Amazon Fresh Online Grocer Presence in Downtown Bellevue

Webvan, Kozmo, and Home Grocer were all online grocery services, of which all no longer exist. Now over six years later Amazon wants a shot at this market.

“Amazon Fresh” as Amazon has branded it, is now currently delivering to select greater Eastside areas by invite only. Amazon offers pre-dawn delivery in temperature controlled containers and normal day time delivery within a specific hour time slot. If you have not been one of these select few whom are receiving delivery from Amazon Fresh they also offer a local pickup option which is available to everybody. Downtown Bellevue was chosen as the first pickup location for this service, and a Kirkland location has been added since. The location is at 103rd Ave NE & Main St.

The delivery service is free for all daytime deliveries over $50, and pre-dawn deliveries over $25. (For delivery orders that don't reach the limits the charge is $10) Kozmo’s downfall to their business model was that they did not require a minimum purchase at first, so they ended up with many customers just ordering a pint of ice cream (some of us here at db network are guilty of this) and having it delivered. With the cost of gas and the employee’s time alone you can guarantee it would make for an unprofitable trip.

Although you need a special redemption code to get delivery service, you are currently able to get a redemption code for pick up service at the Downtown Bellevue location .

Being that it is available in Downtown Bellevue, we thought we would give the service a try. We ordered items at 10pm, to be prepared for pick up at the Bellevue location when it opened at 10am (pick up times for the store is 10am - 8pm). The online experience of ordering groceries is wonderful. You can aggregate the items by price, relevance, type of food, and more. When going into the produce section, an impressive feature was the segmentation of banana's (and other items) broken down into 1/3 ripe vs 2/3 ripe. This is very thoughtful, and will go a long way in the consumers eyes.

Was it mentioned that the prices are very competitive? (well, they are!) Everything is not perfect (yet)...They do not have all the levels of quantity for products that you would expect at your local QFC or Safeway stores. Also beer and wine products are not currently available, but will be added soon.

The experience only gets better when you arrive to pick up your groceries. An Amazon representative will come up to your car when you pull in and ask for your information relevant to your order, then bring your order to your vehicle.

I applaud Amazon for having the patience to not roll it out to the whole country all at once. With a much larger amount of people are now using and trusting online purchasing (more than six years ago). Amazon could potentially have a big winner on their hands if they implement this correctly and revolutionize the grocery industry.

If Amazon can’t do this, nobody will.

Bellevue Square Store Updates

Red Mango
Everybody should live by the motto, "Eat Dessert First" and I'm sure the Bellevue Square's future tenants, Red Mango would agree full heartedly. The newly popular Red Mango, who claims to be, "The Original Healthy Frozen Yogurt" will occupy a spot in Bellevue Square on the first floor (Where the socks store and Clearwire used to occupy) this fall. The jury is still out if they will be first healthy frozen yogurt, but it'll surely be a winner in the Pacific Northwest, with locations slated in Alderwood, and Southcenter. Red Mango's site shows almost 20 stores across the US, of which most of these are coming soon.

Aritzia
This will not be your typical store in Bellevue Square. Canadian based Aritzia will cater to women interested in fashion, function, design and music. At first glance it appears to be a clothing store with fashion forward street gear. If you keep looking, you'll find that they are have all types of products catering to this targeted culture including music, technology devices, and more. Aritzia will open in Bellevue Square this November on the first floor, in between Build-A-Bear and Holister. This will be only the second location in the United States.

Paiva Closes its doors
On a separate note Paiva (Women's athletic appeal company) will close its doors in Bellevue Square forever. You might ask the question, why are they going out of business? Was the rent or commission too high at Bellevue Square? No, Paiva as a whole company is going out of business...nevertheless too bad.

Jimmy Choo Coming to The Bravern

Look out Nordstrom, the high end retailers are coming in full storm! According to a press release from Schnitzer West, shoemaker Jimmy Choo Inc. is the latest luxury retailer to land in Downtown Bellevue. The shoe retailer will open its first shoe boutique in the Northwest at The Bravern, a $500 million mixed-use project being developed by Bellevue-based Schnitzer West. The Bravern is a joint venture between Schnitzer and financial partner Investcorp Real Estate of New York.

