I came across a post online that listed somebody’s wish list of the stores they wish were still around at Bellevue Square. This prompted me to create my own. In no particular order here is my list of the 10 stores that I wish would come back at Bellevue Square:
1. New Jake O’Shaughnessey’s – If you were looking to celebrate a special occasion in Bellevue, New Jake O’Shaughnessey’s was a popular choice. The restaurant went out of business and is now occupied by the Cheesecake Factory.
2. The Nintendo Store – Many long hours were spent playing Super Mario Brothers and several other games in the dimly lit store. It was located where Seven Salon currently occupies space.
3. Nordstrom Garden Terrace Restaurant – Nordstrom used to have a fine dining restaurant on the 3rd floor when they opened up their expanded store at the size it currently is today.
4. FAO Schwartz – It’s a small world after all…We’ll all miss the oversized stuffed animals. FAO Schwartz declared bankruptcy in 2009. The brand has since been purchased by Toys ‘R’ Us, which closed all stores expect for the flagship store in New York City.
5. Frederick & Nelson – It goes without saying that Frederick & Nelson is likely one of the most cherished department stores in the Seattle area that is no longer in businesses. Luckily for Nordstrom they went out of business and now occupy enough space to make it the second largest Nordstrom store in the country (Second to the Flagship Seattle Store).
6. The Frankfurter – It’s hard to find a good hot dog in Bellevue without them.
7. Jungle Jim’s – Who could forget this burger joint that had, pink Cadillac at the front of the restaurant with the back end sticking outside the mall and a jungle theme inside? Abercrombie has since replaced it.
8. K B Toys – Okay, maybe I don’t really care about this one coming back, but I just have great childhood memories buying Nerf toy guns from here.
9. Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream – The brand has seemed to successfully expand in international markets. I’m hopeful it will come back to Bellevue Square in the near future.
10. Schwartz Brothers Restaurant – This was one of the best (and quickest) restaurants at Bellevue Square with a nice selection of high quality foods. It was similar to how I think of the Nordstrom Café that is the 3rd floor.
(http://listbums.com/view_lists.php?list_id=877&uid=7)
I came across a post online that listed somebody’s wish list of the stores they wish were still around at Bellevue Square. This prompted me to create my own. In no particular order, here is my list of the 10 stores that I wish would come back at Bellevue Square:
- New Jake O’Shaughnessey’s – If you were looking to celebrate a special occasion in Bellevue, New Jake O’Shaughnessey’s was a popular choice. The restaurant went out of business a long time ago and is now occupied by the Cheesecake Factory.
- The Nintendo Store – Many long hours were spent playing Super Mario Brothers and several other games in the dimly lit store. It was located where Seven Salon currently occupies space.
- Nordstrom Garden Terrace Restaurant – Nordstrom used to have a fine dining restaurant on the 3rd floor when they opened up their expanded store to the size it currently is today.
- FAO Schwartz – It’s a small world after all…We’ll all miss the oversized stuffed animals. FAO Schwartz declared bankruptcy in 2009. The brand has since been purchased by Toys ‘R’ Us, which closed all stores expect for the flagship store in New York City.
- Frederick & Nelson – It goes without saying that Frederick & Nelson is likely one of the most cherished department stores in the Seattle area that is no longer in businesses. Luckily for Nordstrom, Freddy’s went out of business and Nordstrom now occupies enough space to make Bellevue the 2nd largest Nordstrom store in the country (the Flagship Seattle Store is 1st).
- The Frankfurter – It’s hard to find a great hot dog in Bellevue without them.
- Jungle Jim’s – Who could forget this burger joint that had the back of a pink Cadillac stuck into the front of it and a jungle theme inside? Abercrombie has since replaced it.
- K B Toys – Okay, maybe I don’t really care about this one coming back, but I just have great childhood memories buying Nerf toy guns from here.
- Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream – The brand has seemed to successfully expand in international markets. I’m hopeful it will come back to Bellevue Square in the near future. The Baileys Irish Cream milkshakes were the best!
- Schwartz Brothers Restaurant – This was one of the best (and quickest) restaurants at Bellevue Square, with a nice selection of high quality foods. It was similar to how I now think of the Nordstrom Café that is the 3rd floor.
What are the stores you miss from Bellevue Square?
Tags: Bellevue Square
Pottery Barn Kids!
Pizza Haven!
