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Seattle leaders debate groceries as new building owner says emptied Broadway Whole Foods has lease through 2038

Plywood at 1001 Broadway (Image: CHS)

Plywood coverings for the windows and the district’s city council member suddenly going off on grocery store closures does not mean the Broadway Whole Foods is being readied for a new supermarket.

What it does mean is there is new ownership for the 17-story luxury apartment building above the empty 40,000-square-foot grocery space on the edge of First Hill and Capitol Hill and new plans being put in place for what could be a long-term vacancy for space.

According to the new owners, Whole Foods still has 13 more years on its Broadway lease. And, they say, the Amazon-owned grocery giant could someday reopen there.

“The tenant is actively paying rent and all fees associated with the lease agreement,” a recent filing with the city from the Kennedy Wilson Multi-family Group reads. “At any time, Whole Foods can resume normal operations under the lease agreement.”

CHS reported in June on the Whole Food closure and Kennedy Wilson’s planned $173 million acquisition of The Danforth building.

The Whole Food lease revelation raises questions about other area Amazon shutdowns. The boarded 8,000-square-foot E Pike grocery formerly home to Amazon Fresh has remained empty since its equally abrupt April 2024 closure after four years of business on the block.

At the time of this June’s closure, it wasn’t clear what part the land deal played in the exit of Whole Foods. The grocery company blamed sales performance. “Like any business, we regularly evaluate the performance and growth potential of each of our stores and make decisions to position the company for long-term success,” a Whole Foods spokesperson told CHS at the time.

Kennedy Wilson is preparing for a long-term vacancy. Included in the recent city permit filings are plans for new window treatments to cover up the old Whole Food glass. The new graphics will be designed “to both advertise multi-family housing units while providing safety, security and privacy to the existing Whole Foods retail operation,” Kennedy Wilson’s application reads.

“In its current form, the space is prime real estate for graffiti, vandalism, etc.,” the document continues. “We are confident that these window wraps will assist in deterring similar issues in the future.”

In the meantime, the company has covered the base of the building around the grocery space with plywood. The actions prompted excitement from many that a new grocery might already be moving in.

Kennedy Wilson says the work is part of upgrades and its “business plan assumes a capital investment of $2.7M over the next 5 years.”

“We are confident this investment will contribute to other neighborhood improvements and growth,” the filing concludes.

District 3’s Joy Hollingsworth also stirred up grocery questions this week as the representative for Capitol Hill, First Hill, and the Central District posted a surprising essay on the industry Sunday night.

But the essay, posted in a “viral thread” template popular with social media influencers, wasn’t about Whole Foods.

And it wasn’t about a new, unannounced closure in the neighborhoods Hollingsworth represents.

“A grocery store doesn’t just shut down overnight. It usually takes years of financial losses before a company decides to close a location,” Hollingsworth began. “For them, it’s about survival. No company wants to surrender part of its market if it doesn’t have to. That’s the last resort especially at that size and scale.”

The essay, posted without context, wasn’t alluding to the Whole Foods situation or concerns about a new closure at the other major chains in Hollingsworth’s district like the two Broadway QFCs and the Amazon Fresh at 23rd and Jackson.

It turns out, Hollingsworth was focused on Lake City Way and a troubling situation for Mayor Bruce Harrell after QFC-parent Kroger announced it was closing the neighborhood’s Fred Meyer amid theft and safety issues as part of wider shutdowns.

“Grocery stores closing are about a broken economic model. It sure doesn’t help when we elected officials start pointing fingers instead of holding up a mirror at ourselves and ask what can we do better to keep these stores here,” Hollingsworth wrote.

She also blamed Walmart for eroding the industry.

“How can we treat them differently, be more creative or (simply) just listen to them,” she asked about ways to help boost the grocery industry in Seattle.

CHS asked Hollingsworth about the social media posts but the representative declined to elaborate.

Following the Whole Foods announcement in June, CHS asked similar questions as Hollingsworth has resisted any calls for new reforms or programs to shape the indsutry, responding to that closure saying, “I’m not looking to legislate anything.”

Grocery chains are already given special status in the city. In Seattle, groceries like QFC and Safeway are currently exempt from the city’s payroll tax on its largest employers.

