WSU gold rush of Everett begins with new Cougar store

Watch out, Dawg.

The Cougar is on the prowl.

Washington State University has set up shop in downtown Everett with a barrage of crimson and gray Cougar paraphernalia — on the Husky side of the Cascades.

It’s a sign of more “Wazzu” power to come as the Pullman-based university extends claws westward with educational programs in an area where the University of Washington has held sway.

Shoppers loaded up at the weekend grand opening of WSU Connections, 2809 Colby Ave.

“I’m really proud of the education I received and show it in my gear,” said WSU alumni Nicole Kennedy of Mukilteo. “It’s a little harder being on the west side as a Coug. There’s a lot of purple. We get a lot of flak for being Cougs.”

That’s changing as WSU takes over administration of the University Center of North Puget Sound in Everett this summer. Plans are in the works to design a new $10 million, 95,000-square-foot center on the Everett Community College campus.

The Colby Avenue shop is a smaller version of the downtown Seattle flagship store, which sells WSU tricycles and toothbrushes, branding irons, gnomes, athletic apparel and more.

“It’s more of a boutique,” manager Dave Walsh said of the Everett location.

The building, formerly a flower shop, is sleek and stylish, with brick walls, flashy graphics and bottles of wine.

A cooler brims with fat cans of cheese.

Husky fans might think that’s a lot of Cheese Whiz.

Not hardly. Not that there’s anything wrong with Cheese Whiz.

The crumbly cheese, made at the WSU Creamery in Pullman, is $28 for a 30-ounce can. The land-grant college’s creamery makes about 250,000 cans a year in various styles in brightly striped tins. The big cheese is the sharp white cheddar, Cougar Gold, named for professor N.S. Golding, who helped create the canned wonder about 75 years ago in what was revolutionary packaging at the time.

“The cheese turned out so good they’ve continued doing it the same way ever since,” Walsh said.

According to the WSU website, customers have stored unopened cans of Cougar Gold for 30 years. Once opened, it lasts similar to other natural cheese. The empty tins have been used to make banjos, called “canjos,” which can be used to play the WSU Fight Song. For real. Here’s proof: bit.ly/1gbrUEh.

“The cheese by far is the most popular item,” Walsh said. “After that, it’s the athletic apparel.”

Start ‘em young in a onesie garment shaped like a football.

Wine is another draw.

“All the wines have some association with the viticulture program or the alumni association,” Walsh said. Bottles range from $10 to $30.

An interactive screen has a campus map, virtual tour and history.

“People can come in and reminisce,” Walsh said.

It brought back memories for Jim and Mary Barcott of Everett, who picked up mugs, cheese and gift items.

“Jim and I are WSU grads, 50 years this year,” Mary said. “For us, it’s amazing the things that are still there, such as the Cougar Gold.”

Card-carrying Cougar alumni get 10 percent off at the store on everything except wine, cheese and sale items.

“For Huskies there’s a $5 surcharge,” Walsh said.

Andrea Brown; 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com

Washington State Connections

The Everett store, 2809 Colby Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

For more information, call 425-249-2394.

The Seattle flagship store in Westlake Center, 400 Pine St., will close the day after Memorial Day and reopen in mid-June at a new location in Rainier Square, 411 Union St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Merchandise can also be purchased online at www.wsuconnections.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.