I find it hard to believe that the Bellevue Nordstrom is larger than the flagship Nordstrom in SF. In fact, I find it impossible – since the SF store is widely advertised by Nordstrom as the second largest after their Seattle flagship.
I wish there was a Panda Express there still. Didn’t they have an orange julius too? I think I’m the only person left who still likes orange julius.
I still talk about Jungle Jim’s to this day. I loved sitting in the pink Chevy convertible.
I totally miss Pizza Haven and Orange Julius too. Don’t worry Dave- I still like Orangle Julius 🙂
@Corky, Here is a Seattle Times article stating that the Bellevue Square Nordstrom is/was the second largest Nordstrom in the country: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940629&slug=1918032
In addition to this article I know that in the 2005 year end investors guide the Bellevue Square Nordstrom was also listed as the 2nd largest store as well.
There used to be a sort of fast-food italian place on Bellevue Way. Can’t remember what it was called, but I think it was located where Luciano’s is. Food was meh, but I miss being about to quickly walk by and pick up some pasta.
@Corky, I work for Nordstrom (15 years and going) Nordstrom has ONE Flagship store and it’s in Downtown Seattle. The store in Bellevue is slightly larger than the one in San Francisco and Chicago (Michigan Ave), but the FLAGSHIP store in Downtown Seattle in 200,000+ sq ft bigger than all three.
As for stores missed, Jungle Jim’s was great as was KB Toys and FAO. Jungle Jim’s holds MANY childhood memories.
I’d like to see Naartjie (http://www.naartjiekids.com/) come to Bellevue Square. Right now I have to go to Redmond Center or Alderwood to shop there.
@KD: That was Pallino Pastaria, which has returned to other locations (SeaTac airport, Redmond Town Center, Woodinville). It was indeed fast and rarely crowded, even during the Holiday rush.
Joker’s Wild. I use to walk the aisles over and over as a kid looking at all the prank toys you could buy.
There used to be a pet store in Bellevue Square Mall with kittens and puppies. It was a favorite of my son and I. Great family attraction.
The Squire Shop and Orange Julius
There is a great Hotdog place outside the fountain entrance to Macys called dog in the Park or similar, serving up all kinds of dogs including turkey , veggie, all beef etc. with grilled peppers and onions..
I loved the toystore next to the main upstairs entrance to Nordstrom ( currently this is Arden B) I think it was called Learning World? I miss Gene Juarez being in the mall as well.
Anyone remember Olive’s East? They had the best chocolate rum balls! Also miss Orange Julius and thanks for reminding me about Jungle Jims’s!
I don’t particularly miss Zoopa in Bellevue, but I do miss there being a salad buffet somewhere in Bellevue.
Can they bring a Souplantation here? Please?
@Matt: I’d totally go for a salad buffet as well.
Orange Julius and Gulliver’s (their burgers with a side order of deep fried mushrooms were the best!)
@Matt ahhhhhh yes, Zoopa! How could I forgot. Awesome! Thanks for the memory.
Totally forgot about Zoopa.
Remember the pet store? They would always bring Saint Bernard’s out into the mall where the children’s boat (germ pit) was located. I used to go and play with the puppies all the time.
Bel-Vue Theater
Car Toys…sorry I couldn’t resist. It was located where Taco Del Mar is now. Seriously though, I do miss Seattle’s Best…I loved their triple hot chocolate.
think you forgot mora
Oddly enough, I was just researching the largest Nordstrom stores by sq ft and came up with:
1 – Downtown Seattle – 383,000 sq ft
2 – SF Centre – 350,000 sq ft
3 – Michigan Ave – 271,000 sq ft
4 – Bellevue Square – 270,000 sq ft
5 – Unsure – might be South Coast Plaza at 237,500 sq ft?
jungle jim’s on a friday night after the game!
frederick & nelson’s long about Christmastime…think FRANGOS!!!
What was the name of the Record store that used to be where the current MacDonalds is? I used to spend hours in that store and then walk up the street to Tower Records.
I did some searching… The CD store was “Cellophane Square”. Loved that place. I worked at Eddie Bauer and spend my breaks in that store browsing music.
Does anyone else remember the ceramic shop in the mall around the mid 90’s? I believe it was 2nd floor in the corner right next to Nordstroms near the side skywalk entrance, above and across the present Taco Del Mar. I think the Frankfurter was next to it as well. Anyone confirm this?