In the final days leading up to her election battle with Dino Rossi, Senator Patty Murray made a stop in Ballard today to talk with small business owners along Market Street.
Senator Patty Murray talking with Cupcake Royale owner Jody Hall.
The stops on the walking tour included La Tienda, Bop Street Records, Secret Garden Books, Great Harvest Bread and Cupcake Royale.
Senator Murray selecting a book at Secret Garden Books for her grandson.
The theme was the same for many of the businesses. “Business has been bad for a couple of years, but things are getting better,” Fred Hart, the owner of La Tienda told the Senator.
“It’s been quite a ride.” Christy McDanold of Secret Garden Books says, “But I love what I do.”
Senatory Murray speaking with Bop Street Records owner Dave Voorhees.
The one bright spot, economically speaking, was the newly-relocated Bop Street Records, where the owner Dave Voorhees says business has been much better than at his previous location on Ballard Ave. They’ve seen ten times the foot traffic at the new location.
Senator Murray’s father was a small business owner and she believes the local shops are important for our economy. “I really believe that small businesses, just like we walked through this morning, really are the backbone of our economy,” she tells us after the tour. “Everyone is saying, ‘where are the jobs?’ it’s in small businesses like this.”
“We feel like she understands the plight of a small business,” Crystal Carlson of Great Harvest Bread tells us.
Small business owners talked with the Senator about their lives, businesses, the economy and health insurance. Senator Murray made a purchase at each stop.