02.05.2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

🏠 Legendary garage sale

Hot Homes: Amazon’s birthplace highlights area’s vast change

A modest single-level home with stone accents, tan trimmings, and a large paved driveway

Much of the exterior and interior of this Bellevue home changed since Jeff Bezos rented it in 1994. | Photo via Tyler Li at Sea to Sky Realty

It may not look like much from the outside, but 30 years ago, something big was brewing in the garage at 10704 NE 28th St. in Bellevue. It’s where Jeff Bezos launched a little online bookselling business called Amazon.

The famous home recently went on the market again, complete with a makeshift Amazon sign to lean into the space’s bizzy history.

But a lot has changed in three decades — and we’re not just talking about gut renovations. Let’s take an inside look.

Back in the day

Then: Bezos rented the pad for $890 per month
Now: The 1954-built, three-bedroom craftsman is listed for $2.28 million four years after it sold for $1.5 million.

An empty garage lined with plywood and a blue sign that says "amazon.com" — The listing agent recreated Amazon’s original makeshift sign.
|
Photo via Tyler Li at Sea to Sky Realty

Then: Amazon’s garage offices consisted of two desks built from $60 Home Depot doors.
Now: The company employs ~65,000 people nearby in Bellevue and Seattle housed in shiny towers and giant glass spheres that double as botanical gardens.

Then: There was an oversized mailbox that Amazon used to cram in all those book catalogs that helped grow the business initially.
Now: Recent owners ditched the mailbox, but you’ll find fancier amenities like granite countertops and a hot tub.

Then: A full tour of “Amazon.com Inc.” took less than a minute.
Now: The original home looks a lot different after a 2001 reconstruction — and there are now two basement spaces instead of one.

A large living room with hardwood floors, furniture, an accent rug, a kitchen to the right, and a window looking out onto a yard — You get ~1,500 sqft to conjure up entrepreneurial dreams.
|
Photo via Tyler Li at Sea to Sky Realty

Any takers?

According to the realtor handling the listing, a recent open house was packed to the gills with a mix of curious lookie-loos and those with genuine buying interest.

Beyond the iconic garage, there’s a cozy, light-filled great room, a modern kitchen with maple accents, and an outdoor “party” deck. The surrounding Clyde Hill neighborhood is also consistently ranked among Washington’s “best places to live.”

Who knows? Maybe you’ll get a billion dollar idea and the pad will pay for itself.

Asked

What was the original name Jeff Bezos came up with for his company before changing it to Amazon?

A. Nile
B. Booksmart
C. Cadabra
D. Presto

Take a wild guess

Events

Monday, Feb. 5

Bella DePaulo: “Single at Heart” | Monday, Feb. 5 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Third Place Books, 6504 20th Ave. NE, Seattle | Free | Dr. DePaulo discusses her book about the joys of singlehood and debunking common misconceptions.
Criminal | Monday, Feb. 5 | 8 p.m. | Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle | $35-$80 | The popular true crime podcast brings its live show to town in celebration of its 10th anniversary.

Tuesday, Feb. 6

Intro to K-Pop Dance | Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6-7 p.m. | Theater Puget Sound, 305 Harrison St., Seattle | $15 | Learn how to keep up with the latest catchy K-Pop beats as an instructor guides you through bouncy choreography.
“The Lower Depths” | Tuesday, Feb. 6-Saturday, Feb. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Erickson Theatre, 1524 Harvard Ave., Seattle | $5-$70 | The Seagull Project presents a new adaptation of Maxim Gorky’s powerful classic.

Wednesday, Feb. 7

Clash Day Open House | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 4-6:30 p.m. | Environmental Works, 402 15th Ave. E., Seattle | Free | Celebrate the social activism and music of the Clash while learning more about a local environmental organization.
“The Sound of (Black) Music” | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 7 p.m. | Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland | $62 | See this afrofuturist re-imagining of “The Sound of Music” that highlights soul, gospel, blues, and other styles.

