How to Support Issaquah Businesses

The (re)STARTUP425 collaboration – which includes the cities of Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah and Renton – also provides free, one-on-one guidance for small businesses and nonprofits on how to navigate relief funding from various sources. The Eastside’s economy doesn’t recognize borders, so we are working together to connect businesses with customers. 

Farmers Market to Open June 6



We are thrilled to welcome you back to the Issaquah Farmers Market on June 6! We've been working closely with Public Health - Seattle & King County on a reopening plan, as farmers markets are considered essential under the Governor's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order.

Learn more in this video about our plans to keep shoppers and vendors safe.

Plan ahead before you go! Our web page has more details.

Stories of Support



We all have stories of our personal connections to local Issaquah business. I heard a great story last week about a family’s memories of Boehm’s Candies that I wanted to share:

My father, a deeply religious man, who is likely in heaven today – was a litterbug. 

My 5-year-old brain was as shocked by that as it was by the loss of a big bag of carefully selected Boehm’s candy that he heaved into the woods off of Old Highway 10 between Issaquah and Bellevue. 

This particular story has been a part of our family lore, told over and over…usually with my older brother getting the blame. You see, going to get candy at Boehm’s was a tradition after a family ski trip at Snoqualmie Pass. They often had a litter of St. Bernard puppies AND, of course, chocolates. Dad had a fondness for creams and jellies, while the rest of us fought over the caramels.

On this most memorable day, we were sternly (Dad was a classic WWII vet/Boeing engineer…lots of stern) told that no chocolate was to be eaten until after dinner, clearly a lifetime away! Somehow the candy got into the back seat of the station wagon with us four kids. How, my 5-year-old brain doesn’t recall, but I suspect my mother, who was literally "holding the bag," snuck it to us. She, ever able to alter reality, blames the scapegoat child…my brother Joe. 

You know where this is going. Dad, via the big eyeball in the rearview mirror, caught us sneaking candy against his rule. Boy was he grumpy! And the candy got thrown into the woods by that big, old, mean litterbug.

So when thinking about places to support during this COVID-19 shutdown, Boehm’s was in the Top 10. I bought $100 worth of candy and shipped it to my brother and sister and rang Mom’s doorbell for candy delivery – then stood 10 ft back (she is 90) leaving the bag of creams (her favorite now) on her front mat.

I’ve included a photo of my share of the chocolate…it tastes even better than it looks!

We’d like to share other stories like these of how you continue to support your local business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please send your narrative, and any photos, via email.

Welcome Back: Issaquah Insider

For the past several months, we paused our typical Issaquah Insider while we focused on keeping you updated on COVID-19 updates via this newsletter.

Starting next week, we're excited to start sending you City news via Issaquah Insider again! 

Meanwhile, I plan to still send this newsletter periodically. Thank you for your continued support. 

Yours in Service,

Mayor Mary Lou Pauly