EVERETT — Zumiez’s Inc., which started in Everett 33 years ago, is moving its headquarters to Lynnwood next year.
“Everett has been a wonderful place to do business, but we need to be a little closer to Seattle,” Trevor Lang, the retailer’s chief financial officer, said March 11.
Lang said Zumiez will keep its online operations at its existing building at 6300 Merrill Creek Parkway and will build a new headquarters on 7.5 acres of land it purchased at the northeast corner of I-5 and I-405.
Planned is a two-story building with 50,000 square feet of space that is expected to be ready in the spring of next year.
David Kleitsch, Lynwood’s economic development director, said Zumiez and the city began working together after the company identified the site it wanted. With the land purchase complete, Zumiez submitted its development proposal to Lynnwood this week.
Kleitsch said the city will complete its review in 90 to 120 days, meaning construction could begin by late summer.
Kleitsch said Zumiez saw advantages with a move to Lynnwood, with better access to transportation and transit considering where its workers live.
“A couple hundred jobs are staying in Snohomish County,” he said. “It was great to keep them here.”
Lang noted that Zumiez, which sells action sports clothing and equipment, needs more space for its headquarters. The company, which started with one store at Northgate Mall, now has 400 stores across 37 states.
“We’ve been growing steadily, and we need a bigger home office,” he said.
Kleitsch said Zumiez’s site proposal allows for future expansion.
In addition to announcing its move, Zumiez also reported its financial results March 11.
It posted a profit of $15 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the quarter ending Jan. 29. That compares to profits a year ago of $8.8 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, which included a noncash charge of $1.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.
It said comparable store sales increased 13 percent, compared to a 1.7 percent drop a year ago.
CEO Rich Brooks said he was “very pleased” with the results and that a focus on customer service and a wide selection will position the company for more growth.
Zumiez has been growing steadily for many years, mostly by adding locations in malls.
Mike Benbow: 425-339-3454, benbow@heraldnet.com.
Kurt Batdorf: 425-339-3102, kbatdorf@scbj.com.
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