This past weekend was one that I’ve always dreamed about but never found the time or energy to fulfill: having an intimate “date” with my beloved city. After a very busy few weeks at work, a gnarly on-call rotation and car break-in, I was ready to just unwind. And as if they were reading my muddled mind, the folks at Banyan Branch invited me — and other local bloggers — to tour the Seattle Square, a new outdoor market located in Occidental Park in historic Pioneer Square. I had first heard about the Seattle Square when my friend Kara wrote about it for Belles of the Sound, and I’ve been meaning to check it out.
The Banyan Branch Crew. Thanks for the great tour!
Pioneer Square has come a long way since I used to work in the neighborhood many years ago. And the Seattle Square is among the efforts to rebuild the neighborhood’s reputation by offering a family-friendly weekend activity and supporting local businesses.
The Seattle Square launched on July 17th and goes through the end of September (every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). To clarify, the Seattle Square isn’t a farmers‘ market. Rather, it’s an outdoor market that features a mix of locally designed and manufactured clothing, accessories, vintage items and other random (but intriguing) tchotchkes.
I know what you’re thinking: where’s the food?! Fear not, dear friends, this place has you covered. Among the rotating vendors are several of Seattle’s ever-popular mobile food trucks. Since I missed the past few Mobile Chowdown events, I was especially excited to check out the food offerings after the tour.
I started with the Big, Bold Pork Po Boy from Where Ya At Matt. Nom nom nom!
Owner Matthew Lewis takes customers' orders
Pork po boy w/ Granny Smith apple slaw, grilled onions and cilantro pesto. YUM!!!
Full and satisfied, I decided to do a little cardio after lunch by perusing the booths. Star Wars-themed jewelry, children’s clothing made from recycled fabric, vintage fondue pots, screen printed t-shirts, paper materials, steampunk ray guns. And then something more my style: Marilyn’s Nut Butters. I tasted a few flavors and settled on a jar of the delicious Pistachio Hazelnut w/ Cumin and Black Pepper.
Organic, gluten-free, DELICIOUS!
Before taking off for date-with-my-city location #2, I stopped by Street Treats to grab dessert for the road. I cannot rave enough about their salted krispy treats — I took one bite and instantly regretted not buying an entire batch. Salty-sweet-ooey-gooey-krispy goodness…mmmmmm mmmmmmmm!
Diane Skwiercz shows off some beautiful marshmallow sticks
Hellooooo, luh-vuh!
Overall, a great first time experience at the Seattle Square, as depicted in this group photo from the Facebook Photo Booth after our tour (I’m the dork with the sombrero and lei in the front row 
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As you can imagine, the market’s success and longevity depends on how well its vendors do. No business + unhappy vendors = sayonara Seattle Square. So if you haven’t yet checked the place out, do it! And if you’ve already been, go again — there are different vendors with new goodies each week!
For more information, visit the Seattle Square website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary $20 Seattle Square voucher as part of this tour; however, this did not sway my opinion in any way.
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Jenn Davis
