WOODINVILLE, Wash. — Molbak’s Garden + Home announced Tuesday they are no longer a part of The Gardens District construction project in Woodinville after the store said it was forced out by Green Partners.
The partnership has been in the works since 2008 with Green Partners, which is associated with Cascade Investment LLC, the family office of Bill Gates. KING 5 reported on the project in May 2022, when it was set to break ground.
The Gardens District project is a privately funded 19-acre development in the heart of Woodinville to create apartments, retailers and restaurants within a garden space. A new Molbak's location was going to be built as a part of the project and was set to be a featured aspect of the new neighborhood.
Molbak's has been a customer favorite for 67 years, and it means a lot to people. That is why CEO Julie Kouhia said they were only planning on moving about half a mile down the road, so they could be at the center of the Gardens District, at the doorstep of hundreds of new apartments planned.
"Just across the way as part of a phase one development," said Kouhia.
Kohia said they are searching for answers as to why they are being ousted from the Gardens District plans.
"We spent, you know, 10 to 15 years creating this vision for what could be," said Kouhia. "We're not exactly sure why this happened, so we're a little bit baffled."
Earlier this month, she said they got word from their landlord that they were being forced out of the project's plans.
"They did not say why," said Kouhia.
The agreement cancellation came as a surprise to Molbak's due to recent public support expressed by Green Partners.
On June 20, 2023, during a Woodinville City Council meeting, a Green Partners spokesperson said, “It is a pretty rare circumstance we find ourselves in, with such a storied business and a beloved business like Molbak’s. We take great pride in what we have been able to put together with them and to create a project that integrates it for the next 65 years.”
However, Molbak's states they are still committed to the "original vision" of the project and are "hopeful" for a possible deal to allow them to remain in The Gardens District construction plans.
A spokesperson for Cascade Investment LLC sent KING 5 a statement that read, in part:
"While Cascade is no longer planning to develop the Gardens District, we had been negotiating with Mr. Molbak toward the inclusion of his family’s business as a key feature of a possible future Gardens District.
We expect that the Gardens District will serve the needs of Woodinville, regardless of what Molbak’s decides is in its interest."
Local city officials also expressed concern about the cancellation.
Mayor of Woodinville Mike Millman said the store drives business and tourism and is important for downtown Woodinville's economy.
"This is an institution here," he said.
He and his council approved a plan that included Molbak's at a meeting back in June, so he is now hoping for a resolution.
Brandon Buchanan, the city manager, also voiced his opposition to the news in a statement, “Its loss would be devastating to the community and we’re committed to ensuring Molbak’s remains a pillar of Woodinville for another 60 years and beyond.”
Kouhia said, for now, Molbak's isn't going anywhere. They intend to stay here but want "productive" conversations with Cascade Investment.
In the meantime, Cascade Investment LLC told KING 5 Tuesday night that they are not planning to remove the store from its current location and added that Molbak's has years left on their lease.