Yes, I've seen the letter about doubling the lease.  But have you been observing what is going on with real estate prices and lease rates in all types of properties in the Kirkland area?  Prices have skyrocketed!

Shopping center anchor leases are often relatively long term.   I don't know the specifics such as whether there were any annual escalations, but I suspect the lease rate had to increase quite a bit to bring it up to market rate.  It's sad Unified Grocer felt it was unable to operate under the new market based rate, but that is business.  People who rent their housing are familiar with this dynamic, but they face it every year as opposed to every 7 to 10 years for a shopping center anchor.

I've shopped periodically at Red Apple, as I go to the Bridle Trails Center often (primarily for Bartells and Starbucks).  I've never seen many people shopping in Red Apple.  Too expensive!  That might actually be more the root cause of the inability to renew the lease than anything else.