Bellevue’s Most Wanted List
Downtown Bellevue has had some phenomenal growth within the last 3 years, but there are still stores and restaurants that we would be happy to see land in our backyard. We’ve put together our wish list of what we think would be a great fit for the area. Agree, disagree; sound off in the comments section.
Downtown Bellevue Network’s Most Wanted List:
- Pret A Manger
- Michael Mina Restaurant
- W Hotel
- Ritz Carlton
- Dean & Deluca
- Zara
- CB2
- West Elm
- Trader Joe’s
- American Apparel
- Via Tribunali Pizzeria
What would you add to this list?
About the Author: 
Chris | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Some really long shots, but a possibility because they are based here:
*Windows Microsoft Cafe(like the one opened in Paris)
*Nintendo World Store
Real possibilities:
*The new interactive Disney store
*Sony Store
*Urban Outfitters
*H&M(would need a lot of retail space)
More long-shots:
*Something fun for families like the Rainforest Cafe/even better a T-Rex cafe.
*Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant
kimmie | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Zara and CB2 for sure! And Forever 21.
Ankini | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Molly Moons
Cupcake Royale
Forever 21
Wet Seal
Daphne | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
H&M could use one of those miniature building in the plazas at the Bravern. Those look like they could fit a decent sized store.
Brian Lutz | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
How about Frost Doughnuts? Bothell is a bit far to go for those…
Taylor | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Zara would be AMAZING!! Ohh an French Connection please
Mikez | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
*** Bulgari
*** H&M
DLB | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
McDonlads!!!
Ron | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Via Tribunali and Trader Joe’s would be great additions.
How about a good deli? Something like Capriotti’s or Take 5 Urban Market.
Don’t understand the hotel recommendations, why would we need a W or Ritz Carlton?
CJ | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
-Cactus
-Dicks
-Pagliacci by the slice
-Mezcal
Bellevue.com | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Benihana
Maureen Kelly | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
A hardware store!
Michael | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
@Ankini Yes to Molly Moon’s!
@Ron Just had Via Tribunali this weekend…yes we need one of those badly!
@Tom (Bellevue.com) Would love to see a Benihana in Bellevue. Good suggestion.
Maureen Kelly | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
A hardware store like McLendon’s or City Peoples (not sure if they’re still in business).
Idea | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Panda Express
Popeyes
Taco Bell
John | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
How about Room & Board. That store rocks!
Steve | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Bring back Arby’s! And Dairy Queen!!
Emily | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Saks Fifth Avenue
Club Monaco
Ralph Lauren
D&G Dolce and Gabbana
Marc Jacobs
ZARA
Megan Le | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Definitely a decent pizza joint and Italian restaurant.
Oh and a place to get GOOD milkshakes
Andrew | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Taco Bell, Panda Express & Arby’s have all closed for a reason.
vuesociety | Jun 28, 2010 | Reply
Isn’t it Pret a mAnger?
Or bring au bon pain
And yes!!!! Zara!!!!!
Michael | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
Caryl | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
Megan- Downtown Bellevue has a Great Pizza ‘Joint” Brooklyn style- Topolino’s Pizza! Downtown’s only ‘independent Pizzeria’ and the only Bellevue Pizzeria featured in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine Best Pizza Places in Seattle issue March 2010.
Amanda | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
H&M, BJ’s, Chevy’s Fresh Mex, ESPN zone, Forever 21, WetSeal
Sabrina | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
We already have a Trader Joe’s in Bellevue but on the east side.
We could use a Spanish Tapa’s Bar like “The Harvest Vine”
Independent boutique restaurants like:
Eva’s in Greenlake area
Lark in Central Distric
LUC in Madison Park
We need a performance hall/venue for music, dance, and other theatrical events or an outdoor ampitheater like “Hollywood Bowl”
A live Jazz club would be good too, something like Jazz Alley or BB King’s
We could use a 6 to 8 story artisits loft/studio bldg for Artwalk, and events
I wouldn’t mind seeing
D&G Dolce & Gabanna
ZARA
NO MORE FAST FOOD OR BIG CHAIN RETAIL!!!!
Gwen | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
How about some locally owned restaurants featuring locally grown food that is focused on in season, organic wellness?? I agree, no more chain retail or fast food. We have too few family run businesses that provide local integrity.
Chris | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
DUNKIN DOUGHNUTS!
Sam | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
At least one person also agrees with my thoughts of an ESPN Sportszone Bar and Grill!!!!!!!
Grey | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
We have too many happy hour-ish places already.
And if you want fast food donuts, there’s safeway and qfc, whose donuts are about the same as dunkin donuts for the most part.
AndyG | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
A Microsoft Store like the one in Scottsdale, a decent non-chain Chinese restaurant, a small and classy martini bar with no corny piano guy, one or two small boutique hotels, more boat slips at Meydenbauer.
Lee Ann | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply
Well I THINK MOD Pizza is the PLACE to go .. for GREAT Pizza, Salad, Atmosphere — and KILLER Shakes .. That to ME is the best thing Bellevue has going for it!!