Earlier this year, the Texas luxury department store chain Neiman Marcus announced its plans to open its first store in the Northwest at the Bravern.

The 2,100-square-foot boutique, which will face Northeast Eighth Street, will carry the company's full line of shoes, handbags and accessories. The designer's goods are sold in more than 60 locations worldwide.

The Bravern, which is under construction next to Meydenbauer Center just off Interstate 405 at Northeast Eighth Street, is set to open in 2009. Microsoft is leasing the entire 740,000-square-foot office portion of the 1.7-million-square-foot mixed use development that will combine offices, 300,000 square feet of shops and restaurants and condominiums.

Press Release:

Gerding Edlen: Get used to the newest developer!

Puget Sound Business Journal released an article on the newest developer in Downtown Bellevue. If you've been paying attention, then you'd know that Bellevue Towers (next to the Bellevue Galleria) is going up really quickly! The concrete frames have risen up to at least 20 stories - each, and both are well on their way to being 42 and 43 stories high.

With the Puget Sound region's condo market softening, many might say they won't sell. Just tell that to Realty Trust Group which has sold more than 160 of the first phase's 293 luxury units (the north tower and cetral podium) more than a year before the scheduled completion.

The $500M project that sits at Northeast Fourth Street and 106th Avenue Northeast is being put together by Portland-based Gerding Edlen. In fact, the firm relocated principal Scott Eaton to work out of the Bellevue sales office to oversee the development.

Prices for the units start at about $400,000. According to Columbia Real Estate Group's FatReport tracking local new condo sales, Bellevue Towers units are commanding an average of $675 per square foot.

Not only that, downtown Bellevue will be able to tout the Towers as LEED building with the development team targeting the Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

David Lawrence concludes Bellevue Fashion Week with 400 Friends!

The line ran from Fashion Axis all way down Northeast 8th Street. It was still a little before 7.00pm. The line would continue for another 30 minutes. Had Apple opened a new store? Hardly. With fashion week winding down in downtown Bellevue, there was only one way to end what most will call a successful second year for this event: the David Lawrence Fall Fashion Spectacular. At the end all will agree, the music was great, the models were hot, and the clothes...amazing! As for the guests? Beautiful to say the least...The event was packed and roughly 400 tickets were sold with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

If you missed it, you missed out. Guests enjoyed martinis and champagne before the show commenced; a great fashion show; and an afterparty back at David Lawrence in Bellevue Square where guests were served drinks and snacks. Needless to say, the place was packed and people were shopping!

While the night's event was grand, the Downtown Bellevue Network sat down with David, the owner and founder of David Lawrence, the night before to talk fashion!

db: When did this all get started - David Lawrence?

DL: We opened the Bellevue store in 1994, so yes, we're a downtown Bellevue-based company. And a year later we opened in Seattle.

db: For those who don't know about David Lawrence, how would you explain it to them?

DL: David Lawrence is a great value in the world of designer clothing. We provide affordable designer fashions.

db: Who picks out the clothes?

DL: Well, I've been to New York three times in the last two month and both my wife and I pick out all the clothes ourselves. I choose the men's line and she the women's.

db: What's the most expensive item you've ever carried?

DL: We once had a fur coat for $4950.

db: What's your clientelle like?

DL: You know we don't get the CEO. I mean we have some, but mostly our clientelle comprises of those on their way to being the CEO.

db: What's so great about being in downtown Bellevue, specifically in the Square?

DL: Well, Kemper really cares about this place. We love being here and we have no plans to leave. Kemper cares about the mall and the surrounding areas. The growth we're seeing is fantastic! It's going to be good for everyone.

db: What are you wearing today?

DL: Hugo Boss, Sling & Stone.

db: Did you parttake in Fashion Week last year and what do you think about this year?

