🔐 More closures on 15th in Capitol Hill

Three Capitol Hill Businesses Close at Once

Last Tuesday, Capitol Hill Blog reported that two restaurants, Rione XIII and Rubinstein Bagels, had closed, and that a third, Bar Vacilando, would close on Saturday. This comes as a few other businesses announce comings or goings and the city gets global recognition for its economy. [Capitol Hill Blog]

• Problems with the building: In a statement, the restaurant group One House Hospitality, which owns Rione XIII and Rubinstein Bagels, told Capitol Hill Blog that issues with the building “have made it so we can no longer continue operating in this space.” In August, there were crumbling bricks along the building’s Harrison St. facade. In addition, there were issues with leaking, temperature, “broader concerns about the structural integrity of the building,” according to OHH, and they were concerned about operating during another rainy season.
• Trouble on 15th: The Stranger’s Vivian McCall said it best: “What the fuck is happening to 15th Avenue?” There have been a lot of closures and short-term businesses on 15th. Rione XIII lasted 14 years however, Bar Vacilando lasted a decade, and Rubinstein’s opened in October 2021. (Andrew Rubinstein has since left to open Hey Bagel, which won our bagel taste test, and Sean Keeley points to a lot of other good options on his Substack). The neighborhood QFC closed in 2020, and redevelopment is paused.
• Tuli Lodge not returning to Pier 62: Tuli Lodge, the sauna and cold plunge business, has announced on Instagram it won’t be returning to Pier 62 this winter. The post explains that Pier 62 is a “really complicated spot with 5 decision making-parties” and changes in layout, rent fees, operating policies, and contracts affected the business. [Instagram]
• From Walgreens to emergency care: The shuttered Walgreens in Lake City may become an emergency department and urgent care facility, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal. The building has been empty since 2023, along with a former Bartells and Fred Meyer, which residents say have created concerns around food access.
• Seattle ranked 4th on Global Cities Index: Oxford Economics has ranked Seattle number 4 on a list of the 10 best cities in the world. The index looks at economics, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance. Its economic score was highest and was in the top 5% for areas like human capital, quality of life, and environment. [Secret Seattle]

💎 Costco puts money where customers are: Seattle’s big-box store (and my Coke Zero dealer) is putting $184 million it received from tariff refunds back into everyday products and nonfood goods. A class action lawsuit filed by Costco members, four of whom are from Washington, is ongoing. [Seattle Times]

🏙️ 12th and Jackson ‘feels the same’ three months into Wilson safety plan: Despite an increase in arrests and Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program referrals in Little Saigon from the new, “deliberate” approach taken by Mayor Wilson’s office, some neighbors in Little Saigon feel that little has changed around 12th and Jackson, which some refer to as an “open-air drug market.” SPD is conducting a 90-day special patrol to gather data for next steps. [South Seattle Emerald]

🧑‍⚖️ Supreme Court elections are a big deal: Bail bond reform and the constitutionality of an income tax on high earners are among the big issues for the Supreme Court this year. Five seats are open, and lots of money is being spent to win these seats on both sides of the political aisle. Get an overview from Washington State Standard, as well as recommendations from City Cast guest Andy Engelson over at Cascadia Journal.