We are thrilled to share the 2025 Tenant Improvement Program awardees!
The TI Program invests in a business’s commercial space to help it stabilize and grow by purchasing essential equipment, completing electrical upgrades, or building out a new storefront. The program supports businesses citywide, emphasizing viable businesses who need support with essential equipment or to make their space usable.
In 2025 we are awarding over $1.7m to 45 businesses for equipment, signage, and construction. Read more about the TI Program, a description of the different packages, and how the selection process works here.
Central District/First Hill
Adey Adeba Ethiopian Restaurant, Central District
Multi-generationally owned and operated Ethiopian restaurant that has been a Central District staple for 20 years. It also provides food to those in need. The business will replace necessary equipment and plans to expand the menu to include new fare as the next generation of the family starts managing the restaurant. (Equipment package; award amount: $33,500)
Arcaro Boxing Gym LLC
Woman business owner managed a similar business for nine years before buying her own. New equipment will enable her to provide services to more gym members and ultimately hire more staff. (Equipment package; award amount: $31,000)
MEDIUMS, Capitol Hill
Latinx clothing retailer and collaborative space that hosts free community workshops for others to build their sewing and garment construction skills. Owners will purchase new sewing and embroidery equipment to teach and help others create their own products. (Equipment package; award amount: $21,000)
Seattle Tattoo Emporium, First Hill
Established in 1941, this is Seattle’s oldest tattoo shop. Latina woman-majority owned, it shows local artists’ work, maintains a “history of tattooing” exhibit in their space, and employs a diverse group of artists in their shop. Brighter signage will help attract new customers and create a safer storefront along their busy street. (Sign package; award amount: $15,000)
Shewa-Ber, Central District
Amhara-owned eatery in the Central District that hosts community events like Jazz Walk and networking for young entrepreneurs. The business is expanding the sales of their sauces to be sold wholesale, which will add an additional stream of revenue. (Equipment package; award amount: $50,000)
Downtown (including Chinatown-International District and Pioneer Square)
AROOM, Downtown
Vietnamese woman-owned coffee shop contributing to the rich tapestry of Seattle’s waterfront attractions. By establishing AROOM in this historic and dynamic area, they aim to be part of the revitalization of this historical district, adding a place for tourists and locals to enjoy. Owner received assistance with a full buildout of the previously vacant commercial space. (Construction package; award amount: $300,000)
E-Jae Pak Mor, Chinatown-International District
Thai immigrant business owner working in the industry since 2008 is proud that his restaurant brings culture, warmth and a personal connection. They will install a new hot water boiler tank. (Equipment package; award amount: $18,500)
Foxycut LLC, Little Saigon
Hispanic and Native American-owned salon newly established in the Little Saigon neighborhood. Equipment upgrades will help stylists, who currently navigate equipment failures. (Equipment package; award amount: $15,000)
Hood Famous Café and Bar, Chinatown-International District
Community-centered bakeshop whose owners are deeply involved in organizing and cultural work in the C-ID and Filipinotown. Equipment will expand their menu and improve efficiency in the kitchen. (Equipment package; award amount: $50,000)
Humble Pie, Chinatown-International District
Japanese pizza restaurant owner who grew up and went to school in the C-ID. Upgrades to their equipment will help increase production making them more profitable. (Equipment package; award amount: $15,000)
KOBO at Higo, Japantown
Operating since 1995, this Japanese-owned business is an artisan gallery featuring Japanese and Northwest fine crafts and is a hub for community activities and events. New signage will enhance their visibility as a retail shop and gallery. (Sign package; award amount: $15,000)
Mixed Pantry, Belltown
Asian-specialty grocery store that supports Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander brands and products by hosting free community events. The business will expand their refrigeration in order to provide grab-and-go options and increase frozen inventory. (Equipment package; award amount: $20,000)
Phnom Penh Noodle House, Chinatown-International District
Multi-generational Cambodian family-owned business with a presence in their neighborhood since 1987. Three sister owner/operators are deeply connected to the neighborhood. The owners will replace essential equipment and add one position because of this funding. (Equipment package; award amount: $49,000)
Pho So 1, Chinatown-International District
Vietnamese legacy immigrant-owned business, who traded a programming career for business ownership. Owner has an urgent need to replace equipment to maintain food quality and efficiency. (Equipment package; award amount: $23,000)
Tan Dinh Deli, Chinatown-International District
Vietnamese immigrant business owner with over 30 years of working in the food industry, and one of the last delis in the neighborhood. They will replace failing equipment that is over 15 years old. (Equipment package; award amount: $45,000)
VannStudio, Belltown
