‘It’s not their fault’: Seattle’s affordability crisis is behind Blazing Bagels’ closure, Gee says
Mar 16, 2026, 3:52 PM | Updated: Mar 17, 2026, 2:14 pm
The closure of all five Blazing Bagels locations due to bankruptcy is another sign of Seattle’s “sad reality,” according to KIRO host Gee Scott.
He doesn’t blame the chain, but instead blames the city’s soaring rents, minimum wage, and overall affordability crisis that are squeezing businesses out.
“It’s not the fault of Blazing Bagels. It’s the fault of the prices being way too high for what they have to charge to be able to pay the minimum wage, to be able to afford where they’re leasing, the rent every single month, and to afford their bills,” Gee said on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio.
Blazing Bagels shuts down after 25 years in Seattle
Blazing Bagels was in Seattle for 25 years before abruptly shutting down, according to “The Jason Rantz Show” on SeattleRed. Not only was the closure a surprise to employees, but the business had plans to expand.
Gee said not only is it hard for businesses to thrive in Seattle, but it’s tough to afford to live in the area. He pointed out that mid-tier restaurants now charge what fine dining establishments used to.
“There used to be a time when the bill was $125 for a family of four. We had a great time. We enjoyed that. It was a really nice restaurant — $125. Now, you’re going to some of these restaurants, they’re not necessarily considered fine dining, a mid-tier type restaurant, and your family of four is spending $100,” he said.
Restaurants can’t afford to be mediocre anymore, Gee noted. One lackluster meal, and they’ve lost a customer.
“This is why restaurants are one of the hardest businesses to open and continue going,” he said. “Your restaurant has to be exceptional, and then you’re like, ‘OK, I might come back.'”
Gee pointed to lower wages and high restaurant prices, making it more difficult to eat out.
“You used to pay for that pho and a spring roll for $7, and now you’re paying $20. The problem is our wages haven’t caught up to what we are going through right now,” he said.
Watch the full discussion in the video above.
Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.
