Hi neighbor! Welcome to the first issue of The Northeast Wire. I'm Karen, and I live right here in Wedgwood. Every week I'll pull together the events worth knowing about, what's new in the neighborhood, and one local find you might have missed.
No politics. No crime. Just good stuff happening around Northeast Seattle. (and sometimes beyond)
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Know about something I missed? A new business, an event, something worth sharing? Hit reply — I read every message.
📌 This week's newsletter is brought to you by Janeen Joshi, Lake Real Estate. Janeen is a Wedgwood neighbor and local real estate expert. Thinking about buying or selling in Northeast Seattle? She knows this neighborhood inside and out! [Get in touch → [email protected]]
📅 This Week’s Notable Events in Seattle
🌸 U District Cherry Blossom Festival — Running through March 29. The fifth annual festival is in full swing all week! Over 80 U District businesses are offering cherry blossom-themed food, drinks, and retail specials (cherry blossom lattes, sakura ice cream, pink plant discounts, etc.). Right on the edge of our neighborhoods. Full festival info
Friday March 20 — Night Blossoms on the UW Quad (highlight of the week!): The iconic cherry trees on the UW Quad will be lit up in soft pink for one evening only. Free to attend! This is the marquee event of the entire festival — worth going in my book!
🍀 St. Patrick's Day — Tuesday, March 17 Citywide St. Patrick's Day Dash 5K at Seattle Center is nearby and family-friendly (includes a 1K Leprechaun Lap for kids under 10).
🏀 March Madness begins - Tuesday, March 17 March Madness begins this week — Go Dawgs! 🐾 The UW Women earned a 6 seed and face South Dakota State in the first round on Thursday, March 20 (time TBA). Find the men's bracket here and the women's bracket here!
🌿 Spring Equinox — Friday, March 20 Occurs 7:46 AM PT. Sunset is at 7:21 PM.
Other Events
Dates | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Mar 16, 2026 | Third Place Books Author Events (6504 20th Ave NE) | Third Place Books welcomes feminist author Kate Schatz to celebrate her new book Where the Girls Were. 7:00pm [details] |
Mar 17, 2026 | Third Place Books Author Events (6504 20th Ave NE) | Third Place Books welcomes author Noah Corey for a conversation about his book Clementine H. Hopeful Is Not a Hero. 6:00pm [details] |
Mar 19, 2026 | Third Place Books Author Events (6504 20th Ave NE) | Third Place Books Ravenna welcomes authors Mary Boone and Nora Nickum to discuss their new ocean-themed kids' books. 6:00pm. [details] |
🛒 Open for Business: Support Local!
Business | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
⚾ 🏒 Simply Seattle (University Village across from Chipotle) | 🟢 Re-opening | Seattle's beloved locally-owned sports gear and souvenirs shop just opened at U Village on March 13. Seahawks, Mariners, Kraken, Huskies and SuperSonics gear all under one roof — right in the neighborhood |
🌮 Mama Grande's Café (2300 NE 65th St) | 🟢 Newish | Mexican brunch café now open in the former Varsity Restaurant space. Brunch is still alive — think chilaquiles and crab benedicts. Open until 3pm. |
📚 Lovestruck in Seattle Bookstore (8507 35th Ave NE) | 🟢 Newish | Independent romance bookstore and gift shop that opened October 2025 in the heart of Wedgwood. |
🍕 Mio Posto (3426 NE 55th Street) | 🟢 Open | A neighborhood favorite, reopened in December after a SUV crashed through the front of the restaurant in July. |
🥩🍸Wedgwood Broiler (8230 35th Ave NE) | 🟢 Open | Still going strong at the NE 85th St shopping center despite the stalled redevelopment plans next door. |
🏗️ Development & Construction Projects
Business | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Wedgwood Landbanked Site Park (8605 35th Ave NE) | 🟡 Under Construction | New 0.33-acre multi-use park with central lawn, walking path, curved seating wall, and art pedestal. Construction to begin this summer |
Mechanics Bank Branch Renovation (8605 35th Ave NE) | 🔵 Renovating | Former HomeStreet Bank remodeling interior to become new Mechanics Bank office. Interior-only upgrade, permits filed 2025-2026 |
Wedgwood Center Redevelopment (NE 85th Street Shopper Center) | ☹ On Hold | Security Properties’ plan for 280 apartments + grocery store is suspended after a deal breakdown in Jan 2026. Property is back on the market; plans are transferable to a future developer |
🏪 Wedgwood Center Update: The Grocery Question
The long-awaited redevelopment of the Wedgwood Center at 35th & 85th is officially on hold since January. The Wedgwood Community Council was informed by developer Security Properties that it is no longer moving forward with plans, following a breakdown in the agreement between Security Properties and the property owner. The developer had been unable to find an investment partner, and the property owner — tired of waiting — decided to relist the property and seek a new buyer.
The neighborhood now faces two empty anchor spots: the former QFC (closed 2021) and the Rite-Aid (closed July 2025), leaving residents near 85th feeling like they're in a shopping desert with no nearby drugstore or grocery. On a brighter note, well-loved businesses remain open, and a new bookstore — Lovestruck in Seattle — opened at 8507 35th Ave NE in October 2025.
The Wedgwood Community Council says they remain committed to bringing grocery back to the neighborhood. Follow updates at wedgwoodcc.org.
🗺 Neighborhood-Wide: Zoning & City Policy
The biggest policy story affecting all three neighborhoods this spring is Seattle's One Seattle Comprehensive Plan and the Centers & Corridors zoning legislation.
• What it is: The legislation updates zoning across 30 new Neighborhood Centers, expanded Urban Centers, and transit corridors city-wide — affecting the built character of NE Seattle.
• Why it matters: Parts of Wedgwood and Ravenna may see new multi-family housing capacity. Phase 2 in 2026 addresses Frequent Transit Route zones, which includes stretches of 35th Ave NE and NE 65th St.
• Key upcoming dates: March 19 committee meeting • March 31 public comment training • April 6 public hearing & rally • May 29 second public hearing
• Get involved: Sign up for Futurewise's free volunteer training at futurewise.org or follow your neighborhood council for updates.
📅 Key Dates Ahead
Date | Event |
|---|---|
Apr 5 | Easter Sunday |
Apr 6–10 | ASB & Villa Academy Spring Break |
Apr 13 | Villa Academy — No School (Professional Development) |
Apr 13–17 | Seattle Public Schools Spring Break |
Apr 15 | Tax Day |
Apr 17 | ASB Grand Day |
🔍 Karen's Pick
🌿 Every spring I see the cherry blossoms blooming and feel that little rush — then remember: Oh right. Allergy season. My annual cue to head over to The Herbalist in Ravenna (2106 NE 65th Street) and stock up on stinging nettles and other herbs that actually help. If you're a fellow sufferer, now's the time (even though it is snowing as I type).
📌 Stay Connected: Key Resources
Organization | Website / Resource |
Wedgwood Community Council | |
Wedgwood in Seattle History | |
Ravenna-Bryant Community Association | |
View Ridge Community Council | |
Third Place Books Ravenna — Events | |
View Ridge Swim & Tennis Club | |
Seattle One Seattle Plan / Zoning | |
Futurewise (Zoning Advocacy) |
📌 Want to reach Wedgwood, View Ridge & Ravenna neighbors? Reply to this email to learn about sponsorship opportunities.