Seattle Culture
The Nerd Capital of America
Seattle ranks No. 1 for geek culture
Washington tops yet another list — this time for something that actually matters: full-throttle, no-holds-barred nerdery. Geek culture thrives here. Seattle has PAX West, Emerald City Comic Con, Sakura-Con, Microsoft, and Boeing. But it goes beyond that. We’ve got indie bookstores, record shops, game rooms, escape rooms, a pinball museum, and divey theaters screening cult…
Most Influential: Bob Davidson
CEO, Seattle Aquarium
When Bob Davidson visited the Seattle Aquarium 22 years ago as newly appointed CEO, he brought his three college and high school-age sons along to tour the facility. Little had changed or been invested in the city-run Aquarium over the past decades, and it showed. Aging exhibits and informational signs did little to inspire or…
These Two Seattle Companies Make Global Innovators List
One is Amazon. The other is a company you may be unfamiliar with.
A Seattle company often referred to as “the Amazon of South Korea” has been named one of LexisNexis’ “Top 100 Global Innovators for 2025” based on its intellectual property. Coupang has 912 active patent families, and has increased the size of its patent portfolio by more than 15 times the past five years. Amazon, with…
Most Influential: Amy King
Pallet CEO
Five men are responsible for changing Amy King’s perspective permanently. These men, the first five employees of her husband’s construction company, all had a “pretty significant criminal history” and had spent time in prison. King admits she had been sheltered her entire life, but learning the backgrounds and journeys of these men opened her eyes….
How Seattle Is Preparing For The World Cup
A bigger impact than Taylor Swift’s two concerts in 2023
Though the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still more than a year away, Seattle is actively preparing for the coming economic rush. The city will host six matches of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup at Lumen Field in June and July next year. Four of the games are in the group stage, one is…
Single in Seattle? You Pay This Tax
Living alone carries a hefty price tag
If you’re a renter and living alone, you probably already realize you pay more for rent. After all, you’re not splitting the cost with a roommate or partners. But the amount may surprise you. In Seattle, that “singles tax” amounts to $11,556 per year, making the city among the most expensive in the United States…
Most Influential: Yasuaki Saito
Restaurateur, Advocate
Restaurateur Yasuaki Saito rolls the dough at three locations in Seattle. And, the financial dough keeps rolling in, with a fourth location set to open in 2025. Saito owns and operates Post Alley Pizza in downtown Seattle, Saint Bread in Portage Bay, and Tivoli in Fremont. Wayland Mill is expected to open this spring on…
Seattle Swipe Skeptics
Online daters across the city increasingly wary of tech-driven romance
At a Super Bowl party last weekend, I asked a friend who had recently become single if she was preparing to jump back into the online dating pool. “No,” she said emphatically. “Online dating sucks.” Now comes new data as to exactly why. In Seattle alone, 57% of online daters say they’ve encountered romance scams….
Most Influential: Andy Jassy
CEO, Amazon
There were two distinct and opposite reactions when Amazon President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy announced the company’s controversial return to office policy in September. Amazon employees balked. Downtown Seattle business owners and commercial real estate professionals cheered. Like it or not, there’s no denying that Jassy has had a major influence on Seattle….
New Filing Fix Can Help Tame Your Taxes
Free site aims to untangle tax questions
For many, filing taxes is akin to deciphering an ancient cryptic scroll. A new website is here to help. MyFreeTaxesWA.org connects Washington residents with IRS-certified volunteer tax professionals who can offer in-person or virtual tax help. As the name implies, it’s a free service and is available in multiple languages. The effort is funded through…
The Pulse: Love in a Cold Climate
The most romantic walks in Seattle and another breakfast heist
Happy Valentine’s Day. I’ve always liked the idea of celebrating love. And being in the city feels romantic this time of year — cold air, twinkling lights, maybe a late-night walk under the glowy moon. Whatever it is you’re doing, I hope you’re staying warm. Here’s what’s going on around town… Need Valentine’s plans? Find…
Downtown Seattle Foot Traffic is Up, Thanks to Amazon
Still lags pre-pandemic numbers
Amazon’s return-to-office mandate resulted in a measurable increase among downtown Seattle office workers in January, but the numbers still aren’t anywhere near where they were six years ago. The Downtown Seattle Association’s Revitalization Dashboard shows foot traffic in neighborhoods where Amazon’s offices are located (South Lake Union and Denny Regrade) at 74% of that of…
Seattle’s Winter Drinking Plan
Beer, mead, and a beach party
February is somehow both the shortest and longest month of the year, and March isn’t much better. Sure, the sun is again setting at a reasonable time, but it still refuses to provide warmth, and going out requires a little extra motivation. Good news: Seattle’s winter beer parties are here to help. Whether you want…
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