Business Stories - East King County

Real estate giant Sotheby's lands in Bellevue

One of the nation’s biggest names in real estate, Sotheby’s International Realty, has launched a new office in Downtown Bellevue, tapping into the luxury Washington property market on the Eastside.

Safeway opens flagship store in downtown Bellevue

The ushering in of the flagship Safeway store on the corner of Bellevue Way and Northeast Second Street signified both a historical end and a new beginning. As the new store prepared for its grand opening to the public on June 27, the old Safeway located across the street closed its doors after 48 years of business.

Outlook good for Bellevue economy

Strong development activity and moderate job growth will fuel Bellevue’s economy over the next several years. That was the prediction delivered to the City Council Monday by City Budget Manager Jonathan Swift, who said Bellevue’s economic outlook is generally positive, but increased inflation and a slowing of the housing market could dampen growth.

Johnston Architects picked for library work

Johnston Architects has been selected by the King County Library System for the Bellevue Library Parking Expansion Project, which is part of the King County Library System Capital Bond Program.

Kopczynski wins award for building

Bellevue engineering firm Cary Kopczynski & Company has received an award from the Post-Tensioning Institute for work on the Cosmopolitan in Seattle.

Shomma Bohlman named clinic manager

Shonna Bohlman has been promoted to Clinic Manager at Apple Physical Therapy’s Bellevue clinic.

Sammamish man creates 'space' for home business owners

Can't keep local biz open all night? Go online | Susan Burnash

In my last column, I posed the question “are you in business to make a living, or is this just a hobby?” In response to my point about the opportunities retail stores lose by keeping limited hours, I received several comments about how difficult it is for sole proprietors to be open as often as they’d like.

Burnham Nationwide opens Kirland office | Business Briefs

A quick look at what's up with businesses in and around Kirkland.

Kirkland-based party supply retailer sells for $31 million

Kirkland-based retailer Celebrate Express Inc., which specializes in online sales of party supplies and costumes, has agreed to a preliminary deal to join Liberty Media Corp. of Englewood, Colo., for $31 million, the Associated Press reported last week.

Slow business forces Kirkland Santa shop to close

Reasons to Believe, an iconic downtown shop at 92 Kirkland Ave. that sells thousands of one-of-a-kind, handmade Santa figurines, will close at the end of July, owner Dennis Brown said last week. Brown, who can often be seen from the storefront window sitting at his workbench crafting a Santa or a reindeer, cited a problem generating business as the reason for the closure.

Salon helps Kirkland residents bounce back from homelessness | Business Briefs

Salon provides day of pampering to people adjusting to life after homelessness...Kirkland Chamber golf tournament set for Aug. 6.

Kirkland shops: In it for the biz, or just for fun?

The second Thursday evening of every month in Kirkland is best known for the Kirkland Art Walk. Recently, the downtown galleries, restaurants and local coffee shops have added jazz to this monthly scene. Last month, I decided to roam downtown to see for myself all the evening now has to offer.

Oddfellow's Grill to revitalize historic Redmond building this summer

A distinguished downtown building — that goes all the way back to Redmond’s days as a rough-and-tumble logging town — is about to be revived. Oddfellow’s Grill is scheduled to open this summer in the former Odd Fellows Hall at 7979 Leary Way NE. The Odd Fellows was a fraternal organization named for its unusual kindness toward the down-and-out, including plague victims, in 17th century England and 18th century America.

Redmond biz toning down the cost, waste of printer ink

These days, when we’re off to the supermarket, the shopping list might just as likely include “printer ink or toner” as milk, bread or toilet paper. Between reports for the office, kids’ homework projects or a volunteer newsletter, we’re always printing something. All that ink and toner gets expensive — and dumping the empty cartridges is costly for the environment. Rapid Refill, a new business in the Village at Redmond Ridge, is urging consumers to “rethink ... reuse ... recycle ... re-ink.” The store collects empty inkjet and laser toner cartridges and re-manufactures them to keep them out of landfills.

Remodeling companies earn awards

Two Redmond-based home remodeling companies each earned multiple awards at the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties annual Remodeling Excellence Awards (REX) banquet held June 21 at the Spirit of Washington Event Center in Renton.

Redmond-based Aegis Living takes home 4 advertising awards

Redmond-based Aegis Living, a company devoted to senior living, and its agency Hydrogen Advertising took home four awards for outstanding creative work at the recent 25th annual healthcare advertising awards sponsored by the Healthcare Marketing Report.

Sammamish man creates 'space' for home business owners

Like many of his Sammamish neighbors, entrepreneur Peter Chee thought it would be wonderful to work at home. Instead, he felt isolated. He missed the atmosphere of being in an intellectual “think tank.” Chee explained, “I liked being around other smart people — feeling the energy, getting charged up, networking.” Ladies and gentlemen, meet Thinkspace. Located in downtown Redmond, just down the street from the city’s new transit center, Thinkspace offers 25,000 square feet of executive office space, for self-employed folks or small business owners who want to keep their overhead low but project a professional image and interact with like-minded peers.

Sammamish man creates 'space' for home business owners

Thinkspace brings a new working alternative