Peeps in the Neighborhood - Marisa Figueroa

A neighborhood grocery store and farmer’s market were two longstanding wishlist items of mine since becoming a Georgetown resident. Little did I know one common denominator, one person, would reign supreme at the helm of both. Enter Marisa.

Marisa stocking shelves inside Bloom Bistro. Image by shon't.

Name: Marisa Figueroa (she/her)

Residency in Georgetown: Marisa’s association to the neighborhood is linked to her business, Bloom Bistro & Grocery. She currently dwells in nearby South Park with her wife.

How you might know her: Well, obviously, as the owner of Bloom Bistro & Grocery, but also, perhaps, as a former Georgetown resident and occasional organizer and trombone extraordinaire for Honk Fest.

---

On a sunny fall afternoon, I mosey over to Bloom where I find Marisa prepping chicken for the oven; fellow Gazette writer Sam, now a member of the Bloom crew, is helping with other end-of-day activities. The shop is closed, a mad rush on Marisa’s otherworldly bagels yields an early sell-out for the day. (A local newspaper heralded her bagels as the best in Seattle.) After some cordialities and giggles, we settle into a corner for a chat.

What do you do (e.g., your profession, personal mission, passion, etc.)?

“I love being an active member of my community — that’s number one for me. And I love making bagels.”

Bloom Bistro staff busy at work. Image by shon't.

What brought you to Georgetown? Why this neighborhood?

As a former resident: “In 2016, I visited Seattle for the first time with Honk Fest and stayed in Georgetown. I said, ‘This place is awesome!’ And then I moved here [from Boston] the next year.”

As a business owner/entrepreneur: “When I lived in Georgetown, I had the same thought every time I walked past this place [current location of Bloom]: ‘Maybe one day, if it becomes available, I could see myself doing something here.’ I just always loved it.

Once it became available, I texted the owners and asked, ‘What are you doing with that space?’ They didn’t know, so instantly, I wrote a 5-page business plan. I told them, ‘No rush, but this is what I want to do. Let me know if it aligns with your vision.’ Two days later I received a text that said, ‘You’re in!’”

What keeps you here? What do you like about our ‘hood? 

“It’s such a unique place! I love getting to know all the neighbors. I know them, their families, their kids, their dogs. If their mother comes to town, they bring them to the bagel shop. I just love the sense of community… that’s something special about Georgetown. Is that everybody’s answer? It should be!”

 A piece of advice for your Georgetown neighbors, new or old?

“Talk to your neighbors. We have to take care of each other. The fact that everyone knows each other can seem intimidating to those who move into the neighborhood, but it’s a cool aspect that a lot of neighborhoods don’t have.”

Your future Georgetown looks like…

“Hopefully, having the bagel shop here… forever! Also, I think it is our universal goal to keep this neighborhood flourishing without losing our sense of who we are, our sense of community, and what this neighborhood wants to be.”

---

If you are interested in being featured in “Peeps in the Neighborhood” or want to recommend someone for consideration, please forward an email to shon’t at shontatgtowngazette@gmail.com.