One Main Street Condominiums sold 2 more of its 57 homes last week. The remaining 10 homes, a variety of 1-bedroom condos, range from 662 to 880 square feet and are priced at $299,900 to $439,900.

These residences feature air conditioning, German-engineered cabinetry, hardwood floors, and garage parking. The location includes a new retailer, the Italian deli Mercato Stellina, on the main level.

In January, Bellevue Towers sold 13 homes, bringing this urban condominium project to 50 percent sold. The remaining homes include studio and 1-bedroom condos priced from the $300,000s, 2-bedroom residences priced from the $600,000s, and penthouses priced from $2 million. The homes range from 807 to 6,398 square feet.

Bellevue Towers offers concierge service and gives residents access to a variety of amenities, including: a 24,000-square-foot urban garden, a private screening room, a large dining room with a terrace and kitchen, a fitness center, a spa and sun deck, and a terrace with a fireplace and barbecue grill.

Readers, what do you like about living in downtown Bellevue?

The recent expansion at 520 Bar & Grill has opened up the venue for events, such as live music. Performing on Tuesday, January 31st is the duo ‘Lucy & Luke;’ they will play from 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.

The 2 cousins, Lucy & Luke play both original songs, as well as covers.  To preview their music, go to their YouTube channel.

The 10-story, 57-unit complex opened in early 2010.  One Main Street represents one of the only three new condo development projects in Downtown Bellevue.  The other developments that currently have new condos for sale include Bellevue Towers & Washington Square.

The One Main Street showroom is typically open Saturday through Wednesday 11 AM to 5 PM at 10000 Main Street.  For questions about One Main Street, or to make appointments call 425-452-6246.

When longtime patrons of the 520 Bar and Grill enter its newly-renovated space, it’s an immediate look of pleasant surprise that then turns into an awed facial expression of, “Wait…what just happened? The place has been redone, but I can’t tell where the old ends and the new begins.” Maybe for some who have experienced major building renovations, it would be disappointing to hear no one can tell what the updates were, but for owners Joseph and Randi Brazen, it’s the nicest compliment they can get over their beloved restaurant’s uniquely new/old look.

Mention the word “renovation” to a restaurant owner and it’s usually one of the fastest ways to see the color drain from their faces. They can be costly, drawn-out processes, fraught with delays that ultimately hurt the team as well as its patrons, since the restaurant needs to be closed during the construction. But not for the 520 Bar and Grill – the Brazens took to the expansion plans with SWAT-team precision and careful planning. Speaking with Randi Brazen, she explained how the second they broke through the next-door wall that would open up the space, the restaurant and bar was only closed for fifteen days. In half a month’s time, they were able to double the size of the space, lay down new hardwood floors, install a massive u-shaped hardwood bar that spans both the old and new space, redo their entire audio and video system, and still get the halls decked with holiday lights, garland and poinsettias. The staff wasn’t waiting long before returning to work and out of town patrons who returned after a long spell were shocked the place was redone right under their noses. It was through meticulous planning and preparation three months prior to the construction that made the process so seamless. The Brazens carefully picked their contractors, going with people they’ve known for years, having a hands-on approach themselves – the new bar was constructed right in their own garage. 520 Bar and Grill was able to become twice its original size without sacrificing its signature well-worn comfortable feel. The big changes are perfectly married to the original bar’s look, with its weathered wood and chairs you can sink into and sit for a spell. Losing its original cozy charm was never an option – 520 Bar and Grill is intended to feel like you’re visiting a friend, it’s meant to feel like home.

“We want to be the third place people go,” Randi says about the heart and soul of the 520 Bar and Grill. “You’re home, you go to work, and then you come here.” It’s a true neighborhood bar, with regulars coming in with such frequency you can set your watch to them. For the last five years it’s been in the Old Bellevue neighborhood of Main Street, being known as a cozy hangout, serving bar favorites like burgers and hearty sandwiches, with every space filled during their lunch rush and the hours after work. That was one of the main reasons for the expansion – their popularity made it the place to gather, but also created the challenge of whether or not one could find a seat. With the new space, they can handle large groups of 40-50 people. The new sound system allows for the restaurant to control the volume in areas of the space, customizing it for patrons wanting a more intimate atmosphere. They’re planning a big New Year’s Eve party, full of dancing and music. The possibilities for larger group events are making the 520 Bar and Grill a new contender for family brunches and gatherings where groups need space for a dozen or so people, and with these events, their kitchen offers customizable menus to a party’s needs.

For all the big changes and high-tech upgrades, they’re invisible to the people sitting at tables for lunch or gathered at the bar, catching a bite and a glimpse at the latest game before going back to work. Amid the sounds of a busy afternoon, you overhear people say what really matters, that this is a true neighborhood bar and restaurant. It’s a place people return to because it’s welcoming and they know the people there. 520 Bar and Grill’s expansion wasn’t about changing who they were, just adding a few more seats to invite more of Bellevue to come and sit for a spell.

