Chef Flees Seattle: Business Climate Too Tough

Brendan McGill, a James Beard-award-nominated chef, has shuttered his two remaining Seattle restaurants, Café Hitchcock and Oyster Cellar, on May 31, concluding a 15-year run in the city. McGill is departing Seattle due to a perceived poor business environment and a decline in downtown foot traffic. He plans to move back to Bainbridge Island, where he will continue to operate three restaurants—Café Hitchcock, Bruciato, and Kingfisher—along with a new wholesale company.

McGill expressed that while his experience in Seattle was largely positive, recent years have been challenging. He believes that other markets, such as Bellevue, Tacoma, Spokane, Boise, and Edmonds, currently offer a more favorable business climate. The closure of his restaurants in the historic Exchange Building, which has seen several retailers depart, highlights a shift in downtown Seattle's economic landscape. McGill noted that while some areas like the waterfront and the Seattle Convention Center might be better positioned, the traditional flow of people through areas like First Avenue and Pioneer Square has changed significantly.