SEATTLE (September 10, 2021) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today announced partnerships with Intentionalist, Belltown United, and the South Lake Union Chamber to support downtown small businesses as part of Welcome Back Weeks. These efforts will involve 283 downtown businesses, approximately 95 percent of which are owned by women, people of color, and/or LGBTQ+ people. To complement July Welcome Back Weeks, these efforts focus on Belltown, the downtown core, and South Lake Union.
“Too many of our downtown small businesses have struggled during the pandemic, as events plummeted and office workers stayed home. Since the initial days of COVID-19, we have worked to help small businesses keep their doors open and workers on payroll,” said Mayor Durkan. “As the Delta variant surges – particularly among the unvaccinated – it’s all the more important that we help our small businesses stay afloat. I encourage Seattleites to participate in our September Welcome Back promotions to support our small businesses; they can’t recover and reopen without us.”
These efforts are part of September Welcome Back Weeks, which seek to help downtown small businesses, arts and cultural organizations, and creative workers recover. The City is hosting three events as part of Welcome Back Weeks; full events and lineups can be found here. Proof of full vaccination and masks are required at all events.
“It continues to be an incredibly challenging time for the small businesses we love,” said Intentionalist CEO, Laura Clise. “We are proud to work with the City of Seattle and neighborhood partners on a variety of Welcome Back Weeks programs and promotions that encourage the community to safely #SpendLikeItMatters in support of the local businesses at the heart of our communities. As we continue to work toward an equitable economic recovery, it’s important to remember that we can connect with and support diverse small businesses through everyday decisions about where we eat, drink, and shop.”
“We are excited to partner with the City to welcome people back to South Lake Union! Our small businesses need this support and we want everyone to know that SLU’s great bars, restaurants, nonprofits and retailers are still open for business,” said Danah Abarr, Executive Director of the SLU Chamber. “South Lake Union is excited to Welcome Back guests and customer to our restaurants, retailers and gyms. Come ExperienceSLU!”
“Belltown United is thrilled to offer marketing and gift card support to ten small businesses that represent the best of what our neighborhood has to offer. Shopping local during the promotion provides residents an opportunity to receive discounts that directly help support a virtuous cycle of repeat business,” said Steve Horvath, Executive Director of Belltown United. “Welcome Back Belltown!”
As part of September Welcome Back Weeks, the City has partnered with Intentionalist to launch a series of small business promotions across Belltown, the downtown core, and South Lake Union.
Receipt and Receive
A program to offer a $10 Intentionalist Coupon
This promotion incentivizes customers to spend money at Belltown, downtown, and South Lake Union small businesses and upload their receipts for the chance to win prizes. Participants will upload their receipts and receive a $10 Intentionalist coupon that can be spent at local small businesses. Each uploaded receipt also enters the participant in a daily drawing for a prize pack including gift certificates to Belltown, downtown, and South Lake Union small businesses. More information on this program can be found here.
Welcome Back Coupons
Shop at participating small businesses neighborhoods throughout Welcome Back Weeks and receive $10 coupons throughout the month
Patrons who shop at downtown locations of Cherry Street Coffee House, Fulcrum Coffee, Top Pot Doughnuts & Coffee, and Bangrak Market, will receive a $10 Welcome Back coupon to spend in-person at participating downtown small businesses, including Rabecca Onassis Boutique, Belltown Pizza, Ventures Marketplace, Jerk Shack, Piroshki on 3rd, Los Agaves, Seeking Kombucha, and the Handmade Showroom. Welcome Back coupons can be used from September 4 – 19. Learn more about Welcome Back coupons and find a full list of participating businesses here.
Heart of Seattle Photo Contest
Community members are invited to celebrate Belltown, downtown, and South Lake Union small businesses by sharing photos via posts on Instagram. Intentionalist is partnering with The Evergrey for promotion and winners will be determined by an online community vote. Photo contest categories are: People, Places, and Things. Winners will receive a Small Business Prize Pack consisting of gift cards from downtown businesses. Learn more here.
Small Business Offer Map
The Welcome Back Weeks Small Business Offer Map makes it easy to explore special promotions at Belltown, downtown, and South Lake Union small businesses. Find the Small Business Offer Map here.
South Lake Union Social Media Contest
The City has also partnered with the South Lake Union Chamber on a social media contest supporting South Lake Union small businesses. Residents can engage with SLU Chamber social media posts and be entered to win giveaways from South Lake Union small businesses, with a focus on businesses owned by women and people of color. Learn more about this effort here.
Belltown Gift Card Giveaway
The City has partnered with Belltown United to host a gift card giveaway at participating Belltown small businesses. The promotion will begin on September 15 – during Welcome Back Weeks – and last through October 15. Customers can shop at participating small businesses, then upload their receipt to this website and be entered to win a $25 gift card that can be used at any of the participating businesses. A full list of participating businesses will be available here.
Residents can find more information on September Welcome Back Weeks at this website. Welcome Back Weeks are a key element of the City’s Road to Downtown Recovery plan, which seeks to bring workers, small businesses, and visitors back downtown.