GNDT September 16 – 22

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 09/22/2026 02:30 PM PDT

Hi all,

Sending another Good News Downtown, a communication to showcase uplifting, interesting, positive stories about activities and people Downtown.

If you have news or events to share, or if you want to talk about the work being done to revitalize Downtown, send us an email.

People crossing the street at an intersection in Downtown Seattle

Credit: Downtown Seattle Association

Downtown has its busiest month in seven years! 🏙️🎊

Downtown continues to be a major destination for both tourists and residents. The latest numbers from the Downtown Seattle Association shows summer visitation surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with August being the most heavily visited month. Downtown saw nearly 9.2 million visits with nearly 3.8 million unique visitors. Seattle’s hotels also remained in demand with a record-high 429,000 hotel rooms booked in August: Downtown Dashboard September 2026 – Downtown Seattle Association.

Weekly digest

Exterior facade of Lam's Seafood Asian Market

Credit: NW Asian Weekly

🛒 Lam’s Seafood Asian Market, a family-owned grocer that has served the Chinatown-International District since the 1990s, is the pilot business for Mayor Katie B. Wilson’s new program to support neighborhood grocery stores. As Lam’s prepares to open its third location, our office helped with permit navigation, covering repair costs from break-ins, and is planning façade and security improvements. Building on this successful pilot, $1.7 million has been approved for the program to expand this support to more local grocers Downtown: Lam’s Seafood expands with city support – NW Asian Weekly.

🎖️ The Seattle Times released their “Best in the PNW” awards, which celebrates the best businesses, organizations, and individuals in the region. Downtown shined with multiple restaurants and businesses taking home awards:

🔪 Don and Joe’s Meats, at Pike Place Market, won best butcher and meat shop.
🥩 El Gaucho, a steakhouse in Belltown, took home the award for best restaurant Downtown.
🎸 Lumen Field and WAMU Theater were named the best live music venue.
💈 Simone Davide Barber Shop, on the corner of 6 Ave and Union St., won the title of best barber shop in the PNW.

Kira, owner of ichigo alley, sitting on a couch holding plushies

Credit: Growing Boy Media

🛍️ Check out ichigo alley, a Japanese inspired pop-up featuring a curated selection of good from more than 40 artists. From art prints and stickers to accessories, plushies, stationery, and home décor, there’s something new to discover every visit. As part of our Seattle Restored program, ichigo alley is one of many small businesses we've partnered with to transform vacant storefronts into vibrant community spaces: ichigo alley – Seattle Restored.

🥗 Duet, a new deli and coffee bar, is bringing a fresh breakfast and lunch options to Downtown this October. Located at 2nd Ave and Union St., the café will serve coffee, sandwiches, soups and salads: Duet Deli and Coffee Bar to Open in Downtown Seattle - Whatnow.

Looking ahead

People enjoying music during "The Night Shift," a free monthly evening series celebrating local art, music, food at Pike Place Market

Credit: Pike Place Market

🌃 Explore Pike Place Market in a whole new way at The Night Shift, an after-hours arts and music series taking place on Friday, September 25, from 3 – 9 p.m. The evening includes live performances, interactive art experiences, and much more!

Graphic promoting the C-ID Night Market on Sept. 26 with an illustration of a dragon eating ramen and drinking boba

Credit: CIDBIA

🎇 Head to the 19th annual C-ID Night Market this weekend! On Saturday, Sept. 26, from 1 – 9 p.m., the festival will bring together over 100 local vendors, performers, and community members in the C-ID.

🍵 The Northwest Tea Festival returns to Seattle Center from Saturday, Sept. 26 – Sunday, Sept. 27! Enjoy local vendors, tea tastings, workshops and presentations with topics from choosing the best teapot, tea farming, and more.

🏈 Join the SODO BIA for Tailgate on Holgate Sunday, Oct. 4, from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The perfect pre-game event series with local food vendors, refreshments, live music, and lawn games, all just steps from the stadium.