Tag Retail

Posts: 3

New Life Being Breathed into Oak Tree Market

Following the remodel that occurred at the next door Oak Tree Cinema a few years back, HT Market is now also being remodeled. Once the remodel is complete, around 1/4 of the market will be dedicated to Real Plaza Latina, which will provide Latin groceries, baked goods, and a deli.

Changes Coming

A Mediterranean section is also being added to HT, helping transform it into a truly international market.

Mediterranean Section

Finally, Fun DJ appears to have closed, and is set to be replaced by a new dumpling restaurant:

Fun DJ Dumplings

All of this, while Pilgrim Coffeehouse continues expanding its presence in the plaza, now open 5 days a week:

Fun DJ

With one of Seattle's most comfortable theaters, a truly international market, phenomenal inexpensive teriyaki, and a local coffee roaster: Oak Tree is becoming not only a great community resource but a place worth the stop.

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Coffee is back in Licton Springs!

We've just been given news we couldn't be happier to report:

Pilgrim Coffee is coming to Oak Tree plaza!

Poster

Starting tomorrow Pilgrim Coffee will be operating at 10002 Aurora Ave N Monday - Wednesday 7-10 AM, and we've heard rumors that if demand is high enough they may expand their hours next month.

It's been a little less than two months since Starbucks left Licton Spring's urban village, leaving the area without any coffee options. Tomorrow that all changes. While many would have been content with almost any Coffee Shop setting up at the location, we couldn't be more ecstatic that our favorite Coffee Truck is setting up right in front of the old Starbucks. We've been a fan of Pilgrim Coffee for a while, as they've roasted some great coffee right here in the neighborhood:

Roasts

It also doesn't hurt that the opening happens at the perfect time for holiday-inspired drinks:

Holiday Drink Specials

We hope you will join us drinking some great local coffee!

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Starbucks's Original North Seattle Store is Closing

It's a sad day for Starbucks lovers in Licton Springs. After 31 years the Oak Tree Starbucks location is set to close permanently this September. The location was Starbuck's first to open in North Seattle and one of the 10 original stores.

Starbuck's Last Month

Regulars, some of who have been going to the store since it first opened, have been given the news they will soon need to get their caffeine fix elsewhere. A hard pill to swallow, without a single coffee shop available within a 15 Minute Walk.

The closure will add to the many other empty storefronts at the plaza:

Store Closures Store Closures Store Closures

Many of which closed after the complex lost Larry’s Markets and with it significant foot traffic. And while the complex has recently had a bit of a revitalization in the last year, with the remodeled AMC bringing in a substantial increase in customers, the Starbuck's 6 PM closing schedule may not have effectively leveraged the bulk of the additional movie traffic.

At the end of the day, while many things may have contributed to the closure:

  • Many new Starbucks opening nearby. Including one on N 84TH that is more easily accessible for pass-through traffic w/ a drive-through.
  • Few evening hours.
  • A growing preference to frequent small independent coffee stores, even if that means drinking coffee near where you work instead of where you live.

The store is closing for the reason most business closures happen: it is not profitable. While many will be sad to see it go, we can only hope it leads to a small independent coffee shop finally opening in Licton Springs - just like the Starbucks itself was when it opened in the area so many years ago.

If you'd like to contact Starbuck's Corporate about the closure, you can use this form to do so.

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