Leschi Market

Dating back to the early 1940s, Leschi Market has genuinely been a part of the community supplying the community with natural and organic products. Three generations of Shulman's have run the market. Leonard bought the market in 1977, then his son Steve ran it, and today Yousef runs the store. Leschi Market is known for its quality products, meat and deli department, and extensive wine collection. Steve Shulman played an instrumental part in expanding the store's wine department to over 1,400 wines. As former president of the Leschi Community Council, Yousef has organized the Leschi Art Walk. Each year the market donates over 50 turkeys to local food banks. 

The beginning of the Leschi market date back to the early 1940s. Hank and Shirley Edelson owned a small neighborhood market on the corner of 22nd Ave and East Union Street. They later moved their grocery store to the Leschi neighborhood. In 1948, the Leschi Market that still stands today was created. Shirley's father owned a dry cleaner located where the meat department of the grocery store is today. As the neighborhood grew, so did the market, going through a significant remodel in 1967. They removed a portion of the parking lot to increase the size of the store. At this time, Leonard Shulman started to work part-time at the market. His main source of income was working as a telegrapher for the Great Northern Railroad. When Hank asked Leonard to be the manager, Leonard left his job as a telegrapher and became the full-time manager in 1977. Leonard's son Steve began working as a butcher at the market and eventually took it over. Steve expanded the store's wine department, and today the store is reconized for its 1,400 wines. Leschi Market is known for its natural and organic ingredients, meat and deli department, and extensive wine collection. Currently, Yousef, Steve's nephew, runs the store. Three generations have run this store, building a strong and loving community around them. 

The Leschi neighborhood and market were named after Chief Leschi of the Nisqually Tribe. Born in 1808 and died in 1858, Chief Leschi was a participant in the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty, and some claim that Leschi's signature was forged. Leschi protested this treaty because it reduced the tribe's land and access to resources. In 1856, Leschi was charged with the murder of A. Benton Moses. Since this was a time of war, neither side should be held responsible for the murders during that time. However, the trial resulted in a hung jury and Leschi was found guilty of the murder. He was executed on February 19, 1858, unjustly in the eyes of many. In the 1880s, Frederick J. Grant, president of the private cable car company which developed the park, named the Leschi neighborhood after the chief. Today, Leschi is remembered as a wise and intelligent man and wrongly accused. Grant recognized this, naming the neighborhood and park after chief Leschi. 

In 2020, Steve Shulman died at 67 years old. As the Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said, Shulman "was the heartbeat of Leschi – he knew everyone, what wine they loved & how they were doing in their lives." Steve was loved by many and praised for his involvement with his community. He was a founding member of the Seattle Police Foundation and a former member of the Leschi Community Council. Steve's nephew Yousef now runs the store, and he is a former president of the Leschi Community Council. While Seattle and the Leschi neighborhood continue to change, this family is instrumental to the Leschi community, providing quality products and ingredients to the community. 

As former president of the Leschi Community Council, Yousef has organized the Leschi Art Walk. Leschi Market provides the artists, crafters, designers, and musicians with supplies during the warm late summer days that this festival takes place. Families and individuals from the community and beyond come together to celebrate the creative people in our community. There are bouncy houses and competitions that kids enjoy every year. People from across the city share their work and businesses with the public. Booths span across Lakeside Ave, across from the market, and people walk down the block to view what people have to share. During the 2008 holiday season, Leschi Market donated over 250 to local food banks. Every year, the market donates more than 50 turkeys to fundraising events held at schools or other organizations. The market also has a food bank program that allows customers to make donations so they can purchase chicken at cost to donate to local food banks. The mark also sponsors fundraisers for Seattle senior organizations. 

As Leschi Market states on its website, "Leschi Market is proud to be your grocery store and a part of the Leschi community." Leschi Market is a part of this community, carrying food and supplies while supporting the people around them. 

About the Leschi Market, Leschi Market. January 1st 2010. Accessed April 21st 2022. https://www.leschimart.com/about.html.

"Steve Shulman at Leschi Market." Madrona News (Seattle) October 1st 2019. 311 ed.

Life and Times in Leschi, Leschi Community Council. Accessed April 21st 2022. https://www.leschicommunitycouncil.org/single-post/life-and-times-in-leschi.

Leschi: Justice in our time, Nisqually.gov. Accessed April 21st 2022. http://www.nisqually-nsn.gov/files/1615/1699/4524/ChiefLeschiBirthdayPresentation.pdf.