Seattle Times: Ichiro Effect on Seattle economy exits with All Star

Went to the Mariners game last night. Stopped in first at Uwajimaya to have a nice bowl of katsu donburi and check out the CDs ($43.65 for the latest Stereopony? I don’t think so) and then walked on down to the game. But then, I live here…

When he departs Seattle, so will the Ichiro Effect.

That’s the economic boost Seattle and the Mariners have received over the past 12 years from the thousands of Japanese tourists visiting the region to see their homegrown hero play at Safeco. Although this impact has likely declined the past two years as Ichiro’s success on the field has moderated, certain Seattle businesses will take one on the chin with his exit.