Thursday, Feb. 8

Habitat Restoration | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 3-5 p.m. | Queen Anne Greenbelt, 12th Ave. W. + W. Blaine St., Seattle | Help clean up invasive plants in the area while planting new ones — bring water, snacks, and warm clothes.
Plotter Party: Robots that Draw | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 5-9 p.m. | Passable, 1005 E. Union St., Seattle | Free | Learn about plotters — drawing machines that can make vector graphic art — and see them in action.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Sports

Heads up, soccer fans — the schedule for Seattle’s 2026 World Cup hosting duties was revealed. We’ll get four group stage matches, one in the Round of 32, and one in the Round of 16. The US Men’s National Team will visit for a group stage match on June 19, 2026. (KING 5)

Eat

Highly anticipated restaurant Sophon is open at 7314 Greenwood Ave. N. in Phinney Ridge. The spot comes from the owners of nearby cocktail joint Oliver’s Twist, which offered teasers of the Khmer comfort food that Sophon features on its menu.

Civic

Washington’s Liquor & Cannibis Board (LCB) has paused enforcement of the state’s “lewd conduct” law after recent police action at Capitol Hill gay bars raised alarms from the LGBTQ+ community. LCB staff will prep a proposal to amend or repeal such regulations. The board will vote on the recommendation Feb. 14. (KING 5)

Closing

After a sparkling 112 years in business, Seattle jeweler Fox’s will close this April. The retailer was founded in 1912 as Fox’s Gem Shop, but bounced around various locations before landing at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Current owner Zoey Mann decided to close to spend more time with the fam. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Award

Western Washington country stars Brandy Clark and Brandi Carlile took home the Best Americana Performance Grammy on Sunday for their duet “Dear Insecurity.” The award was Clark’s first-ever Grammy Award and Carlile’s 10th. “Dear Insecurity” appears on Clark’s self-titled 2023 album that Carlile produced. (Seattle Times)

Arts

The Seattle Art Museum has removed five cultural Tlingit items from public view to comply with new federal rules. In order to facilitate the return of sacred artifacts to Native communities, the new legislation requires museums and other federally funded organizations to consult with Native tribes before displaying certain objects. (Seattle Times)

Pets

Seattle Parks & Recreation will soon share its study for expanding off-leash areas in the city. The study examined 30+ potential sites and has since narrowed the number of feasible dog parks down to nine. Attend the meeting at Denny Park on Feb. 8 to learn more.

Active

Hear ye, hear ye — Arizona-based recreation company Pickleball Kingdom is planning an expansion to the Seattle area. The pickleball specialist is still working out exactly where it will land in the area, but it typically looks for indoor spaces that span at least 30,000 sqft. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Community

If you’re looking to support local small businesses during Black History Month, Intentionalist and Visit Seattle have set up a pass for discounts and freebies. You can also win prizes from six of Seattle’s pro sports teams by uploading your receipts from purchases.

Traffic

Honk those horns — Seattle ranks No. 7 in the US for worst traffic, according to an index recently released by map tech company TomTom. The company took into account average travel time, fuel costs, and carbon emissions. On average, it takes drivers 16 minutes to move six miles in our city.

Eat

🍗 All those tasty memories

Ezell’s Famous Chicken celebrates its 40th anniversary

Three employees at Ezell's Famous Chicken hold up biscuits and a pie in front of the restaurant's menu.

Since it’s early days in the 1980s, Ezell’s has expanded to 15 Seattle area restaurants. | Photo via Ezell’s Famous Chicken

This weekend, Ezell’s Famous Chicken celebrated its 40th anniversary. No, there wasn’t a fried cake, but the event was special anyway.

The fast food franchise opened its first restaurant on Feb. 3, 1984 in the Central District and soon became a local favorite. (In case you didn’t hear, Oprah’s a fan, too.)

To honor its big b-day, staff at Ezell’s will be wearing those retro 1980s uniforms throughout the month — so be sure to compliment them on the sharp duds if you visit.

The company also announced a “40 for 40” campaign through its Hazel Danielle Clayton Foundation (HDC) that raises money for youth-centered organizations in the Seattle and Portland areas. HDC is named after a former restaurant employee and community outreach specialist at Ezell’s who died in 2023.

Guests can contribute to the cause by adding a 40-cent donation to online orders this month.

The Buy

The Buy 2.05.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

These cowgirl boot stir sticks from Coco Cadeaux’s collection. They’re festive, pink, and perfect for your Galentine’s Day celebration (bonus: they’re also BPA free).

Share SEAtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_26}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Gabe

From the editor

I’m planning to throw a small Super Bowl get-together this Sunday and need some food + drink recs. Anybody have a great game day recipe that they love using great local ingredients? Hit me up.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY