Herald Business Journal

The AFK Tavern is closing up shop on Nov. 28 after 10 years due to their lease being up and the impact of COVID on November 15, 2020. (Kevin ClAFK / The Herald)
Coronavirus outbreak

Game over: After 10 years, last call at Everett’s AFK Tavern

The closing is due to COVID and the end of a lease. The owner hopes to reopen elsewhere in 2022.

The AFK Tavern is closing up shop on Nov. 28 after 10 years due to their lease being up and the impact of COVID on November 15, 2020. (Kevin ClAFK / The Herald)
Burton Clemans, an employee at Sisters for 8 years, packages up a Sisters cookie on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coronavirus outbreak

Sisters closes, for now, as eateries enter another lockdown

The four-week ban on indoor dining has local restaurants pondering whether to shut their doors for good.

Burton Clemans, an employee at Sisters for 8 years, packages up a Sisters cookie on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during a news conference, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced new restrictions on businesses and social gatherings for the next four weeks as the state continues to combat a rising number of coronavirus cases. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Coronavirus outbreak

Inslee announces $135 million pandemic relief plan

The state will use CARES Act dollars to help businesses and people impacted by latest restrictions.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during a news conference, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced new restrictions on businesses and social gatherings for the next four weeks as the state continues to combat a rising number of coronavirus cases. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Steve Dickson, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Aviation Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 5, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Zach Gibson.

FAA faces its own reckoning as it gives Boeing path to fly jet

The agency is devoting more time and resources to assess how pilots react to emergencies.

Steve Dickson, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Aviation Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 5, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Zach Gibson.
Middle-school counselor Shanon Baker poses for a photo in the school's library Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Sammamish, Wash. A master's degree and a full-time job weren't enough to help Baker land an apartment she could afford in Seattle's east-side suburbs. But a $750 million commitment by a partnership backed in part by Microsoft's affordable housing initiative helped do the trick. Urban Housing Ventures is cutting rents at 40% of the units in three buildings as part of an effort to make sure teachers, nurses and other middle-income professionals can live in the communities where they work. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Microsoft-led housing effort cuts rents in Seattle suburbs

The plan is to help middle-income professionals live in the communities where they work.

  • Nov 19, 2020
Middle-school counselor Shanon Baker poses for a photo in the school's library Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in Sammamish, Wash. A master's degree and a full-time job weren't enough to help Baker land an apartment she could afford in Seattle's east-side suburbs. But a $750 million commitment by a partnership backed in part by Microsoft's affordable housing initiative helped do the trick. Urban Housing Ventures is cutting rents at 40% of the units in three buildings as part of an effort to make sure teachers, nurses and other middle-income professionals can live in the communities where they work. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The father of Bhavye Suneja, one of the pilots of a Lion Air plane that crashed in Indonesia, reacts as he leaves for the airport in New Delhi, India, on Oct.29, 2018. The pilot's mother, Sangeeta Suneja, says the FAA and Boeing are bringing the 737 Max back to service prematurely. (AP Photo, file)

Pilot’s mother criticizes FAA, Boeing for rushing Max’s comeback

Her son lost control of a Lion Air plane after an automated system repeatedly pushed its nose down.

The father of Bhavye Suneja, one of the pilots of a Lion Air plane that crashed in Indonesia, reacts as he leaves for the airport in New Delhi, India, on Oct.29, 2018. The pilot's mother, Sangeeta Suneja, says the FAA and Boeing are bringing the 737 Max back to service prematurely. (AP Photo, file)
FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, file photo, a Boeing 737 Max jet, piloted by Federal Aviation Administration Chief Steve Dickson, prepares to land at Boeing Field following a test flight in Seattle. The FAA is poised to clear the Boeing 737 Max to fly again after grounding the jets for nearly two years due to a pair of disastrous crashes that killed 346 people. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

After 20-month grounding, FAA clears Boeing 737 Max to fly

U.S. airlines will be able to fly the plane after software is updated and pilots receive training.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, file photo, a Boeing 737 Max jet, piloted by Federal Aviation Administration Chief Steve Dickson, prepares to land at Boeing Field following a test flight in Seattle. The FAA is poised to clear the Boeing 737 Max to fly again after grounding the jets for nearly two years due to a pair of disastrous crashes that killed 346 people. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Steve Hobbs
Coronavirus outbreak

Democratic lawmakers ask Inslee to lift ban on indoor dining

They want to try to scaling back on occupancy before forcing an end to inside service.

