Nearly 3 years ago, several Main Street businesses were closed and relocated to make way for a condo tower at the corner of Bellevue Way and Main Street. For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, the project never started, leaving a vacant KFC and the boarded-up remnants of Main Street Florist, Postal Express, Toy’s Cafe, and others. What should be a charming highlight to Downtown Bellevue instead looked like a vacant urban failure.
Finally, merchants are being allowed to renovate and rent out these abandoned storefronts – and signs of life are coming back to all of Main Street.
First up: Work-Shop, which just opened last Saturday in time for The Taste of Main. At the farthest end of Main Street, this nationally renowed clothing designer, originally from Bellevue, is using this tiny space to sell her Jarbo line and workshop some new designs.
Next: Glassy Baby, who is taking over the former Sophisticated Swine space after their move to NE 8th. Glassy Baby opened in June and features the glass designs of a local glassblower. It’s a highly colorful shop and a great addition to Main Street.
The Yang Sheng Tang Green Health Center is now open, in the former Essex Presentation Center, tucked behind Main Street. This Chinese natural health center provides reflexology, tai chi lessons, Asian cosmetology, and healthy tea and snacks.
And there’s even more coming up. In the fall, in the former Main Street Barber Shop location, will be a locally owned gift shop. Come to Main Street and support these new, local merchants!