As Hollingsworth and Harrell focus on issues around crime and competition from the likes of Walmart, Harrell’s challenger in the mayor’s race says she would look beyond retail theft when it comes to reshaping grocery shopping in Seattle.

Katie Wilson says she will work with grocery workers union UFCW 3000 “to explore the idea of municipal grocery stores,” The Burner reports, to help combat chains closing stores in lower income areas of the city.

“We don’t have a blueprint yet,” The Burner reports Wilson as saying. “But that’s what the Mayor’s Office is for — it’s to drive forward creative and important initiatives.”

UFCW 3000 endorsed Wilson this week, another blow to Harrell’s uphill climb to keep the mayor’s office in November.

 

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Jeff
1 month ago

Trump economy going swimmingly

Former Progressive
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

Amazon/Whole Foods announced last week that they are planning to greatly expand their grocery business, so the decision to close this store is about the non-viability of operating a store in the high crime environment on on Capitol Hill/First Hill in Seattle not macroeconomic trends.

Jeff
1 month ago

Theft and high crime affective retail/grocers is a lie. Turn off Fox and KOMO. https://www.vox.com/politics/24025691/shoplifting-scare-criminal-justice-reform

Mike D
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

Go spend 10min in the wallgreens at Pine and Broadway and tell me there is not a shoplifting problem Jeff. Drugs are at the root of the majority of this unfortunately. No way to solve drugs without forced treatment (wake up state reps!). Everything else (see the last 10 years and almost a billion spent) is just a feel good band aid.

Jeff
1 month ago
Reply to  Mike D

Mike, I literally just went there. Zero shoplifting happened.

Sterling
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

So you were there for 10 minutes and you made your decision there is no crime? Whatever it’s there whether you want to bury your head in the sand or not

Woof
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

You might ask one of your other two mice buddies to go with you some other time.
There is definitely shoplifting happening, five finger discounts, etc…

Nation of Inflation Gyration
1 month ago
Reply to  Mike D

So despite execs lying, you’re asking people to go verify the lie for themselves.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  Mike D

Dood…I live in the buildi9ng with 3 other employees.
It’s rare because they have a security guy who got pepper sprayed 3-4 weeks ago. Other than that? There’s no shoplifting to speak of because they’ve banned everyone who did.

bru
1 month ago

… and bare minumum inventory

JJG
1 month ago
Reply to  Mike D

I went there too as I’ve been shopping there for 17 years. Since they got the uniformed security many years ago there is no problem. Most stores have loss prevention and work with police and some theft is accounted for upfront and reimbursed by insurance so I’m going with Jeff on this one. It’s a larger sign of the bad economic times. And I’ll add their groceries are priced high in general so harder to afford now. But if you want to blame it on shrinkage. It’s sad because there aren’t many grocery stores in or even near downtown Seattle. In many regards it not convenient to live downtown.

zach
1 month ago
Reply to  Mike D

Agree. Homeless addicts should be given the choice of inpatient treatment or jail. If the latter, there will need to be secure detox facilities available, and also the ongoing option of inpatient treatment. If the former we will need to fund and build alot more inpatient facilities and capacity. This will all be very expensive, but it is the only way that the homeless problem will be solved. I do not agree with trump on anything, but his recent executive order on this subject might be a start.

Sterling
1 month ago
Reply to  zach

Exactly. It’s time for involuntary treatment and clean the homeless situation up now. Leaving homeless on streets is cruel. The last 10 years and millions of dollars has been ineffective

Former Progressive
1 month ago
Reply to  Sterling

Billions of dollars pissed down the drain on corrupt NGOs and failed harm reduction approaches.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  Sterling

I know who you vote for

The mark
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

Retail theft increases are not a lie. I myself saw the increase while shipping at different grocery stores. These stores are not shutting down because they feel like it, they’re doing so because the thin profit margins for grocery stores don’t cover 5% loss from theft. Get your head out of the sand.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  The mark

How about YOU get your head out?

They simple raise prices to cover it.

Your Neighborhood Socialist Nogoodnik
1 month ago

Lol, crime so high nobody can make marginal profits despite The State’s own crime reporting not showing abberational crime rates, but the macro economic picture is irrellevant and nonnfactor in store closers across the entire grocery pharna retail sector.

