Category: The Landing

Puget Sound Business Journal recently reported that the Topgolf property is up for sale, but that does not mean the restaurant and lounge with a high-tech driving range is going anywhere.

Topgolf has been a popular business, and has a long-term lease that will transfer with the property to any new owner. Here is the property listing:

The property sold for $27.5 million in 2019 shortly before the Topgolf was built, and it had previously sold for $10 million in 2010 when Boeing surplussed it.  (In decades prior, the site held Boeing’s sprawling 10-80 and 10-85 engineering buildings, where Renton Boeing jets were designed.  I worked in both buildings at different times.)

My wife Cathy and daughter Katie made it down for opening day at Marshalls on Thursday. They found some great values, and enjoyed the shopping experience. They felt there were more than enough dressing rooms for everyone, and that the checkout line moved quickly even though there were many shoppers in front of them. They came home with sweaters and slacks, and many nice accessories. Both of them plan to go back often.

At City Hall we are delighted to see new businesses opening during the recession. We are glad that citizens have new close-in shopping options, and approximately one percent of every sale comes back to the city’s general fund as sales tax revenue.

Trick or Treaters gather candy from a treasure chest and pose for a photo with Pirate hosts at “Eyes on the Landing” this afternoon

Renton’s local businesses helped get Halloween off to a great start this year with seasonal decorations and “Trick or Treating” events in downtown and at the Landing. Here are just a few shots from the Landing event this afternoon. (We spent some time with out in-laws at Eyes on the Landing, so I took most of my photos here…but many businesses participated.)

Cathy and I pose at the elaborate decorations at Papaya Vietnamese Restaurant. The picture looks hazy because of the fog machine.

Pirates from “Eyes on the Landing” pose for the camera.

Renton’s Economic Development Director, Suzanne Dale Estey and her family enjoy the festivities.

“Owners of “Eyes on the Landing, Dr. Evie Lawson (“mad-scientist” in labcoat) and Donna Jones (pirate on right) entertain the visitors and hand out candy.

Dicks Sporting Goods, called “Retail’s rising star” by this article in Fortune Magazine, is filling the former Joe’s Sporting Goods location at the Landing. Dick’s Sporting Goods is one of six new businesses opening soon at the Landing. (Photo link from Fortune Magazine)

The Landing has formally announced that we will see six great new businesses coming to Renton in the months ahead. Dick’s Sporting Goods, Marshall’s, Eyes on the Landing, Creative Mom Toys, Mucho Burrito, and Fresh Way Pizza will be added to the Landing’s already great lineup of restaurants, retailers, and entertainment. (Prior to this announcement, I think only “Eyes on the Landing” had been officially disclosed to the Renton public.)

This large group of new retailers and restaurants is another great step forward for Renton and the Landing.

Be sure to watch for their openings, and welcome them all to Renton. In addition to offering Rentonites additional attractive and convenient shopping and dining options, all of these businesses contribute financially to the operation of our city. We’re very fortunate to see so many new businesses in the depths of this recession, so let’s make sure we get them all off to a great start! Shop locally to save gas and keep your tax dollars in town.

Bucking the Economy, The Landing in Renton Announces Six New Retailers

Four new retailers and two new restaurants join the mix, bringing total dining options to eleven

RENTON, Wash. – September 20, 2010 – Despite the current economic trends, The Landing in Renton has continued to see sales and leasing success. Many retailers and restaurants at The Landing have experienced double digit sales growth every month in 2010 over 2009 giving confidence to new retailers to move to the South Sound’s most dynamic new shopping and dining destination.
Continuing to build upon the successful mix of small, creative boutiques, bustling, brand-name shops, cozy cafés, restaurants, salons and spas that currently call the urban village home, The Landing in Renton is pleased to announce that starting as soon as next month, six new shopping and dining options will be joining the family-friendly pedestrian center. From national names including Dick’s Sporting Goods and Marshall’s; to local brands Eyes on The Landing and Creative Mom Toys; to two restaurants Mucho Burrito and Fresh Way Pizza, The Landing continues to provide variety and convenience to the Renton community.

National Brand Names See Big Opportunity at The Landing

Opening Spring 2011

In addition to the new restaurants and the great services and entertainment options already open, The Landing will now be home to some of the nation’s top retailers, including Dick’s Sporting Goods and Marshalls.

