Black wine bar owner focused on sustainability, paving way for underrepresented entrepreneurs – KIRO 7 News Seattle

SEATTLE – A Seattle wine bar owner focuses on sustainability and paves the way for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

As he told KIRO 7’s Tracey Leong, he wants to promote an inclusive, environmentally friendly future that benefits everyone.

“So we opened in September 2018, so we are facing our three-year anniversary,” said owner Ken Dillon.

For Dillon, 39, thinking beyond the bottle inspired his business model for a one-of-a-kind concept – a wine bar on tap.

“Since we have our wine on tap, we can reduce our carbon footprint from glass pouring by 90%,” said Dillon.

Dillon combined his passion for wine and sustainability to create “Footprint Wine Tap” in Capitol Hill.

The name of the shop highlights how the barrels minimize the carbon footprint – each holds 27 bottles of wine – a model that preserves the wine and offers an environmentally friendly wine tasting experience.

“High quality and consistent with every single pour, it’s almost like opening a fresh bottle every single pour,” said Dillon.

During the pandemic, Dillon had to switch operations to stay afloat. He started selling wine to go in reusable growlers.

And even with the bar reopening to customers, growlers continue to be a popular option. Dillon is grateful for the support, but knows that many small, minority-owned businesses have not been so lucky.

“As a black entrepreneur, I find that there are systemically many challenges that we as blacks face alone, whether it be access to resources, just networking, or access to higher-paying jobs,” said Dillon.

He saw the pandemic pose even more challenges for black business owners, but he wants entrepreneurs to understand that it is not impossible to be successful.

“When I see someone like me tell my story and share my story, I hope it inspires others to go out and make the plan,” said Dillon.

Also to reinforce the value of support for the success of a common future.

“Support the Black-owned companies if you want us to be here today and tomorrow, keep popping up, show yourself off,” said Dillon.

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