And this is according to retail execs and fascist simps

chHill
1 month ago

I think you’re discounting the fact that Mike D is a student of anecdotal sciences

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago

Nobody?

Have you opened your eyes recently?

wack
1 month ago

Amazon should not be allowed to squat on a vacant space like that, wtf.

Former Progressive
1 month ago
Reply to  wack

I totally agree. There should be a hefty tax on vacant storefronts

Jeff
1 month ago
Reply to  wack

Bezos and Vulcan run this town because of Harrell types who despise workers and people and prefer business owners over them. Got to love it.

Glenn
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

All those above who commented so supportively of Jeff and his Vox link should read this, another of his evenhanded and insightful comments, and regret their support.

Jeff
1 month ago
Reply to  Glenn

Hate facts Glenn?

1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

I don’t understand the hate towards business owners, especially small business owners. If I were to establish a small consulting firm in the city, should I expect to receive the same amount of vitriol as you’re expressing or is that only reserved when a small business achieves a certain amount in revenue?

1 month ago
Reply to  wack

What if Amazon/Whole Foods still pay the lease on the space?

Irritated Neighbor
1 month ago

There is no world where this eyesore should be allowed to sit there, empty, for nearly a decade and a half

Is Amazon/WF the most poorly-run corporation on the planet? It seems!

This is absolutely ridiculous.

d4l3d
1 month ago

With numerous property incentives in place, it’s likely more profitable to pay rent and keep it vacant.

Zippythepinhead
1 month ago
Reply to  d4l3d

Would you please describe the numerous property incentives and what profits are derived from paying rent on a vacant retail location?

Former Progressive
1 month ago

Capitol Hill is at risk of becoming a food desert if the crime/drug/homeless/public disorder crisis isn’t addressed. The QFC on Broadway and Pine loses more to theft than any other Kroger store in the country. If King County’s massive regional crisis care facility is dumped on its doorstep, I would expect that will be the final straw. I appreciate that Joy is trying to steer the ship away from the iceburg. Katie Wilson’s response is to create municipal grocery stores?!?! We are in trouble if Seattle residents are stupid enough to support this fool and her Soviet-style grocery stores. Maybe government-run restaurants will come next?

wack
1 month ago

the funniest thing is Zohran Mamdani floated that idea first and it was so popular with new yorkers that he’s the presumptive new mayor of NYC despite only having gone thru a primary so far. A little bit of socialism is actually very good for you.

Nation of Inflation Gyration
1 month ago
Reply to  wack

Also, New Yorkers do have a handful of state run grocery stores already, so it’s not like the idea is unsubstantiated and he’s swinging for the fences with something that’s never been done before.

But ya know, people where it isn’t substantiated only have Soviets to reference and not the contemporary system that exists in NYC right now, today.

E Trox
1 month ago

What’s your source? According to ChatGPT, your statement is incorrect.

Mars Saxman
1 month ago
Reply to  E Trox

This means nothing; ChatGPT can and will make up any sort of nonsense imaginable if that is what would best resemble an answer to your question.

Always an UWS gal
1 month ago

I’m a New Yorker, what state run grocery stores are you talking about? Please be specific. Thanks!

Nandor
1 month ago

No… no there are not any state run grocery stores in New York… Do you perhaps mean liquor stores? Many states out east, including New York & Pennsylvania, at least when I lived in them had ‘state stores’ that were the only place you could buy liquor and wine…

bcfls
1 month ago
Reply to  Nandor

we used to have state-run liquor stores here. I don’t remember any of them strong-arming the neighborhood over shoplifting losses (or QFC, for that matter). maybe we should bring those back.

Nandor
1 month ago
Reply to  bcfls

As I recall it wouldn’t have exactly been easy to shoplift from a state store… their security was generally pretty tight and you had to pass the cashier to get out. In PA even beer was not available at grocery stores. Most beer distributors were pull in type operations where you’d ask for what you wanted and they would bring it to you.

Jeff
1 month ago

Move then. We don’t want Trumpers in our neighborhood.

Former Progressive
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

I am sure it is hard for your little brain to comprehend, but there are a lot of people that reside in the common sense middle (in my case center left) that despise both the Trumpy MAGA crowd that is destroying the country and the deeply stupid Seattle leftist anarchist “progressives” that are destroying the city.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago

The middle does not mean “common sense”. It means stand for nothing. On the fence. Easily swayed. Permissive.

