Rob Smith

Staycation Splash Adventure

Staycation Splash Adventure

‘The best way to explore your city is from a whole new perspective’

This one is not just for tourists…

Rob Smith

Chik-Fil-A and Starbucks, But No KFC

Chik-Fil-A and Starbucks, But No KFC

What’s your guilty fast-food pleasure?

Now comes a new data study that reveals Washington’s favorite and least favorite fast-food chains…

Rob Smith

Downtown Seattle Gains Ground

Downtown Seattle Gains Ground

Foot traffic is on the rise

Downtown Seattle foot traffic continues to increase even though major retailers are increasingly moving out…

Rob Smith

Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion To Open This Summer

Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion To Open This Summer

The pavilion features 3,500 animals and plants, including sharks

Seattle Aquarium’s much-anticipated Ocean Pavilion opens Aug. 29. The pavilion is the first project to be completed as part of the city’s waterfront renovation…

Rob Smith

Remembering Amazon’s First Prime Day: ‘Intimidating as Hell’

Remembering Amazon’s First Prime Day: ‘Intimidating as Hell’

Former Executive Creative Director Michael Boychuk recalls secrecy, pressure

Back in 2014, Michael Boychuk began his career as the executive creative director of Amazon’s in-house creative agency…

Rob Smith

She Stood Up To Sit

She Stood Up To Sit

UW student couldn’t find babysitting jobs, so she started her own service

Grace Schmidt began babysitting when she was 12 and, like any enterprising college kid, wanted to earn extra money when she enrolled at the University of Washington to study nursing in 2018…

Rob Smith

Proof of Washington’s Retail Muscle

Proof of Washington’s Retail Muscle

National Retail Federation ranking showcases an often-overlooked strength

A prominent business executive new to town once told me he loved shopping at Nordstrom’s. He was sheepish when he discovered that the upscale retailer’s headquarters are based in Seattle…

Rob Smith

In Seattle, Renting is King

In Seattle, Renting is King

The annual savings between renting and buying is significant

With rising rates, Seattle may not exactly be a renter’s paradise. But for those on a budget, renting certainly beats buying…

Rob Smith

Costco Hikes Membership Fees

Costco Hikes Membership Fees

The company last raised the price in 2017

I love shopping at Costco. Sure, our household doesn’t always need 18 tubes of toothpaste at once, but that’s a small price to pay for the savings. Even just one purchase — a computer, for instance — can recoup a basic membership fee. Rumors have been swirling for years that the company would raise its…

Rob Smith

MOD Pizza To Be Acquired By Elite Restaurant Group

MOD Pizza To Be Acquired By Elite Restaurant Group

The sale may have staved off a potential bankruptcy filing

MOD Super Fast Pizza LLC has agreed to be acquired by Elite Restaurant Group. Terms were not disclosed. Bellevue-based MOD was founded in 2008 and until recently had been on a growth tear. It now operates more than 500 locations across the United States and Canada, but had reportedly closed more than two dozen this…

Rob Smith

Free Bumbershoot Tickets!

Free Bumbershoot Tickets!

There’s a catch. And it’s a good one.

As part of “Bumbershoot Gives Back, Powered by Amazon,” 2,000, two-day tickets will go to people who volunteer at select organizations focusing on food insecurity. Hunger affects more than 1.5 million people across the region.

Rob Smith

Editor's Note: Green Serenity

Editor’s Note: Green Serenity

It’s been 10 years since Washington residents could legally buy marijuana

I was intrigued when an email blaring the provocative subject line “Weed Man Targets Seattle for Franchise Expansion” popped into my inbox. Imagine my disappointment when the pitch was for a lawn-care company, not a pot shop. I’m sure that’s not the reaction the PR team was anticipating…

Rob Smith

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