Sep 07, 2021

As the voice of the neighborhood’s business community, the Capitol Hill Business Alliance (CHBA) was pleased to have the opportunity to connect neighborhood business owners with both of Seattle’s candidates for mayor, Bruce Harrell and Lorena Gonzalez.

thumbnail_Tracy Taylor, Peter Aaron, Bruce Harrell (1)On Tuesday, August 17, CHBA Program Manager Ahi Martin-McSweeney met Bruce Harrell at Elliott Bay Book Company on 10th Avenue where Bruce spoke with Owner Peter Aaron and General Manager Tracy Taylor. From there, Bruce and Ahi set out to meet Wildrose’s Shelley Brothers and Martha Manning, swung by Tracy Taylor’s newly-established Big Little News on E Pike Street and 11th Ave, and Owner of Perfect Copy & Print Amanda Powter on 12th Avenue.

Each business came prepared with a variety of questions for Bruce and issues they wanted to elevate including small business funding; the future of street cafes; the ongoing labor shortage; challenges of retaining employees with competitive wages; desire for stronger social programs; and equity in access to local, state, and federal dollars.

Next, CHBA met with Lorena Gonzalez on Friday, September. 3. This tour began atIMG_2319 Flight Wine + Chocolate on 13th Avenue where Lorena and Ahi spoke with David Wildman and Kevin Morton before walking over to Amanda Powter at Perfect Copy & Print, and concluding at Elliott Bay Book Company where Lorena spoke with Tracy Taylor. Lorena and these business owners also covered a wide gamut of topics, including addressing the homelessness crisis, racial justice, financial recovery from the pandemic, street use, retaining employees, and funding for small businesses.

CHBA is thankful to both candidates and their teams for taking the time to meet with CHBA members and hear their concerns as we move closer to November’s election. We would also like to extend our gratitude to each business owner who partook in these tours and made their voices heard on these important issues. Please let us know if you would be interested in hosting a candidate or councilmember at your business for a future event.

As a nonpartisan organization, GSBA does not endorse candidates.