Owners of flooring business eye new site for development
June 9, 2009
An artist’s drawing shows Long’s Floors plans for a new commercial plaza (above) located at 22141 Southeast 56th St. Below, an aerial photo shows the proposed location of the new store.Contributed
Long’s Floors owners submitted a proposal to city planners to build a new showroom as part of a new commercial plaza on Southeast 56th Street.
Business owners proposed building a 2,976-square-foot showroom and a 1,230-square-foot addition to a 2,400-square-foot warehouse on the site during the first phase of construction. The first phase would also include a 1,440-square-foot temporary structure. A second phase calls for removal of the temporary structure and construction of a 3,850-square-foot building for restaurant and retail space, according to plans submitted to city officials.
Owners proposed the construction for a parcel at 22141 S.E. 56th St.. The property is next to Brown Bear Car Wash and the adjacent Chevron, and across Southeast 56th Street from FedEx. The site is slightly less than an acre.
City development commissioners reviewed the proposal last week during a two-hour community conference. The conference, set up for citizens to weigh in on proposed development, did not attract any members of the public. Read more
Business Briefs
June 9, 2009
Tutta Bella opens June 15
Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria will open its Issaquah restaurant June 15. The pizzeria will be the Seattle-based chain’s first expansion to the Eastside.
The restaurant, at 715 N.W. Gilman Blvd., will open for dinner June 15. Lunch service will begin June 22. Hours will be 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The 6,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 210 with 40 seats on the outdoor terrace. Tutta Bella occupies a space last filled by Chili’s Grill & Bar.
Pizzas will be baked in two five-foot round marble-clad wood-burning ovens under the supervision of chef Anthony Ferrara. A local priest will bless the ovens June 13.
The ovens will be named Maria and Carolina, after the owner’s mother and Italian grandmother, respectively. Washington apple wood will fuel the ovens and generate an average cooking temperature of 850 degrees.
The menu will also feature calzones, antipasti, salads, house-made desserts and gelato.
Test drive new car to support Booster Club
The Booster Club at Issaquah High has teamed up with Michael’s Chevrolet of Issaquah to allow drivers over age 18 to test drive a new Chevrolet at the dealership, 1601 18th Ave. N.W., from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. June 13.
For every driver, Michael’s will donate $20 to the school’s booster club.
Drivers must have a valid license and proof of insurance.
Zeeks Pizza opening June 16
Zeeks Pizza will open in the Issaquah Highlands June 16, the second Eastside location for the Seattle-based chain and the first Zeeks to feature a full bar.
The Highlands restaurant will open at the intersection of 25th Avenue Northeast and Park Drive Northeast.
Owner Mark Mullet said he plans to hire about 30-40 employees. Zeeks will have seating for 100 patrons and include an outdoor patio.
Mullet said he was inspired to open a Zeeks after visiting the Belltown restaurant with his family. He said the neighborhood feel and mix of customers reminded him of the years he worked in the London financial district, where local pubs serve as gathering places for families and friends.
Zeeks is known for toppings-laden pizzas such as the Tree Hugger (sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, broccoli, Roma tomatoes, garlic and olives) and the Texas Leaguer (olive oil glaze, barbecue sauce, mozzarella, chicken, red onion and fresh cilantro).
Chipotle dishes up Northwest produce
The next time diners sink their teeth into the massive burritos at Chipotle Mexican Grill, chances are they’ll be eating produce grown in the Northwest.
The Issaquah restaurant, 775 N.W. Gilman Blvd., and eight other Seattle-area branches will receive green bell peppers and jalapenos from Fewel Farms in Prosser, oregano from Herbco in Duvall and red onions from River Point Farms in Oregon.
Chipotle also plans to serve hot burritos to farmers during a farmer appreciation day at area farmers markets, including the Issaquah Farmers Market. After each farmer appreciation day, Chipotle will host a fundraiser at the local restaurant to give back to the farmers market.
In 2008, the restaurant chain committed to buying at least 25 percent of at least one ingredient from small to midsize farms within 200 miles of each restaurant. Chipotle increased the percentage to 35 percent this year.
