Published September 2002

Thrasher’s Corner construction
Walgreen’s, two other retail buildings
going up at busy intersection

By Eric Fetters
Herald Business Writer

Grading machines are leveling out the site at Thrasher’s Corner where a new drug store and two other retail buildings, along with a “Welcome to Bothell” sign, soon will rise.

The 5-acre development project will fill the last empty land at the busy intersection of the Bothell-Everett Highway with Maltby and Filbert roads, also known as Highway 524.

“Because State Route 524 is becoming a major crossroads ... it’s just a natural,” said developer Charlie Olson of Lynnwood.

According to city traffic counts, more than 35,000 cars pass by the site on the Bothell-Everett Highway and Highway 524.

Olson said the first retail building, a nearly 15,000-square-foot Walgreen’s store, is expected to open in October.

So far, Olson hasn’t confirmed tenants for the other two buildings.

“We’ve been approached by several restaurants, banks and a service station,” Olson said.

Storm water will collect in a pond near the back of the property, which abuts a wetlands parcel that has been set aside as a future city park.

Thrasher’s Corner was named after a couple who operated a gas station and store at the intersection in the middle of the 20th century. Up until 20 years ago, it remained a relatively quiet crossroads surrounded by farmland and a few businesses.

Now, the busy gateway to Bothell is surrounded by a large Fred Meyer store, numerous businesses and apartment buildings.

Olson said his family’s partnership, Olson Capital, originally owned the land that Fred Meyer sits on and built the nearby strip shopping center. He has owned the site of the new development for about three years.

Bill Wiselogle, community development director for the city of Bothell, said the city is happy to have more “responsible retail” development. Bothell doesn’t have as many retail businesses, which bring in more revenue to the city, as its neighbors, which include the retail hub of Lynnwood.

Wiselogle added that he is working with Olson on a design for a “Welcome to Bothell” sign to place on the property, as Thrasher’s Corner is located on the city limits.

“We don’t really have anything that announces they’re entering the city there,” Wiselogle said.

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