"We Want Dick's": Edmonds Welcomes a Puget Sound Icon With Open Wallets

On opening day of Dick’s Drive-In on Thursday in Edmonds, Dick’s Vice President Jim Spady grabbed his microphone and spoke to the overflow crowd: “Let’s hear some more songs from the Edmonds-Woodway and Lynnwood bands.”

With apologies to those fine bands, it was about 3:20 in the afternoon and Dick’s had scheduled at 3 p.m. opening.

The crowd raised its voice in playful (we think) protest:

“We want Dick’s! We want Dick’s! We want Dick’s.”

It’s a Washington thing. The rest of the country wouldn’t understand.

When all assembled officials had been thanked and the bands had played their last notes, Dick’s founder Dick Spady, who turned 88 this weekend, cut the ceremonial ribbon and the grubbin’ was on.

By virtue of being an —part of a contest Dick’s held to drum up interest in Edmonds, as if any were needed—Lynnwood High senior Michelle Kuo placed the first order: two Deluxe Burgers, order of fries and a vanilla milkshake.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Cooper was also one of the first to order, and it didn’t take him long to scarf down his burger.

“The opening of the new Dick’s Drive-In in Edmonds ,” Cooper said. “It was a highly competitive process and the City of Edmonds should be proud that the Spady family picked our city to site their first location outside of the City of Seattle. I would like to thank the Spady Family and the staff of the City of Edmonds for their tireless work to make this possible. With Edmonds winning the competitive process and the project finishing six weeks ahead of schedule, it should be a clear message that the we here in the City of Edmonds are serious driving economic development that bring great services and great jobs to our community.”

Cooper, an Edmonds native, said he holds fond memories of nights after Edmonds High School football games, piling in the back of someone’s car and heading down Highway 99 to the Dick’s on Holman Road. “I am excited for the residents of our community and the high school students of today—that they can experience the same timeless experience of Dick’s burgers and shakes on a Friday night—but this time right in Edmonds’ backyard.”

Edmonds Economic Development Director Stephen Clifton was on hand, wearing a hard hat and a big smile. Clifton was responsible for securing the site on Highway 99 in the Top Food and Drug parking lot. “I haven’t seen this many people since an opening of an Apple store,” he said.

Dick’s in Edmonds is the sixth overall, first since 1974 and first outside King County. While it maintains the features of the other stores with its retro design and street sign, up-to-date touches include and ATM machine (Dick’s takes cash only) and restrooms.

Dick's Drive-In is located at 21910 Highway 99 in Edmonds, in the Top Food and Drug parking lot. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to to 2 a.m. seven days a week.