- Numerous small businesses in Seattle claim they are experiencing a financial emergency, with certain ones indicating situations more severe than those seen in the pandemic.
- A recent study revealed that the majority of businesses are experiencing a decrease in customers, reduced sales, and increased expenses, as crime and empty office spaces in downtown areas continue to create additional challenges.
- Entrepreneurs are demanding immediate aid and ongoing assistance as they work to stay afloat before a potential increase from the World Cup.
SEATTLE – Struggling to make ends meet: That’s how some of Seattle’s most-admiredsmall businesses describe their day-to-day.
Some claimed it’s more challenging than the pandemic. They refer to it as a small business crisis that is less apparent at first glance.
There are eateries in theChinatown-International Districtwhose menus are exceptional. There are shops that you can’t find anywhere else. However, there is an increasing concern that soon you may not see them at all.
What they’re saying
“Many of our food and beverages emphasize flavors commonly found in the Philippines and Filipino cuisine, especially desserts,” said Chera Amlag, co-owner of Hood Famous.
Enter Hood Famous Café and Bar, and you’ll immediately experience a feeling of serenity unique to the CID.
This site became operational in 2019. Following that was the outbreak of the pandemic.
“After reaching that one-year milestone, we had planned for a major celebration and to introduce new items to the menu. We had numerous ideas that never materialized, forcing us to adapt like many other restaurants and small businesses in order to just make ends meet,” said co-owner Geo Quibuyen.
Today, the co-owners stated that maintaining the lights, covering expenses, and providing coffee and snacks is becoming more challenging.
“I believe we are currently facing an emergency. Although it might not appear that way at first glance, it truly is,” Quibuyen stated.
This venture is not isolated.
Not a single expense, you know, I believe in the past, you could pinpoint and say that rent is increasing faster than we can handle, or the cost of certain food ingredients is unexpectedly going up, or healthcare premiums, or the fact that customers as a whole might be facing some financial difficulties,” he said. “The thing is, all those issues I listed are occurring simultaneously.
By the numbers
A new poll from The Intentionalistlearned about 136 small, brick-and-mortar businesses in Seattle and surrounding areas.
Most of them described themselves as diverse and owned by women, with 10 or fewer employees.
“Like many brick-and-mortar, independent small businesses throughout the Greater Seattle region and further afield, they’re just trying to stay afloat,” said Laura Clise, founder and CEO of The Intentionalist.
The study revealed that approximately 67% of small businesses are experiencing greater financial pressure now compared to during the pandemic. Over 71% mentioned they are receiving fewer customers than they did a year ago, while 63% indicated their sales have decreased, with a quarter of businesses reporting a drop of 20% or more.
About half of companies reported that crime is also affecting them.
A recent reportAccording to CBRE, the office vacancy rate in Downtown Seattle increased to 34.7% during the final quarter of 2025.
CBRE reported that office spaces were approximately 12% more filled in 2022,according to a report.
This implies reduced customer movement for local businesses.
What’s next
The World Cup is only months away, and it’s a brief stroll from Hood Famous. Amlag describes this as a pressing issue.
“We are aware that by June and July, there will be a surge in visitors, and we aim to have sufficient staff to greet them properly, ensuring we maintain the desired level of service,” she said.
She gazed toward the possibility of hundreds of thousands of customers who will come to the city.
Many people visit here to park, right? To attend the games and such. I think for us, we’re suggesting that if you’re already going to be here in the area, near the stadiums, feel free to arrive a bit early and have lunch or come a little earlier for a cup of coffee. It really makes a big difference,” Amlag said.
The Intentionalist study revealed that almost 63% of companies have faced challenges in maintaining sufficient funds to run their operations.
“Some businesses facing the risk of losing everything, I believe they need some form of emergency assistance, I mean, of course, it’s not a long-term fix, but that’s also true for the COVID relief measures during the pandemic,” Quibuyen stated.
Some indicated they had used personal savings, increased prices, reduced staff or hours, offered discounts and promotions, or postponed payments. The survey revealed that these small businesses also reported having taken on more debt.
Local perspective
Hood Famous endured the pandemic. Now, they aim to overcome it once more.
“The heart of the city has always been its smaller, independent businesses, and I worry that more of us will be forced to close due to the pressure,” Quibuyen said.
According to the survey, companies expressed a greater need for assistance. This covers areas such as marketing efforts, events, rent support, and lease security. They also highlighted the importance of access to low-interest and flexible working capital, along with relief from increasing insurance costs, municipal fees, and taxes.
FOX 13 News reached out to Mayor Katie Wilson’s office to learn about the actions being taken to tackle crime, provide support, and address the increasing costs, taxes, and fees highlighted by small businesses in the survey.
Her workplace issued the following statement:
Public safety, homelessness, and housing costs are key concerns for the mayor, and these issues impact small businesses just as significantly as they do the general population. As expenses continue to rise, it becomes a major challenge for everyone, including business owners who are working hard to cover employee wages and their business rent.
The mayor’s transition team is developing specific suggestions on ways the city can enhance support for small businesses. I am aware they are focusing especially on some of the areas you mentioned. Additionally, the new director of the Office of Economic Development, Beto Yarce, who has significant expertise in this field, was announced today and will take the lead on this initiative.
The mayor recognizes that our city and economy are most robust when we collaborate despite our differences, aiming for a shared goal: an affordable Seattle that is an excellent place to reside, work, launch a business, and bring up a family.
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The details in this story were obtained from The Intentionalist, CBRE, and original reports and interviews by FOX 13 Seattle.
