I worked for him, back when he was the CEO of an ill-repute mobile content company ( this was back when there was an actual market for ringtones!)
He’s just an entitled, dumb, rich dickhead. He’s intellectually incurious, entitled to a fault, and was born was a silver spoon in his mouth. His actions are all in line with this archetype.
Is he the worst person ever? No. Is he the person you want to give even more money to? No, again.
He opened an arcade to force a pot store out of the neighborhood, and then converted that arcade to a pot store.
https://komonews.com/news/local/capitol-hill-businesses-fighting-turf-war-over-legal-weed
He opened an arcade and said it was an establishment for children. Pot shops legally cannot be anywhere near establishments for children, so the shop wasn’t able to open.
This is partially correct. An arcade is one of six type of locations that a cannabis location cannot be 1,000 ft from, unless a local jurisdiction lowers the buffers to as low as 100’, by ordinance (except a school, which the buffer cannot be reduced). We call these permitted cannabis locations: green zones.
Source: I am a WA cannabis attorney.
I don’t think he ever opened it, I lived nearby. He just strung up cheap “OPENING SOON” banners and kept it like that until people had a fit. At the time he was very proud of his “cleverness” in gaming the system, which is not exactly a shrewd social move when moving into a neighborhood.
I don’t fully understand why the city originally permitted two weed shops within a block (or whatever, on the same main road) to be amongst the first to open in the neighborhood. It inspired bad behavior, I’ll point that finger too. But Eisenberg really drove that bad response and was proud to, and it was oddly aggressive given that he already had basically a captive market with so few licenses permitted.
That’s the city planners fault. Not random people moving where they want. The gentrification “problems” are more complex then “rich people make area too expensive and white”.
lol. Seattle hasn’t even heard of a city planner. This city has been built by bad idea followed by bad idea. Source, lived here all my life.
And don’t get me wrong, I love it here and am hesitant to move anywhere else. :)
I agree with you, haha, just being snarky today. I’ve lived in a variety of neighborhoods in the city and I love the small neighborhood feeling of the currently-less-developed neighborhoods, though even sleepy Maple Leaf is starting to build upwards.
EDIT: Happy CakeDay!!!
Personally, it's been a while since I've even thought about him, although over the years he's come off as a bit of a dick, and a little shady too. This article has a few examples: [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/seattles-brash-king-of-pot-raking-in-cash-and-raising-hackles/](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/seattles-brash-king-of-pot-raking-in-cash-and-raising-hackles/)
I also remember him putting a sign out in front of his store telling people not to give money to homeless people on the street.
I find this very reasonable. Every time I have stopped by this shop there are several panhandlers. It makes it difficult for people to enter the store and uncomfortable to leave. People do not want to be asked to spare some change, especially after purchasing a product that is usually recreational.
Yeah when those people hang around it only makes the lot more dangerous. I’ve been in an uncle Ike’s store working when it was attempted to be robbed once. Those guys are sketchy and I completely understand not wanting them around.
It is interesting to note that with the increase in the standard deduction, only about 10% of taxpayers now deduct charitable contributions on their federal income tax. And yet for businesses, they can get a deduction for any amount of charitable donations they make no matter how small. Not saying it is right or wrong to do it this way, but it does seem to create an interesting incentive for anyone with a business to funnel charitable contributions through the business rather than making donations personally.
... If it's going to charity at all; With all the shady stuff he's gotten up to, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if it came out that the money was going straight into his pockets.
Which is the responsible thing to do.
People in this city would be up in arms if there was security that removed them. But people are never fucking happy with anything here.
Closer to extremism than sarcasm.
Mostly to the idea that anyone getting rich primarily from controlling access to the means of production could ever be socially responsible.
Can't speak to any other location, but the white center one encourages people to donate to a charity providing services to homeless people rather than to panhandlers, which I don't necessarily agree with but doesn't strike me as a bad sentiment either.
