A Note from Nola -Beloved Pike Place: Hope, Resilience and Nourishment

​I finally mustered up the courage to go to our Beloved Pike Place Market last week to support and pay tribute to our Seattle Icon that truly represents the Heart of our City.
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I have been shopping there for over 30 years and have many vendors as friends. I had not been downtown since March so as I went up 1st Avenue, after maneuvering my way there without the West Seattle Bridge, I was struck with how empty and eerie it was so see so many of our storefronts boarded up, even the Seattle Art Museum. What made it bearable was seeing the murals and art on the boarded up buildings. 

Many local artists created them with their own time, talents and costs to beautify and show their support of the community, even as their livelihoods have been greatly affected. 

When I got to the market and started my walk I was very sad to see all the empty stalls flowerless stands and businesses that count on locals and tourists to thrive, gone. 

Mid-way through however, as I stopped at Pike Place Fish, seeing only empty bins of ice, one of my fish mongers saw me and said "can I get you anything Nola?" Crying I said "Well, yes how about some scallops". 
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It felt like home again.

I walked further and there was Sosio's Produce stand, bright and full of life with colorful organic fruits and vegetables. Oh, this would go wonderful with my scallops as I bought bok choy, ginger, garlic, tomatoes and some beautiful cherries. Next to 3 Girls Bakery for some housemade bread. My spirits lifted, and I felt hope again. That night I ceremoniously prepared my feast and felt such gratitude. Perhaps one of the gifts of this time is feeling just that, gratitude for the things we do have; our families, our friends, our neighbors and communities.

So remember to support your local restaurants, artists, artisans in whatever way you can. We look forward to serving you again when we can with new recipes, open hearts and tremendous gratitude for you!

​Take good care. From all of us at Nola's Events.