SEATTLE — In Seattle, a small business owner is working to rebound and a city partnership program is helping give new life to the restaurant.
Donna Moodie became co-owner of a restaurant in 1994 and took over as the single owner in 2003. She opened Marjorie, a restaurant that was on Capitol Hill for more than a dozen years, until Moodie hit difficult times.
"I struggled during the pandemic to stay open,” she said.
So did a number of restaurants throughout the city.
"You see so many vacant spaces just kind of collecting ... vandalism, derelict behavior,” said Moodie.
Those empty spaces are being given another chance.
"Where plywood is and closed buildings are, that's our enemy right there,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.
Harrell said he wants to bring vibrancy back.
The Downtown Seattle Association reports post pandemic people are returning. In August, there were more than 3 million visitors. That is a 6% increase compared to the prior year.
"We have a good trajectory we are seeing occupancy rates going where we want them to be. We are not even close to being finished, but we have the right energy,” said Harrell.
In Seattle's Central District, Moodie is getting a fresh start.
A Business Community Ownership Fund has the city partnering with nonprofit Grow America and JP Morgan Chase. The investment model aims to address the rising cost of commercial space by securing fixed and affordable rent in Seattle’s neighborhoods.
“This is 30-year affordability covenant on the property to keep the commercial space affordable to the business owner,” said Harrell.
It means Moodie's old restaurant will have a new spot when she opens later this month at 2301 East Union Street. She calls it her pathway to recovering post-pandemic.
"More and more businesses are looking at the space and thinking about being a part of this community, and it's only going to get better,” said Moodie.