Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 2308 E Union ST E / Parcel ID 7228500140 / Inv # CA009

Historic Name: Richlen's Grocery Common Name: Thompson's Point of View Style: Commercial Neighborhood: Central Area Built By: Year Built: 1928   Significance This two-story building is a major feature of the 23rd and Union intersection and of the Central Area in general. It is one of few remaining examples in this neighborhood of the brick mixed-use buildings that were developed at major streetcar intersections throughout the city. It has housed a wide variety of businesses, including a meat market and grocery store, a shoe repair shop, a general merchandise store and cleaners. For the last thirty years it has housed one of the neighborhood's most popular restaurants. The list of owners of the building and its businesses represents the wide diversity of ethnic groups found in the Central Area throughout its history, with Italian, Jewish, African-American, Japanese and Chinese owners.   Appearance This two-story building is a major feature of the 23rd and Union intersection and of the Central Area in general. It is one of few remaining examples in this neighborhood of the brick mixed-use buildings that were developed at major streetcar intersections throughout the city. It has housed a wide variety of businesses, including a meat market and grocery store, a shoe repair shop, a general merchandise store and cleaners. For the last thirty years it has housed one of the neighborhood's most popular restaurants. The list of owners of the building and its businesses represents the wide diversity of ethnic groups found in the Central Area throughout its history, with Italian, Jewish, African-American, Japanese and Chinese owners.

Detail for 2308 E Union ST E / Parcel ID 7228500140 / Inv # CA009

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: INV Cladding(s): Brick, Wood - Clapboard Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Specialty store Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two Unit Theme(s): Commerce, Community Planning/Development, Ethnic Heritage Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Extensive Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.

Photo collection for 2308 E Union ST E / Parcel ID 7228500140 / Inv # CA009

Photo taken Sep 06, 2001