A leader in specialty sports and fitness products, Dick’s Sporting Goods will continue to provide dedicated service to Renton’s athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Planned to open in the former Joe’s location at The Landing, Dick’s will offer the finest quality products at competitive prices.

Marshalls will offer fashionable, high-quality “designer” items at prices 20 to 60 percent less than those of the department stores. Slated to open near Ross’s current location, Marshalls is among the U.S.’s top family apparel and home fashion retailers.

“Bringing big names that offer great products and prices to the mix of restaurants, retailers, entertainment and services already at The Landing continues to build upon the wide selection of shopping choices at The Landing,” said Baker. “We are proud to offer all of these tenants in one place.”

Opening October 2010

“Look” no further – starting October 18, Renton-area residents looking to update their spec style will have a new optometrist and retail storefront. Co-owned by Evie Lawson, a licensed doctor of osteopathy (OD) and Donna Jones, Eyes on The Landing will be the community’s premier upscale optometrist and retail shop featuring an inventory of couture brands such as FaceaFace, Prodesign Denmark, Lafront, Persol and Ic! Berlin.
Opening Spring 2011

Creative Mom Toys will offer educational products, books, costumes and more for children of all ages. Currently an online-only business, The Landing will be Creative Mom Toys’ first brick and mortar storefront.

Two New Restaurants Opening this Spring, including Take-and-Bake Pizza & Fresh-Mex
Opening November 2010

A local company, Voted Redmond’s Best Pizza in 2009, Fresh Way Pizza sells made-to-order slices for in-store dining and pies to take home and bake. Fresh Way offers a large assortment of fresh, healthy, high quality ingredients, delivery and hot slices ready in less than 2 minutes.
Opening Spring 2011

Entering the United States from Canada, Mucho Burrito is a gourmet made-to-order quick-serve Mexican restaurant including a variety of products from hand-rolled burritos to tacos and quesadillas.

There was a noteworthy real-estate transaction reported to the city this past week. Boeing has sold 19 acres of property next to the Landing to private investors, a likely first step toward expansion of the urban village and shopping center. This property has excellent commercial development potential, and has already been extensively evaluated for traffic and other impacts. It had even been tentatively approved for location of a new NBA Basketball Stadium.

Many of us aerospace-types in Renton used to work on this site, as it was home to Boeing’s 10-80 and 10-85 Renton engineering buildings for decades. These buildings were not very space-efficient, as they were only one and two stories. (The 10-80 building was probably the largest one-story office building I’ve ever seen). In recent years these engineering teams have been relocated into other buildings in Renton.

Here is the full story in the Seattle Times. (Note that as of the time of this posting, there is an error in the math in the Seattle Times story. The price per acre for this transaction would be $530,000 per acre, not $53,000 per acre as reported. Likewise, the price of the original Landing property was off by a factor or ten on a per-acre basis. I suspect the Times will correct this error shortly.)

Michael Palmer and his dog compete in the dog-owner look-alike contest.

Crowds of people and dogs packed the fountain plaza of the Landing today, as they enjoyed the festivities of “Doggapalooza.” There were contests, an informal exhibition of dog tricks, face painting, balloon animals, information and merchandise booths, a raffle, special activities sponsored by nearby merchants, and lots of visiting among dogs and dog owners. A team from KISS FM Radio was there to add to the party atmosphere of the event, and their morning DJ Bender served as Master of Ceremonies for the day’s events.

I helped judge dog/owner comparison contests along with co-judge Brandi Ahlgren, founder and editor of City Dog Magazine. Contestants competed in three categories; those who most resembled their dogs, those who looked the most opposite from their dogs, and those who had dressed their dogs and kids to match each other.

The location for the event was perfect. The large architectural awnings on the buildings at the Landing provided generous amounts of shade. In addition the fountain and landscaping kept everyone feeling cool even though the temperature was in the eighties. The Landing’s merchants made sure people and dogs had plenty to eat and drink.

My daughter Susie had her dog Max at the event. Max had to stay in a stroller because he has a broken leg. (His foot was stepped on by our horse)

Camille and Sarah organized and publicized the Doggapalooza event. They work for the Fearey Group, a premier public relations firm which is employed by the Landing to assist with community activities and outreach. Camille (left) maintains “The Landing in Renton” facebook page.

Representatives were on-hand from RUFF, the dedicated volunteer organization that created the Renton off-leash dog park