At a time when Starbucks is closing 200 of its stores and Amazon plans to replace half a million jobs with robots, one Seattle business has been surprisingly resilient: Costco. 

In 1983, Costco opened its first store in Seattle and today it’s the third largest retailer in the world, with more than 900 stores globally. But while Costco is known for its devoted customer base and generosity towards its employees, how long is that kind of growth, and good will, sustainable?

Guest: New Yorker reporter Molly Fischer

Related Links: Can the Golden Age of Costco Last?

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

 

At a time when Starbucks is closing 200 of its stores and Amazon plans to replace half a million jobs with robots, one Seattle business has been surprisingly resilient:&nbsp;Costco.&nbsp;
In 1983, Costco opened its first store in Seattle and today it&rsquo;s the third largest retailer in the world, with more than 900 stores globally. But while Costco is known for its devoted customer base and generosity towards its employees, how long is that kind of growth, and good will, sustainable?
Guest: New Yorker reporter Molly Fischer
Related Links: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/10/27/can-the-golden-age-of-costco-last">Can the Golden Age of Costco Last?</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes.</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
&nbsp;

Soundside

At a time when Starbucks is closing 200 of its stores and Amazon plans to replace half a million jobs with robots, one Seattle business has been surprisingly resilient: Costco. 

Will people always love Costco?

Seattle may have to say goodbye to a longstanding vintage shop in the new year. 

Red Light Vintage & Costume sits in the heart of the University District. It has been a fixture in Seattle’s fashion scene since it opened in the mid 90s.

Now the shop could close because owner Niz Marar is retiring.

He’s hoping to sell the business before his lease expires at the end of January. If he can’t find a buyer, fashion lovers will have to let go of this cherished spot. 

We talk to Marar about his final few weeks at Red Light... and hear from the person who's trying to keep it alive by buying the shop before the lease ends.  

GUESTS:
Niz Marar, owner of Red Light Vintage & Costume
Tacee Webb, co-founder of Red Light Vintage & Costume

RELATED LINKS: 
Red Light Vintage – vintage & costume
Red Light Revival: New classes, events, & memberships! — Kickstarter

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Seattle may have to say goodbye to a longstanding vintage shop in the new year.&nbsp;
Red Light Vintage &amp; Costume sits in the heart of the University District. It has been a fixture in Seattle&rsquo;s fashion scene since it opened in the mid 90s.
Now the shop could close because owner Niz Marar is retiring.
He&rsquo;s hoping to sell the business before his lease expires at the end of January. If he can&rsquo;t find a buyer, fashion lovers will have to let go of this cherished spot.&nbsp;
We talk to Marar about his final few weeks at Red Light... and hear from the person who's trying to keep it alive by buying the shop before the lease ends.&nbsp;&nbsp;
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Niz Marar, owner of Red Light Vintage &amp; Costume</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tacee Webb, co-founder of Red Light Vintage &amp; Costume</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQslev3D-es/"></a><a href="https://www.redlightvintage.com/">Red Light Vintage &ndash; vintage &amp; costume</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQslev3D-es/"></a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/redlight2026/save-red-light-iconic-seattle-shop-seeks-support?ref=238p7d&amp;token=56194c58">Red Light Revival: New classes, events, &amp; memberships! &mdash; Kickstarter</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Seattle may have to say goodbye to a longstanding vintage shop in the new year. An original co-founder wants to keep it going.

Red Light Vintage could close for good. A familiar face is trying to keep it alive.

There are only a few weeks left in 2025. That means for those of you who resolved, at the beginning of the year, to do more reading — it's crunch time. 

Did you actually put down your phone long enough to get through a book this year? It's not too late. 

Many great books came out this year. If you need suggestions for something to read or to give to someone who really ought to be reading more, we've got you covered. 

GUESTS:
Misha Stone, reader services librarian, Seattle Public Library
Spencer Ruchti, author events manager, Third Place Books

RELATED LINKS: 
Our list of books we loved! Yes, it's a Google Doc.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

There are only a few weeks left in 2025. That means for those of you who resolved, at the beginning of the year, to do more reading &mdash; it's crunch time.&nbsp;
Did you actually put down your phone long enough to get through a book this year? It's not too late.&nbsp;
Many great books came out this year. If you need suggestions for something to read or to give to someone who really ought to be reading more, we've got you covered.&nbsp;
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Misha Stone, reader services librarian, Seattle Public Library</li>
<li aria-level="1">Spencer Ruchti, author events manager, Third Place Books</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JdBNBK6M6TSntzK8pgg_OsSJsEWjFBw-wuOY0V5PisY/edit?tab=t.0">Our list of books we loved!</a> Yes, it's a Google Doc.</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We wrap up 2025 with a review of books we loved, including several by local authors. Plus, we wade into the great audiobook debate. 

Yay books! Soundside's 2025 in letters

The end of the year is just around the corner, and with the next two Thursdays each being holidays, this is the final Weekend Warmup of the Year!

LINKS:
TNF! Seahawks vs Rams
Thurs 12/18
The 29th Annual Model Train Festival - Washington State Historical Society
Opens Fri 12/19 - runs through Jan 1, 2026
2025 Winter Beer Fest – WA Brewers Guild 
Fri/Sat - 12/19-20
Hell’s Belles at the Croc
Sat 12/20
United Indians Native Art Market » United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Daybreak Star
Sat/Sun - 12/20-21
Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet
Sun 12/21 - 2pm

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The end of the year is just around the corner, and with the next two Thursdays each being holidays, this is the final Weekend Warmup of the Year!
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seahawks.com/game-day/2025/reg-week16/seahawks-vs-rams/">TNF! Seahawks vs Rams</a>
<ul>
<li>Thurs 12/18</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.modeltrainfestival.org/">The 29th Annual Model Train Festival - Washington State Historical Society</a>
<ul>
<li>Opens Fri 12/19 - runs through Jan 1, 2026</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtonbrewersguild.org/winterbeerfest2025/">2025 Winter Beer Fest &ndash; WA Brewers Guild</a>&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Fri/Sat - 12/19-20</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ticketweb.com/event/hells-belles-girls-n-roses-the-crocodile-tickets/13936774">Hell&rsquo;s Belles at the Croc</a>
<ul>
<li>Sat 12/20 </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://unitedindians.org/nativeartmarket/">United Indians Native Art Market &raquo; United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Daybreak Star</a>
<ul>
<li>Sat/Sun - 12/20-21</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/game-center/234">Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet</a>
<ul>
<li>Sun 12/21 - 2pm</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Seahawks and Torrent and Christmas, OH MY! Here's a handful of great events to keep you busy this weekend!

Will people always love Costco?

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