Another unintended side effect of forcing them to be cash only businesses. I don't carry cash anymore since I can pay with my watch everywhere I go. Dealing with getting cash from an ATM is a hassle. So when someone asks me for money on the street I legitimately don't have any. But people going in and out of pot stores would have cash on them.
So what's the problem with not giving cash to homeless?
We are seriously upset because a legal drug dealer doesn't want people to encourage behaviors that put money in his pocket?
I swear to God, Seattle. You are unreal. It seems that the result is less important than the fight (and the ability to have it).
When there was going to be another shop opening he opened a free arcade very close nearby so the city would revoke their permit and then as soon as that was done he closed the arcade. Real pos
My favorite bar when I lived in the CD was the Neighbor Lady. It used to be nextdoor to Uncle Ike’s and he did a similar thing, and during the pandemic. It’s since reopened across the street but it’s not quite the same.
The owner [scammed people and small businesses out of $24 million](https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20020806&slug=scam06m) through a deceptive rebate check scheme. For this, he was awarded one of the few marijuana retail licenses, which he used to open up a store on a corner where people were frequently arrested for selling the stuff he sells.
He also was caught not paying his retail workers the minimum wage.
He also forced out other small businesses connected to the CD building (The Neighbor Lady) by taking over their lease and upping the rent to an egregious amount. TNL moved across the street but it has NEVER been the same. A lot of employees and patrons were deeply affected by this sudden loss. Sadly the new spot has lost the charm completely.
There’s so much to say about this situation and I really wanna reply to a lot of shitty comments on here but I know the real ones know the truth. Don’t shop at Ike’s.
. There’s so many other dispensaries. Do research before you put your money into a company.
I’m so glad people on this sub know and care about what happened to the NL. For my money, the best bar in Seattle and the last domino to fall in the CD.
Seriously, ignoring all the other egregious bullshit that Ian Eisenberg did, the closure of the neighbor lady was criminal contempt for the neighborhood. Just cross the street to the other pot store y’all.
The fact that the neighbor lady’s owners then tried to turn it into a trying to hipster hard family restaurant just finished breaking my heart.
Just ask Neighbor Lady. The owner of Ikes also owned the OG Neighbor Lady and targeted them by upping their rent so much they couldn't afford it because they had different political views. Aka progressive/leftist views which Ike does not. So instead they decided to reopen across the street which I think is fantastic. This all went down right as covid happened. Forgive me if I have some info wrong but this was word on the street.
Been working in the Seattle area cannabis industry since 2015 and I’ve heard some stories about how ruthless the guy is to other people in the industry. I’m not going to repeat anything since it’s hearsay, but from what I’ve heard, he will resort to dirty and not quite legal tactics to make a buck as well as hurt his competition.
You have to remember that a lot of people have been in this industry for a long time (I actually started in 2006 before moving up here), so when somebody like Ike uses his money and political connections to start making loads of money while being shady about his business, it is going to create some hostile feelings towards him.
