Pike Place Market celebrates 113 years and needs your support!
Happy Birthday, Pike Place Market! The beloved and historic marketplace in downtown Seattle turns 113 years old this week, and we could not be more excited. As the longest consecutively run public market in the country Pike Place Market has been through it all, including its second pandemic in
history. Despite that, businesses and people who call it home are still fighting to keep their community alive and well. It has been amazing to see our community come together to support each other in these difficult times, which gives this year’s birthday every more reason to celebrate. We’ve curated some of the most well known businesses in this week’s Iconic Market Box, including a few businesses that will be featured in our box for the first time. As always, $5.00 of each box sold will go back to the Pike Place Market Safety Net Fund. We also want to encourage you to donate to the Pike Place Market Foundation on your own, to help support the vitally important social services and those in the community in continued care and need. You can do so by visiting the Pike Place Market Foundation website.
Pike Place Fish Market
The world famous, fish-throwing friendly fishmongers (say that five times fast) of Pike Place Fish Market have finally landed in the Iconic Market Box! Locals love this business not just for their friendly service and fun atmosphere, but because of the quality of seafood that the business provides. In 2012, the company made the commitment to be sustainable, working with Seafood Watch and the Monterey Aquarium on both conservation and rehabilitation efforts. For a fish market, this means looking closely at their suppliers, understanding how seafood is caught or sourced, and holding themselves accountable in making sure they leave a small footprint in the environment. This results in a very seasonal seafood selection, and often you won’t find products that are problematic to sustainability, such as Monkfish or steelhead salmon. Every wonder why they throw the fish? It is because it is efficient (pun intended)!
This week, you will find Wild Salmon burger patties available in your Iconic Market Box. Frozen and pre-seasoned, drop them on your grill or pan and watch as you become the talk of your household! Follow Pike Place Fish on Instagram @pikeplacefish
Need heating instructions for your salmon burgers? Click here!
Oriental Mart
Tucked away in the Corner Market building, you’ll find Oriental Mart Grocery & Kitchenette where the Apostol family has been serving their community for over 30 years, with three generations contributing to the family business efforts. The business started in the 1970s selling wicker baskets imported from the Philippines. Soon, they realized that at the time there was a real lack of accessible Asian groceries and pantry items, and they pivoted to become a grocery store. At the time, the world was not accustomed to Filipino food as we are today, so Leila, a formidable cook in her own right, decided to demonstrate the use of Filipino staple ingredients such as adobo, soy, and chili sauces. As locals would walk by they would smell the delicious food being cooked in Leila’s demonstration kitchenette, and soon would ask if the food was for sale. Over time the kitchenette eventually became that what it is today: the hottest Filipino lunch spot in Seattle. On busy weekends, it was not unheard of that food runs out by early afternoon or that you have to take your order to go because there are no seats available along the restaurant’s dining counter. Leila and her sister Joy ran both the restaurant and kitchen 7 days a week prior to the statewide shutdown. Follow Oriental Mart on Instagram @orientalmart71
This week, the sisters are hooking our customers up with one of their popular grocery items -Sriracha Mayo. The savory spicy condiment will go well with your wild salmon burgers, lending a sweet heat to kick your taste buds while providing a bit of tasty fat to the lean, protein-rich salmon patties.
Cobb’s Gourmet Popcorn
If you ever take the elevator down to Western Avenue from the Main Arcade building, then you will have no doubt walked directly past Cobb’s Gourmet Popcorn, owned and operated by Rowen Ring & Erin Cobb. Cobb’s originally started in a garage as Cobb’s bootleg popcorn, and was secretly sold and sought after by popcorn lovers in Seattle neighborhoods. As their reputation grew, they soon realized that going legit was better than a lawsuit, and the operation moved to the historic Pike Place Market. The brand takes pride in the idea that their popcorn is “guilt-free pleasure” – meaning that their ingredients are of the highest quality and they do not take shortcuts like some of their competitors. This difference can be experienced just by taste alone, which is why the business has encouraged sampling their products to potential guests who walk by. The statewide shutdown naturally took a toll on their business, especially since their products were rarely seen for sale online. In this week’s iconic box, you are all in for an exclusive treat – this special Sour Cream and Onion batch was popped only for Savor Seattle, and is not available in their store! Follow Cobb’s Popcorn on Instagram @cobbspopcorn
Bonnie B’s Peppers
Another gem that is tucked away in the Pike Place Market’s Corner Market building, Bonnie B’s Peppers is named after founder Dylan Randolph’s mother, the matriarch of the family. The Randolphs have been pickling hot peppers and enjoying the flavors for a long time, and they finally decided that it was time that the world finally get a taste of what their family has been enjoying for years. A small operation, Dylan can often be found sourcing his peppers directly from single-family farms in WA, pickling and jarring his pickles himself at his market stall. Follow Bonnie B’s Peppers on Instagram @bonniebspeppers
In this week’s Iconic Market Box, you will find a jar of Bonnie B’s Original Greens. You will love these pickles so much that you will, as Dylan likes to say it, “taste the love in every bite”.