Roberto
1 month ago

Beats the heck out of single-minded, radical extremist, bent on world destruction, or at least our country

Jeff
1 month ago

Punk Rock Centrist over here… “why can’t everyone just get along” guy. Watch out! Libs are the plague and do nothing to progress society in any meaningful way. It’s just violent capitalism with fake progressive dog whistles.

zach
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

Hate to break it to you, but you are not a “centrist.”

Hill Born in '74
1 month ago

Anyone who calls Seattle’s centrist, pro-corporate leadership “progressive” while repeating right wing propaganda is a right winger too ashamed to admit they’re a right winger, unless they’re a moron who couldn’t pass a political science 101 course at even one of our lowest-performing community colleges.

Whichever one applies to you, I don’t really care, bottom line is you’re full of it.

Harm Gnarblby
1 month ago

I love centrists, the way they don’t actually stand for anything is a hoot and a holler! I wish they hadn’t gotten Trump elected though

Roberto
1 month ago

As a center-rightist, I would agree with most all of your statement and I’m willing to run with it. That’s called compromise, and it just might save this country if ya’ll give it a chance

bcfls
1 month ago
Reply to  Roberto

it’s not compromise with nazis- it’s extortion. give them an inch and they take everything or else enjoy your food desert.

Sterling
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

Hate to break it to you but Law and order needs to come to Capitol Hill. The place is becoming worse, and if you don’t like it, then you can shop out out of the city. No one in the right mind is gonna open up business where theft is greater than it sales

Jeff
1 month ago
Reply to  Sterling

No, cops need to go far away from Capitol Hill. All they do is protect the wealthy.

1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

Really? They came and arrested a crazy homeless guy whom my neighbors observed throwing garden rocks through local residents’ windshields.

I’m Black and a resident of Capitol Hill. I constantly call the cops to report things that should be dealt with by cops. Again, I’m a Democrat. I just grew up in a different part of the country where people are held accountable for their actions and shamed for taking advantage of the kindness of others.

How about this? if you’re ACAB, go leave Seattle and go to Portland.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago

It’s a food desert. But disparage grocery options.

mkay, right. SMH

T l.
1 month ago

I think people are a bit confused and brainwashed. Even in Soviet Union there were plenty of corruption, greed and millions of struggling people. All those progressive are naive and dreaming and with that country pays a big price by rising time, social tension, all that nonsense about progressiveness. It was a brilliant meaning, now it’s nauseating.
I was walking on Broadway today. Smell of urine and poop, people openly using drugs, sitting in groups. Some are just laying on the ground, others are walking and screaming. Is that what people want to see all the time? It’s a sad picture. If I were a business owner, I would take the city government and the state of Washington to the Court.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  T l.

Wow. Corporate greed overrides anything else. Your power is being questioned. Do not pay for services like mental health. But DO sue for the state not providing services.

wow

Roberto
1 month ago
Reply to  T l.

Touche, why hasn’t somebody done it already?!!

SoDone
1 month ago

It’s current my hope that both QFCs close and that the WF location becomes a rapid distribution center for local grocery delivery service by Amazon. Order fresh items at 11:00 AM, have delivered by 1:00 PM at a better price than locally shopping yourself.
You must be tech friendly and have real credit to have access to goods and services.

Everyone that hates Kroger, you got your wish. No more QFC. F greedy corporations with no fiscal or technological access limitations and that still take cash.

If you don’t live up Madison, or by Safeway on 15th, you are SOL for food. Enjoy the corner store pricing and limited items… to include M2M with just turning or spoiled food items, often at a higher price than QFC. Revel in your progressive revolution.

bcfls
1 month ago
Reply to  SoDone

so, do you brush your teeth with shoepolish or what?

SoDone
1 month ago
Reply to  bcfls

Boring, uninteresting, and dull reply involving bootlicking. I’m saddened that this exchange can’t be at least fun, good hearted, with maybe thought provoking jabs.