Steve Hobbs
Alicia Crank, chair of the Snohomish County Airport Commission, at Paine Field on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Everett, Washington. The Snohomish County-owned airfield is due to update the Airport Master Plan, considered a blue-print for long term development, anticipated land use and a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Time to update the airport’s master plan, and you can help

The new chair of the Snohomish County Airport Commission wants everyone to get acquainted with Paine Field.

Alicia Crank, chair of the Snohomish County Airport Commission, at Paine Field on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Everett, Washington. The Snohomish County-owned airfield is due to update the Airport Master Plan, considered a blue-print for long term development, anticipated land use and a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Boeing 737 Max airplanes are parked at Boeing Field in Seattle on July 27, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by David Ryder

Once beloved Boeing is among titans headed for zombie status

Policymakers may inadvertently be directing the flow of capital to unproductive firms.

Boeing 737 Max airplanes are parked at Boeing Field in Seattle on July 27, 2020. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by David Ryder
Server Kelly King talks with diners Suzan Nettleship, Bill Zama and Rodger Scheibner as they enjoy a last meal inside, before restrictions take place, at Sol Food on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Coronavirus outbreak

Businesses brace for another round of COVID restrictions

They survived the closures in the spring but worry about what lies ahead as the infection spreads.

Server Kelly King talks with diners Suzan Nettleship, Bill Zama and Rodger Scheibner as they enjoy a last meal inside, before restrictions take place, at Sol Food on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Melanie Evans outside of the Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center where she received her Quality Assurance Certificate on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

With industries in flux, retraining gives workers options

Edmonds College and Everett Community College report increases of workers interested in education.

Melanie Evans outside of the Washington Aerospace Training & Research Center where she received her Quality Assurance Certificate on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Berry Sign's owner, Don Gerould, hopes to use his lighted sign-making skills to build ultraviolet lighting systems that can disinfect delivery vans, offices and restaurants. Shot with the new UV lights at the office on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 in Everett, Washington. Gerald is participating in Project Reinvent, a new program through a local business incubator and Workforce Snohomish. The program aims to help existing small businesses pivot to make new products. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

There’s help for local companies to reimagine product lines

Project Reinvent is working with Workforce Snohomish to help businesses weather the downturn.

Berry Sign's owner, Don Gerould, hopes to use his lighted sign-making skills to build ultraviolet lighting systems that can disinfect delivery vans, offices and restaurants. Shot with the new UV lights at the office on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 in Everett, Washington. Gerald is participating in Project Reinvent, a new program through a local business incubator and Workforce Snohomish. The program aims to help existing small businesses pivot to make new products. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Grocery Manufacturers Association lawyer Matthew Gardner, right, talks with others before making arguments in a case alleging that the food industry group violated state campaign disclosure laws in opposing a 2013 food labeling initiative, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, in Olympia, Wash. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued the Grocery Manufacturers Association in October 2013, saying it collected money from member companies to defeat Initiative 522 but engaged in a scheme to shield those contributions from public scrutiny. Voters narrowly rejected the initiative, which would have required labeling of genetically modified foods. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Court upholds $18 million penalty in GMO labeling case

The Grocery Manufacturing Association was accused not disclosing where its contributions to the “No on 522” campaign came from.

