Seattle’s small business owners are sounding the alarm. Rising costs, decreased foot traffic, and the end of pandemic relief have created a crisis that’s quietly reshaping our neighborhoods. These aren’t just statistics - although we do have the quantitative data - they’re the people behind your favorite neighborhood spots who make Seattle, Seattle. We’re here to amplify their voices and stories. Swipe through to hear exactly what they’re facing and what needs to change. They need us to listen. Fearured businesses: - @askatubakery - @boonboonacoffee - @we.are.doll.parts - @goldcoastkitchensea - @hoodfamousbakeshop - @koboseattleshop #SpendLikeItMatters #BeIntentional #seattlesmallbusiness #seattlefoodie #seattlecoffee

Black History Month is a time for celebration, recognition, reflection AND ACTION ✊🏽 Receipt & Receive: Upload your receipts from Black-owned businesses and enter to win prizes from Seattle pro sports teams! Go to Intentionalist.com to check out all things Black History Month, including special promotions to encourage all of us to show up for the Black-owned businesses we love. When we #SpendLikeItMatters we put our collective thumb on the scales of economic justice. 🎨 Thank you to our Black History Month featured artist: @mommalipsdraws #buyblackowned #seattlesmallbusiness #smallbusinessseveryday #economicjustice

We’re so grateful for the small businesses who brightened our days and brought light to local neighborhoods throughout January 😊 1️⃣ Celebrating 15 Years with Sonia, owner of @mendozas_mercado 2️⃣ Alex, Ana, and Aminta of @salvadoreanbakery cheer on the Seahawks 3️⃣ Enjoying Yu Mei @uptownchina before the Kraken AANHPI Night with @thekimfer, co-owner of @pitchthebabybar 4️⃣ The remains of a sweet treat with Lois at her new dessert cafe @elixirdessertandbar - their grand opening is tomorrow (Sunday)! 5️⃣ Caffeinating at @latinocafe1 with owner Andrea 6️⃣ Kylie and Theresa enjoy late afternoon coffee and hot chocolate at @makeda.and.mingus 7️⃣ Warming up with pho with Tara (@mariners) at @vinasonphosodo 8️⃣ The best hot pot from @shabu_shaburina 9️⃣ Showing off the beautiful food from @blockcafeseattle 🔟 Saying hi to Brandon, owner of @brugge_chocolates 1️⃣1️⃣ ✌️ with Reginald, owner of @althas_louisiana_cajun 1️⃣2️⃣ Grabbing the essentials with Nech, owner of @alidasbakery 1️⃣3️⃣ XO Rice Rolls from Yen, owner of @ganbeiseattle #SpendLikeItMatters #seattlefoodie #seattlesmallbusiness #BeIntentional

Community + Action = Resistance The thoughtful words we’ve shared from Hood Famous co-owner Chera Amlag are from her Substack on the January 30th shutdown, which we encourage our community to read (link in our bio) in its entirety. Her candor, conviction, and vulnerability are a reminder of why we cannot take small businesses community leaders for granted. #spendlikeitmatters #seattlesmallbusiness #generalstrike #nationalshutdown

To Minneapolis, with love from Seattle ❤️ Showing up in solidarity and support for Seattle small businesses contributing funds to support Twin Cities small businesses and immigrant communities! 1️⃣ Laura x Aakanksha, co-owner of @spicewaala 2️⃣ Kylie x Mahmoud, co-owner of @mintish_coffee Both businesses are donating a percentage of total sales! 3️⃣ Check out the growing list of participating small businesses each of whom is making financial contributions to small businesses in Minneapolis-St.Paul Bonus: Intentionalist is increasing our Twin Cities e-gift card matching pool to $2500 and we’re continuing to try to raise additional funds to be able to match as much of the inspiring small business contributions as possible! Eat-Drink-Shop #SpendLikeItMatters #seattlesmallbusiness #seattlefoodie #mainstreetmatters

Comment your neighborhood, or one you’d like to visit, and we’ll reply with a personalized small business adventure nearby ⚔️ Ready, Set, GO! #SpendLikeItMatters #BeIntentional #seattlesmallbusiness #seattlefoodie

#SpendLikeItMatters in solidarity with MN small businesses 💳 You don’t have to be a Twin Cities local to help. Buy a digital gift card from a Minnesota small business and Intentionalist will match purchases up to $1,000. 1️⃣ Head to the link in our bio to easily purchase a digital gift card. 2️⃣ DM us a screenshot of your purchase. 3️⃣ We’ll match it. One purchase, twice the impact. Gift card purchases are an immediate way to help sustain the small businesses at the heart of the Minneapolis-St. Paul communities. Know of other Twin Cities small businesses with digital gift cards? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add them to the blog. #ICEOutOfMinnesota #ICEOutOfMN

It’s National Compliment Day 📣 Tag and brag about the small businesses and owners who brighten your days and we’ll pick 2 winners to receive warm Seahawks hats 💙💚 We’ll be selecting the following winners: 1️⃣ Most heartfelt compliment 2️⃣ Most creative/silly compliment Winners will be selected via DM on February 2nd. Small business owners can of course participate as well! We’d love to hear where our favorite places are shopping! #SpendLikeItMatters #BeIntentional #seattlesmallbusiness #seattlefoodie

And the 2026 James Beard Awards semifinalists are… 🥁 We are overjoyed seeing so many friends and beloved community members being recognized. Please join us in celebrating our Seattle semifinalists: 📣 Outstanding Chef Aaron Verzosa, @archipelago_pnw 📣 Emerging Chef Ahmed Suliman, @cafesuliman 📣 Best New Restaurant Polly and Kevin Smith, @littlebeastballard Yasuaki Saito, @thewaylandmill 📣 Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker Christina Wood, @temple_pastries 📣 Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program David Butler, @lecavisteseattle 📣 Outstanding Bar Erik Hakkinen, @roquettesea 📣 Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service Anu Apte, @robroyseattle 📣 Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific Janet Becerra, @pancitaseattle Johnny Courtney, @atoma.seattle Logan Cox, @restauranthomer Melissa Miranda, @musangseattle Thai Nguyen and Trinh Nguyen, @ramieseattle Aaron Tekulve, @surrellseattle How many of these restaurants have you visited 🤤 #SpendLikeItMatters #BeIntentional #seattlesmallbusiness #seattlefoodie #jamesbeardawards