Issaquah Highlands tenants to include RAM Restaurant & Brewery
October 9, 2012
Tenants for the long-awaited retail complex in the Issaquah Highlands include local restaurants and a beauty supply store, city officials announced Oct. 2, not long before project developers plan to unveil a more complete list of retailers.
The latest announcement for the $70 million highlands project, called Grand Ridge Plaza, adds RAM Restaurant & Brewery, Big Fish Grill and ULTA Beauty to the lineup alongside a Regal Cinemas multiplex, and a Safeway and associated gas station.
Lucy Sloman, city land development manager, and Keith Niven, city economic development director, announced the latest additions to the Urban Village Development Commission.
Issaquah Highlands retail options to include RAM Restaurant & Brewery
October 3, 2012
NEW — 6 p.m. Oct. 3, 2012
Tenants for the long-awaited retail complex in the Issaquah Highlands include local restaurants and a beauty supply store, city officials announced Tuesday.
The latest announcement for the $70 million highlands project, called Grand Ridge Plaza, adds RAM Restaurant & Brewery, Big Fish Grill and ULTA Beauty to the list alongside a Regal Cinemas multiplex, and a Safeway and associated gas station.
Lucy Sloman, city land development manager, and Keith Niven, city economic development director, announced the latest additions to the Urban Village Development Commission. The project developer, Regency Centers, and highlands developer Port Blakely Communities plan to unveil more tenants at a community meeting Oct. 10.
In another major development for the highlands, Microsoft plans to sell long-vacant land once envisioned for a campus, Niven said.
Safeway recalls ground beef sold in Washington stores
September 26, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Sept. 26, 2012
Safeway expanded a ground beef recall to include stores in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon due to possible E. coli contamination.
The voluntary recall includes meat sold in store coolers and from the meat counter with sell-by dates of Aug. 28 to Sept. 23. Safeway said the recall includes all items including fresh ground beef, including meatballs, sliders and gourmet burgers.
The company said no illnesses have been reported.
Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway initiated the recall Sept. 22, after the company learned some ground beef items produced for Safeway included trimmings subject to a recall by XL Foods Inc. The raw, boneless beef trim products from XL Foods orginated in Canada and may be contaminated with E. coli.
Eastside Baby Corner seeks 2,000 pairs of children’s pants
September 4, 2012
Eastside Baby Corner’s third annual Pants Party collection event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 8 at its wareouse, 1510 N.W. Maple St.
Last year, the organization, which distributes almost everything needy children need from birth to age 12, collected 1,000 pairs of pants. This year, the goal is 2,000.
The community is encouraged to donate new or gently used pants for children, sizes 5 to14.
Construction starts on long-awaited Issaquah Highlands retail center
July 3, 2012
Earth-moving equipment works at the intersection of Highlands Drive Northeast and Northeast High Street on June 26 as construction starts on Grand Ridge Plaza. By Autumn Monahan
Finally, after years of plans and promises, developers and officials gathered in the Issaquah Highlands early June 26 to launch construction on a $70 million retail center in the neighborhood — a long-awaited amenity for residents and, in recent years, a symbol for the anemic economy and rebound.
Groundbreaking for Issaquah Highlands retail complex delayed until June 26
June 19, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. June 19, 2012
The groundbreaking ceremony for a long-planned Issaquah Highlands retail complex is delayed until June 26, project organizers announced Monday, a day before the planned event.
Executives at the highlands developer, Port Blakely Communities, and the company behind the retail complex, Regency Centers, attributed the weeklong delay to scheduling conflicts.
“This project remains a top priority for both organizations and we have every confidence that the transaction will close and construction will commence very soon,” Port Blakely CEO René Ancinas and Regency Senior Vice President Craig Ramey said in a joint statement.
The groundbreaking ceremony is planned for the corner of Ninth Avenue Northeast and Park Drive — a vacant stretch envisioned as Grand Ridge Plaza, as the project is called.
Officials to break ground June 19 on Issaquah Highlands retail complex
June 14, 2012
NEW — 9 p.m. June 14, 2012
City leaders and representatives from Issaquah Highlands developers plan to gather June 19 to break ground on a long-awaited retail complex in the neighborhood.
Regency Centers, a real estate investment trust based in Florida, intends to build the retail complex, dubbed Grand Ridge Plaza, on vacant land along Highlands Drive Northeast between Swedish/Issaquah and the Issaquah Highlands Park & Ride.
The proposed retail complex morphed throughout the years to reflect the developers involved and the economy.
In the latest iteration, announced tenants include a Regal Cinemas multiplex, and a Safeway and associated gas station.
Regal Cinemas and Safeway intend to open next year. Other tenants could open in 2013 as well.
City Council bans plastic bags at Issaquah retailers
June 12, 2012
Ordinance goes into effect for most businesses in March 2013
Issaquah joined a string of cities along Puget Sound to outlaw plastic bags at local retailers June 4, after months of sometimes-acrimonious debate about adverse impacts to the marine environment and the regional economy.
In the end, concerns about the environment led the City Council to decide 5-2 to eliminate most retail uses for plastic bags. The legislation — and a 5-cent fee on paper bags — go into effect in March 2013 for most businesses.
The council listened to advocates from environmental groups and the plastics industry in public meetings throughout April and May, and then again before the decision.
The plastic bag ban sponsor, Issaquah Highlands entrepreneur and City Councilman Mark Mullet, presented the legislation as a way to reduce the estimated 10 million plastic bags the city sends to the King County landfill each year.
FootZone closes local store, but hints at possible relocation
June 5, 2012
FootZone, a destination for runners and walkers, closed June 1 after 13 years in Issaquah.
The store operated in the Issaquah Commons shopping center near Safeway and REI.
In a post on the store’s website, the staff announced plans to eventually relocate to another space in Issaquah, once the right location becomes available. In the meantime, former shoppers at the Issaquah store can head to FootZone locations in Bellevue and Redmond.
The other stores plan to honor family plans and frequent buyer cards from the Issaquah location.
“After over 13 years, it is with a heavy heart that we have closed the Issaquah FootZone,” the staff wrote in the website post. “We want to thank all of you for supporting us over the years. It has been an honor to build relationships and get to know all of you over the years.”
Issaquah liquor store to close May 29 before changeover
May 24, 2012
NEW — 2 p.m. May 24, 2012
The state-run liquor store in Issaquah is due to close May 29, as the Washington State Liquor Control Board prepares to shift stores from public to private ownership.
Under a state law approved by voters last year, liquor sales by private entrepreneurs can start June 1.
The board auctioned the rights to entrepreneurs to sell liquor at the state-run store in Town & Country Square along Northwest Gilman Boulevard last month. State records show the right to the Issaquah store sold to Seattle merchant Leon Capelouto for $251,000.
“There is a lot of work involved in transferring these stores to private ownership,” Chris Liu, director of retail services for the liquor authority, said in a statement. “This method will ensure that our customers have the ability to buy liquor right up until June 1, when private retailers take over.”