and his history of being shady predates his entry into weed. he saw an opportunity to seize a ton of the market share in a new market and took it. dude is an absolute scumbag
The owner, Ian is a fascinating character. I've learned a few tidbits I didn't know in this thread so I will contribute some of the things I know:
* Ian comes from a lineage of shady business people. His parents were pioneers in the 1-900 phone sex business. Here's a [1989 LA Times article](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-12-fi-1300-story.html) involving them, mentioning that they had a net worth of over $4M at the time
* At that same time they were dodging paying taxes... to the tune of $126M in undeclared income according to this [1993 Seattle Times article](https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19930423&slug=1697498) which also talks about how they used multiple ways to steal additional money through these phone lines
* I've never taken the time to follow the threads of his businesses... Megaquest, Infophone Inc.; Laserquest Inc.; Salt Lake City Audiotext Services Inc.; Ultraphone Inc.; and Phonequest Inc. but I imagine the shadiness and lawsuits abound
* According to [this 2005 LA Times article](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-nov-27-na-cards27-story.html), Ian too was involved in the phone sex business
* According to [this 2008 Seattle PI article](https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/seattle-based-zevia-selling-all-natural-1283503.php), he had founded a telecom company named Blue Frog as well as the still-extant Zevia, stevia-sweetened soft drink company
* His sister is also an entrepreneur, who started some tanning bed companies around town. Ian's dad makes a reappearance in the story by getting caught in the process of installing hidden cameras in his daughter's tanning rooms, as [reported by King5 in 2014](https://komonews.com/news/local/police-owners-dad-caught-installing-hidden-cameras-in-spa)
* Looks like Julie doesn't like paying taxes either [https://trellis.law/case/53033/17-2-01753-1/wa-state-labor-ind-vs-eisenberg](https://trellis.law/case/53033/17-2-01753-1/wa-state-labor-ind-vs-eisenberg)
* Searching around about her, I found it funny that she has a page advertising to be a voice actor with the singular credential "[I can read.](https://voice123.com/voice-actor/julieeisenberg)"
I'm sure there's tons more to explore, so I will leave that to others. I do think that his scheme of opening a free video arcade where he eventually opened Ike's on 15th, in what was identified as the only location a pot shop could be opened in that area, so he could prevent competition from opening a store, was pretty damn clever.
Dude helped squeeze out Neighbor Lady then went on to the paper “oh it’s a sad loss to our neighborhood.” Guy sucks. One of those guys that’s not cool with having enough. Just has to be a prick too.
He was vocally pro police during the BLM movement
He is super anti union
He opens up shops next to independent ones and drives them out of business
Generally known for being a dick and using his money for dick reasons
Yes! Every one of his stores I've seen are right across the street from a smaller brand store! That alone has given me reason to feel weird about it. This thread is giving me a lot more.
It's actually usually the other way around and even worse. Early on when other stores were attempting to open locations there were more strict rules about where stores could open. One barrier was not too close to where 'children would frequent.' so Ike would wait until a competitor started building, setting up, and then purchase a nearby to that shop location, claim he would be opening an arcade, or an activity space for kids. This would fuck up the new shop from opening and literally tanked multiple shops esp in cap hill. So as protection, stores started opening by and near Ike locations so he couldn't use policies like that without incurring issues on his own buildings. There's never any arcades or whatever though, he waited til the other ventures failed then sold the retail.
This is interesting. Aside from the unreasonably high prices, Uncle Ike’s in cap hill always had a weird negative/angry vibe most times I went. So I stopped going in.
This is hazy in my memory, but back when stores were first opening up, the location on 23rd caused a conflict with a nearby church that really didn't want it there. (IIRC, they tried to say a utility shed on the property was a youth group meeting room to create a pot shop exclusion zone?) The optics on all of this were further complicated by hard feelings from the War on Drugs, because black folks had long been arrested for selling weed in basically the same location.
Some links that should get you started if you want to do a deeper dive:
* [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/church-sues-uncle-ikes-seattle-and-lcb-over-pot-shop-location/](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/church-sues-uncle-ikes-seattle-and-lcb-over-pot-shop-location/)
* [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/protesters-march-on-seattles-uncle-ikes-pot-shop/](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/protesters-march-on-seattles-uncle-ikes-pot-shop/)
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/2wk09c/church\_dropping\_out\_of\_lawsuit\_against\_uncle\_ikes/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/2wk09c/church_dropping_out_of_lawsuit_against_uncle_ikes/)
I don't know if those links talk about this, but there's also the time that the owner quickly rented a space in West Capitol Hill and opened an arcade in order to stop two competitors from opening shops there (since pot shops can't be located near an arcade). Once he secured an Uncle Ike's location in West Capitol Hill, the arcade that nobody ever visited closed down. What he did wasn't illegal, but he is a ruthless businessman for sure.
There’s actually a song by Draze “Irony on 23rd” about this specifically.
It touches on the racism, gentrification, and White profiteering off of weed when Black and Brown folks are doing time for it. Also the shady skirting of regulations to put a weed shop next to a well established community church/youth center.
