Hungry for local food news? Here’s a quick look at what’s happening in the Seattle area this week.
Grocery News
Amazon’s Shift: Amazon is closing all its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores and laying off about 16,000 workers. Starting February 1, they’ll focus solely on Whole Foods. This closure affects stores in Seattle and surrounding areas.
New in Town: WinCo Foods, a popular employee-owned grocery store, is eyeing a vacant Sam’s Club location across from an Amazon Fresh. They’ve gathered some buzz on Facebook and are currently working on a new spot in Renton.
Expansion: Asian Family Market is opening a new store in Tukwila in March. Known for its variety of Asian products, this location will join existing stores in Seattle and Bellevue.
Restaurant Buzz
New Dumplings: Supreme Dumplings is set to open in Redmond Town Center this spring, sharing space with ComeBuyTea. Another newcomer, Te-Hand Roll Bar, is anticipated later this year.
Smashburgers in Kirkland: Secret Burger Kitchen, famous for its smashburgers, is hitting Juanita Village in Kirkland this March. They originally started in a Tacoma hotel.
A Taste of China: BA Bakehouse has opened its first U.S. location in downtown Bellevue. This bakery chain from Yunnan, China, combines French baking techniques with local flavors.
Fried Chicken Scene
Starbird is Coming: The California fried chicken chain Starbird will occupy the former MOD Pizza spot in West Seattle by year-end, joining the competitive landscape against Dave’s Hot Chicken.
Bok a Bok’s Comeback: After closing for repairs, Bok a Bok on Capitol Hill plans to return this spring. It’s the chain’s last standing location in Seattle after closing others.
Pizza Openings
Capitol Hill’s New Spot: Roma Roma, a pizza al taglio restaurant, will officially open on February 5. It’s run by chef Forrest Brunton and his family.
Waterfront Expansion: Urban Family Brewing is set to open a large space on the downtown waterfront this spring, featuring innovative pizzas from the creators of Nacho Mama’s food truck.
Korean Cuisine
Gangnam Flavor: Gangnam Burger has began serving spicy chicken, ssam, and bulgogi burgers near Costco in Seattle.
A Unique Menu: Paran, a new Korean restaurant in Fremont, has a quirky menu that’s already creating buzz, though details are still emerging.
These updates reflect the dynamic food scene in Seattle and its surroundings, showcasing how businesses adapt and grow to meet local demand. For more in-depth information, check out reports from reliable sources like Puget Sound Business Journal for the latest updates on Seattle’s vibrant food culture.
