Upscale, Outlet, Electronics, Specialty and Public Market Shops: A Shopper’s Paradise in Seattle and Surrounding Area
During every Summit, MVPs ask me for key places to do their shopping. The most common question is about outlet malls or electronics stores. But there’s so much more! The Seattle area also has a good selection of upscale shops such as those on 4th and 5th in downtown Seattle, or Louis Vuitton and Armani in Bellevue Square. In walking distance from Summit hotels, MVPs can experience the Pike Place Market and find local food, souvenirs and handcrafted items. With so many choices, many MVPs find time, before or after the Summit to make their annual pilgrimage to many of these shops.
Here’s a list of the most popular:
Pacific Place: Seattle's premier shopping, dining and entertainment center. Featuring Tiffany & Co., MaxMara and Coach along with J. Crew, Chico's, Ann Taylor, Helly Hansen, L'Occitane, Restoration Hardware, Barnes & Noble and Williams-Sonoma.
Bellevue Square: is a shopping mall in Bellevue, eight miles (13 km) east of Seattle. The mall has 180 retail stores, including anchors JCPenney, Macy's, and Nordstrom, specialty stores like Mercer, LEGO, Tiffany and Co. the Apple Store, Armani Exchange and Williams-Sonoma, Lacoste, and restaurants like P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Cheesecake Factory, Red Robin, and Ruth's Chris Steak House. Bellevue Square also offers concierge services, valet parking, a local shuttle bus, and children's play areas.
Seattle has several outlet malls but these are located far away from the downtown. The most popular outlets are:
- North Bend Premium Outlet . This outlet is located 30 minutes east of Seattle and offers over 45 retail outlet stores.
- Seattle Premium Outlet in Tulalip. This outlet is located about 30 minutes north of Seattle and has over 100 outlet stores
- Super Mall of the Great Northwest – Located in Auburn are and just 25 minutes from downtown Seattle, this outlet mall features over 60 stores
FRY’s Electronics. With CompUSA and Circuit City going out of business, I think FRY’s is going to get a nice increase in their sales in March! Located at the south of Seattle (approximately 20 min of downtown and $25-$30 in Taxi from summit hotels) FRY’s is the best option for electronics in Seattle area.
Best Buy. While on main campus, Best Buy is another store commonly visited by MVPs. It is located close to the main campus in Bellevue area (approximately 15 min from main campus and $20-$25 in taxi).
Redmond is very well known as a Bicycle city, if you are looking for a bike shop you have Gregg’s with 2 locations one in Bellevue way and the other close to the main campus. Another option is Redmond Cycle which is close to the main campus in Redmond way.
Walmart is not that popular like in Florida or Texas where you can find one almost everywhere, however there is one Walmart in Renton close to FRY’s that you can visit if you are in the area. Additional close to FRY’s (walking distance) there is a Lowe’s and a Target. 
As they say, “Don’t spend all your money in one place!” With so many options, you need to make the most of your time before or after the Summit! Have fun!
Authored by: Nestor Portillo, Director, Community & Online Support