Mayor Wilson Announces $1.7M Support Program for Seattle Neighborhood Grocery Stores
Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced new support measures directed to local neighborhood grocery stores through the Office of Economic Development. The $1.7 million investment includes three key components: a retail study specifically analyzing grocery retail opportunities, a technical assistance program for independent grocers, and dedicated funds for storefront security enhancements.
The initiative addresses food access inequities in underserved neighborhoods. The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) will conduct market analyses in eight Seattle neighborhoods to identify uncaptured grocery demand and determine which retail formats best suit each community’s needs. Ten independently owned grocery stores will receive a year of industry-specific technical assistance paired with funding for essential improvements, with priority given to legacy stores and those in underserved areas.
The program expands on a successful pilot with Lam’s Seafood Asian Market, a family-owned grocer serving the Chinatown-International District since the 1990s. The City supported the business through permit navigation, break-in repairs, and security improvements as it prepares to open a third location in Rainier Valley, filling a vacant grocery site after eight years.
Additional support will help supermarkets experiencing high retail theft rates fund security and facility upgrades based on Crime Prevention by Environmental Design principles, informed by Seattle Police Department crime data and community input. The Office of Economic Development will finalize contracting details and cohort selection in the coming months.
