A Big Win for Pioneer Square’s Small Businesses

The federal government is pulling funding from important community services, research and nonprofits. Across the region, organizations are scrambling to stay open — or closing for good. Small businesses are getting hammered by tariffs and recession fears. But in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, there’s a different story unfolding.

The Alliance for Pioneer Square, a nonprofit focused on preserving the district’s history and culture, launched the PS, I Love You program earlier this year. Backed by a private, mid-six-figure donation, it awarded grants to 32 small businesses within the Pioneer Square Historic District that demonstrated both need and a commitment to the neighborhood’s future success.

One of those recipients is Cone & Steiner, a longtime neighborhood market. “The true heartbeat of Pioneer Square, across generations and industries, has always been neighbors supporting neighbors in a place we all care about,” owner Dani Cone says. “The PS, I Love You grant program perfectly represents this spirit.” 

Still, she says, running a small business there isn’t easy. “We’re not out of the woods yet, we remain resilient and determined to move forward,” Cone says. “For us, the grant funds went directly toward our most important resource: our team.”

The program offered two types of grants: stabilization funds for immediate needs like rent or payroll, and large equipment funds to support long-term growth.

The goal is to strengthen the small, independent businesses that give Pioneer Square its sense of place, just as the downtown area prepares for a busy summer with the new waterfront project complete and FIFA World Cup on the way next year.

Each business has a plan for the funds. AXIS Pioneer Square is supporting First Thursday events. Magic Mouse Toys is upgrading signage and lighting. Temple Billiards is refreshing its furniture. The Pastry Project is building up its web presence to grow its community work.

“The PS, I Love You grant enabled us to fund a targeted ad campaign that positions Pioneer Square as Seattle’s top art destination,” says Judith Rinehart of J. Rinehart Gallery. “It strengthens our ability to showcase and sell art, while remaining accessible to all who want to visit.”

The grants show how deeply connected these businesses are to the neighborhood’s future. “We hope to repay the grant back in kind by curating events and markets that exemplify the community for how truly amazing the area and the people that inhabit it are,” says Derek Warren and Taylor Richardson of 210 Seattle. “We cannot be more thankful to be a part of the hand-in-hand community that is Pioneer Square!”

The full list of grant recipients are:
210 Seattle, AXIS Pioneer Square, Baba Yaga, Barney’s, Bon Voyage Vintage, Cafe Paloma, Caffe Umbria, Collins Pub, Cone & Steiner, Designs by Ferdod, Frida, Friend Museum, Greg Kucera Gallery, Hole in the Wall BBQ, Hometeam, J. Rinehart Gallery, Kinesia Pilates, Luigi’s Italian Eatery, Magic Mouse Toys, Nino Studio, OHSUN, Parlour Pioneer Square, Pilchuck, Rojo’s, Seattle Jazz Fellowship, SlipStitch Studio, TASWIRA, Temple Billiards, The Dandy, The Pastry Project, Underbelly, and Zeitgeist Coffee.