Top Pot Doughnuts Now Open!

Today marks Top Pot Doughnuts' grand opening in Downtown Bellevue. This will be Top Pot's 5th location in total and first in Bellevue.

Top Pot, known for its delicious doughnuts, will be located at the base of the condominium development Washington Square. It will be the first retail store opening at the complex.

Top Pot is open 6am - 7pm Mon - Fri, and 7am - 7pm Sat & Sun. Hopefully they will open a bit later as the residential community expands.

Gucci Will Open Store In Seattle

Gucci has chosen Seattle over Bellevue in their latest store opening announcement. This is one of the few luxury store announcements that has landed in Seattle over Bellevue in recent months.

Brands such as Neiman Marcus, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, and more have decided to call Downtown Bellevue home, over other large Pacific Northwest destinations such as Seattle and Portland.

One of the factors in this decision by Gucci was likely due to the recent addition in Nordstrom at Bellevue Square, where a “Gucci Shop” was added last spring.

Wilburton Tunnel Removal Finished One Week Early!

If you live in or around Bellevue, you've likely been affected by the Wilburton Tunnel removal, which for the last 2 weekends has closed southbound I-405 between SE 8th Street and the I-405/I-90 interchange.

The project, which has scheduled I-405 to be closed 8/22 – 8/25, was able to demolish the tunnel 1 week ahead of schedule. So, the freeway will no longer need to be closed this upcoming weekend.

Ask Lea: Pamper Me

Dear Lea,
I know there are a lot of fun places for couples or groups to go out in Downtown Bellevue, but do you have any ideas on how to indulge on your own? I work in Downtown Bellevue and know there are a lot of spas, but I need some ideas on how to relax in this city after a hard day.
- Needing Some R&R

Dear Needing Some R&R,

Whether you're a company executive, single parent, retail sales person, restaurant server, or hair stylist, we all could use a little rest and relaxation every now and then. You deserve to indulge in yourself, and Downtown Bellevue has plenty to offer you. Here are some ideas of how to be pampered. And men, this isn't just for the ladies - sometimes it's harder for you to accept, but you can be pampered too!

• Get a full body massage. Massage therapy has been shown to decrease anxiety and boost your immune system. It's a great way to release back pain and get 60 minutes of quiet all to yourself. Massage Center of Bellevue off of Main St. in Old Bellevue has wonderful massage therapy. They continue to win the Bellevue Downtown Association's Haute Pick for "Best Massage," year after year.
• Eat chocolate. Chocolate release endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that just make you feel good. Dark chocolate is best because it is richest in flavonoids, which help our cells repair and resist damage. Try the dark chocolate fondue at The Melting Pot on 108th. You can get a whole pot for half price during their happy hour, which is daily from 4:30-6:30pm and 9pm-11pm.
• Get a manicure, pedicure, or facial. Take the weight off your feet from standing all day, relax your hands from all of that typing, and rejuvenate that tired expression. Downtown Bellevue's Gene Juarez is a one-stop-shop for this kind of treatment. They even have a spa just for the men!
• Take a yoga class. Yoga is a fantastic way to increase your flexibility and provide lubrication to stiff joints. The breathing techniques practiced in yoga help the respiratory system and improve concentration and relaxation. ONVO specializes in yoga practice, offering classes that cater to beginner through more intermediate levels.

Downtown Bellevue Network Gets Social. Now on Facebook!

The Downtown Bellevue Network has joined the social arena with a Facebook page! If you are on Facebook, be a "fan" of our Downtown Bellevue Network page!

Not yet on Facebook? Why not? Find out what all the fun is about and sign up!

Bellevue Reporter Article Highlights Kemper Development Expansions

An article featured Wednesday by the Bellevue Reporter gave an update on Kemper Development Co.’s project status. The article includes an interview with Kemper Freeman Jr. The conversation with Kemper drives home how important maintaining what they already have open, (Bell Sq, Lincoln Sq, & Bell Pl) and keeping it successful will be over the years.

Parking seemed to be a big topic within the article. Kemper is quoted as saying that 90% of their customers come by car. The new projects will bring additional parking: Hyatt Expansion - 500, The Bellevue - 2,500, and Lincoln Square II - unknown.

During the 15 months that the Lincoln Square expansion will been delayed, the old Safeway lot will be turned into 540 temporary parking spots.

Kemper Development Co. Construction Update

• Bellevue Square Remodel: Complete November 2008
• Hyatt Expansion: Complete July 2009
• The Bellevue: Construction to begin 2009
• Lincoln Square Expansion: Construction to begin 2010

Bellevue Downtown Park Summer Series, or Lack There Of

Here we are almost a year later, and still no summer movie nights or anything similar. One year ago we made a post encouraging the Bellevue Downtown Park to be used for movie nights or some like entertainment. Here are some parks in the area that are currently being used for movie nights in the summer: Kirkland, Woodinville, Fremont, Marymoor, and South Lake Union.

Bellevue Downtown Park has been a high traffic park this summer with people running, walking their dogs, playing volleyball and Frisbee, laying in the sun, etc. The large and beautiful park, right in the heart of Downtown, is great and should continue to be taken advantage of - but could be even better if there were events organized by the City of Bellevue, Bellevue Downtown Association, or another organization during the summer months, to encourage the gathering of people (movie nights, concerts, etc.).

By the sheer turnout of the ArtsFair and 4th of July, there are clearly enough people that have interest in being involved in community events; we just need organizations to step up to the plate and plan them! Yes, this is easier said than done, but note that the Downtown population will reach 5,000 in the next year. Getting enough people to show up to an event is a thing of the past. The goal should no longer be to get people to show up, but to put on great events that get people interacting and enjoying the community in which they live!

The Downtown Bellevue Network would gladly support and help any organization that would like to fund and/or organize a summer series of some kind! Contact us at info@downtownbellevue.com if interested!