DL: Yes, this is our second year in the show. This year has been great. And our show is going to be amazing!

If you haven't been to David Lawrence, we recommend you definitely pay it a visit. The clothing is great, the service is wonderful and you can tell they definitely know a thing or two about fashion.

David - We wish you a wonderful fall season.

Bellevue's Circulator Bus!

The Seattle Times reported that the Bellevue City Council this week approved a downtown circulator bus that would run both directions in a loop along Bellevue Way, Main Street, 110th Avnenue Northeast and Northeast 10th Street.

The service, set to being late next year/early 2009, still have one more hurdle to clear: King County must approve it!

The service will be free for passengers, although the county may find some expenses that would require a small fare. The route would be service by three 19-person vans, operating from 6.00am to 7.00pm on weekdays and from 9.00am to 7.00pm on Saturdays.

Remember the crane that fell last year?

Remember the crane that fell in downtown Bellevue in November of 2006?

Well, it fell on the office Pacific Continental Corporation, the bank holding company for Pacific Continental Bank, announced the completion of an extensive reconstruction project of its office inside the Plaza 305 building according to CNN. The renovation of the Plaza 305 building became necessary when in November 2006, a crane from a nearby construction project fell onto the building destroying the entire facility.

The renovated office space of approximately 7,000 square feet has been redesigned to better serve bank clients while maximizing staff efficiencies. Prior to the accident, nine PCB bankers worked in the Bellevue location; it's now estimated that fifteen bankers will operate out of the Bellevue office.

"We have many people to thank for our return to the Plaza 305 building. Our colleagues, vendors, staff, and Bellevue city officials were tremendous to work with and we greatly appreciate all they've done," said Basant Singh, executive vice-president and director of Seattle operations. Singh added, "Pacific Continental remains fully committed to operating in the Bellevue market; and our continued presence in the community of Bellevue remains an important component of our growth strategy."

Nau Changing the World, Interview with Jil Zilligen

And Nau for something completely different.

Portland-based, Nau is changing the way clothes are made and bought. Just a walk inside their "webfront" (which is a term they use for store) and you'll feel the difference. It's by far the most green resident inside Bellevue Square and with Fashion Week in full swing in downtown Bellevue, I sat down with Jil Zilligen, VP of Sustainable Business Practices, to learn some more.

db: So you're not a clothing company?
JZ: We are, but more. Our model is to design and distribute, but in addition we look at clothing from a lifecycle perspective and design with the end in mind.

db: So this store is a front for something bigger?
JZ: Well, we don't call them stores, they're web fronts. It's part of our digital brand. Our customers can treat it like a regular store where you can touch and try items on, purchase, and walk out. Or, touch and try items on, then purchase and we'll just ship it to you. You get 10% off if you choose the shipping method and 5% of that goes to one of our partner charities.

db: Do you think consumers are ready to buy like that? After all we're a society that wants immediate gratification.
JZ: We think so. Our polling shows that 50% are ready to use our store as an extension of the Internet and not buy the product right away.

db: How long has nau been around?
JZ: Roughly two and a half years.

db: What type of people buy nau clothing?
JZ: Our target customers are artists, activists, and athletes. Most companies might look for accomplished athlete in each of those areas. Our heroes are those looking to be active in social and environmental change.

db: What are you wearing today?
JZ: I'm wearing the courier windshirt and bouldering capri.

db: Tell us a fun fact about nau?
JZ: Well, let's see. There are so many interesting things. Well, we're located on Lovejoy Street; we were almost named Lovejoy. Oh, I know, we've got a kegerator in our headquarters office.

db: This is going to sound funny, but where is nau in the future?
JZ: Well, in 2008 we're planning on opening 10-12 web fronts, and another 10-12 in 2009. We're hoping to create positive change; the world needs a different way of doing business. We're hoping to set the trend in the world of fashion.

db: Why not put your product in a national chain?
JZ: Well, we'd lose control over our message. We like the control we have over the design and delivery over the clothing. This allows us to meet a good price point and still hit our margin.

db: What's your return policy?
JZ: All our clothes are guaranteed. We'll gladly replace it or refund it.