  • Nov 13, 2020
Grocery Manufacturers Association lawyer Matthew Gardner, right, talks with others before making arguments in a case alleging that the food industry group violated state campaign disclosure laws in opposing a 2013 food labeling initiative, Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, in Olympia, Wash. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued the Grocery Manufacturers Association in October 2013, saying it collected money from member companies to defeat Initiative 522 but engaged in a scheme to shield those contributions from public scrutiny. Voters narrowly rejected the initiative, which would have required labeling of genetically modified foods. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Tom Hoban 2020

Squeamish in Seattle: The commercial consequences of unrest

When vandalism and arson are persistent dangers, insurers notice — and doing business gets expensive.

Tom Hoban 2020
Dr. Kale Eckland, along with his two brothers are local dentists. He and his two brothers developed a private dental plan while their offices were shut due to COVID-19 this spring. Dr. Eckland's plan is also for people who've lost their jobs or are retired and still want to make sure they're teeth are taken care. Adult plans run about $70 per month. At his Everett office on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Lost your job and dental insurance? Here’s an alternative

An Everett dentist and his two dentist brothers have created their own in-house dental plan.

Dr. Kale Eckland, along with his two brothers are local dentists. He and his two brothers developed a private dental plan while their offices were shut due to COVID-19 this spring. Dr. Eckland's plan is also for people who've lost their jobs or are retired and still want to make sure they're teeth are taken care. Adult plans run about $70 per month. At his Everett office on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 in Everett, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
A thank you to healthcare workers at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett is display on the skybridge at the medical center on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The doctor will see you now — on your computer or smartphone

Virtual visits are helping Providence and Compass Health see more patients safely and promptly.

A thank you to healthcare workers at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett is display on the skybridge at the medical center on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Its takes ropes and some climbing for Scott Greeley to work on his energy-saving distillation system, built 43 feet up in a tree on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 in Edmonds, Washington. Greeley has designed an energy-saving device that can purify water or distill alcohol using a low-fuel pump and gravity instead of a power-consuming compressor. “We need better ways to produce clean water around the world,” said Greeley of the gravity-pressurized distillation system. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Amazon innovation contest rewards Snohomish County inventors

Winning teams from six cities took home $75,000 in prize money. One winner built a better still.

Its takes ropes and some climbing for Scott Greeley to work on his energy-saving distillation system, built 43 feet up in a tree on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 in Edmonds, Washington. Greeley has designed an energy-saving device that can purify water or distill alcohol using a low-fuel pump and gravity instead of a power-consuming compressor. “We need better ways to produce clean water around the world,” said Greeley of the gravity-pressurized distillation system. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
FILE- In this Sept. 30, 2020 file photo, a Boeing 737 Max jet, piloted by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Steve Dickson, prepares to land at Boeing Field following a test flight in Seattle. Boeing said Tuesday, Nov. 10 that it took no orders for new airliners in October and orders for 37 of its Max jets came off the books as the company continues to struggle with the grounding of the Max and a pandemic that has crippled demand for new planes. mBoeing delivered 13 airliners last month, down from 20 in October 2019. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Boeing wins zero new orders, shrinks backlog of 737 Max jets

Deliveries continue to be slow due to rework on 787 Dreamliners following discovery of quality defects.

FILE- In this Sept. 30, 2020 file photo, a Boeing 737 Max jet, piloted by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Steve Dickson, prepares to land at Boeing Field following a test flight in Seattle. Boeing said Tuesday, Nov. 10 that it took no orders for new airliners in October and orders for 37 of its Max jets came off the books as the company continues to struggle with the grounding of the Max and a pandemic that has crippled demand for new planes. mBoeing delivered 13 airliners last month, down from 20 in October 2019. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis addresses a media conference after a meeting of EU trade ministers, in videoconference format, at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. European Union trade ministers on Monday exchanged views on the trade policy review and relations with China and the United States. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool)

EU puts tariffs up to $4B on US over illegal aid for Boeing

The Europeans are hopeful Trump’s hardline trade stance will soften when Joe Biden takes office.

  • Nov 10, 2020
European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis addresses a media conference after a meeting of EU trade ministers, in videoconference format, at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. European Union trade ministers on Monday exchanged views on the trade policy review and relations with China and the United States. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool)