MERCHANDISING AND STRATEGY CHANGES
A glance at retailers that are restrategizing
Posted January 2007
Gourmet-to-go transforms into small plate meals, wine and a cheese destination
When Olives opened as a specialty food shop in downtown Edmonds circa 2002, the business plan called for selling a selection of fine cheeses and premium deli sandwiches to go. In heeding their clientele's requests for more of a dine-in experience, the restaurant was remodeled into Olives Gourmet Café & Wine Bar.
With more than 60 wines by the glass and an array of small-plate meals like truffled macaroni & cheese or shepherd's pie, the limited number of tables and nearly limitless selection of wines at Olives make for a dining experience that promises dynamic conversation and foodie delights.
While the new restaurant format didn't allow for the cheese counter, the owner's confidence in the imported cheese market remained. Out of that assurance came The Resident Cheesemonger, a shop dedicated to a selection of 100 cheeses from the U.S., France, Italy, Spain, England and other cheese capitals.
Just around the corner from the new Olives, The Resident Cheesemonger sells cheese knives, cutting boards, fondue pots and caviar up to $94 per ounce.
Today, Olives and The Resident Cheesemonger collaborate to feed area gourmands; dinner menus at Olives offer a selection of artisan cheeses including a dedicated cheese course.
Garage Bowl's expansion serves pin heads and hipsters alike
Garage Bowl, the Capitol Hill bowling alley with three levels and a chic atmosphere, is adding as many as eight lanes and growing its lounge to decrease wait times. The limited complement of 14 lanes can stretch wait times to three hours.
To maintain the Garage's aesthetic, the lanes are strictly for those 21 and over. The hangout shuns league play for corporate and personal parties, events that can quickly bring the bowling alley to maximum capacity. A wine bar with dozens of selections and an outstanding dinner menu further differentiates the establishment.
Menu offerings are not standard bowling alley fare. Small plates of falafel or wasabi prawns are present along with stuffed peppers and crab cakes. American favorites like pizza, hamburgers and fries are to be had as well.
The hangout got its start when the owners of the adjacent Garage Billiards purchased the building in 2002. Formerly a repair garage, alley owners hope the added lanes and lounge space will keep the ball rolling on Seattle bowling for years to come.
Aegis Living caters to seniors looking for the high life
Aegis Living, the Redmond operator of independent and assisted living retirement communities, launched a new line of upscale residences under its Aegis Signature Living brand. To visitors, the offerings might be indistinguishable from some of the finest resorts or private residences available.
First-class dining and housekeeping combined with concierge and valet services instantly separate these apartments from most other senior communities. Hotel-like massage, spa and salon services are on tap, in addition to pools both indoor and out.
Beyond the Signature Living communities, Aegis offers Aegis Assisted Living, Aegis Senior Living and Aegis Senior Inns. The varying levels allow seniors to choose the number of amenities and health care offerings they feel comfortable with.
Locally, Aegis is planning a Signature Living community on Redmond's Avondale Road. In June, the company acquired the former Edmonds Retirement Inn and plans to thoroughly renovate the home and reopen it as an Aegis Senior Inn.