After 28 years in business, Capitol Hill restaurant owner Sabrina Tinsley and her partners have put La Spiga up for sale. In Rainier Valley, Erasto Jackson says rising expenses are testing his determination to keep Lil’ Red’s Takeout and Catering open. And downtown, Jamila Conley has installed a security gate at WeRise Wine Bar after repeated concerns about public safety.
Their experiences reflect growing concerns among Seattle’s Black business owners about rising operating costs, public safety, regulatory requirements and the long-term viability of doing business in the city.
According to the 2026 Business Climate Survey conducted by the Seattle Metro Chamber in partnership with the Downtown Seattle Association, 56% of respondents said Seattle’s business climate had worsened over the previous year, while 61% were pessimistic about the next 12 months. Another 47% said they had seriously considered moving operations, jobs or investment out of Seattle during the past year…