Le Panier
If you love the smells of fresh-baked croissants and French press coffee, then you will love Le Panier in Pike Place Market. Started in 1983, the bakery blends together precise French technique with the local bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Signature items include the classic French baguette, almond croissants, and macarons. Today, as the Pike Place Market reopens, it is still the talk of the town, with lines still out the door.
This week, you will find Le Panier’s golden and sweet brioche buns in your Iconic Market Box. Large and fluffy, these yummy buns toast well and will soak up all the goodness that you top them with. They’re a perfect match for your salmon burgers and sriracha mayo! Follow Le Panier on Instagram @lepanierbakery
Frank’s Quality Produce
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, there is no better place than Frank’s Quality Produce, located at the Corner Market Building of Pike Place Market. Three generations of the Genzale family have had a presence in the Pike Place Market, starting with Frank “Cheech” Genzale in 1928, and now Frank Jr., the current owner and operator of Franks’s Quality Produce. Locals choose this stall not just for the quality of produce, but because of the people that make this stall so special. It is not uncommon to find team members recommending recipes or describing flavors of veggies unfamiliar to those passing by. It is that kind of service that keeps locals loyal to their small business, and why we love working with this amazing
family-owned operation.
Each week, Iconic Market Boxes include a box of produce, curated by Frank Jr. and his team. The produce changes based on availability and seasonality, ensuring that our customers get the best produce available – oftentimes much fresher and better than what can be found at the grocery store!
Follow Frank’s Quality Produce on Instagram @franksqualityproduce
Michou World Class Deli
A favorite among the crafts line vendors, artists, and pretty much everyone who works in the Pike Place Market, Michou World Class Deli makes another appearance in this week’s Iconic Market Box. Michou’s bounty of panni-style sandwiches, soups, dips, desserts, and salads are beloved for their use of great quality ingredients and tasty dishes, and lines are common in the morning and during the lunch rush. This week, dive into one of our personal favorites from Michou’s selection – the Power Greens salad. This salad packs a punch and will leave you full – and it’s healthy, too! You may have tried this salad at your local Metropolitan Market, and not realized it was actually supplied by Michou! Follow Michou on Instagram at @michoudeli
Cupcake Royale
Known as the first cupcake bakery to open outside of New York City and Seattle’s first cupcake bakery and café, Cupcake Royale continues to be a business of firsts, being featured this week in the Iconic Market Box for the first time. Founded in 2003, the brand has grown with multiple locations throughout the Seattle area and in turn has committed to supporting community efforts, such as annually donating over 40,000 cupcakes to help raise funds for local non-profits. Their cupcakes are all made from scratch daily, and ingredients are sourced from local Washington farmers and producers. Two chocolate and two vanilla cupcakes are included in “The Works” size Iconic Market Box. Try not to eat them all at once while celebrating Pike Place Market’s birthday! Follow Cupcake Royale on Instagram @cupcakeroyale
Middle Fork Roasters
In 2009, a close-knit group of friends and coffee-lovers decided to put their passions first and began roasting coffee in the heart and soul of Seattle’s coffee scene. Since then, Middle Fork Roasters have been regularly active in their community, giving back whenever they can and working with other businesses to help make their own coffee dreams come true. In fact, Middle Fork Roasters are responsible for providing the beans to many businesses around Seattle, including those in Pike Place Market.
They created the Savor Seattle Blend for us! It is a combination of Brazilian and Sumatran beans, delivering a bold yet buttery body with rich chocolate undertones. This laid-back blend provides an incredibly clean finish that is perfect for easing into your morning routine. Every Iconic Market Box includes a 1 lb. bag of whole bean coffee. Follow Middle Fork Roasters on Instagram @middleforkroasters
Order your Iconic Market Box today!
Local deliveries are available on Tuesday and Friday. The deadline to order is 1:00 pm the day before your desired delivery date. Next week’s box is full of tasty treats and delights. Summer may be approaching its end, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have time for one last summer adventure. We put together a camping-themed assortment that will make you feel like you are an intrepid explorer – even if it’s just from your own backyard. See next week’s assortment here.