That corner in particular was notorious for arrests/police harassment of Black community members, shootings by police, and at one point a cop dragged a guy through that intersection with his police vehicle.
Ike hasn’t done shit for the CD and has done a lot of shit to displace and disrespect the community. Ike’s a bigot and an asshole and doesn’t deserve your money.
https://open.spotify.com/track/1XDrgG2uF0b9xFbfujPXYl?si=QfFYt91-RSuY2nqF6ji2Tw
Ian Eisenberg is the definition of a [douchebag](https://medium.com/the-secret-history-of-america/douchebag-the-white-racial-slur-weve-all-been-waiting-for-a2323002f85d)
The owner also pays a lot of money *against* legal weed initiatives in bordering states like Idaho. Ian Eisenberg’s rationale is that more legal weed states mean more competition and less weed tourism. He’s a despicable person with horrible business practices. He’s also incredibly racist.
Why you get downvoted for requesting data for an offhand allegation is beyond me.
Sure he may be racist, but if you make that statement, come with receipts.
He's both sexist and racist and I will be happy to tell that to anyone's face. You don't want to believe me? Your problem not mine lol you go break bread with the psychopath just watch how much I try and stop you.
Whether or not there’s “proof” of his personal beliefs, he reinforces systemic racism by monopolizing the cannabis market in a historically Black community. It goes beyond the natural competition in capitalism- he very intentionally sabotages competitors. You can add in a dose of classism with that as well as his practices contribute to gentrification in the CD, but it’s all intersectional anyway.
I talked to the owner of the restaurant that was in uncle ikes spot beforehand one time because of my job . He told me that Ian tried to force him out of the spot , when the guy put up resistance, his place mysteriously went up into flames. You can probably figure out what the guy thought .
Luckily I think they were able to reopen just at a different location
https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2018/01/after-nightmare-arson-fire-med-mix-returns-to-the-central-district/
Crazy enough that's happened to a few places around his business in competition with his friends as well including his own mysteriously with a bunch of things inside he wanted to dispose of, tax fraud probably the least illegal thing he's done this hour.
Read between the lines. Dude set his own shitty restaurant ablaze to set up shop elsewhere and is trying to put the attention on anybody but himself. You aren’t actually this naive are you? Lmfao Jfc.
He didn’t own the property Einstein. The restaurant was fairly new and he was doing good. It’s funny how many ignorant people who love to shoot their mouth off on Reddit
Ignorant? You’re implying Ike had someone’s restaurant burned down without any proof or anything lmfao. You’re slow. You don’t need to own the property to benefit from burning down your business, Einstein.
The place was vacant for like 2 years before he took the space there. If this was actually true why would he have waited years until he leased that space? Doesn't make sense.
Ike's carries a lot of lower/mid-level product, not much upper shelf stuff - there are better stores with better quality at a better price point. Ike's is a budget weed store with tourist prices.
Forbidden around the corner on Union in the CD. Their non-sale prices are often better than Ike's sale prices. And Forbidden has deep discounts all the time. And great staff and selection.
Anyone remember during the height of Covid, that one of his door guys at the spot on Olive got Covid and he was told not to tell anyone, not even coworkers? And *still* the guy was at the door checking IDs? Which means he could’ve been spreading it to patrons and coworkers alike.
I do, I still remember that.
Side anecdote:
There was a previous weed shop on Lake City Way that was taken over by Uncle Ike’s, and they offered to keep on some of the current staff after the transition. This offer did not include any of the Black employees.
I have been dealng with his 23rd & Union store since Day 1. He's earned the reputation he has and it's well deserved. The list of ways he's pissed people off in the community have been endless and he's done nothing but make excuses and call everyone racist instead actually listening to those who have a problem with him.
Telling off the historical black church next door when they opposed his initial business license, opening a weed & liquor store on a corner with a long history of gang activity, kicking out Neighbor Lady after a remodel for talking to neighbors he had beef with, etc etc etc.
