Meeting Obama: “an amazing experience”
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Meeting Obama: “an amazing experience”

Gillian Allen-White is a co-owner of the Grand Central Bakery, and one of the few individuals who participated in a “small business” round table discussion with President Obama yesterday. “It was a fabulous experience and we are so very grateful to have such a wonderful  staff that they were able to take it in stride,” she said just a few hours after the meeting. “Not to mention our poor neighbors in the building who had to shut down operations while the secret service prepared the area.  The president spoke glowingly about the beautiful arcade and asked when Pioneer Square had undergone the early restorations.  Happily between Senator Murray and Secretary Locke, they were all over the dates.”

As mentioned previously,  GCB was likely chosen because they are a good model of a small, independent business. Even in this tough economy, they continue to thrive and are undergoing plans to open a new location in Burien. Although they have locations throughout Portland and Seattle, Allen-White said that they consider Pioneer Square to be a vital community that is filled with positive energy.

In an email to all of the Grand Central Bakery staff after the meeting, Allen-White was finally able to lift their “cone of silence” and give a summary of the visit with the President:

It was an amazing experience that we would have loved to have shared with every single one of you – but those darned secret service agents were kind of particular.  We were only allowed the staff members on the published schedule for that day.  In fact, we failed to let our poor baker know and he was surprised when the “mayor” that he had been told would be coming by turned out to be a much more awe-inspiring gentleman.  He would have changed his tee-shirt!

Gabby and I met the president after he entered through our stinky garage door entrance.  Next Gabby  introduced him to Gwen and the rest of the kitchen staff.  He later entered our café and ordered a turkey chutney sandwich, a side salad (the yummy Skagit Valley) and a jammer for the road.  (We have the receipt, which he signed!)

(link)

Afterward, I sat at the table with the president, Senator Patty Murray, Secretary Gary Locke and the other two small business owners chosen for the round table – Tiffany Turner of Inn at Discovery Coast and Joe Fugere of Tutta Bella.  We discussed the challenges for small business and believe it or not, we business folk did the majority of the talking. (Perhaps because President Obama was finishing his delicious lunch.)  He asked good questions and the conversation was remarkably easy – which was lucky because I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night!  Afterward he held a press conference and talked up Grand Central Bakery in the most lovely way.  We can all feel much pride in our great little company.

Here are some shots from the local paper.  It starts at the tarmac and then goes on to some lovely shots inside with the president shaking Sarah Lucey’s hand and the round table.  For you Portland folks, I’m the short one in the red sweater.  The other more professionally dressed short woman is Senator Murray!  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/photogalleries/localnews2012644224/12.html

(Photo Credit: Ken Lambert, Seattle Times)

Although I wasn’t able to get off of work to get my own photos, here are some that a friend shot of the event:

Bomb sniffing dog checking out the storage bin

A blurry Secret Service agent arriving at Grand Central Bakery

Yes, that’s Obama in the photo. I promise (my friend couldn’t figure out my camera)

To read more about the “Sonic Boom” heard throughout the city, click here. And for (much) better photos, check out the Seattle times link here.

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