Talus building is finished
Talus Village Center, Building 4, an eight-unit single-family attached building, has received its final certificate of occupancy.
The building is at 2211 Talus Drive, and was constructed at a cost of $1.5 million.
WaMu banks become Chase
The tenant improvement at the former Washington Mutual Bank, 6100 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway (inside Fred Meyer), has been completed, and the bank is now rebranded as Chase Bank.
The WaMu bank at 1195 N.W. Gilman Blvd. has completed its signage change and is also now a Chase Bank.
Kumon opens in highlands
Kumon Math and Reading Center has opened its doors in the Issaquah Highlands at 1036 N.E. Park Drive, directly across from the new pond and walking area.
Kumon, an after-school math and reading program for children ages 3 to 18, works with families from the Highlands and Klahanie communities, as well as greater Issaquah, Bellevue and Sammamish.
Kumon of Issaquah, recently awarded Gold Elite status for student academic performance, opened its first Eastside location in 2004. Kumon was founded in Japan in 1958.
Zeeks Pizza will open Issaquah Highlands restaurant June 16
June 4, 2009
NEW — 12:15 p.m. June 4, 2009
Zeeks Pizza will open a restaurant in the Issaquah Highlands June 16. The highlands outpost will be the second Eastside location for the Seattle-based chain and the first Zeeks to feature a full bar.
The highlands restaurant will open at the intersection of 25th Avenue Northeast and Park Drive Northeast.
Owner Mark Mullet said he plans to hire about 30 to 40 employees. Zeeks will have seating for 100 patrons.
Mullet is also seeking a City Council seat. He said he was inspired to open a Zeeks after visiting the Belltown restaurant with his family on a trip to the Pacific Science Center.
Zeeks operates five Seattle restaurants and a Kirkland pizzeria. The restaurant is known for toppings-laden pizzas such as the Tree Hugger (sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, broccoli, Roma tomatoes, garlic and olives).
Tutta Bella will begin serving slices June 15
June 1, 2009
NEW — 3:30 p.m. June 1, 2009
Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria will open its Issaquah restaurant June 15. The pizzeria will be the Seattle-based chain’s first expansion to the Eastside.
The restaurant, at 715 N.W. Gilman Blvd., will open for dinner June 15. Lunch service will begin June 22. Hours will be 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The 6,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 210 with 40 seats on the outdoor terrace. Tutta Bella occupies a space last filled by Chili’s Grill & Bar.
Business Briefs
May 19, 2009
Sammamish doctor honored by state chiropractic association
Highlands grocery store deal off
May 5, 2009
NEW — 10:15 p.m. May 5, 2009
A Central Market grocery store will not open in the Issaquah Highlands, city officials and a project developer said tonight. Highlands developer Port Blakely Communities planned to open a 50,000 square foot store in mid-2010.
Highlands residents have long lamented the lack of a grocery store in the hillside community. Port Blakely is negotiating with other grocery chains to occupy the site, said Kathy Burnaman, Port Blakely’s vice president of project development.
Blame a tough economy for the delay. The downturn has slowed other long-planned retail offerings in the highlands. Burnaman said talks with other grocers are ongoing.
Business Briefs
May 5, 2009
Overlake in top five percent
New businesses
March 9, 2009
The Issaquah Chamber of Commerce welcomes the following new businesses partners:
Front Street Salon will relocate during construction
March 9, 2009
Front Street Salon will relocate to another downtown storefront when its existing building is demolished. Read more
Green Rainier Building features environmentally friendly design
March 9, 2009
An architect’s drawing shows the planned garden growing on the roof of the Rainier Building to be built at 485 Rainier Blvd. Contributed
A man standing on the roof of a building is not an everyday sight. A man standing on the roof of a building holding a watering can, tending to plants is even more unusual.
But while vegetation growing on the roof of a building may not be common, three local businesses hope to make the look a mainstay in Issaquah architecture.
Tom Sessions Insurance Agency, Taylor Engineering Consultants Inc. and Merrill Design Inc. have joined to invest in a new office building at 485 Rainier Blvd. N that will exhibit some of the newest efforts in environmentally friendly architectural design. Read more
