It was not a disaster for middle market and higher businesses, and well led small businesses, as they were able to cut overhead (go to u-scan, terminate fte) without too much noticable difference.
For restaraunts and grocery and non-profits, it was painful. Non profits and social organizations, because while they were exempt, the wage FLOOR was raise in the city and they have to fall in line, or move to shoreline or Kent. Saw it happen live and was part of some of those decisions.
That said, it wasn't massive collapse as I projected. some businesses did move when leases were mature, and grocery store were particularly impacted, and stores that never had self scan, have installed them since (PCC, for example). And cost for everything in Seattle proper is higher than it's neighbors.
