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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

Community & Business Development Update – August 2013

Yep, I’m still leaning on you again to get out for a summer neighborhood walk. What better time to take another look at new developments in Pioneer Square?

Add Madboy Electric Vehicles to the “must see” list. They’re on 1^st Avenue South, just a little south of Railroad Ave. Not only will you discover the coolest electric bikes, there’s a good chance you’ll be convinced to take a test ride. Even if you’re not in the market for an electric bike, you’re going to love meeting Daniel and Maggie. And the things you will learn…
The official opening of AXIS Pioneer Square will be August 1 during the First Thursday art walk. A nod to the Globe Building’s rich history is evident throughout the space. The connection between the sidewalk on 1^st Ave South and Nord Alley in the back offers yet more opportunities to activate these unique public spaces.
The lease is signed. Finally. Manu Alfau will open La Bodega in the Prefontaine Building this fall. Stay tuned. This is welcome news.
The new Mediterranean Mix is open on Occidental Avenue between Yesler and S Washington, a welcome addition to the block.
Another First Thursday opportunity. The Nolo at Stadium Place will be giving hardhat tours August 1, 4:00-7:00 PM.
Have you heard that the Seattle Design Festival is coming to Pioneer Square? The dates are September 13-22. “The hub of the Festival will be at the ‘Design Block’ at Occidental Avenue South in Pioneer Square featuring large scale installations, design competitions, activities, and demonstrations investigating design’s impact on active lifestyles and healthy communities….” (From the Design Festival website.) Wow. Aren’t you curious?
Don’t forget to watch for the new Trail to Treasure kiosks around the neighborhood…since you’ll be out and about.
Only in Pioneer Square: Even if you’re not a soccer fan, you should check out the “March to the Match” that starts in Occidental Park one hour before every home Sounders game. These folks know how to have fun! (Click here for the Sounders FC schedule.)

I’ll be getting out of the office more in the upcoming weeks to look for retail and restaurant businesses that we might like in Pioneer Square. Who would you like to see in the neighborhood? Email me at karen@pioneersquare.org.

Final negotiations are underway on a few exciting retail/restaurant leases, but they’re not quite ready for prime time. We hope we’ll be ready to share more next month. If you’d like to get this kind of news when it breaks, follow us on Twitter @PioneerSquare.

Community & Business Development Update – May 2013

It’s springtime in Pioneer Square and more than flowers are popping up…

Cherry Street Coffee is opening their new location in Pioneer Square at 528 First Avenue South on Monday, May 6. They may not be ready to serve breakfast or lunch, but they will definitely be serving coffee.
The Lodge Sports Grille invites everyone in the neighborhood to come by on Friday, May 10 for their “official” Grand Opening at 4:00 and the kickoff for Seattle Beer Week. (Who knew?) We’ll even do a ribbon cutting. In addition – because you’re part of the inner Pioneer Square circle – mention “Seattle Beer Week” to any of their bartenders and you’ll get happy hour prices on all beers all week!
Kevin and Julie Law, owners of Urban Light Studios in Greenwood, will be opening the doors of Axis Pioneer Square soon. They’ll be in the beautifully renovated southern bay of the Globe Building, (still referred to as the old Elliott Bay Books space by many.) Their new website isn’t up yet, but you can see why everyone is so excited by taking a peek at a post by a client here.
Did you hear that the Roq La Rue moved their gallery to 532 1^st Ave S? AND they are part of tonight’s First Thursday fun! Stop by to meet Kirsten Anderson soon and welcome her to the neighborhood.
Tonight is opening night for Café Nordo’s SMOKED at The Kitchen by Delicatus. “Hungry theater-goers are in for an evening of dirty dealings and heartsick cowboys… where the only thing comforting is the food.” Get your tickets now. They won’t be here long.
Good news spreads fast. Little Uncle is coming to Pioneer Square. Seattle Magazine named them one of the Best New Restaurants of 2012. Soon they’ll be at the corner of Yesler & Post Alley. Check out their website for updates.
Matt Dillon and Katherine Anderson’s London Plane spaces – both the one next to Caffe Umbria and the one at the northeast corner of Occidental Mall – are coming along nicely.
“Tuesday Lunch at the Dock” at the loading dock behind 505 1^st Ave S welcomes a different food truck every Tuesday from 11:00 to 2:00. The lineup for the weeks to come will feature Skillet, Where Ya At Matt, Falafel Salom, Jerk Station, and Monte Cristo.
And the Pike Place Farmers Market will be here on Wednesdays, starting June 19.

Stay posted as news unfolds via our Facebook and Twitter posts. It’s going to be such a great summer in the neighborhood!

Karen True

Community & Business Development Specialist