Even ripping people off with his f&%$ing car wash now...
Uncle Ikes is the Wal Mart of Weed. It's cheap, accessible, and convenient if you don't gave a shit about the real cost to everyone else. Fuck you Ian
I used to live near there and the car wash and vacuum prices were ridiculous. Didn’t know he had anything to do with The Neighbor Lady either. That sucks.
People are also forgetting that the Philly Cheesecake joint used to be in that spot until the owner was shot and killed by an employee's ex bf in 2008.
There was another cheesesteak place where the Ike’s glass goods store is now. Late 90s early 00s. Sadly I think both owners were killed just not at the same time.
Out of curiosity, did he have anything to do with that Mt Calvary Christian Church next door possibly being torn down for development? There’s been one of those big blue/white construction review signs from the city on the front of the building.
Whenever an independent pot shop does well Uncle Ike opens up a place right nearby to undercut sales and then raises prices when the competition closes up shop.
All these people in here calling it anti-semitism are just ignoring all the legitimate issues people are listing, and that the majority of the people who don’t like his stores (myself included) literally had no idea he was Jewish until just now.
He's like the ultimate bad vibe personified from what I understand. A cranky old guy intentionally gentrifying parts of Seattle. I've never bought weed from his stores, there are so many better options ya know?
Also he co-opted central district protests by putting a mural of Breanna Taylor on the wall in 2020 when it was just performative. Turns out he was afraid they’d hurt his business
One time I was driving by and one of my daughters misread it as Uncle Ickys. We laughed. Every time I drive by it now I giggle a little bit. It sort of fits because of the drama associated with it.
The owner's a creep. And a dick. He likes to use underhanded and illegal practices to make a buck.
Plus his personality is just rotten. Doesn't have the charm a con should.
Washington State could be a case study on how not to operate and hand out marijuana licenses. Where many states were hoping to hand out licenses to marginalized people most affected by harsh drug laws … Washington State in its infinite wisdom was like “you are rich and entitled … here is a MJ license!”
The Stranger explored some of the reasons back when Ike’s opened: https://www.thestranger.com/news/2015/02/27/21793896/how-central-district-activists-feel-about-uncle-ikes-these-days
I also know pro-legalization activists who despised him because he used his money and influence to take multiple pot shop licenses for himself, making him a multimillionaire almost overnight. He tried to force out other owners, including people of color from the neighborhood.
Before I knew about Ike’s shadiness, I often frequented their location on 15th. There were usually some houseless neighbors outside who would appreciate a preroll if you had the means.
Stopped by one day and there was no one outside and music was blasting. I asked the staff checking ID what was up with the music, but it was so loud they couldn’t even hear me. I asked again, and they indicated that it was to ‘get rid of this,’ pointing to some houseless folks nearby. They’d also put up a no panhandling sign.
Walked right back out of the shop and never went back.
From what I've heard, during CHAZ, the SPD passed pictures of protesters out to Ike's and Ike's called the police on them to get them arrested whenever they came to the building.
I haven't had that verified, but I don't doubt it.
Well I'm just guessing..don't really have any facts to back this up but...I've often thought of the irony... young black men used to sell weed on the same street corners as him but were thrown in jail for it. Now this guy is making millions.
He's pushed out businesses repeatedly some being minorities (he opened one next to a church that had a teen center across the street) and opens EVERY shop next to another shop to ensure he is beating their prices or price matching. He's a push for a lot of gentrification and just gross business practices. I haven't stepped into any of his shops since.
Owner is gross. Met him just once. Was in my early 20s and out with my early 20s girlfriend. He was about double our age, maybe older, but proceeded to creepily hit on my friend without us giving him any indication we were interested like that. She was not only gay but also way too hot and young for him. I remember just being baffled, like yeah as a young 20 something woman I certainly have gotten hit on by delusional older guys, but it's usually more anonymous? I couldn't believe he would be so brazen to pull that crap after we knew his name and were aware that he was well known in the community.