520 Bar and Grill
10146 Main Street
425-450-0520

[View with PicLens]

Mercato Stellina

The market’s warm lighting, rustic décor, and wood furniture create a welcoming atmosphere where customers can feast on freshly-made sandwiches or share a bottle of red wine. Specialty items are also available, including olive oil, pasta, sauces, cheeses, and cured meats.

Mercato Stellina, located at 10000 Main St., suite 104, is open for lunch and dinner, from 10:30am to 7:30pm, Monday through Saturday. The market offers 18 customer parking spaces in One Main Street Condominiums’ upper parking garage.

Call (425) 732-6611 or visit their website for more information.

Celebrating its third year, the Taste of Main is a uniquely Bellevue event, as it’s held in the historic Main Street neighborhood of downtown, offering culinary treats from local restaurants and shopping discounts. On Saturday, August 20th, starting at 11am and going to 5pm, this event is the opportunity for people to revisit favorite shops and hopefully discover something new in this charming neighborhood.

Benefitting the Children’s Response Center, which provides support to children who have survived abuse and personal trauma, the Taste of Main is a day-long community event that’s like an open house for all the businesses along the historic neighborhood. By purchasing a “passport,” guests are granted access to special culinary and wine samples, as well as exclusive sales and giveaways from the neighborhood stores. Adult passports are $40; children are complimentary with the purchase of an adult ticket. People can pre-order Taste of Main passports by calling Children’s Response Center at 425-688-5130, or stop by one of the retailers along Main Street pre-selling passports. The Taste of Main passports will also be sold during the day of the event at designated booths along Main Street.

See event details at: http://tasteofmainbellevue.com/.

The store on Main Street is taking over the location that ‘Posh On Main’ previously occupied.  It is slated to open in early June.

Tiny Tots Children’s Store
10245 Main St. Suite 103
Bellevue, WA 98004

Developer John Su has moved forward with his new 6-story 80-unit project called Soma, located at 10701 Main Street, and is expected to open the project this spring.

Soma promises to have a “Little footprint. Big impact” - which refers to the building’s green efforts. The website for the project promotes that this is Bellevue’s first geo-thermal apartment. Although it’s not complete, the building looks as if it will primarily have a concrete and glass exterior.

For the past 2 years, development has all but come to a stop in the residential market. Soma is the first sign of life that developers are starting to bet on for Downtown Bellevue to again to be a hotbed for potential residents.

Trick-or-Treating in Old Bellevue
Family-friendly activities include Trick-or-Treating in Old Bellevue, where over a dozen shops and restaurants along the corridor, on 103rd Ave and Main Street, will be handing out sweet treats. It’s an opportunity for families to walk their children through the original streets of Downtown Bellevue and meet the local merchants in the neighborhood. This event goes from 2pm - 5pm on Sunday the 31st.

Family Funfest at Bellevue Square
Another family-friendly Halloween even is the annual Halloween Family Funfest at Bellevue Square, also on Sunday the 31st, going from 4pm - 7pm. Participating stores within the mall will be handing out candy; there will be balloon-tying clowns, face painting and hair decoration in the Bellevue Square Center Court, a “Mad Scientist” booth with kid-friendly experiments, and opportunities for Halloween-themed photos. There will also be live performances by Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies in the Center Court at 4pm and 5:30pm.

Masquerade Ball at El Gaucho
For the adults who still enjoy the make-believe fun of Halloween, there’s a formal Masquerade Ball at El Gaucho on Saturday, October 30th. A black-tie evening to benefit the International Ballet Theatre, costumed guests will be dazzled by live performances of the International Ballet Theatre and presented with a hauntingly elegant dinner. Tickets are $250 per person, and they are available for reservation on the event website: www.ibtmasqueradeball.org/ticketing

520 Bar & Grill 4th Annual Halloween Party
Enjoy  the 4th Annual Halloween party at 520 Bar & Grill Saturday, October 30.  Enjoy food, drinks, music, & dancing! Event begins at 9pm, and goes until midnight.

Get a Costume
Needing some costume inspiration or supplies for a Halloween event of your own? There are a couple of Downtown Bellevue stores available for your holiday needs:

Halloween City
127 106th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004

Spirit Halloween
Bellevue Way
424 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: 425-454-7604

Pagliacci Pizza will open its 2nd location in Downtown Bellevue on Main Street. The location was previously occupied by Brant Photographers, and Pagliacci is planned to open at the beginning of October.  The new pizzeria will offer delivery, which will be convenient for surrounding Bellevue residents.

Looking for a job? They are hiring (email mainstreet@pagliacci.com)!

Pagliacci Pizza – Main Street
100th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
Delivery Phone #: 425-453-1717
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Update: Now open! Hours of operation Weekdays 11 am – 11 pm and Weekends 11 pm – midnight. Delivery service will begin 5 pm on weekdays and 4 pm on weekends. Daytime delivery to Downtown Bellevue businesses will be available for customers placing a $75 minimum order.