Celebrate Small Business Month with the Rainier Beach Business District

As the days get warmer, it’s the perfect time to indulge in an afternoon sweet treat and, most importantly, to celebrate!

May is Small Business Month, and in Rainier Beach, we have a lot to celebrate! Our local small businesses are the heart of our neighborhood, contributing to its unique charm and identity.

From bike repair shops to restaurants to laundromats, these businesses have become an essential part of our everyday lives, making an imperative impact on our neighborhood!

One great way to support our local small businesses this May is by attending the Rainier Beach Business District’s Walk the Block Party! This Small Business Month event is a catalyst for development, supporting small businesses during these economically challenging times in an effort to prevent displacement.

It will also feature resources from key organizations that assist business owners with access to funding, insightful technical assistance, and strategies for accessing commercial spaces for growth and expansion.

A few small businesses and organizations that will be in attendance are:

• South Seattle Emerald – BIPOC news media outlet
• Cascadia Poetics LAB – Rainier Beach-based literary arts organization
• Umami Kushi – Japanese-style cafe
• yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective – Indigenous-led creative space for healing and community
• Creamy Cone Cafe – Rainier Beach-based ice cream shop

The team from Cascadia Poetics LAB expressed excitement about being a vendor at this year’s Walk the Block Party. A team representative said, “We are based here [in Rainier Beach]. [Rainier Beach] is the most diverse neighborhood in a city that is not as diverse as the place where I grew up, and we love the culture, the natural beauty, access to transportation, and sense of community here.”

Judy Jones, MBA, RBAC Economic Development Strategist, said, “This event is a direct investment in the heart of our neighborhood and small business owners. The Walk the Block Party will give our local entrepreneurs the visibility, support, and celebration they deserve.”

Jones continued, “We invite the public and corporate partners to discover the community assets of living, working, and doing business in Rainier Beach. Participants will have the opportunity to tour new developments, understand needs, and propose improvements for business, arts and culture, and our newly remodeled Food Innovation Center. 

Click the link below and stay tuned to learn more about the small businesses attending the upcoming Walk the Block Party. Also, be sure to donate to continue supporting small businesses in Rainier Beach.

Small businesses are the backbone of our city and the epicenter of Rainier Beach!

Join us on Saturday, May 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Rainier Beach Community Center Plaza!