If you haven't been inside nau in Bellevue Square, we highly recommend checking it out. At the least it'll be different from what you've experienced before in an outdoor apparel shop. Jil is right about one thing. "You can't do business on a dead planet." nau's commitment to sustainability shines through their store, clothes, and service. nau, Polynesian for welcome, or come to me makes outdoor gear to wear anytime/anyplace. They create product that looks good, lasts long, and has great performance. All this while changing the world.

We wish them all the best!

Study Finds Bellevue Zip Codes Have Among the Thinnest People in King County

A study from the University of Washington, which KOMO news reported found the thinnest zip codes in King County were Mercer Island, Magnolia, Green Lake and our very own Bellevue!

More than 25 percent of residents in south King County were considered obese. Included in these areas are Renton, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way and Burien.

Some of the excuses made by others for the residents of these "thin" zip codes were that because these areas have more money they are able to purchase more healthy foods. A reason given for people being obese was because a person who is working two jobs doesn't have time to eat anything but convenient fast food, which is usually cheaper and higher in fat and calories.

The fact of the matter is that if you care about your health, all it takes is some self-control, and some planning throughout the day. It doesn't matter what zip code you live in to be healthy, as long as you make it a priority in your life, you can be "thin" in whichever zip code you please.

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El Gaucho to open at City Center Plaza

El Gaucho, one of the Pacific Northwest's great steakhouses is reported by the Puget Sound Business Journal to be coming to Downtown Bellevue. The chain currently has locations in Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland.

The Bellevue location will occupy space in the City Center Plaza building when complete.

El Gaucho was originally speculated (and thought of as a done deal) to occupy space in the Washington Square complex.

Nordstrom Kicks Off Bellevue Fashion Week!

In true Bellevue style, Hometown favorite Nordstrom kicked off the 2007 Bellevue Fashion Week Friday in stunning form with its Fashion Show!

With a sold out crowd around 400 people for the Fall Fashion Runway Show, Fashion AXIS was packed for the second annual event.

Once inside Fashion AXIS, the sparkling showroom was filled with drinks, appetizers, and most importantly boutique shopping, with fashions that would be found within the fashion show. As anticipation of the show gained, folks (and when I say folks, I mean mostly women, the ratio was 10 to 1) gathered at the staircase in excitement at the opportunity to have seating close to the show.

The fashion show was the center of the night and did not disappoint. Strutting their stuff were the models in their fashion forward fall styles. The fashions modeled for the fall season included Diane von Furstenberg, Juicy Couture, BCBG Max Azria, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and more. Some of the popular fashions this year over many of the fashion lines were long leather gloves, leg warmers, grey white and black, and colored nylons with a skirt or dress.

100% of the ticket proceeds for the night are donated to the Detlef Schrempf foundation. The foundation has been helping children now for 12 years and running. Although Detlef himself was not there, his wife and Vice President of the foundation Mari Schrempf was there to represent for him.

Bellevue Fashion Week 2007 kicked off what will be a phenomenal week of fashion in Downtown Bellevue. Over 80 events will follow within the nine-day event.

Sketches Emerge for Future Kemper Development Co. Bellevue Way Projects

The first images and sketches are emerging for the future plans of Kemper Development Co.'s projects on Bellevue Way.

As many know, the current Safeway location and complex will become major construction projects in the coming months.

Across the street are two levels of Bellevue Square parking that accommodate JC Penny's as well as Macy's, or as some might still refer to as The Bon Marché . This parking structure will soon be torn down and accompany the many other construction projects in the area, what will eventually be called, "The Bellevue".

Both developments are Kemper Development Co. projects. It is anticipated that the Safeway side will include a business tower, and a split hotel and condo tower. Where the parking structure is currently standing will become high end boutique shopping. Some of the rendered (and mos likely made up) store fronts in the sketch are companies such as Burberry, Gucci, and Tiffany Co.

