Seattle is home to a diverse variety of artists, entrepreneurs, and service providers who are eager to engage with their communities. Unfortunately, a combination of recent issues has significantly increased the costs of starting a business. High commercial rent, insurance, and more prevent many people from opening a brick-and-mortar store. 

Corner stores help level the playing field. Under this policy, people would be allowed to use the first floor of their residence as a space to sell their goods or meet their clients, turning their home into a hub for their business. These establishments are often known as corner stores, and they have the power to revolutionize neighborhoods. Some of the benefits of corner stores include: 

1. Increasing foot traffic around the neighborhood, introducing neighbors to each other for the first time
2. Often selling cultural ingredients and other items that are specific to the population living in the immediate neighborhood
3. Supporting community safety by increasing eyes and ears on the streets
4. Reducing food deserts by opening the door for the development of local bodegas 
5. Giving artists and micro-entrepreneurs a way to easily connect with, and sell their wares to their local community

Seattle is not zoned to allow commercial retail spaces in areas that are zoned for residential use. The Mayor's Draft Comprehensive Plan gets us a step closer by allowing corner stores only on corner lots in residential neighborhoods. We are asking that Seattle allow corner stores in all residential areas throughout the city. 


Please sign this position to indicate your support for citywide corner stores and to tell our leaders to incorporate this idea into its upcoming Comprehensive Plan and/or future legislation.

Thank you!