Woman-owned long-time business serving Belltown since the early 80s. VannStudio was recently displaced from their location to a new space in the same neighborhood and is looking for a few pieces of equipment to finish out their space. The business owner provides extensive apprenticeship support to vulnerable populations and has an extensive recycling program for the salon. (Equipment package; award amount: $20,000)
World Pizza, Chinatown-International District
Native woman-owned business that has been in the C-ID since 1996 and provides extensive in-kind donations to local nonprofits, elders, and youth in the neighborhood. The business will replace essential equipment and add a coffee menu to stabilize revenue. (Equipment package; award amount: $19,500)
North Seattle
Bella’s Beauty Studio, Ballard
Vietnamese immigrant, one person, woman –owned salon, and recipient of the 2024 TI Pre-lease Package Award went from renting a small room in 2022 to recently purchasing her business. New equipment will help her upgrade and add services to her menu. (Equipment package; award amount: $50,000)
Caked Goods, Fremont
Filipino woman business owner with 12 years of industry experience. She started as an online business and moved into a brick-and mortar location in 2022. New equipment will help her scale production and attract a larger customer base. (Equipment package; award amount: $9,000)
Childish Things, Crown Hill
Women-owned children’s clothing, book, and toy store. The owner is looking to add more staff and make donations to local organizations. New signage will help with visibility as the store is set back from the street. (Sign package; award amount: $3,700)
Modern Japanese Cuisine, Phinney Ridge
Japanese immigrant woman-owned business opened in 2015 to create a welcoming space for people to experience Japanese culture. They will replace home-grade equipment that no longer meets demand with commercial-grade equipment. (Equipment package; award amount: $23,000)
Northwest Seattle (including South Lake Union and Magnolia)
Americano Burger, Magnolia
Salvadoran and Greek-owned restaurant run by long-time business partners whose clients often work in Magnolia. Business has a strong tradition of food donations for community events and will replace aging equipment they have had for a decade. (Equipment package; award amount: $37,000)
PAJU, South Lake Union
Korean-owned barbecue restaurant that recently moved into a larger space and needs better signage to attract new customers. The business supports Farestart, Mary’s Place, and other local organizations with donations for their fundraisers. (Sign package; award amount: $5,246)
South Seattle (including Beacon Hill, Columbia City, and Othello)
Afrik Grocery and Coffee Shop, Columbia City
Somali woman-owned small grocery business that also provides supportive services like help with package delivery or phone calls to the neighborhood, many of whom are elders or do not drive. They will replace essential refrigeration equipment. (Equipment package; award amount: $18,800)
Alem Restaurant, Rainier Valley
Business owner participates in fundraisers and supports programs for the Tigray community and provides meals to nonprofits and those in need. They will replace vital refrigeration and add an HVAC system to attract and maintain customers in all seasons. (Equipment package; award amount: $33,000)
Castello Pizza and Past, Columbia City
Turkish Immigrant woman-owned business who will expand menu and employ more people from the neighborhood. New equipment will replace defective equipment and upgrade operation to attract corporate clientele. (Equipment package; award amount: $46,000)
Café Weekend, Judkins Park
Community-focused café run by working artist couple and located in artist housing. Business organizes several community events each year and has been an anchor for activation, as many retail spaces nearby were vacant. With the new light rail station opening nearby and new neighboring businesses opening, they will replace necessary equipment before their volume of customers increases. (Equipment package; award amount: $38,000)
Chu Minh Tofu and Vegetarian Deli, Othello
Legacy business at 12th and Jackson opened a second location in Othello, where they produce wholesale tofu for distribution to local businesses and grocery stores. Vietnamese business owners have a spectacular tradition of feeding those in need with a weekly large, nourishing and generous free meal program they began during COVID and continue today. (Equipment package; award amount: $50,000)
Cloverdale Family Dentistry, South Park
Japanese woman-owned neighborhood dentist who cannot currently use all of her exam rooms as one of her chairs is broken. Replacing this will allow her to provide more emergency dentistry to those in the neighborhood, for whom she provides discounted services. (Equipment package; award amount: $9,049)
Columbia Physical Therapy Service, Columbia City
African American-owned legacy business of 40 years is looking to replace older equipment and add new technology to attract referrals from new medical partners. Business will be able to add new staff as a result of funding. (Equipment package; award amount: $22,000)
Emerald City Fish, Columbia City
African American business owner that has taken a leadership role in the community by creating jobs and promoting stability and growth over the last 15 years. Equipment upgrades will assist the restaurant with reliability and efficiency to enhance the customer’s experience. (Equipment package; award amount: $49,200)
Habesha Café, Hillman City
