Grocery

Uwajimaya

Founded by Fujimatsu Moriguchi, who emigrated from Uwajima, Japan in 1923

5 stores in Washington and Oregon · roughly $120M in sales per the most recent independently reported figures (2016)

The Founder’s Story

Moriguchi rebuilt the business after his family was forced into a WWII internment camp. His granddaughter Denise Moriguchi is the current CEO, making it a three-generation family business.

Real Impact

Employment

Starting pay is $22/hour at Washington stores and $20.76/hour at Oregon stores, both above the respective state minimum wage. [Uwajimaya Careers]
Longtime chairman Tomio Moriguchi was honored in 1992 for civic contributions including spearheading the $7 million Keiro Nursing Home for elderly Japanese Americans. [Seattle Times archive]

Community Development

Its Uwajimaya Village redevelopment of the Seattle flagship sets aside 25% of its 176 apartments as affordable units for renters at 80% of area median income. [Urban Land Institute]

Charitable & Community Work

Runs a formal donation program providing gift certificates to nonprofits for community development, education, and multicultural programs. [Uwajimaya]

Sources: Wikipedia · Seattle Met · Uwajimaya Careers · Seattle Times archive · Urban Land Institute · Uwajimaya

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