Boot licking, Trump Supporter, KOMO, just move – it’s the Kars4Kids commercial on repeat level of mute or turn channel. Just why and do better.

bcfls
1 month ago
Reply to  SoDone

Inconvenient, I know, that some people are still interested in preserving and expanding what’s left of Seattle’s progressive culture and reputation. I’m interested in having a place at all for myself and my family to live as we plunge into this fascist hellscape future- do not expect me to be polite about it.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  bcfls

There’s no real opportu8nity in America anymore. It’s the wealthy and us as servants.

bcfls
1 month ago

one big reason I 100% do not regret having no kids to feed to the rich. I’m scared enough for my niblings as it is.

Gurgle
1 month ago

“ The QFC on Broadway and Pine loses more to theft than any other Kroger store in the country.”

Sounds like you made up some data. Gotta source?

Former Progressive
1 month ago
Reply to  Gurgle

QFC regional director

Former Progressive
1 month ago
Reply to  Gurgle

He said that the QFC at Broadway and Pine loses $2.5 million a year due to theft despite spending $1.5 million a year on security. This puts them in the red. They said it is so bad that it is even worse than Portland, which is competing with us as the loss leader for QFC.

1 month ago

that’s alarming. I wonder how much the QFC on Broadway and Harrison loses per year. I’ve been a first-hand witness to security guards being assaulted by the vagrants that hang out behind that QFC and hang out by the library. It would be sad to see either QFC location close because of the # in loses. It’d be a win for marxists.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  Gurgle

Facebook

Nandor
1 month ago
Reply to  Gurgle

I am not surprised… probably going on 20 years ago now we found our stolen recycle bin stashed in some bushes down the street, filled with stuff shop lifted from Safeway… I went down and talked to the manager at the time and he told me they lost at least a million $$ in goods every year just at that store, even back then.

bcfls
1 month ago

corporatism in action: blight on demand

Hillery
1 month ago

More Capitol Hill blight and a new graffiti canvas

Sterling
1 month ago
Reply to  Hillery

You can’t blame the businesses because they keep trying. Who you can blame is the progressive leadership that allows drug addicts, and thieves to dictate the policy of Capitol Hill. Disgusting.

luther
1 month ago

It’s interesting that the author goes out of his way to point out that Joy didn’t “elaborate” and insinuates that her post lacked details, yet at the end of the article, Katie Wilson’s super unclear plan for “municipal” grocery stores seems to get a pass.

d4l3d
1 month ago
Reply to  luther

Apparently Google Translate stopped working for you towards the end of the article.

Miller Playfield Turf
1 month ago
Reply to  luther

I wouldn’t call it “interesting” so much as a reflection of the ideological bend that’s been present on this blog since the jump.

Old Lu
1 month ago

The ideological “bend” at play here seems like a slight aversion to licking the boots of corporate techno fascists. Pretty typical of the folks who live here but I agree it can be scary if you’re not used to it

Miller Playfield Turf
1 month ago
Reply to  Old Lu

Have lived here for 30 years, chief.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago

Been here 2ce as long. I’m 60 , so what?

d.c.
1 month ago
Reply to  luther

is katie wilson a sitting city government leader? and wait, did she claim to have a plan, or did she clearly say she does not, and wants to explore the idea? get real.

In the blues clues
1 month ago
Reply to  luther

Idk they responded very differently. Wilson specifically says she’s still figuring it out while Hollingsworth says she’s not interested in “legislating anything” which is interesting, considering legislating is literally her entire job.

Glenn
1 month ago

Wilson is dangling like meat in front of her easily duped base, even though she knows the chances of making it happen are slim. It’s about votes, not groceries.

sarah_s
1 month ago

Amazon’s years’ long abandonment of Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh spaces is a retail equivalent to slumlording. Empty storefronts damage other retail in the areas. Empty storefronts make streets less safe, or at least make them feel that way. The impact these business failures have on Amazon’s bottom line is laughably small whether considered as write-offs or as losses, while the impact on our neighborhoods can be very large. It pisses me off especially that the original ventures were from the start test balloons of a kind, and always expendable.

Horrified Onlooker
1 month ago
Reply to  sarah_s

Let the choir say “amen.”

Old Lu
1 month ago
Reply to  sarah_s

It should be treated like the aggressive, intentional act of blight that it is. Amazon is remarkably anti-city for a company that has invested so heavily here, but like you say, it’s all just a playground for their capital and they couldn’t care less about the effects on people’s lives.

