Hi neighbors,
Happy Monday. Here’s a newsletter that nobody asked for and probably nobody cares about: my musings on Cedar Plaza. It’s the shopping center in my neighborhood, and I’ve been watching it change in ways that are sometimes sad, sometimes handy, and sometimes a little quirky. Think of this as a little walking tour, with more nostalgia than anyone really needs.
Ace Hardware: A Tough Goodbye
Let’s start with the hardest hit: Ace Hardware. If you’ve ever needed an obscure screw, bolt, or fitting at 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, you know what I mean. Ace was the place. Now it’s gone, and the plaza feels emptier without it.
I’ve heard rumors about why Ace shut its doors — maybe the landlord raised the rent, maybe redevelopment was looming — but nothing I can confirm. If you know more, please tell me, because clearly I care about this more than I should.
Bartell’s to CVS: The End of an Era
Then there’s Bartell’s, which slowly withered after the Rite Aid buyout. Honestly, it hasn’t felt like Bartell’s for years, but still, seeing the lights go out was a gut punch. CVS wasted no time moving in. It’s convenient, sure, but it doesn’t have that old neighborhood pharmacy feel. Hey, at least the shelves are stocked.
QFC and the Piggly Wiggly Threat
QFC has been the anchor forever. We had a close call with a potential takeover during the failed Albertsons merger, when Piggly Wiggly briefly loomed as a replacement. After that fizzled, Kroger announced closures at other QFC and Fred Meyer stores, but ours seems to be hanging on.
Some recent changes have actually been great: the expanded Murray’s Corner cheese section (the goat gouda is a favorite in our house), and the fresh-made sushi case. $6 sushi Tuesdays are a surprisingly good deal — spicy tuna is my go-to. Fun fact: my first real job (not counting a paper route) was as a QFC courtesy clerk at NE 145th & 15th Ave NE. I made $5.70 an hour.
Starbucks
Great people, friendly staff. Starbucks itself… not my favorite, for a lot of reasons. But you do you.
The Revolving Door of Gyms
If there’s one Cedar Plaza tradition, it’s gyms that appear and disappear faster than my New Year’s resolutions. The space is empty again. I’ve lost track of how many banners have gone up and come down on that storefront.
The Licensing Office
On the brighter side, the new licensing office is actually pretty handy. It’s one of those places you never think about until you need it, and then you’re glad it’s just down the street. Small wins.
Patty’s Egg Nest
Patty’s Egg Nest is holding down the breakfast slot. I don’t often go out for breakfast, but it’s nice to see this spot stay steady when so much else has changed. Every plaza needs at least one diner-ish place, and this one fits the bill.
Pet Adventure
One of the real gems is Pet Adventure. Keith and his team are fantastic — friendly, helpful, and always willing to special-order whatever you need. My dog’s food isn’t stocked on the shelf, but they have it ready within a couple of days. Prices are competitive with Chewy and PetCo, but here’s the kicker: your dollars stay local.
They also host fun community events — adoption events, vaccine clinics, even pet photos with Santa. Truly just a great shop, and exactly the kind of local business that keeps Cedar Plaza worth supporting.
Cedar Plaza Vet Clinic (Frankie’s Review: 0/5)
My dog, Frankie, is an anxious mess at any vet. She would probably give Cedar Plaza Vet 0/5 stars on Yelp. Her owners, on the other hand, give it 5/5. Convenient and solid care.
Ringer’s (or “RIRS”)
And then there’s Ringer’s. Or should I say “RIRS,” since that’s what the sign has read for what feels like a decade. At this point, I’d be disappointed if they fixed it. Some things are better left as inside jokes for the neighborhood.
Sound Community Bank
Not my personal bank, but I’ve worked with them through some nonprofits. They’ve been plugged into the Mountlake Terrace business community for years, both with the old MLT Business Association and now with the Chamber.
Lost Attempt: Burbs Burgers
Remember Burbs Burgers? Yeah, that didn’t last. Well, it didn’t even happen here. Their smashburgers and spicy chicken sandwiches were excellent, but shady business practices, health code violations, and a bankruptcy ended the chain. New owners have revived a few locations elsewhere, but I doubt MLT is on their list. Another one for the “what could have been” file.
Las Espuelas
Las Espuelas is always busy, and for good reason. My favorite thing about them isn’t actually the restaurant — it’s their dancing horse group that usually appears in the (former) Tour de Terrace parade. Over 2,000 reviews on Google and Yelp at 4.5 starts must mean they’re doing something right.
East Coast Enzo’s Pizza
One of the newest additions, Enzo’s took over the old Papa John’s spot. It’s inexpensive pizza that does the job — perfect for feeding a group or paying back friends who helped you move. Pair it with a case of Pub Beer from QFC and you’re set. I was happy to see Papa John’s go, and Enzo’s feels like a solid replacement.
A Spattering of Other Services
There’s also a handful of places that quietly keep the plaza useful: laundry, dry cleaning, a smoke shop, massage, and hair and nail salons. I don’t use most of them, but they seem steady — the kind of businesses every neighborhood center needs.
Vacant Storefronts
And then there are the vacant units — dark, papered-over windows that remind us this is still just a suburban strip mall trying to hang on. Every time one fills, another seems to open up.
Across the Street: Handy Mart
Just across 56th, the old Handy Mart property is still sitting there, tied up in the fallout of a business partnership gone bad. A few years back, there was talk of something new for the site, but since then? Crickets.
What Comes Next?
So what do we do with Cedar Plaza? For now, it’s still where I get groceries, walk the dog, and wonder if Ringer’s will ever fix its sign. But with frequent bus access to the transit center and still strong demand for housing in Mountlake Terrace, maybe it’s time to think bigger.
Maybe the plaza’s best future isn’t another round of nail salons and empty gyms, but something that welcomes more neighbors — while still leaving room for the coffee shops, pet stores, and breakfast spots that make it feel like ours. Big changes aren’t coming tomorrow, but in the meantime I’d love to see those vacant units fill in again and keep Cedar Plaza humming along.
Until next time,
Dustin