Blog

Professional Services in the Neighborhood If you run a household or business, you may already appreciate the value of delegation. Save your time and energy for what you do best, and bring everything else to Multiservicios. Multiservicios offers a multitude of services to assist with financial management and planning, tax preparation and filing, immigration paperwork and Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN), affordable home loans, car/home/life insurance policies, plus referrals to other professional service providers. “We don’t do quite everything,” says founder Raymundo Olivas,...

Mouth-watering pleasures await you in South Park! Let the music move you and the colors call you to Muy Macho Mexican restaurant. Muy Macho has a well-deserved reputation for authentic Mexican cuisine. “I am so proud that people like my food,” says Judith Herrera. She’s owned Muy Macho since 2006, although the restaurant first opened in 2000. Judith is originally from Oaxaca, Mexico and came to the US 19 years ago to live with her sisters. She served food in Seattle’s University District for 11 years. Then in 2006 she learned from a sister that Muy Macho’s owner wanted to sell. Judith...

Top Brands, Low Prices Looking for a deal on quality tires and auto service? Drive over to South Park Tire Factory for top brands, low prices, and helpful mechanics. “It’s pretty simple. Treat people the way you want to be treated,” says Bob Kent. “This is a family business, my wife works here.” Bob bought the Tire Factory in 1975, but the shop has served the neighborhood since 1964. “It used to be a Big-O prior to 2000,” he explains, “it was the first in the state.” Bob’s family arrived in the Pacific Northwest by way of Montana. “I grew up in North Seattle, went to Nathan...

Just the way you like it Want an easy way to eat healthy? Bring your appetite to South Park Subway, and Rani Kaur’s crew will take care of you. “I only eat light. I like vegetarian foods, and I use a Champion juicer for fresh juice,” she shares. “My doctor says that I have the blood of a twenty year old!” Rani is a mother and former nursing student, so she takes a personal interest in health and wellness. She operates South Park Subway with her daughter and friendly food staff. “We have many fresh and healthy choices, like avocadoes and soy patties,” says Rani. Subway specializes...

From the Ground Up You may not know it yet, but you’re about to fall in love with the flavors of Guatemala right here in Seattle. Like the Mayan Tikal Temple, Tikal Bakery is built stone by stone from the ground up. Erick and Mariluz Soto opened their traditional Guatemalan bakery in April 2010, and it’s the only one of its kind in Washington State. “At the beginning I had no capital,” Erick explains while he shapes some dough, “I’ve used earnings from the bakery to purchase each piece of equipment one at a time.” He learned to make traditional Guatemalan panes dulces (sweet...

Self-Made Entrepreneurs If you’re the kind of dreamer who’s always thinking about the next big thing, then you’re in good company at Video Mar in South Park. “Work hard, it’s the only way you can do it,” says Venus Vasquez, a self-described workaholic. “Maybe that’s why I’m still here, I’ve stayed and worked.” Venus and Luisa Vasquez moved to Seattle from Oaxaca, Mexico when their son Jose was just seven years old. “My cousin-in-law invited us,” recalls Venus, “he said, ‘it’s a nice place, come visit’.” Before the Vasquez family bought Video Mar in 1997,...

Gifts and Party Favors You’re going to a party tonight but you have nothing new to wear, and no gifts for your host. Never fear: a quick stop in South Park is all you need to celebrate in style. Video Morelos is a department store in miniature. “It started as just movies and bottled water,” explains owner Reyna Quezada Robles. She came to the US 18 years ago from Morelos, Mexico and raised her family in the Seattle area. Her first job was as a prep cook at Juan Colorado in South Park. In 2005 she became the new owner of Video Morelos, which previously belonged to her cousin. She quickly...

Hot Drinks & Sweet Eats Want a little conversation with your cuppa? Become one of Maria’s regulars at Via Vadi Caffé to enjoy excellent coffee in good company. Maria is the youngest of South Park’s pizza-dishing Porco family. Via Vadi got its start when Maria asked herself a crucial question, “How can I build a business with the least work and the most fun?” As a self-described chatterbox, Maria chooses to employ her talkative talents. “I’m an open book,” she says, “I share everything, even silly stories from my bad dates.” The coffee shop is an ideal match. “I started...