EVERETT, Wash. — An Everett nonprofit is welcoming a small business by clearing out trash to help bring customers in.
“These cleanups are very valuable to maintain the quality of life for our residents and our small businesses,” said Evan Reed, the Executive Director of Bunker Arts Collective.
KIRO 7 spoke with Reed one year ago when he first began cleaning up the community. He’s showing no signs of slowing down.
“These cleanups are very valuable to maintain the quality of life for our residents and our small businesses,” Reed said.
Grocery Singh opened on the corner of 19th Street and Broadway last week.
“We are here trying to, you know, serve the community,” said Iqbal Preet Singh of Grocery Singh.
The multicultural grocery store occupies the building of the former Bartell Drugs.
“It’s been empty for over more than a year. And so this area has been getting tagged by graffiti, lots of vandalism,” said Gurleen Powar of Grocery Singh.
While dealing with the stress of opening a new business, Powar and Singh got an unexpected message.
“Evan reached out and he’s like, you know, we want to organize a community cleanup for you guys, welcoming you to the neighborhood,” Powar explained.
On Sunday, Reed said volunteers with Bunker Arts Collective cleared out trash and found ways to cover up the graffiti around Grocery Singh.
“They’re open for business and they want to be here in the community, and we should allow them to be here,” Reed said.
Powar said they’ve been overwhelmed with love and support in the short amount of time the store has been open.
" Honestly, it almost made me want to cry. Like I was, I was a bit anxious because it’s because opening a new business, it’s just so much work, so much stress. And then it’s just such a, like a feeling of relief. Just like to see people showing you love and support,” Powar said.
If you’d like to help, clean up outside of Grocery Singh on Broadway & 19th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Bunker Arts Collective does a clean-up every Sunday. Click here to volunteer!
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