James Vesely of the Seattle Times wrote an editorial in response to last week’s article on a younger generation moving into Downtown Bellevue, as well as the growing nightlife.
He reminisces upon the old days of when he used to visit the local Downtown Dairy Queen and sit under the trees, which is now the construction site of The Bravern. Downtown Bellevue is in the midst of a transformation that will catapult the city into a fast paced urban lifestyle. It is important while this happens, that traditions of the past are brought forward as well.
While attending an opening party for The Bravern weeks ago, it was mentioned that The Bravern should invite Dairy Queen to be a tenant. Although this comment was mostly meant as a joke, it has some sincerity behind it. This was a popular spot that many locals enjoyed going to on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Likely Dairy Queen will not be coming back, and as we start seeing new developments go up and improvements to Downtown be made, we’ll see familiarity distance itself. Just in recent weeks, we have seen The Boat at Bellevue Square vanish as well.
What would you miss if gotten rid of?
bring the boat back!!!
I miss the DQ the most! Nothing like a blizzard on a hot summer day…
Chocolate Dipped Cone…mmmmmmm
The anguish over the lost DQ is ridiculous, its not like we lost a Dick’s or a Daly’s, DQ is a national chain! Shoot, there’s a DQ five miles away over in Eastgate.
This is true…However, it was in walking distance before. Eastgate is not a destination, unless I really want DQ or need to take my VW in for service. 😉
It seems like Bellevue is trading in unique hole in the wall restaurants for either pricey restaurants, chain restaurants, subways or tanning salons. What is happening to the reasonably priced independent restaurant? What are we going to lose next? Chantanee, Pogacha, Pete’s Wine might not land in a new place as the new John Su development goes in. It would be sad if it did – not sure if there is anything we can do about it either other than provide patronage.
Chantanee already has a new place, they are going into the key center on 108. I wonder if the prices will go up with this move…
Pete’s Wine and Pogacha won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, the first phase of the development will encompass the northern half of the lot. I’d say they have at least another 3-4 years in their current location.
DQ was a city icon that should have been cherished; not run out of town. now we are left with more overpriced condimuniums. when will the city council ever learn.
^ LOL. A national chain fast food joint is a city icon? I’m glad you aren’t on the City Council. It baffles me that these NIMBYs would prefer a run down fast food restaurant or a surface parking lot over a vibrant new community. I’m guessing you will be standing in front of the bulldozer when Wendy’s gets knocked down for another new “overpriced” condo.
I don’t care much about DQ, but I sincerely hope that the unique character of the Main street shops will be retained. Individual stores and small non-franchise coffee houses and restaurants on Main are all dear to my heart.
a city icon indeed, my friend, just see this article from the seattle times:
“Seattle protects Denny’s as historical”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080320/ap_on_re_us/saving_denny_s
how is this any different that what’s happening in bellevue? except downtown seattle has common sense. what say you now??
Has Chantanee officially announced this, or is this an idea just currently being bounced around?
It’s official:
http://www.chantanee.com/
I’m sure that sometime in the next couple of years the large tree at the corner of NE8th and 106th (In the WaMu lot) will go away.
It is probably 8 feet in diameter at the base, so obviously can’t be replaced in much less than 100 years.
I was sad at the trees that have been removed on 106th in front of the Belcara construction. I counted the rings on the stumps there, and they were only about 30 years old.