Less hand waving about crime from our electeds and more talk of holding callous corporations responsible, please.

Sterling
1 month ago
Reply to  Old Lu

Amazon didn’t destroy the Broadway area. The progressives that allow drugged out people on the street unlimited crime without punishment is what ruins cities. Being apologist to criminal activity is the problem.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  Sterling

The highest crime rates are red states.

E Trox
1 month ago

Big cities in Red States which almost always have Democratic mayors and city leadership.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  E Trox

Nope…Per capita it’s Speaker Jonson’s district. Per capita it’s all the red everything pretty much. Also? A little common sense gun control would help. Blue cities are for it.

Get over it. It’s true. Per capita red is the most crime ridden.

Franklin
1 month ago

They’ve now painted the plywood black. Is that a good sign? :/

Jeff
1 month ago

Katie needs to enact a vacancy tax

Glenn
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

Great idea! But don’t do anything about the street disorder, vandalism, theft, and other issues which make operating a store front business so difficult in our city. Brilliant!

Sterling
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

That’s your answer to the or abundance of crime drug addicts on the street. You’re screaming at the wrong problem.

Andrew Taylor
1 month ago

About New York: the Columbus Circle Whole Foods in Manhattan is INCREDIBLY busy and has a sit-down area (with microwaves) which clearly tolerates a proportion of homeless people hanging out there all day. It’s also the cheapest grocery store around! (Others all small and part of a local chain). The way they crank the customers through the checkouts is a sight to see: intimidating at first, but you get used to it.
Trader Joes’s (a bit further up broadway) is similarly busy but with a more human touch.
Conclusion: Whole Foods can prosper in a gritty urban environment.

Dr. Thompkins
1 month ago

“I’m not looking to legislate anything” could be Joy Hollingsworth’s re-election campaign slogan. It’s certainly been her approach to civic life so far…

ChapitolGPT
1 month ago

By “viral social media template” did you mean “AI generated content”? Because that sure af looks like it was spit out of ChatGPT or Copilot; note the heavy use of emojis (AI loves those) and use of Walmart and Aldi in examples – two stores that we don’t have in Seattle (there are Walmarts in Renton, Bellevue, and Lynnwood).

Her post is one of the laziest defenses of Corporate groceries I’ve seen, and her comment bemoaning “elected officials… pointing fingers instead of holding up a mirror at ourselves” is truly embarrassing from an elected official pointing fingers and not offering a single concrete solution. Maybe one of her corporate donors can get her a mirror.

Jeff
1 month ago
Reply to  ChapitolGPT

She did BlAcK PeOpLe CaN WrItE response to being called out. So she is also a liar.

1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff

now you’re the one sounding like the NIMBY racist…

Dean H
1 month ago

Seattle residents need to prepare now because Kroger will be closing all Fred Meyer and QFC stores in Seattle at the end of 2026. Seattle, Portland, Chicago, NYC are considered politically unstable because they elect total nut job leftist communists into office. Another truth to be told is that people like the Major, Rep Jayapal, and both U.S. Senators don’t give a damn about people who no longer have access to groceries. They represent the ruling class and help to ensure that leftist rage is centered on people like Trump instead of Wall Street. True Democrats will never gain control over WA politics.

Reality Check
1 month ago
Reply to  Dean H

Lol, we have an austerity Governor, a Mayor who answers directly to the ultra wealthy and thinks the solution to homelessness is sweeps and graffiti is the city’s top priority, a Republican city attorney, a pro-business city council president and council majority and all of them think the solution to everything is more police funding.

We have only one leftist council member… but yes, this is all the leftists fault, not the centrists and right leaning people who have control over every aspect of our city’s governance.

Yes, the city is probably about to elect a more progressive slate,but that’s because people want someone who will actually provide solutions instead of the failed inaction of our “tough on crime”, pro-police, anti-tax, anti-worker, anti-housing representatives that are failing us now.

Glenn
1 month ago
Reply to  Reality Check

Apparently those who don’t believe that so called progressive taxes are always the first resort are guilty of austerity. That is a ridiculously skewed perspective. Your post is rife with exaggerations and hyperbole.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  Glenn

“Apparently” your critical thinking breaker switch is tripped still.

