What's New

Opening Day of the Columbia City Farmers Market is May 2nd!

February 20, 2012 : Posted in News

The 2012 season for the Columbia City Farmers Market is fast approaching! As in previous years, the Farmers Market will provide a great opportunity for Columbia City businesses to engage with their neighbors.

Every year the Farmers Market reaches out to 20 businesses in the neighborhood to host the Kids Tent at the market for a few hours on a Wednesday afternoon during the season.

The major benefit to hosting is the chance to share info about your business and interact with potential new clients who already live and shop in the neighborhood! And, it’s free!

If you are interested, please contact Rachel Harrison at RachelEHarrison@gmail.com.

Tutta Bella Delivers Pizza to Commander-In-Chief on Air Force One

February 17, 2012 : Posted in News

Special “Il Presidente” Neapolitan Pizza Created by America’s Only VPN Gold Certified Pizzaiolo Chef Brian Gojdics

Until today, no honor quite equaled Joe Fugere being recognized by President Obama during a speech where he made a remark directed at Fugere’s Tutta Bella stating,“ I still haven’t tasted the pizza, but he [Joe Fugere] promises I’m going to get some at some point.”

Fugere had met with the President in Seattle to discuss the issues facing small businesses in a challenging economic climate, and was subsequently invited to the White House for the signing of the Small Business Jobs Act (watch here) on September 27, 2010.

While President Obama’s schedule this week did not allow for a personal visit to one of Tutta Bella’s four Neapolitan Pizzeria locations in Columbia City, Wallingford (Stone Way), Issaquah or South Lake Union (Westlake), special arrangements were made to forgo lunch and have the pizzas specially delivered to Air Force One.

Though it was no small feat, Fugere made special arrangements to have the coveted VPN (Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana) certified DOC designated pizza ready for pick-up at Paine Field in order to fulfill the President’s desire to have a taste of Tutta Bella’s renowned Neapolitan pizza.

“A visit from the White House inspired us to create this special pizza we named ‘Il Presidente’ to satisfy The President’s love of spicy food. The pizza is topped with hot Calabrian chiles along with Seattle’s own Mama Lil’s pickled peppers and locally made Isernio’s Italian sausage, extra virgin olive oil, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, basil and grana padano,” says Tutta Bella Executive Chef Brian Gojdics. To coincide with President’s Day, Tutta Bella will offer the ‘Il Presidente’ pizza as a special for $13.50 for one week only at all Tutta Bella locations starting on Monday, February 20 through Sunday, February 26.
And if having your pizza requested by the President isn’t honor enough, Joe Fugere and Tutta Bella Neapolitan pizzerias have also been chosen as finalists for the prestigious Small Business Administration’s 2012 Small Business Person of the Year award for Washington State. Winners from each category will be recognized at the Washington State Small Business Awards Gala in April 2012 and compete for nationwide honors during National Small Business Week in May 2012.

Since opening its doors in Columbia City in 2004, Tutta Bella has been a trailblazer not only in providing the best Italian wood-fired pizza in Seattle, but it has been recognized locally and nationally, time and again, for being an exemplary leader in the small business community.

2012 Washington Powerlifting Championships at R.E.C.

February 6, 2012 : Posted in Events

The 2012 Washington State Powerlifting Bench Press and Deadlift Championships will take place February 25 – 26 at the Royal Esquire Club here in Columbia City!

Additional Championship Weekend events include:

- Mr. & Ms. Columbia City Competition (Saturday & Sunday)
- Washington Powerlifting Hall of Fame Ceremony (Saturday)

After the years in Olympia, the State Meet is returning to Seattle. The new site will feature:

- Lifting on a lighted stage area
- Food and drink on site for reasonable prices
- Seating for 300+ people
- Separate warm-up area
- Off-street parking in nearby lots

Spectators Admission = $5 each day. Pre-pay with entry and admission is $5 for both days. For more information, speak with Bull Stewart at Columbia City Fitness.

Stash Quilt Shop Coming to Columbia City

February 6, 2012 : Posted in News

Stash Quilt Shop is coming this March to Columbia City as the neighborhood gathering spot for quilters, craft sewers, and knitters. The shop, next to Empire Espresso on South Edmunds, will offer a thoughtful selection of heirloom quality cotton fabrics, organic yarns, notions, books, and patterns. Future offerings will include classes for all skill levels. Stash Quilt Shop, where every project tells a story.

Town Hall Meeting with the Mayor

January 29, 2012 : Posted in Events

As part of the Engage Seattle initiative, in order to ensure that as many people as possible who live, work, or play in Seattle are able to voice their concerns and offer their feedback directly to the mayor, the Mayor’s Office is holding a series of town halls in every part of the city, and there’s one coming up next month in our area. You can download a flier here, or the details are as follows:

Columbia City Town Hall
Saturday, February 11th
11 am to 12 pm

Royal Esquire Club
5016 Rainier Ave S.

The Royal Esquire Club is located near the 7 and 8 bus lines and the Columbia City light rail stop; for full transit directions, go to metro.kingcounty.gov.

Our very own Tutta Bella wins more national recognition

January 28, 2012 : Posted in News

Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) has selected Tutta Bella as one of the 2012 Inner City 100. The list will be published in Fortune Magazine. This year there were over 1,000 nominees from every corner of the United States. Tutta Bella’s success over the last five years was very impressive to ICIC, and the award reflects the company’s contribution to a healthy business environment in Seattle’s neighborhoods.

For Hire: BeatWalk Manager

January 17, 2012 : Posted in News

The Columbia City Business Association is seeking a Manager for its signature BeatWalk music series. As part of the BeatWalk, neighborhood businesses host music groups from 7pm – 10pm on the first Friday of the month from May until September. The BeatWalk Manager will be responsible for marketing/promotion, sponsorship solicitation, coordination between venues and musicians, night-of coordination, attendance and financial record keeping and reporting.
The ideal candidate:
- Has experience booking music groups or other performing artists
- Has experience recruiting and managing volunteers
- Is familiar with the Columbia City business district and its individual businesses
- Is highly organized
- Is available to attend occasional mid-day meetings in Columbia City, as well as each of the evening BeatWalk events
- Is capable of maintaining the BeatWalk website, and Facebook and Twitter accounts
Please email letters of interest and resumes to mikekentccba@gmail.com.

The full job description/management agreement is available to review here.

Royal Room in the Seattle Times

December 21, 2011 : Posted in Press

Congratulations to the Royal Room on a great first weekend here in Columbia City! Delicious food and drinks, awesome music, and a beautiful space. Check out coverage of Seattle’s newest live music venue in the Seattle Times.

New Pedestrian Crossing Installed

December 16, 2011 : Posted in News

At the south end of the business district, you’ll see a brand new crosswalk and pedestrian-activated traffic light. Crossing Rainier Avenue near 39th and South Dawson is now a viable proposition.

Will the Columbia City Cinema ride again?

December 16, 2011 : Posted in News

Will the Columbia City Cinema ride again? It will if Jerri Plumridge and SEED Arts have anything to say about it. The building owners have given SEED Arts a couple months to sign a short-term, reduced rent lease to provide time for SEED Arts to get a non-profit cinema up and running. Much more to come on this.