Uwajimaya on the move

Uwajimaya closed its doors in Overlake for the last time Wednesday night as preparations for the move to 120th Avenue Northeast continues. The store is still on track for its projected March 25 opening, but there remains work to be done. Much of the heavy lifting on the interior of the store was completed, but many loose ends still need to be tied up before the store opens, said Uwajimaya Chief Executive Officer Tomoko Moriguchi Matsuno.

By Nat Levy • March 17, 2011 2:38 pm
Preparations continue for the new location of Uwajimaya on 120th Avenue Northeast. The store is scheduled to open March 25.
Preparations continue for the new location of Uwajimaya on 120th Avenue Northeast. The store is scheduled to open March 25.

Uwajimaya closed its doors in Overlake for the last time Wednesday night as preparations for the move to 699 120th Avenue Northeast near the intersection of Northeast Eighth continues.

The store is still on track for its projected March 25 opening, but there remains work to be done. Much of the heavy lifting on the interior of the store was completed, but many loose ends still need to be tied up before the store opens, said Uwajimaya Chief Executive Officer Tomoko Moriguchi Matsuno.

“There’s a lot of things to do so when you open it’s a good opening,” she said.

The new store is at least 30 percent larger than the old building. It will feature an expanded deli as well as a cafe area for eating.

The bigger storefront will allow the Bellevue Uwajimaya to more closely mirror the amount and diversity of product carried at Seattle’s International District outlet.

Customers will also notice the upgraded interior. Moriguchi Matsuno said the new location has been renovated, and it will be the first time the Bellevue store will feature a brand new interior. The previous location was housed in a property previously occupied by Safeway.