No…If we NEED revenue we believe in most cases THESE DAYS are revenue. Non regressive revenue.

Look at the tax codes from Reagan to today.
The PROGRESSIVE JUMPSTART REVEUE: STOLEN! For cops instead of housing. So? It seems like Obamacare…We have no idea where the revenue comes from and do not care. It’s about stealing the revenue from the progressives and doing NAZI bidding with the money while claiming “Tax and spend dems.” are the ones doing damage?

That money for cops is what people voted for right? Right?

Your Nazi party is the most corrupt in history. Trying to twist it is EXACTLY what Nazi’s do.

Ridiculously skewed perspective? You have no idea about history. LOKK AT THE TAX CODES! Revenue has been choked out. People are hungry and in the streets as a result. Dying from lack of medical care and now Social Security is on the block. To save money because those nasty progressives tax and spend policies right? What about the trillion dollar defense budget that has NEVER made an audit. They CAN NOT pass an audit!!!!! The dept of defense…or uh…”WAR” as you Nazi’s call it now.

I am thinking it’s you with the perspective problem. You are either bsing people or, you are incapable of critical thinking and have no desire to be educated. It’s one or the other. You either benefit. Or? You vote against your interests.

so whatever Glenn.

Tom
1 month ago
Reply to  Glenn

Red states like Missouri have shown what over a century of conservatism and no progressive taxes can do. If you truly worship their policies, why keep living here and mooching off what a blue state has to offer? Pick yourself up by your bootstraps and move.

zach
1 month ago
Reply to  Reality Check

The SPD is still down about 500 officers relative to pre-pandemic levels, and staffing per capita is one of the lowest in the country. I don’t think anyone can argue that we don’t need significantly more officers, and if that takes more funding, then so be it.

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  Dean H

riiiight…okay

Jeff
1 month ago
Reply to  Dean H

Thanks for the laugh Dean. You always have that tinfoil on tightly.

Alex S
1 month ago

The madison safeway is in a death spiral, they’re locking up ice cream right now. As they make it harder to shop there both from raised prices, requiring an app to clip coupons while being a cell phone deadzone, and locking up everything, this decreases people wanting to go to the store, and thefts just go up and up. I doubt central co-op has this sort of theft problem or even trader joes up the street. I am price sensitive so I drive and shop at winco where the prices are what safeway charged 10 years ago ($120 vs $260 a week for the exact same products).

Thefts have to stop, and also the stores also have to be viable to shop at too. If the model doesn’t work, then we need a new model.

How about a bodega. How about a bakery+fresh produce store. If none of these are economical due to crazy rent, then subsidize them. We can’t keep complaining, we need to make things work.

Old Lu
1 month ago
Reply to  Alex S

We all know that eyes are the main deterrent to theft, but all of these grocery corps are so anti-human that they refuse to staff their stores.

I’m sure it is a total coincidence that Trader Joe’s, a store that properly staffs every store and treats both its customers and employees with dignity, doesn’t have the theft problem that Safeway/QFC do.

Glenn
1 month ago
Reply to  Old Lu

Most Trader Joe’s store employees aren’t unionized, which is a significant difference from Safeway and QFC, whose store employees are unionized. Maybe that difference gives management at Trader Joe’s more flexibility with staffing, and helps to create the environment you noted in your post?

Smoothtooperate
1 month ago
Reply to  Alex S

They’ve locked up ice cream for a long time now…I shop that store on Madison EXCLUSIVLY and your assessment is totally bogus. TOTALLY.

It’s a made up story. I know. You do not have a clue. None.

Here’s a clue…

Go to that hellscape…Err Madison Safeway…Ask for “JASON” at the customer service. And when he shows up (Mon. – Fri. 6AM-5PM) ask him…Tell him your drivel you posted here and ask him to tell you what’s the real scoop.

Also? Donovan is gonna be there to greet you at the door…he’s the skinny black kid at the door with all the security guy stuff on. He’ll give you the full crime rate rundown.

Start discussing things you know. Ask questions on subjects you do not know. Know the difference. You do not sound intelligent. You sound like someone desperately trying to jam a square perspective into a round reality.

