On Friday, June 6 at 9:30 a.m., Nordstrom will honor the life and legacy of Bruce Nordstrom with a special posthumous induction into the Seattle Walk of Fame. His bronze footprints will be added to the art installation surrounding the Nordstrom Downtown Seattle flagship store — a symbolic tribute to one of the region’s most respected business leaders.
While the ceremony takes place in Seattle, Bruce Nordstrom’s impact extends across the Eastside, especially in Bellevue, where Nordstrom has played a vital role in the city’s growth and retail landscape for more than 65 years.
The Nordstrom Bellevue store originally opened as a shoe store in 1958, and by 1966, it had expanded to include apparel—becoming the third major anchor at Bellevue Square. Over the decades, the store has been a key part of downtown Bellevue and a favorite shopping spot for Eastside residents for generations.
Bruce Nordstrom, a third-generation leader of the family-run company, is remembered not only for expanding the brand into a nationally recognized name, but also for his deeply personal approach to leadership and commitment to community. His sons, Erik and Pete Nordstrom — now co-CEOs — will host the ceremony and share reflections on their father’s legacy.
The Seattle Walk of Fame, originally commissioned in 1998, celebrates the footprints of prominent Pacific Northwest figures in the areas of business, arts, education, and sports. Bruce’s bronze footprints will join those of iconic names such as Dale Chihuly, Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones, and Sub Pop Records founders.
His signature and his favorite saying — “Leave It Better Than You Found It” — will be included in the installation, a reflection of his enduring values of service, excellence, and generosity that shaped not just a company, but a culture.
The event will take place on the Sixth Avenue side of the Nordstrom Downtown Seattle store. This is where the bronze footprints will be unveiled in honor of Bruce Nordstrom’s lasting legacy.
It’s so sad to see how Bruce’s younger brothers have absolutely ruined Nordstrom as a workplace and leader in customer experience.