneer Square is in for something special if the brilliant red façade of Casco Antiguo, on Occidental Ave just north of the park, is an indication of what’s to come…both on Occidental and in the “Pioneer Passage” alley behind. Owner, Ward Allen, plans to open before the end of January.
  • Across the street, Nirmal’s will soon fill the long-vacant space in the Interurban Building with an innovative Indian restaurant.
  • People are buzzing about Girin, scheduled to open in Stadium Place in March. A special preview event scheduled for January 10 will feature Chef Brandon Kirksey and his “killer Korean food”.
  • Una Kim is still working feverishly to open the doors of The Faerie Queene on Yesler, upstairs from Little Uncle. Hoping to be able to order that lobster roll by spring.
  • While we’re focused on the Seahawks, work is underway in the new Sounders space between Rain Shadow Meats and Taylor Shellfish. The season starts in March, so we’ll be seeing more activity soon!
  • Have you heard Gallery Frames is moving? (Relax, they’re staying in the neighborhood.) They’ll close the doors in their current space at 1st & Cherry on February 1, then reopen in their new space at on 3rd Ave S (the same block as Salumi) on March 1.

In addition to papered windows, we’ve got construction all around us. Those projects include the new Embassy Suites Hotel between Stadium Place and King Street Station and Goodman Real Estate’s 45-unit apartment project on South Main Street.

More companies and organizations are expanding or moving into Pioneer Square’s office spaces every day. I’ll be writing more about them soon. In the meantime, take a moment to welcome any new neighbors to our ‘hood. The connections we share are among our district’s greatest assets.

 

Karen True
Director of Business Development
Alliance for Pioneer Square