Marjorie Restaurant: Back and Better Than Ever in Seattle's Central District
By Besa Gordon
Hello, food enthusiasts and Seattleites! I'm thrilled to share the heartwarming story of Marjorie, a beloved restaurant that recently reopened in the heart of Seattle's Central District.
Marjorie, owned and operated by the talented Donna Moodie, has a rich history that dates back to 2003. Donna, who also serves as the Chief Impact Officer at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, poured her heart and soul into creating a space that embodies her mother's love for food and community.
"It started in 2003 in Belltown," Donna reminisces, "and when I split up with my former business partner, I kept one of our spaces, formerly Lush Life on Capitol Hill, and converted it into Marjorie."
The restaurant quickly became a neighborhood favorite, known for its globally inspired and locally sourced menu. Donna's Jamaican heritage shines through in dishes like the legendary jerk chicken, while the culinary team's diverse backgrounds contribute to an exciting and ever-evolving menu.
However, like many businesses, Marjorie faced challenges in recent years, including the pandemic and rising operating costs. The restaurant was forced to close its doors, leaving a void in the community.
But Donna's passion for Marjorie never wavered. She was determined to bring the restaurant back, and this time, she wanted to do it in a way that would ensure its long-term sustainability.
Enter the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) and Grow America, a national nonprofit that specializes in supporting underserved businesses. Together, they launched the Business Community Ownership Fund (BCOF), an innovative program that provides businesses with the financial and technical assistance they need to purchase and own their commercial spaces.
Heidi Hall, the Community Wealth Building Manager at the OED, explains the importance of the program: "We've been talking and working with our neighborhoods for a long, long time, really addressing concerns around commercial displacement, really wanting to provide pathways for business owners to come, stay, come back to neighborhoods, to stay rooted in neighborhoods, and to be able to be part of the fabric of that community for the long term."
Marjorie was a perfect fit for the BCOF. With its strong community ties and commitment to serving the Central District, the restaurant embodied the spirit of the program.
Daniel Marsh, President and CEO of Grow America, was immediately impressed by Marjorie potential. "Marjorie is an institution in Seattle," he says, "and bringing the restaurant back and opening it up again with a new feel, with some new menu items, has been really exciting for us."
With the support of the BCOF, Marjorie was able to secure a new location in Midtown Square, a vibrant hub in the Central District. The space has been beautifully renovated, reflecting Donna's vision of a warm and inviting gathering place.
And of course, the menu is as delicious as ever. From the jerk chicken and plantains to the crab mac and cheese and butterscotch pudding, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
"We're still working on getting the plantains back on the menu," Donna says, "but they will be back. That's definitely a signature item. Our chef Ace makes these incredible dips that we serve with bread. We also have crab mac and cheese. We've got jerk chicken. We have these amazing coconut braised greens. We have a cauliflower salad that I could eat every night. So many things."
Marjorie reopening is a testament to Donna’s diligence, sense of collaboration, and perseverance. It's a story of a business that faced challenges head-on and emerged stronger than ever.
So next time you're in the Central District, be sure to stop by Marjorie and experience the magic for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
As Donna says, "We're ready. We put a lot of effort into the way it looks, the way it feels, the art that's on the walls... We just love putting those things together and curating a space. It's a vision that I've had for a long time, and I feel honored to be in this neighborhood and be doing this here."
Welcome back, Marjorie. We've missed you!
Marjorie Restaurant
2301 E Union St Suite P, Seattle, WA 98122