Joining Rachel in her living room is friend Sarah Donaldson, Director of Sales Planning at SkinnyDipped, back for her second appearance on the pod. They cover Queer/Bar's ownership change, Seattle's surpising decline in flights, a labor dispute at a beloved Seattle restaurant group, Bed Bath & Beyond's return, and a very eventful night on Lake Union.

Top Stories:

1. Queer Bar sells to The Cuff Complex

2. World Cup fever is up in Seattle, but flights are down 21% year-over-year (but everyone loves our stadium!)

3. Walrus and Carpenter employees strike, forcing a temporary closure

4. Bed Bath & Beyond is reopening its first location since the 2023 bankruptcy

5. Event venue MV Skansonia starts to sink on Lake Union

About Sarah Donaldson — Director of Sales Planning, SkinnyDipped:

Sarah has been with SkinnyDipped for seven years, helping grow the Seattle-based, mother-daughter-founded snack company from a small Wallingford kitchen operation to a brand now carried at Starbucks nationwide. As Director of Sales Planning, she oversees demand forecasting, trade budgets, and new product launches across the company's line of better-for-you almonds, cashews, and chocolate snacks.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

In this special episode the former Chief Economist for Windermere comes back to the podcast to give us an update on our economy. He helps us make sense of an economy that's growing but "running a bit rough," what's really behind Seattle's wave of tech layoffs, and why buyers and sellers are at a standoff in today's housing market. We also get his take on Seattle's housing bill 1100, and his predictions for mortgage rates and the job market through the rest of the year.

About guest Matthew Gardner - Economist:

Matthew Gardner is a Seattle-based real estate economist and founder of Gardner Economics. He has spent close to 30 years analyzing housing markets and economic trends, and is widely recognized for his expertise in the Pacific Northwest real estate market. Matthew serves on many boards including the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

In this special episode we talk to Pete Hanning, Executive Director of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, about the construction that has taken place over for the past year. We dig into the Route 40 project: what was promised, what went wrong, and how an afternoon getting beers resulted in a major change.

Thank you for hosting us Charlie's Queer Books!

About guest Pete Hanning - Executive Director, Fremont Chamber of Commerce:

Pete has been involved with the Fremont Chamber of Commerce for nearly 20 years, serving in board, president, and executive director roles. He ran the Red Door in Fremont for 20 years and previously ran for Seattle City Council. Learn more at Fremont.com

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly seattle podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: info@theweeklyseattle.com

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com