OPENINGS AROUND THE SOUND

A look at the area's new stores

Posted June 2003

Costco, which has opened more than 400 warehouse clubs around the world since its beginning in Bellevue, announced plans to expand locally. The company may add warehouses to North Seattle, Woodinville, Bellevue and downtown Seattle. Costco currently operates 12 stores and one furniture store in the Puget Sound region. According to M+M Planet Retail, an international retail research firm, the chain's expansion may not be limited to its back yard: Costco is also looking for sites throughout Europe.

Gigi's Boutique, a three-year-old, locally-owned business (previously called Mon Cheri) moved from Mill Creek to a 2,500-square-foot store in downtown Kirkland. The company sells women's apparel and lingerie.

Ian, a men's and women's apparel retailer, opened in downtown Seattle. The company, which is relatively new to Seattle, offers a range of products and styles for the urban city dweller.

Matt's Rotisserie and Oyster Bar opened in the Redmond Town Center. Besides fresh oysters daily, the restaurant offers a variety of world flavors, from Argentinian street tacos to an Asian style tuna sandwich with tobiko-wasabi mayo on a traditional seafood paella. The center of the kitchen is the $50,000 rotisserie grill, which will cook chicken, pork, beef back ribs, prime rib and more. Menu items start at $8 or $9 and don't get higher than $20, a price range intended to hold appeal for today's value-driven consumers.

Pallino Pastaria, a Seattle-based fast food chain specializing in Italian fare, opened in downtown Seattle's Bank of America tower. The 4,738-square-foot space on the tower's third floor is the company's eighth location.

The Home Gallery, which sells reproductions of French and Italian antiques from the period of Louis XV, moved into a 2,000-square-foot space in downtown Kirkland. The company, which owns two other stores in Southern California, also carries imported carpets, silver platters and bronze sculptures.