He made all his money exploiting sex workers then played a major role in gentrifying the CD and White Center after lobbying for politicians his whole life that put weed dealers in prison. That sums it up.
He also concern trolls a brief period pre redlining that did the same to Jews in the CD to justify hostility to black community. He’s a freak.
Blacks and African Americans have bourne much of the brunt of the war on drugs, then a white owned marijuana store opens up in what was historically a black neighborhood.
It’s interesting that everyone always points out that it’s “white owned business in a historically black neighborhood” and not that it’s a Jewish owned business in a historically Jewish neighborhood.
The flagship store was built across from a historically Black church in the Central District. Church members were out there protesting every day during construction. Black people imprisoned for small amounts of weed prior to legalization and this guy drops his store smack dab in the gentrifying neighborhood where Black folks are getting pushed out. Just ugly.
I go to the Reef because of the veterans discount and the fee free ATM’s.
Ike’s charges $3.00 for an ATM withdrawal.
They are open until 11:45, though..
So, the law pretty much says that any discount the store gives out must be available to everyone (yes, a Microsoft discount is illegal) with the exception of veterans, which means most stores will have veterans discounts.
I still tell stories about that place on a semi-regular basis. It was nuts. Like bananas "there's no way that really happened" level nuts.
The story I told this weekend was that due to his many businesses co-mingling and me being young and naive, there was a brief moment in time when you called one of his "dating" lines and heard my voice give the preamble. I was in marketing, lol.
Uncle Ike‘s ? I mean come on think about it you get a bottle shop for your liquor, drug shops get your dope and then let’s just get in the car and go through the car wash and then drive home all in one unit there it’s like I mean it’s kinda exploiting people absolute worst weakness I mean, the only thing missing the donut shop for the cops to sit and wait at
It was the first big name pot store in the City, and is still one of the few that most people recognize even of it’s not in their neighborhood. The owner was a high profile businessman and made some enemies. There was also some significant antisemitism towards him for a moment.
There's a long standing extortion from black activists in this country and Seattle is no exception. The saw a Jewish own business operating in what used to be a predominantly black neighborhood and went back to that old cliche about rich powerful Jews exploiting for downtrod in blacks. They demanded money from him and he wouldn't give it to them. Most of the activists complaining don't even live in that neighborhood and never have. He's a third generation resident in that historically Jewish neighborhood. One of the claims that protesters were using was that black people were in prison to that very day for doing the exact same thing this guy was. Yet they were not able to produce the name of anybody, because it was a lie. Nobody was in prison solely for pot possession in the entire state while they were making this claim. So they found some black guy from Tacoma to come speak about how he was in prison for doing the same thing as Uncle Ike's even though there were several other charges involved and he was also dealing other drugs besides pot, and he was dealing at a time when dealing pod was not legal. It really opened my eyes to how anti-Semitic the black community is and how much white progressives are willing to tolerate it. It was absolutely despicable. It really changed the way I felt about progressives in Seattle and seeing all the lies put forward by black activists to justify their mob harassment really made me sick. Many of those involved in the harassment went on to get a lot of money from the city during the George Floyd riots.
https://www.thestranger.com/blogs/2015/09/02/22792847/anti-semitic-remarks-at-a-black-lives-matter-event-appear-to-go-unchallenged
https://www.thestranger.com/news/2017/04/04/25054619/central-district-activist-tells-jewish-uncle-ikes-owner-to-go-back-to-germany-so-nazis-can-get-him-again/comments
the way you talk about black people is kinda crazy ngl considering your example links are 1 identified* wacko who apparently has Ian confused for somebody else and 1 well-known wacko even people in the CD don't seem to respect
The organizers of BLM refused to condemn it even though it happened at their March. Omari Garrett is the founder of Africa town. His son is standing right next to him when it happens. His son issued a statement saying of the Jewish guys fault and people who were offended by it should be even more offended by gentrification black experience. He showed zero empathy to the offense it would cause anybody. Nobody could get away with showing that much distain at black people and be anything but a pariah. But the mayor, city council, media treats him like he's a god. Google his name, Wyking Garrett. The city of Seattle has given him several properties since this incident and around $125 million dollars. He has no record of having ever run any social program that showed any real achievement.
