“We are thrilled to welcome PCC to downtown Seattle. This is an exciting opening for thousands of people who live and work in downtown and it comes at a critical time as we look to welcome more office workers back and more residents call downtown home than ever before,” said Downtown Seattle Association President & CEO Jon Scholes. “PCC and its commitment to community is representative of the spirit of downtown Seattle. Last year they stepped up and provided grants to support food access for area non-profits and now they will be opening their doors to downtown residents and visitors with a terrific neighborhood full-service grocery.”
Downtown PCC will be led by Store Director Jai San Miguel, who joined the co-op in 2020. He brings more than 20 years of grocery management experience, and was most recently the Director of PCC’s Central District location. San Miguel commented: “I am honored to open our newest location where my passion for team-building and supporting our local communities can be a focus every day. As the anchor grocery source for a vibrant Downtown, we are excited to be a part of the revitalization of the neighborhood and are committed to becoming a trusted member of the community where people come to enjoy a cup of coffee, catch up with a friend on a lunch break, and pick up dinner.”
The location brings new union job opportunities for the community and career growth for existing staff—40% of leadership roles are filled by existing staff members that have been promoted, and the co-op’s non-management store staff has been represented by UFCW Local 21 for nearly 40 years.
Related: PCC Announces Grant Program Recipients, Art Installations in 2 New Stores PCC Awards $35k to 7 Nonprofits Two New PCC Locations Achieve Petal Certification
The new location offers made-from-scratch deli, produce, meat and seafood, a bakery counter, locally sourced private label, bulk foods, and wine, beer, and spirits. It also features house posts carved by Andrea M. Wilbur-Sigo, a member of the Squaxin Island Tribe, in a work titled “The Way of Life,” which she created to convey the connection between people and the environment. The artwork was commissioned as part of a bid to get the location Living Building Challenge Petal Certified. As part of that bid, the location is built with sustainably sourced, non-toxic building materials.
And, of course, the store will participate in the membership program. While anyone can shop at the co-op locations, members who pay a one-time fee of $60 earn a lifetime membership that offers exclusive access to in-store offers, access to unique events, discounts from partner businesses, and the opportunity to vote in the annual election that determines the Board of Trustees.
