“Lake Washington Working Families”, which claims to be “a coalition of King County residents, activists and organizations that support sustainable growth and good jobs in King County”, however their only identifiable member is the Portland-based attorney that filed the appeal, has successfully blocked the proposed WinCo, at least for now. Same “group” unsuccessfully fought the new WinCo in Renton in the former Fry’s location.

April 13, 2026

Hearing Examiner says no to WinCo

By Journal Staff

SEATTLE — The old vacant Sam’s Club at 13350 Aurora Ave. N will continue to be vacant for the foreseeable future.

The store closed in 2018. Costco later took a look at the 144,776 square feet. Then, exactly one year ago, WinCo Foods entered the picture. It then planned some minor demo and changes to the parking, as the DJC and others reported.

The city issued a SEPA determination of non-significance for the project last fall, which was then appealed to the city Hearing Examiner by an entity called Lake Washington Working Families, which is represented by a Portland law firm.

Last week, the Hearing Examiner overturned the city’s prior SEPA determination. Thus, WinCo could appeal that local decision in state court, or it could submit a full environmental impact statement — which would add at least a year to the permit process. Or it could walk away from the big box, which is owned by Florida investor Benderson Development.

WinCo is a mostly non-union employer. It was represented before the Hearing Examiner by CSD Attorneys of Bellingham.