The Retail Experience: How Eateries Impact The Industry

Leaders in Seattle's Restaurant Industry Discuss The Importance of Restaurants in Retail

• 

  Joshua Henderson

  Josh Henderson is an award winning chef and founder of Huxley Wallace Collective – a group of restaurants, experiences and unique spaces in the Pacific Northwest. Properties he has founded and led from concept to execution include: the Skillet Group, a highly successful enterprise consisting of three restaurants, a catering company, two food trucks and multiple nationally distributed food products; the nationally acclaimed Westward, a contemporary “water inspired” restaurant and bar located on the shores of Lake Union; its sibling Little Gull Grocery, a 22 seat oyster bar and “to-go” grocery; and local favorite Quality Athletics, a full service sports bar and restaurant located in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. Known as a visionary and food entrepreneur, Josh received the Star Chefs Rising Star Award in 2009, was named the most influential person of 2010 by Seattle Magazine, and was recognized in Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2012 top 40 under 40. Josh’s restaurants have received local and national acclaim including a James Beard nomination in 2014. They have been featured in publications and broadcasts around the world including: The New York Times, Food & Wine, Bon Apetit, GQ, SAVEUR, Conde Nast Traveler, Sunset Magazine, Coastal Living, USA Today, Huffington Post, Travels with Andrew McCarthy, Restaurant Design Digest, Tasting Table, Gallivant, KING 5, KIRO 7, KOMO 4, Seattle Magazine, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine and many more. He published his first cookbook in July 2012 – The Skillet Cookbook – A Streetfood Manifesto.

  Huxley Wallace Collective

  Founder & Chef

  Joshua Henderson

  Founder & Chef

  Huxley Wallace Collective

• 

  Ethan Stowell

  Ethan Stowell is the CEO and Founder of Ethan Stowell Restaurants in Seattle. His highly acclaimed restaurants include Tavolàta, How to Cook a Wolf, Cortina, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Ballard Pizza Company, Rione XIII, Mkt., Red Cow, Frēlard Pizza Company, Bosco Pasta & Panini, Wolf located in Nordstrom’s flagship store in midtown Manhattan, as well as Goldfinch Tavern in the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. His food philosophy is all about keeping it simple, using fresh ingredients, and allowing the food to do the talking. In 2010, Stowell began consulting for the Seattle Mariners. His work with the Mariners helps to bring local products into the stadium for fans to enjoy. Ethan Stowell’s New Italian Kitchen was released in September 2010 from Ten Speed Press. Stowell was named one of the Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine in 2008 and chosen as a Best New Chef All-Stars in 2013. He was one of the recipients of the 2016 Richard Melman Innovator of the Year Award. Stowell sits on the Board of Directors of the Woodland Park Zoo and he was a co-chair of the United Way of King County 2020 Annual Campaign. Other philanthropic partnerships include Seattle Children’s Hospital, Mary’s Place, Rainier Scholars, and the YWCA. Deeply devoted to his hometown, Stowell is a fervent advocate committed to seeing that Seattle is recognized nationally as a culinary destination. He lives in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. To learn more, visit www.ethanstowellrestaurants.com.

  Ethan Stowell Restaurants

  CEO and Founder

  Ethan Stowell

  CEO and Founder

  Ethan Stowell Restaurants

• 

  J.J. Gentile

  I always thought I'd be a ""businessman"" working in investments or banking, or some other industry that required me to wear a suit. I studied Finance in college, and spent a few years working for a big bank in Chicago before getting into the restaurant business as a franchisee of Jimmy John's. It was trial by fire for sure; I had zero restaurant experience and made a lot of mistakes, but I wouldn't change a thing. In six years I built 18 restaurants generating $25M in sales...it turns out I became a businessman after all! Franchising was a great appetizer for the restaurant industry, but now I'm ready for the main course! I started developing Superette about two years ago, using the last 12-months to hone the concept and prepare for launch. We are excited for 2016, with plans to open our flagship restaurant later this year in Seattle!

  Superette

  Founder & President

  J.J. Gentile

  Founder & President

  Superette

The Future of Retail

Seattle's Booming Industry Discussed and More!

• 

  Joe Ferguson

  Joe leads the firm’s acquisition and capital development efforts. Utilizing his background in brokerage and land use economics, Joe combines a clear market vision with strong transaction instincts to guide clients and partners in creating effective real estate investment opportunities. His ability to analyze market fundamentals and build financial models appropriate to a wide variety of product types allows him to successfully lead risk assessment and negotiate deal structures beneficial to LUP and our partners.

  Lake Union Partners

  Principal

  Joe Ferguson

  Principal

  Lake Union Partners

• 

  Rick Parks

  Rick Parks started leasing and selling commercial real estate in 1987 at CB Commercial and then Grubb & Ellis. He joined Pulsair Systems, Inc. as sales manager in 1997 where he trained and developed the company’s independent distributorships. He also coded the company’s inventory and implemented a purchase order system that streamlined the development of new business and production. Joining TRF in 2000, Rick is responsible for leasing and marketing all of TRF’s owned and managed properties. He oversees 60 lease transactions annually, has developed a strong business network and market knowledge. He brings this experience and builds leasing strategies to retain tenants, backfill vacancy and launch new retail developments. He ensures that TRF tenants, landowners and investors have the right information and strategies for making business decisions that drive asset value and long term wealth. Rick is a licensed Washington real estate broker, graduated from Washington State University and past ICSC Alaska/Washington State Director. He is married with three kids and loves family time at Hood Canal and on the water. In his spare time, he reads books and trades stock options. Sometimes the stars align and he takes in a salmon trip or gets to chase a monster elk in the Idaho back country.

  TRF Pacific

  Principal

  Rick Parks

  Principal

  TRF Pacific

• 

  Jeff Bernard

  Retail Development​ Director​

  Holland Partner Group

• 

  MJ Munsell

  MJ is an expert at translating brands into impactful customer moments. She has spent her career studying consumers and the drivers that impact their decisions. MJ creates a center of gravity on each project, leading teams, and clients through an innovative process that blends brand stories, business goals, and consumer insights into memorable experiences. At her core, she is a listener, opportunity-seeker, and choreographer crafting ideas into environments that delight. She has collaborated with some of the world’s most notable brands, including Nordstrom, Harrods, Anthropologie, and Hyatt, to name a few.

  MG2 Architecture

  Chief Creative Officer

  MJ Munsell

  Chief Creative Officer

  MG2 Architecture

• 

  Jeffrey Rosen

  SeaPac is one of the premier retail brokerage and consulting firms in the Puget Sound/WA Market. Since 1978 SeaPac has specialized in retail services for retailers, property owners, landlords and developers. We are the state of Washington member for Chainlinks Retail Advisors, the nation’s leading retail network. Jeff Rosen is a partner and works as a retail real estate broker.

  Seattle Pacific Realty

  Partner

  Moderator

  Jeffrey Rosen

  Partner

  Seattle Pacific Realty