OPENINGS AROUND THE SOUND
A look at the area's new stores
Posted October 7, 2003
Ann Taylor Loft opened a 6,000-square-foot store on the second floor of Bellevue Square. According to the mall, the Loft stores cater to 20-something career women who can't afford to pay the higher prices at Ann Taylor stores. It also offers a more casual clothing line. In greater Seattle, Ann Taylor operates five regular stores, two Ann Taylor Lofts and an Ann Taylor factory outlet store at Auburn's Supermall of the Great Northwest.
Kiehl's opened at the University Village. The retailer, which sells cosmetics and other body products, started in New York City in 1851 and has since become an international business.
Neuhaus Chocolates opened a kiosk on the parking garage level of Pacific Place downtown Seattle. The company, which also operates a location on University Street near Rainier Square, operates several stores throughout the country.
Smith & Hawken opened a 4,500-square-foot store at University Village. The garden and home shop is the company's second in the Seattle area.
The Leather Factory opened two new Tandy Leather Co. stores in the Puget Sound region. The new locations in Seattle and Tacoma will build the chain's reach to 26 stores. Prior to January 2002, Tandy Leather Co. products were available only via the Internet, mail-order catalogs and wholesalers. The company manufactures and distributes leather, leather working tools, buckles and adornments for belts, leather dyes and finishes, shoe repair supplies, saddle and tack hardware and do-it-yourself kits.
Future Openings
Over the past several months, several retailers have embarked upon substantial growth initiatives in the Puget Sound region and Pacific Northwest. These are a handful of openings you will soon see:
Taco Del Mar, a Seattle-based Mexican fast food chain, announced that its franchising effort has begun to grow. Agreements have been made for Oregon and Clark County, Washington, and Utah, Phoenix, California's Central Valley and Minneapolis-St.Paul are expected to follow shortly. The deals allow the developer to recruit store owners and build stores throughout their territory. The company projects $24 million in sales this year, which is up from $16 million in 2002. Average store sales for the Puget Sound region top $400,000.
Tacone, which sells soups, salads, sandwiches and more, will move into Pacific Place this fall. The chain is known for making customers' orders on the spot to guarantee freshness.
Todai, a seafood buffet restaurant, announced plans to move into Pacific Place by year's end. The chain plans to open around or right before the holiday season.
Whole Foods, an Austin, Texas-based organic grocer, recently started building a store in Bellevue. The 4.4-acre property will include a garden-like pedestrian entryway and will be the chain's first appearance on the Eastside. With this new 56,000-square-foot location, the company is trying out a new look, both inside and outside the store. Whole Foods operates 135 stores, and this will be its second in the Puget Sound region. The Bellevue store is slated to open next summer.