As Latinx Heritage Month comes to a close, we’re thrilled to celebrate how our community rallied to support Latinx/Hispanic +-owned businesses in 2025. From exceeding our Receipt & Receive spending goals, the start of the Fall season was alive with activity. .
In this recap, you’ll see Seattle show up for Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month in all kinds of ways: from one-of-a-kind cultural events to local business spotlights, sports partnerships, and BECU’s continued backing of the Equity in Action program. We’re proud to honor the Latinx and Hispanic business owners shaping our city—proving that when we #SpendLikeItMatters, everyone benefits.
Receipt & Receive Update
When we launched the Receipt & Receive program for Latinx Heritage Month, our aim was to rally $30,000 in support for local Latinx/Hispanic/Latine-owned businesses. Thanks to the dedication of the Seattle community—and a little extra push from our hometown teams like the Storm, Sounders FC, Reign, Seahawks, Mariners, and Kraken—we just exceeded our initial goal TWICE, with a grand total of $37,250 and 484 submitted receipts from 83 Latinx/Hispanic-owned small businesses!
Businesses like Pufftown Bakehouse, Fire Tacos & Cantina, and Café Dulzura led the way in uploads – but the impact reached beyond the Seattle area. Community members and allies alike came together to champion Latinx and Hispanic-owned businesses, showing once again that when we #SpendLikeItMatters, progress follows.
The Small Business Leaderboard:
- Pufftown Bakehouse
- Fire Tacos & Cantina
- Cafe Dulzura
- Mendoza’s Mexican Mercado
- Friday Afternoon Tea
- Cafe Calaveras
- Salvadorean Bakery
- Rojo’s Mexican Food
- Frelard Tamales
- The Station
Congratulations to the following Intentional Spenders who uploaded their receipts and are the recipients of prizes from our sports teams! Please look out for an email from the teams about your prize!
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- Rose uploaded a receipt from Salvadorean Bakery and is the winner of a prize from the Seahawks!
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- Alanna uploaded a receipt from Leon Coffee House and is the winner of a prize from the Kraken!
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- Crystal uploaded a receipt from Cafe Dulzura and is the winner of a prize from the Mariners!
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- Laura uploaded a receipt from Don Gallopinto and is a winner of a prize from the Reign!
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- Alex uploaded a receipt from Pancita and is the winner of a prize from the Storm!
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- Owen uploaded a receipt from Fire Tacos & Cantina and is the winner of a prize from the Sounders!
Small Business Spotlights
Our weekly Small Business Spotlight series introduced our community to three queer-owned small businesses:
Café Dulzura – Step inside Café Dulzura in Burien, and you’ll feel like you’ve been invited into Maria Cid’s home. With colorful art on the walls, mugs that transport you straight to Mexico, and the smell of tamales and fresh coffee in the air, it’s more than just a café, it’s a celebration of culture, community, and corazón.
Cocoa Legato – If you love chocolate and music, Cocoa Legato in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood is a must-visit. Aaron Lindstrom, a lifelong musician and chocolate maker, has created a space where the two passions come together beautifully. Bean-to-bar chocolate crafted from scratch, vegan pastries, Café Vita coffee, and live music performances make every visit a sensory experience. From tasting bars that open like vinyl records to intimate shows that bring Seattle’s music scene alive, Cocoa Legato is more than a café. It’s a celebration of craft, culture, and community.
Un Bien – Seattle is full of local restaurants that bring unique flavors and community vibes to the city, and Un Bien is a standout. This Caribbean-inspired sandwich shop, run by brothers Julian and Lucas Lorenzo, serves bold, flavorful sandwiches that honor the tastes of the Caribbean while keeping the local community at heart. With three Seattle locations and a commitment to homemade, high-quality ingredients, Un Bien is a must-visit for anyone looking to support local, family-run businesses.
IntentionaLISTS
From brunch to bakeries, Seattle showed up to celebrate Latinx and Hispanic-owned businesses in all their flavor and creativity. Whether it’s gathering over chilaquiles at your favorite brunch spot or picking up pan dulce from a queer, Latinx-owned bakery, these local entrepreneurs are serving more than just great food—they’re building community with every bite. Check out our roundups to discover the incredible businesses that make Seattle’s Latinx and Hispanic community so vibrant year-round.
BECU’s Equity in Action: It’s On Us Campaign
A huge thank you to BECU’s Office of Equity and Inclusion for their ongoing support of the Equity in Action: It’s on Us campaign during Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month. Their commitment to celebrating and uplifting Latinx and Hispanic communities made a real impact – this fall, BECU picked up the tab for treats at Latinx- and Hispanic-owned businesses across the region. Community members just had to create an Intentionalist account, stop by their favorite neighborhood spots, and enjoy complimentary items, all courtesy of BECU. This initiative not only gave a boost to Latinx- and Hispanic-owned small businesses, but also welcomed new faces to these vibrant local favorites.
Happy Hour with the Seahawks: Yakima Edition
We had an incredible time teaming up with the Seahawks to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Central Washington! From Selah to Union Gap, fans came out in full force to support local Hispanic-owned small businesses and connect with the community.
It was inspiring to meet the business owners and their families, hear their stories, and see how their dedication and culture shine through every dish and detail. These are the local legends who make Yakima’s food scene so special.
Pro tip: Don’t miss the Chilaquiles Torta at @mylittlerestaurantofficial—it’s a game-changer—and be sure to grab at least half a dozen tamales from @los_hernandez_tamales before you head home.
Because whether you’re cheering from the stands or your favorite local spot, when we #SpendLikeItMatters, we all win. 💙💚
Artist Spotlight
In celebration of Latinx / Hispanic / Latine Heritage Month, we honored to feature original artwork by our guest artist, Nathaly Lerma of Flor de Cactus Studio. Nathaly’s work reflects a deep connection to memory, heritage, and tradition, weaving together personal and collective histories through the language of visual art. Her digital illustrations draw inspiration from the textures, colors, and symbolism of Latin American craftsmanship, transforming everyday objects into vessels of cultural storytelling.
Nathaly shares her artist statement below.
My digital illustration showcases a beautiful collection of ceramic vessels, which evoke memories of childhood and cultural heritage – the kind of hand-painted pottery that might grace my grandmother’s kitchen or be displayed with pride during family gatherings. Each vessel tells a story through its unique patterns: the blue and white floral motifs reminiscent of Talavera pottery, the dotted designs echoing indigenous techniques, and the botanical decorations celebrating the natural abundance of Latin American artistry.
For me, these ceramics function as cultural ambassadors, representing the dynamic and interconnected nature of Latin American artistic traditions. From Mexican Talavera to Guatemalan pottery, from Colombian ceramics to Southwestern folk art, these pieces demonstrate how artistic expression transcends borders while maintaining distinct regional characteristics. They speak to shared histories, similar techniques passed down through generations, and the way art serves as a universal language that connects diverse communities across Latin America.
The illustration captures not just objects, but cultural memory and the hands of their creators- the way a simple ceramic pitcher can hold within its form centuries of tradition, family stories, and the enduring spirit of craftsmanship that defines Latin American artistic heritage.
Of course, I had to include my signature cactus, an intimate reminder of where I’ve come from and where I am now.
Be Intentional, Year Round
Supporting businesses owned by Latino/e/a/x and Hispanic identifying communities isn’t just something to do during a nationally recognized heritage month – it’s a year-round opportunity to help build a stronger, more inclusive community. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to #SpendLikeItMatters!