BellevueJohn | Jun 30, 2010 | Reply
I totally agree with the ESPN Sportszone Bar and Grill! I love going to Fox Sports in downtown Seattle and it would be great to get something similar on the eastside!
Caryl | Jun 30, 2010 | Reply
I would love to see something-even temporary-done with the eyesore old Safeway lot until it is developed. Perhaps an Antique Mall ala Pacific Galleries in Seattle or the Issaquah Antque Mall-or perhaps a Weekend Indoor flea market NYC style. May not be glitzy enough for downtown Bellevue though.
Kat | Jul 1, 2010 | Reply
We need more stuff to do besides eat and drink. How about….
- REI (rock climbing wall)
- Indoor skydiving (Tukwilla is opening one)
- some swanky roller skating place
maltese mommy | Jul 1, 2010 | Reply
FOGO DE CHAO
OFF LEASH SMALL DOG PARK/AREA @ Downtown Park
GORDITOS
H-MART
ROOF TOP LOUNGE/BAR @ HOTEL
Bring Back SEA GARDEN or chinese restauarant that serves authentic and delicious dimsum
SashaSvetq | Jul 2, 2010 | Reply
Bloomingdales please! Michael Mina would be great also!
Natasha | Jul 2, 2010 | Reply
Forever 21
Zoka coffee
JK | Jul 4, 2010 | Reply
An ESPN Zone in BELLEVUE?? wow, some of you are really reaching. Never gonna happen, especially considering they just closed the ESPN Zones in Baltimore, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
Also, I have no idea why Saks, Ralph Lauren,
D&G, Marc Jacobs, etc. would even think about opening stores in Bellevue now, The Bravern already has had store and restaurant closings, and stores like Jimmy Choo are pretty much always EMPTY!
Forever 21 and H&M are probably the best bets for the eastside right now, the H&M stores in Seattle are doing very well, and Forever 21 is opening a store in Downtown Seattle across from Barney’s New York and Nordstrom, in the space currently occupied by Old Navy.
Suzy | Jul 7, 2010 | Reply
How about a Chippendales?
Just kidding.
I’m thinking a Hamburger Hamlet which was originated in Los Angeles and makes to die for burgers, shakes and other items.
We could also use a Trader Joe’s in downtown Bellevue, a McLendon’s, a weekend “flea market” and small cafe for great sandwiches, soups, and home cookin.
Denise | Jul 7, 2010 | Reply
Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery or any of his restaurants
Anna Novikoff | Jul 7, 2010 | Reply
Saks Fifth Avenue!!! I understand that there was some talk of this a few years back. Apparantly, there are several of us who want this wonderful store in Bellevue.
Sue B | Jul 7, 2010 | Reply
- Papa Murphy’s!!! (There is one on the east side of Bellevue, but we need one we can walk to downtown)
- A great italian restaurant that is not a chain
Robin | Jul 9, 2010 | Reply
H&M, Jerry’s Deli (from L.A.), Alejo’s Italian (from Marina Del Rey), The fancy is fine, but we really need some moderately priced retail and homestyle one of a kind restaurants.
Ryan | Jul 11, 2010 | Reply
Buffalo Wild Wing’s……or BW3’s as it’s commonly called.
Julie | Jul 12, 2010 | Reply
Is the old Boater’s World space large enough for Trader Joes? Rumor has it they were up for the Pet Smart space years ago.
Michael | Jul 12, 2010 | Reply
We want Trader Joe’s to fill this space as well, see our post about it here:
http://www.downtownbellevue.com/2009/05/29/bring-trader-joes-to-downtown-bellevue/
BellevueJohn | Jul 14, 2010 | Reply
How about more afordable place to go to dinner…
Ryan | Jul 15, 2010 | Reply
1) ROOF TOP LOUNGE/BAR @ HOTEL like Red Lion in Downtown Seattle
2) Trader Joe’s
3) Buffalo Wild Wing’s
4) A True Sports Bar (ESPN Sportszone Bar and Grill)
5) H&M
Rachel M. | Jul 21, 2010 | Reply
Please bring back:
-BEBE
-The Limited
Please ADD:
ZARA
Z Gallerie
MAC Make-up store
-Something cool in the old safeway spot since it’s such an eyesore.
-MOD Pizza is awesome…
-What happened to Voletta Couture?
Bravern Res | Jul 23, 2010 | Reply
- A nice lounge like Stone Rose in L.A.
- Rooftop restaurant/bar
- In-N-Out Burger
- West Elm
- A really good Italian restaurant (like Mario Batali’s restaurants)
- Z Gallerie
- H&M
- Club Monaco
- Trendy AND good Mexican restaurant (like Dos Caminos or Rosa Mexicana in NYC)
Nicole | Aug 25, 2010 | Reply
I’m with Rachel M…bring back Limited and Bebe. Would love a Zara and Z Gallerie too.
The Today Show was raving about Five Guys burgers the other day and it looks like our nearest locations are Northgate and Renton so I’m sure the franchisee in this territory is looking at Bellevue.
I would love to see healthier fast food places like Pret a Manger too.