See What’s New Around Renton
“Now open” signs are popping up all over Renton with new places to eat, play, shop and call home. The following are a few examples of the wide-ranging openings in the past year – and some to be completed in the months ahead.
Global cuisine, no passport needed
Looking for new places to eat? Renton’s food scene is growing, including these recent openings (and one coming soon):
Café Sabah – One of the newest members of Renton’s culture club, Café Sabah adds to the city’s global cuisine with its Turkish specialties. Halal cuts of beef, lamb and chicken are used in authentic dishes such as pide, gözleme, kebabs and lahmajoun.
Premier Meat Pies – British comfort food comes to Renton in March 2023. Premier Meat Pies’ bakery, restaurant and pub will serve meat pies, bangers and mash, desserts and more specialties from across the Atlantic.
Big Chicken – Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal founded this restaurant chain using flavor-packed sandwiches and sides inspired by his childhood favorites. Find it at The Landing in Renton.
Beana’s Hand Pies & Bakery – What started as treats for neighbors during the pandemic has blossomed into a business. Beana’s fried hand pies, in sweet and savory flavors, pop up at special events – and at Rain City Market. Check Breana’s website for the pop-up schedule and to pre-order.
Macadons – Residents and visitors have quickly made Macadons their go-to sweet stop in Downtown Renton. The top 20 flavors of the delicate, colorful cookies are always available, along with the Flavor-of-the-Month and holiday themes.
Playgrounds aplenty
Renton’s recreational attractions are growing and changing, too. Several parks have been closed for major construction projects, all scheduled to be completed this year.
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park – A new clear-span steel bridge will replace the old trestle bridge along the trail on the north side of the park as part of the park’s two improvement projects. Water walk panels and other features around the popular beach area are set to be completed early this fall.
Kiwanis Park – A new multi-use field, a basketball court, repaved parking lot and many other improvements are coming to this longtime park in the Renton Highlands.
Philip Arnold Park – Extensive renovations to this 60-year-old park include new walkways, picnic shelters and restrooms, a renovated basketball court and playground replacement. Visitors can once again enjoy the park’s scenic views when it reopens in summer 2023.
Cascade Park – The new playground at this 10-acre park was relocated for better visibility and drainage. Families also enjoy the park’s walking paths and wooded areas.
Kennydale Beach Park – Bright green playground equipment, sandy play space and shaded areas are among the new additions to this park on the shores of Lake Washington.
New shops and sports spots
Renton’s business scene continues to gain momentum. Office building space is more affordable than in nearby cities, and enterprises that need a large site are finding options here. Examples of recent openings and activities include:
Washington Main Street Community designation– Renton Downtown Partnership led this effort in 2022. Main Street America is a national program that builds stronger communities; on a state level the designation offers businesses opportunities for tax credit incentives and resources.
SipStop Café & Community Market – Brews and board game events make the SipStop a favorite gathering place. Stay and enjoy the coffee, café and beer bar, or pick up a snack or essential item from the convenience store shelves.
Seattle Sounders FC Center at Longacres – The professional soccer franchise is moving all operations to a 10-acre site in Renton. Set to open in 2024, the complex will include four training fields, an observation deck, office space and more. The site was once home to the Longacres horseracing facility.
Topgolf – Comfortably practice your golf swing indoors, or gather friends for a full night of fun at the Topgolf complex. The three-story center features 100+ all-weather driving range bays, a sports bar and restaurant and rooftop terrace.
Rain City Market – Grocery store, deli, bodega – this convenient corner shop is a quick stop from anywhere downtown. Where else can you buy a French dip sandwich and a paperback to enjoy at lunch?
Calling Renton home
Renton’s new dining, parks and attractions make the city an even more inviting place to live. New housing communities and policies are making it easier for people to make Renton their new address. For example:
Solera – A seven-story, 590-unit apartment community in the Renton Highlands, is scheduled to be completed in summer 2024. Solera’s Phase II will participate in an affordable housing program.
Sunset Gardens – This affordable housing complex is designed for veterans, persons with disabilities and seniors. The 76 units will occupy three stories above the new Renton Housing Authority offices and other services. Sunset Gardens is scheduled for completion in 2024.
Permit Ready Accessory Dwelling Units (PRADU) program – Eight pre-approved ADU model designs are available through this program, created to encourage ADU development. ADUs are small, self-contained residences built on existing residential property. Sometimes referred to as backyard cottages or mother-in-law apartments, ADUs add to the city’s available housing supply.
Want to learn more about business opportunities in Renton? The city’s Economic Development team looks forward to hearing from you.