A popular Portland scoop shop is on its way to two new Seattle-area storefronts.
Earlier this month, Portland-based ice cream chain Salt & Straw filed — then quickly withdrew — plans to replace a vacant Starbucks venue across the street from Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Turns out that location is coming after all, and it wasn’t the only new location the company was churning up.
Salt & Straw will open two new stores in Washington, one in Seattle and another in Redmond, the chain announced Thursday. The company did not give an opening date for either location.
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The Seattle store, located at 102 Pike St., will occupy a 2,453-square-foot space in a century-old building just across from Pike Place Market. It will be the company’s third Seattle location, with another opening in the Queen Anne neighborhood this summer.
Salt & Straw’s Redmond store, located at 16595 Redmond Way, Suite 170, will move into a 1,282-foot space.
Both stores will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and plan to hire about 20 employees, according to the announcement.
Salt & Straw — known for its eccentric, sometimes controversial monthly flavors — began in 2011 as a single cart on Northeast Alberta Street. Though the Salt & Straw brand is closely tied to Portland, its founders have a history with Oregon’s northern neighbor.
CEO Kim Malek lived in Seattle before launching Salt & Straw, and her cousin and co-founder, Tyler Malek, grew up in Washington.
“We’re thrilled at the chance to plant deeper roots in downtown Seattle, as well as to expand our presence in the region with a new scoop shop in Redmond,” Kim Malek said in a statement. “This city has shaped who we are, and we’re honored to continue growing alongside the community.”
— Veronica Nocera covers retail and recalls news for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Is a business in your area opening or closing? Reach Veronica at vnocera@oregonian.com.
