Navigating Economic Segregation: Harold Fields Speaks Out on Transit and Support for South Seattle Small Businesses
In a recent appearance on The Pop-Up, Harold Fields, the founder of the Seattle-based fusion concept Umami Kushi, shed light on the systemic challenges facing small businesses in Seattle’s South End. Known for fusing Japanese street food with soulful Southern flavors, Fields voiced perspectives on city policy, public transit inequities, and economic exclusion of marginalized communities.
Rethinking City Initiatives on Crime and Funding
The discussion opened with a look at a new Seattle Office of Economic Development initiative allocating $3.3 million globally, offering up to $5,000 for repairs and $10,000 for security measures to vandalized businesses. Fields questioned the preventative logic behind the program.
"We have to look at why do we even need that in the first place," he said, questioning whether city leadership explored deeper community-focused preventative measures rather than simply "throwing money at a situation" after crime has occurred.
The Transit Disconnect
A primary focus for Fields is improving small business access to transit in Seattle’s South End. He pointed out a double standard in how the city manages its public transportation resources.
Over the summer, the city introduced a free waterfront shuttle running from the Space Needle down to the International District to accommodate tourists from the FIFA World Cup. According to Fields, this was an idea originally proposed for his own neighborhood. He emphasized that the South End lacks a similar shuttle to bridge the gap between the Rainier Beach light rail station, the local business community, and the Columbia City station.
"You're running a free shuttle downtown for tourists throughout the summer, but you couldn't do that in other parts of the city to connect businesses and give people access to those businesses in those communities," he said, jokingly adding, "I think somebody stole my move here.”
Excluded from the World Cup Spotlight
Fields pointed to another disappointing pattern: despite being culturally rich and accessible via light rail, neighborhoods in South Seattle have been largely left out of official FIFA World Cup fan guides, mobile games, and funding resources, which have instead been concentrated in downtown areas like the Seattle Center and Pioneer Square.
When asked if he felt excluded, Fields agreed, framing it within a broader pattern of "economic segregation" that has historically defined the city. Instead of dwelling on decisions outside of his control, he said he relied on grass-roots collaboration with local organizations and focuses on maintaining a top-tier business model and brand experience.
Translating the Japanese Street Experience to Rainier Beach
Reflecting on his past life living in Japan, Fields shared what he misses most: the unpredictable, daily journeys and the "element of surprise" found in compact urban spaces where resourceful people maximize tiny blueprints.
He has intentionally channeled that minimalist, immersive aesthetic into the design and art of his own café.
"I wanted [people] to have that overwhelming feeling and lose sight of the fact that you are in Rainier Beach or South Seattle, but you could be anywhere you want to be," he said.
How To Support
For those looking to bypass the transit hurdles and experience Fields' unique culinary fusion, Umami Kushi is located at 9099 Seward Park Avenue South in Rainier Beach. The café is open Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information can be found at umamikushi.com.
Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays live at 9 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