You will notice from the images that there is a glass sky bridge that will be connecting the two projects. Also rumored is to be underground parking at both projects that will connect underground.

When Avalon Meydenbauer is complete (the future home of Safeway) I'm sure you will see Kemper Development company waste no time demolishing the existing site, and prepare for the new projects.

Bellevue Arts Museum in need of cash after C.F.O. Suspected of Stealing $300,000

The Seattle Times leaked a story yesterday about the Bellevue Arts Museum and its financial situation.

Bellevue Arts Museum, which had been closed for two years before reopening told the City of Bellevue Monday it is in need of $2 Million to support their cash flow and continue the growth of their museum in Downtown Bellevue.

In May the Chief Financial Officer for the Bellevue Arts Museum was suspected of embezzling $300,000 during her two years on the job.

If you want to help become a member, a donor, or a corporate sponsor. Or just simply go to the museum and check out their exhibits! It is $7 for adults, and $5 for children and seniors.

The Bellevue Arts Museum is located across the street from Bellevue Square in the heart of Downtown Bellevue. It is placed for success, yet many people I have spoken with have never attended an exhibit at the museum.

With Downtown Bellevue growing at the pace it is, the Museum has an opportunity to grow its enthusiasts (customers) and become the staple for the arts sector in Bellevue. To do this it must offer something unique and interesting to residents and visitors. Currently there is a lack of buzz, a lack of interest. My belief is if they can change this, the revenue problem will solve itself.

What would lure you into the Bellevue Arts Museum? What would you like to see more of?

Downtown Bellevue - No Vacancy?

Is downtown Bellevue full? Has she reached maximum occupancy for office space? These questions are asked with new news that Microsoft and other companies are having to look elsewhere. Not only that, but F5 Networks who is also growing has ended up signing a lease in the Factoria area right outside of downtown. So the question to ask here is whether there really is any affordable office space downtown? And is there going to be any additional space anytime soon?

Microsoft said it's leasing 166,000 square feet of space at three locations in the city of Seattle, with the largest lease in the Westlake/Terry Building in South Lake Union. After this move, it will employ 1,400 people in Seattle at seven separate locations.

Meanwhile, F5 Networks Inc. said it's leasing 15,000 square feet of office space in Bellevue's Factoria area to complement its expansion effort at its Elliott Avenue headquarters in Seattle. The company also said it's leasing space in Factoria for a research and development facility and will occupy the building in fall of 2008. It also said it's tripling its space in Spokane, growing from an existing 15,000 square feet to about 43,000 square feet in January 2008.

With both companies looking elsewhere, will this push others to look outside of downtown Bellevue as well? Are we really at full capacity or has the price of office space just gotten too expensive?

More to come...

Bellevue Fashion Week 2007 Kicks off Friday

The 2nd annual 2007 Bellevue Fashion Week begins Friday at The Bellevue Collection.

First event up will be the Nordstrom Fall Runway Show at Fashion AXIS. The Nordstrom fashion show will feature world-renowned designers such as Juicy Couture and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Tickets are available to the general public for $50. Attendees should expect to enjoy boutique shopping, including items from the fashion show itself. A wine and hors d'oeuvre reception will take place preceding the runway show.

The Nordstrom Fashion Runway Show will kick off Bellevue's Fashion Week 2007, but is just the start of the many events that will be hosted in Downtown Bellevue. Included is a full list of all the Premier Events, which will take place at The Bellevue Collection.

