The Seattle Medium’s Pack The House campaign is entering its second week following a strong response from community members who showed up to support the campaign’s first featured restaurant, Island Soul in Columbia City.
The Seattle Medium, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and Byrd Barr Place launched the 10-week campaign to encourage the community to intentionally support local Black-owned restaurants. Each week, the campaign highlights a different restaurant and encourages residents to dine in, order directly and, most importantly, come back.
Theo Martin, owner of Island Soul, said the response during the campaign’s opening week was encouraging.
“The customers have been great. The people have been great, and the feedback has been very positive. I’m excited and I hope people keep coming back for more,” said Martin.
Organizers thanked community members who helped give the campaign a successful start by patronizing Island Soul and spreading the word about the effort.
This week, the spotlight shifts to Emma’s BBQ in Hillman City, a multigenerational family business built around recipes and cooking traditions that have been passed down for more than 100 years.
After recently losing a significant source of revenue, Emma’s is working to rebuild and expand its customer base, making this week’s community support particularly meaningful for the family-owned restaurant.
As Pack The House moves into its second week, organizers hope the momentum continues at Emma’s and throughout the remainder of the campaign.
Show up. Spend money. Come back.
See more information about the campaign and this week’s featured restaurant on Pages 4A and 5A.
