When Molbak’s will close after nearly 70 years in Woodinville

The last day to shop at Molbak’s Garden + Home will be Jan. 28, the longtime Woodinville business announced Thursday.

The store’s closure will conclude a saga that began in November, when the company said it was suddenly cut out of a massive project in downtown Woodinville. Molbak’s accused developer Green Partners, LLC, of removing the store from a joint plan to redevelop 19 acres with a new garden center, plus housing, restaurants and other amenities.

In response, the developer said it was shelving the long-planned Gardens District project altogether, citing “a combination of factors, including the economic uncertainty brought on by higher interest rates and rising construction costs along with the complexity of creating a large-format garden center in a dense urban development.”

The Woodinville City Council encouraged the two parties to negotiate, hoping to revive the project. But the two didn’t reach an agreement for the garden center to stay, and Molbak’s announced in mid-December that it would close.

“The project was our plan for the future and our opportunity to remain in Woodinville for many years to come. To be forced out of our longtime home and not be able to realize that vision is devastating,” CEO Julie Kouhia said in a statement. “It is heartbreaking for our employees and their families, our loyal customers and vendors, and many others throughout the Northwest who love Molbak’s.”

The family-owned business has been a Woodinville staple since 1956, when original owners Egon and Laina Molbak came to Washington from Denmark.

A going-out-of-business sale begins Friday and will continue while supplies last, the store said in a news release.

“Our goal over the next few weeks is to close down with integrity and in a manner that honors our employees, vendors and customers,” Kouhia said in the statement. “We also want to find a way to celebrate the history, impact and joy of Molbak’s along the way.”

Information from The Seattle Times’ archives is included in this report.