Bellevue Fashion Week Premier Events

• Sept 15th Flirt with Style 11am - 2pm @ Bellevue Square Center Court
  
• Sept 15th Posh Party 6pm @ Fashion AXIS $50
• Sept 15th VIP Shopping Night 8:30pm @ Bellevue Square Center Court $25
• Sept 16th Blue Wili's Fall Fashion Show 3pm @ Fashion AXIS
• Sept 18th luluemon athletica Manifesto Masquerade 7-9pm @ Fashion AXIS $20-25
• Sept 19th Shoot In Style 6pm @ The Parlor Billiards & Spirits $20
• Sept 19th Classic Style Show 7pm @ Fashion Fashion AXIS $35
• Sept 20th Voletta Couture's "Enamored" Fashion Show 6pm @ Fashion AXIS $35-75
• Sept 21st The Collective 7pm @ AXIS $35
• Sept 22nd David Lawrence Fall Fashion Spectacular 7pm @ Fashion AXIS $25-30
  

For a complete list, including in store events, check out the Fashion Week Events.

With over 80 events spanning a bit over a week, it is proof how prominent Bellevue Fashion Week is becoming in only its second year. Downtown Bellevue has aspirations of becoming included in the same sentence as shopping districts such as 5th Ave in New York, Michigan Ave in Chicago, Rodeo Drive in L.A. along with others.

Events such as Bellevue Fashion Week coupled with openings of high fashion retail stores in Bellevue begin to create an argument for the area to be considered as a top-shopping destination on the West coast.

*Fashion AXIS is located at Lincoln Square

First Signs of Lucky Strike Lanes in Bellevue's Lincoln Square

As reported in early July, Lucky Strike Lanes will occupy a spot Lincoln Square on the second floor. The first signs have popped up this week, as you can see that the "coming soon" wallpaper has been plastered all over their to be home.

The lounge / bowling alley combo will cater to a higher end crowd looking to be entertained.

Look forward to Lucky Strike Lanes opening by the end of 2007.

Bellevue Square Remodel Update

Bellevue Square began construction in August with its lengthy exterior and interior remodel.

The most noticeable project currently taking place is the exterior construction going on behind The Lodge parking structure. The construction (shown below) will be an expansion of Williams-Sonoma. The current store is located on the second floor at Bellevue Square.

Not much has been noticeably taken place in the interior at Bellevue Square, but the first sign of change has appeared. The green (ugly) railing in one section on the second floor has been replaced to very nice natural looking wood (pictured below). Along with the railing, the ceiling has signs of construction and being somewhat dismantled. Look for an improvement in the ceiling soon.

Keep in touch with E-Mail Alerts from the City of Bellevue

"E-mail Alerts" is a new service that the City of Bellevue will be offering residents. Tired of having to go to the City's Web site to find out information about interested topics? Well now all you have to do is choose the information you'd like to be informed about and you'll automatically be updated via email about these topics.

Did you know that the City of Bellevue Site is available in Spanish and Chinese? Versions in Russian and Vietnamese are on there way too!

A year after the City revamped its Web site, it continues to take steps in the direction of making information more accessible to its residents.

Sign Up Here

Bellevue? Yahooooo!

Earlier this month we had a post about Yahoo! potentially moving to downtown Bellevue. Well no more speculation on that - Yahoo! has signed a preliminary agreement to take 120,000 square feet very close to Microsoft's downtown offices. In addition to this news the Blackberry maker, Research in Motion, is seriously considering space in the office park Interstate 90 corridor, sources say.

While Yahoo! and RIM would bring hundreds of jobs to the area, speculators feel both companies would use these offices to recruite Microsoft employees.

Yahoo's letter of intent is for 120,000 square feet of space at the One Twelfth at Twelfth, sources say. That's enough space to house 500-600 employees.

As far as space goes in downtown Bellevue, nearly 163,000 square feet is currently available at the 484,000-square-foot mid-rise office campus adjacent to Interstate 405, a block north of the Bravern site.

Meanwhile, Research in Motion's, or RIM's, move could take roughly half of the Legacy I-90 office park, a 90,725-square-foot office project in Bellevue's Eastgate neighborhood and bring about 200 employees to the area.

Picture Day | Tower 333

Happy Labor Day everyone! We thought today would be a great day to share some pictures in our possession from up on top of the construction site of Tower 333 in downtown Bellevue. We hope you all enjoy them.