Eritrean couple run their business, are active participants in the neighborhood, and create flexible jobs for working parents. They will replace essential equipment in their café. (Equipment package; award amount: $46,000)
Idil International Market, Rainier Valley
Oromo/Somali immigrant woman who dreamed about being a business owner while she was working for a cleaning company. New equipment will modernize and expand the services she offers at her market and convenience store. (Equipment package; award amount: $47,000)
J Styles Barbershop, Columbia City
African American-owned business rooted in the owner’s childhood neighborhood and committed to nurturing young entrepreneurs. Equipment upgrades will help maintain services for current customers and attract new clientele. (Equipment package; award amount: $23,500)
King Way Hair Salon, Othello
Legacy business in the Othello area owned by Vietnamese female duo who offer sliding scale services to those in need. They are hoping to attract new clientele with lighted signage for light rail riders and those commuting along MLK Way. (Sign package; award amount: $11,728)
Larry’s Volvo, Beacon Hill
Legacy Beacon Hill Chinese-American owned business that provides discount services to educators and hosts preschool field trips. New signage will replace the current signs that are 30 years old. (Sign package; award amount: $10,900)
Life’s Salon, Othello
African American woman-owned business in the Othello neighborhood. Life’s Salon has been in business for 18 years. The owner worked diligently with our commercial space consultant team defining her project scope and is now ready to move forward. The project involves new upgrades to the electrical and plumbing system, installing a heating/AC unit, upgrades to flooring and equipment. (Construction package; award amount: $100,000)
Noble Neon, South Park
Filipino-Polynesian majority business owner purchased a building in South Park to create a permanent, larger location for their neon fabrication businesses. With the new space, they will be able to apprentice others to learn the art of neon sign making and hire several staff. They are renovating the space by installing a mezzanine, and updating specialized electrical, plumbing and exhaust systems. (Construction package; award amount: $150,000)
Qeerroo Restaurant, Rainier Valley
Oromo immigrant woman-owned legacy restaurant that is a hub for her community. New equipment will replace defective equipment and make her operation more efficient. (Equipment package; award amount: $46,500)
Tina Hair and Nails Salon, Columbia City
Vietnamese woman-owned business. The owner has lived and worked in her neighborhood for three decades and employed many from her community over the years. She will replace outdated and worn-out equipment, which will reduce costs and attract new clientele. (Equipment package; award amount: $29,000)
Uncle Eddie’s Public House, South Park
South Park main street business whose owners organize community events such as SOPA/SUPA and support other neighborhood businesses. They pivoted to a brunch focus and will replace nonfunctional equipment and add new items to their menu. (Equipment package; award amount: $24,000)
Yusra and Sabah Restaurant, Rainier Valley
Somali woman-owned eatery with a strong community presence, who provides food to neighborhood events and those in need. The business is independently improving their indoor space. Current signage is weather-worn and hard to see from the street. (Sign package; award amount: $10,000)
University District
Big Time Brewing Company, University District
Business owner who took over Seattle’s oldest independently owned craft brewery in 2015. This brewery provides many jobs in the U-district. Replacement equipment will help lower maintenance costs so they can focus on producing and serving great beer. (Equipment package; award amount: $38,000)
West Seattle
Pho Aroma Co, Delridge
25-year-old local favorite Vietnamese restaurant whose owner is a neighborhood advocate. The business will be able to hire an additional staff person when their broken equipment is replaced. (Equipment package; award amount: $29,500)
Loft Fitness, West Seattle
Inclusive gym that provides sliding-scale membership, donates to local organizations and participates in community events. They will add new equipment to replace broken items and to create a seniors fitness program in partnership with the nearby senior center. (Equipment package; award amount: $30,000)
Additional background
In May 2025, our Community Wealth Building Team launched the third iteration of the Tenant Improvement Program focused on Sign, Equipment, and Construction packages.
Businesses applied through the online portal. After eligibility review, our staff did the first round of scoring for applications. Our partner, Grow America, provided financial health and readiness evaluations.
Awardees were prioritized and scored on:
- Equity: Projects serving high displacement risk neighborhoods and/or projects supporting BIPOC and/or women owned businesses.
- Viability: Business sustainability such as annual gross sales and profit, and business experience.
- Project readiness: Status of physical space, project description, budget detail and commitment of other funding sources.
- Impact: Projects or business owners providing social and/or public benefits that show positive community impact.
For our larger construction projects (these are businesses who applied in 2024, but needed to develop their projects), Grow America helped with a more in-depth underwriting ad helped the businesses create projections for their new space. For additional information, please reach out to oed_tiprogram@seattle.gov.