Meet Cindy Le, the owner of Le’s Deli & Bakery in the Ranier Valley neighborhood of Seattle, WA. Known for her tasty Banh Mi and baked goods, Cindy’s Le’s Deli & Bakery has become a favorite among South Seattleites and locals around the city to escape the hustle and bustle. Get to know more about Cindy in this week’s Business Spotlight: Le’s Deli & Bakery.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What’s your favorite part about the community your business is in & why?
My favorite part of the community is the diversity in the area. Othello in South Seattle is extremely diverse. The community is also so kind and supportive. I know almost everyone who walks into our business and I treat them as I would treat my family.
Why is it important to you and your business that people #SpendLikeItMatters?
It’s important for us for people to #SpendLikeItMatters because small businesses are the heart of communities. We give back whenever we can and create a safe space for the community to gather.
As a business owner, what’s the strangest or craziest idea you’ve ever tried?
I originally owned a hair salon in Gig Harbor but my heart wasn’t in it. I would always want to go home and just make food for my family because that’s what I love to do! My husband and family encouraged me to open a restaurant and cook for everyone and that’s exactly what we did.
What’s something your customers may not know about you or your business?
During the beginning of the pandemic, my husband and I worked 90 hours each week because many of the businesses nearby closed and we wanted to be open for our community. It was a really hard time but we did it for our community.
What are some of your favorite local businesses and why?
We’ve been in the community for many years and know the owners of local businesses really well! One of our favorites is Che Dessert and Cafe Red!
Anything else you’d like us to know about you and your business?
If you haven’t tried our rice crispy bars, you have to! They’re incredibly soft and delicious, we make them from scratch and hope to be able to sell them online soon!