SEATTLE — With two days to go until first pitch at T-Mobile Park, it’s already opening day for Brian Chandler and his staff at Cookie’s Country Chicken in Pioneer Square.
Chandler, who also operates a chicken shop in Ballard, wanted to get his new brick-and-mortar location near the Seattle stadiums open before the Mariners’ season starts.
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“We do know the city is coming back to life, especially down here,” Chandler told KOMO News. “I have certainly seen an effort to make this place more desirable. That spirit I think will continue to live as more businesses take a chance down here.”
Businesses around the stadiums are ramping up their operations to prepare for baseball crowds, according to Pioneer Alliance Executive Director Lisa Howard.
“Last year was good and it really paved the way for this year to be exciting and lively and people to get the games back on their schedule. The vibrancy of Pioneer Square has always depended on our small business owners,” Howard said.
Despite the surge in business around the stadium events, Pioneer Square businesses are still fighting familiar battles over public safety issues. Public drug use near the entrances to the Pioneer Square light rail station is frequent and businesses report concerns with people who are under the influence or in a mental health crisis.
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On Tuesday, the Alliance’s community development director Chase Woodward told the Seattle City Council that safety issues are costing businesses money.
“There continues to be a lack of impactful solutions for true public safety in Pioneer Square,” Woodward said.
Woodward read a letter from an event venue owner who told the Alliance that a client chose another location due to perceived safety concerns in Pioneer Square.
“Declining sales cause closures, which is the last thing this neighborhood needs,” Woodward said.
Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the city’s public safety committee, said he wanted to meet with the Alliance and Pioneer Square business owners to discuss a path forward.
Chandler, the restaurant owner, said his staff is ready to serve up food for baseball fans, but also they’re excited to be part of transforming the neighborhood for people who live and work in Pioneer Square.
“That will always be our main focus is to appeal to them first, then game day sports fans – it’s like icing on the cake,” Chandler said.
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