PHOTO ESSAY: Central District’s ‘The Liink Project’ Features Local Black Businesses and Artists

by Ronnie Estoque

On Saturday, Sept. 18, The Liink Project, a co-op retail space in the Central District, hosted a pop-up market featuring local Black entrepreneurs and artists. The event featured lively music, Black art, and goods for purchase.

The venue, on Union Street and 20th Avenue, opened this past summer and features retail space Mondays through Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The space will continue to be used for markets, gallery shows, and other events at other times. Stephanie Morales, one of the co-founders of The Liink Project, hopes the space will be a place where local Black businesses can grow and find community in a neighborhood that has rapidly gentrified. Formed by community grassroot efforts, The Liink Project is continuing to accept donations.

Photo depicting Stephanie Morales with a mustard-yellow surgical mask standing behind her booth featuring artwork speaking to event attendees — Stephanie Morales, a cofounder of The Liink Project, speaks with event attendees about the space. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Photo depicting various indoor potted plants for sale at The Liink Project. — Seeds & Steeze sold a wide variety of potted plants during the event. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Photo depicting Eva Hutchins wearing a blue surgical face mask sitting behind her booth featuring home products from In Her Threads speaking with event attendees — Eva Hutchins, founder of In Her Threads, speaks to event attendees about her products which are sourced from Thailand. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Photo depicting three indoor plants with hanging leaves propped on a wooden chair at The Liink Project — Several plants from Seeds & Steeze propped on a wooden chair. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Photo depicting Dyesha standing behind their vendor table. — Undefined Clothing founder Dyesha stands by their vendor table that features the latest drops from their brand. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Photo depicting two Black-presenting individuals browsing through clothing at a booth at The Liink Project — Event attendees check out shirts from Undefined Clothing. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Photo depicting two Black-presenting individuals looking at crystals and jewelry from Nefertiti Holistic's booth at The Liink Project. — Event attendees were able to purchase crystals and precious stones from Nefertiti Holistic’s. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Photo depicting Stephanie Morales standing at the entrance of The Liink Project, wearing a mustard-yellow cloth face mask and a coordinating yellow plaid shirt. — Stephanie Morales, a cofounder of The Liink Project, stands outside of her building space located at 2002 E Union St. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Photo depicting colorful artwork by Stephanie Morales set up for sale at The Liink Project — Stephanie Morales also sold some of her artwork during the event. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

Ronnie Estoque is a South Seattle-based freelance photographer and videographer. You can keep up with his work by checking out his website.

📸 Featured Image: Stephanie Morales, a cofounder of The Liink Project, stands outside of her building space located at 2002 E Union St. (Photo: Ronnie Estoque)

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