community – Page 8 – Alliance for Pioneer Square

Business & Community Update – January 2014

Between what’s new and what’s already happening in the neighborhood, we know it’s going to be a great New Year.

La Bodega, a Dominican eatery, is now open in the Prefontaine Building. The food is as amazing as everyone said it would be and the atmosphere is ever-so inviting. While chef/owner Manu Alfau welcomes phone orders for a quick pick up, you’re going to want to linger.
Mike Easton announced that he’ll be opening Pizzeria Gabbiano, a Roman-style pizzeria, in the gorgeous Pacific Commercial Building later this year. The news has created quite the buzz in Seattle’s food scene. If you’ve experienced Il Corvo, you know why.
Diva Espresso opened its doors in Smith Tower last month. The coffee, pastries, and elegant space are delightful. The baristas make visits a great experience. Stop by and say “hi”.
The Smeraldo family, owners of Pioneer Square’s fine dining anchor Il Terrazzo Carmine, announced plans to open a cicchetti bar serving “small bites” later this spring. Intermezzo is going to be a fabulous addition to the neighborhood. Their sidewalk café will be a popular destination next summer!
Got your gear for the next big game? (Go Seahawks!) Game Day Sports opened in one of the new retail spaces in Stadium Place. If you go to the game, be sure to stop by the neighborhood concession stand or the beer hall at CenturyLink Field to enjoy the food of Pioneer Square restaurants – Salumi, Rain Shadow Meats, and McCoy’s Firehouse. Or check out any of the neighborhood bars or restaurants before or after the game.
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is now Washington Bikes. In addition to the name change, they’ve added a retail storefront with the coolest selection of products and resources. It might even inspire you to pull out your bike before spring.
In other two-wheel news, Seattle E Bike will open the doors of their new space at 570 1^st Ave S. this month, maybe even as early as Friday! We love it when growing Pioneer Square businesses stay in Pioneer Square.
Matt and the gang at Tarboo have been designing and creating gorgeous clothing in Pioneer Square for a long time. They took the big step and moved to a new space on 2^nd Ave between James & Cherry that includes a retail showroom. Now everyone can explore and experience one of the neighborhood’s best kept secrets.
We’re all watching and eagerly awaiting the opening of The London Plane in the old bank space on Occidental Mall. We all know it will be worth the wait. (By the way, have you heard about their “Larder Share” program?)
HUB Seattle is expanding into the Pacific Commercial Building. They’re celebrating their new space, 220 & Change, on January 30 and the neighborhood is invited. Community Sourced Capital, funders of projects around the neighborhood and a company that started in the original HUB space, is opening their own office in the new building as part of the expansion.
And who is that person on the cover of Seattle Met Magazine? Why, it’s Jessie Poole of E Smith Mercantile!

As always, there is more news than can fit in this space. Stay tuned for more. Let’s keep business moving in Pioneer Square. Resolve to eat, shop, and explore more right here in the ‘hood. Here’s to 2014 and, please, stay in touch!

Karen True

Director of Business Development

Update to the Neighborhood – November 2013

Wow, is it really November? I find myself reflecting on this past year and how much has been accomplished. Pioneer Square has enjoyed many successes as well as trials during 2013. Such is the hard work of building and improving a neighborhood. Our thanks to each of you who have stepped up and joined us in making Pioneer Square better for everyone. When looking forward, we anticipate continuing our critical work to improve street disorder and safety with whomever is the victor in the Mayor’s race. Improving street civility and reducing suffering is critical to the future of Pioneer Square and all of downtown.

The Alliance is engaged in a year-end fund raising campaign to start 2014 even stronger than ever. If you haven’t contributed in the past or in this past year, now is the time to show your support for the Alliance and our work in the neighborhood. It’s all real easy, just click here.

And remember, we are a source of information about the ever challenging presence of the future coming at us as construction continues and expands: the tunnel, the gas main, street car lines and now the seawall replacement as well. (link to alliance website here) If you want to know about new restaurants and offerings, check out what Karen is saying. And then there are the events, parades, cooking classes, and fancy meals in the mall. There is always so much going on in our ever changing, complex neighborhood.

Once again, thank you for hanging in with Pioneer Square as we move into the future. See you in the neighborhood!

Leslie Smith

Executive Director

Alliance for Pioneer Square

Community & Business Development Update – November 2013

We’re having fun now….

Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill and Irish Pub just opened their doors in Smith Tower. While they are having fun with the beer theme, Shawn and the gang have created a welcoming place for all ages. You’ve got to stop by to meet them and see what they did to this gorgeous space.

The long-awaited opening of Altstadt is tantalizingly close. The new “authentic bierhalle and brathaus, German cousin to Hitchcock Restaurant & Deli” will be opening their doors any day now. And thanks to Altstadt owner, Brendan McGill, for the shout out about E. Smith Mercantile’s new bar across the street. We’re all in this together, right?

More about E. Smith Mercantile… The recent Seattle Times article about their new and charming Back Bar will give you an idea of their latest endeavor. If that weren’t enough, they’re also serving coffee and pastries at the bar Monday-Saturday, 10 AM – 2ish. How cool is that?

SO many people will be doing a happy dance when Manu Alfau opens La Bodega at 100 Prefontaine Pl S. If all goes as planned, the neighborhood will be enjoying Puerco Asado con Repollo before the month is out. Check out photos and more news @labodegaseattle.

It’s tough to keep up with all the good press that Pioneer Square businesses are getting these days. Fun posts we saw last week: The Seattle Times wrote about Gina Batali, owner of Salumi’s, and the Friday rush at Il Corvo Pasta got the attention of Seattle Eater. The article about Pioneer Square artist, Celeste Cooning, was tremendous fun. She was responsible for the fabulous installation of sailboat sails that drifted above Occidental Park.

Fun food events are coming to the neighborhood this month, though you’re out of luck if you didn’t jump on the tickets. Both sold out quickly. On November 15, Little Uncle will host Andy Ricker for Pok Pok: Breakfast at Little Uncle. On November 18, Occidental Mall will be transformed when Bar Sajor and The London Plane host an outdoor dining event for Rene Redzepi, chef and owner of the world-renowned Noma Restaurant. Chef Matt Dillon will partner with Blaine Wetzel of Lummi Island’s Willows Inn to prepare a 4-course locally-sourced dinner for those quick enough to get those coveted tickets.

New is fabulous, yet keeping Pioneer Square businesses IN Pioneer Square is just as fabulous. Ebbets Field Flannels is settled in their gorgeous new space at 119 S Jackson. And Tarboo is finally opening a storefront on 2^nd Avenue. (Yet another happy dance.) Stay tuned for details about their opening.

Finally, the press was all over the big news about 13 Coins coming to Pioneer Square. It will be at the base of the Embassy Suites Hotel scheduled for construction next year. The 24-hour restaurant will offer yet another dimension to options in Pioneer Square.

Please help me stay on top of the latest news and give me a shout anytime. It’s great to be part of Pioneer Square.

Karen True

Community & Business Development Specialist

Alliance for Pioneer Square