Ryzen3
1 month ago

First of all, grocery stores will always use the excuse of lagging sales as a catch all for any “sins” or failures because blaming the public for not supporting the business is the easy way out.  That’s not to say that theft is not a problem, but it’s rarely the sole problem. To hold on to a lease and continue to pay monthly rent and all associated fees, with ZERO revenue, says to me that financial performance was not the sole issue here.  

psionic fig
1 month ago

Hollingsworth’s whole post was just a baffling read. It’s not clear her staff has done any real research. Who is this supposed to resonate with? Is she going to get voters energized about simplifying logistics for grocery stores?

The weirdest thing was the anecdote about Costco chicken: it’s an intentional loss-leader, and Costco has been honest about how they intentionally sell it at a loss because it brings people into the store and then they spend $$$ on other goods (much like I do now that I’ve given up on going to the QFC because their security goons feel like it’s acceptable to search my bags after I hand over my receipt). They’re not selling at a loss because they’re a poor little grocery store hanging on by its fingernails.

Debbie
1 month ago

I wish PCC would get a location here .

lee
1 month ago
Reply to  Debbie

There is a PCC at 22nd and Union

readitagain
1 month ago
Reply to  lee

That’s not what Debbie was saying. By “here” she meant, “there,” at that location. Fans off PCC all know where the PCC is. Sheesh.

1 month ago
Reply to  lee

I still prefer Amazon Fresh on Jackson. The prices are decent, lower than QFC, PCC, and WF, and the selection is decent.

Jeff
1 month ago
Reply to  Debbie

Literally one already a hop and skip away. We need a city run grocer here

1 month ago
Reply to  Debbie

Honestly, I prefer Amazon Fresh over PCC. I walk out with more and spend less at Amazon Fresh than I do at PCC or Whole Foods. Some things are even cheaper at Amazon Fresh than at QFC.

Jeff
1 month ago

“Katie Wilson says she will work with grocery workers union UFCW 3000 ‘to explore the idea of municipal grocery stores.'”

And history has well established that when Katie Wilson works with grocery workers union UFCW 3000 to explore ideas, great things happen.

Sterling
1 month ago

Crime crime crime. Mayor doesn’t want to admit failed policies. What business owner wants to fight crime constantly to stay in business.

bcfls
1 month ago
Reply to  Sterling

we didn’t used to have this knife at our neighborhood’s throat until the billionaires decided they have a shot at putting us all under their own boot. For the first time in a long time Seattle has a clear shot at electing a truly effective progressive city government, not one continually hamstrung by corporate democrats lining up to kiss the rings of their overlords. It’s so easy to flood the streets with cheap drugs, so easy to just not patrol effectively, and simultaneously immensely difficult for anyone to get on their feet once they’ve lost a job (layoffs), been evicted (rent hikes), lost access to health/mental care (medicable conditions such ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenia, etc.), lost support of families (queer people, especially trans folks), and y’all are calling for incarceration when you know it really means concentration camps.
Your armbands are showing.

zach
1 month ago
Reply to  bcfls

Oh, so going back to the bad old days of Sawant is going to make everything better? You’re dreaming.

1 month ago
Reply to  bcfls

We’re not going back to Sawant-like style leadership. F that. She demonized anyone who wasn’t a white service-working Capitol Hill renter and expected Black residents in the CD and throughout the district to place her on some pedestal until the Black community started calling her out for co-opting Black issues for her gain within her party. She remained silent and ran away when she faced those criticisms.

What City Council needs to do ASAP is reverse the drug policies that the Sawant-era city council created that allowed for fentanyl, heroin, and meth to permeate throughout the city and enticed non-local drug users and drug dealers to come to this city knowing that they won’t be held accountable for their actions.

Jeff
1 month ago
Reply to  Sterling

Sterling, it’s time to prioritize workers and middle class over owner class

Zippythepinhead
1 month ago

Here is another POV.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/s/Q9gEv00wp8
Copy and paste into browser.

Roberto
1 month ago

And this is what radical, horribly managed city and state governments will get you. Buckle up people, if the last 20 to 30 years is any indication, it’s only going to get worse

bcfls
1 month ago
Reply to  Roberto

“see what you made me do?”
classic abuse tactic, courtesy of your corporate-fascist overlords. they’re gonna lose their puppet this time so they’re tryna scare us real good by promising a food desert, AKA extortion.