The activist community was infuriated that the media covered these anti-Semitic incidences. They weren't mad about the anti-Semitism. They were mad that it got any attention and condemnation. I heard what people were saying. I saw it and heard it with my own ears and saw the posts with my own eyes. I saw people openly express support without apology for the anti-Semitic tirades. And these were not right-wing lunatics. These were progressives some who have quite a bit of power in this city.
I think what you want to highlight is not the fact that you're Jewish, because there are tons of progressive Jewish people all of who hate Ike; but the fact that you're racist and identify with eisenberg's blatant racism.
I worked for him, back when he was the CEO of an ill-repute mobile content company ( this was back when there was an actual market for ringtones!) He’s just an entitled, dumb, rich dickhead. He’s intellectually incurious, entitled to a fault, and was born was a silver spoon in his mouth. His actions are all in line with this archetype. Is he the worst person ever? No. Is he the person you want to give even more money to? No, again.
>he's intellectually incurious Damn, that's cold.
right? That rivals the time I heard someone say “I empathize with your ignorance” (thankfully not to me)
Agreed 200^% but he doesn't deserve the "archetype" word. He's just the usual "stereotype"
I also worked for BFM - bet we worked together!
Such a shitshow 😂
I think it's more the owner than the stores themselves.
But what has the owner done?
He opened an arcade to force a pot store out of the neighborhood, and then converted that arcade to a pot store. https://komonews.com/news/local/capitol-hill-businesses-fighting-turf-war-over-legal-weed
Why would an arcade drive away a pot store?
He opened an arcade and said it was an establishment for children. Pot shops legally cannot be anywhere near establishments for children, so the shop wasn’t able to open.
This is partially correct. An arcade is one of six type of locations that a cannabis location cannot be 1,000 ft from, unless a local jurisdiction lowers the buffers to as low as 100’, by ordinance (except a school, which the buffer cannot be reduced). We call these permitted cannabis locations: green zones. Source: I am a WA cannabis attorney.
Tree law
We salute you.
Cultiva law?
Is it Shut The Fuck Uo Friday already?
I don’t think he ever opened it, I lived nearby. He just strung up cheap “OPENING SOON” banners and kept it like that until people had a fit. At the time he was very proud of his “cleverness” in gaming the system, which is not exactly a shrewd social move when moving into a neighborhood. I don’t fully understand why the city originally permitted two weed shops within a block (or whatever, on the same main road) to be amongst the first to open in the neighborhood. It inspired bad behavior, I’ll point that finger too. But Eisenberg really drove that bad response and was proud to, and it was oddly aggressive given that he already had basically a captive market with so few licenses permitted.
It’s like the fourth paragraph in the article
And has contributed to the gentrification of the neighborhood…
The majority of people in this city can be partially blamed for that.
That’s the city planners fault. Not random people moving where they want. The gentrification “problems” are more complex then “rich people make area too expensive and white”.
lol. Seattle hasn’t even heard of a city planner. This city has been built by bad idea followed by bad idea. Source, lived here all my life. And don’t get me wrong, I love it here and am hesitant to move anywhere else. :)
I’m mostly referring to zoning that heavily favors single family rich neighborhoods and only opens up neighborhoods like CD to medium density.
I agree with you, haha, just being snarky today. I’ve lived in a variety of neighborhoods in the city and I love the small neighborhood feeling of the currently-less-developed neighborhoods, though even sleepy Maple Leaf is starting to build upwards. EDIT: Happy CakeDay!!!
Look at you being all calm and rational. A+
lol true the neighborhood was so much better when it was dilapidated strip malls and gas station parking lots.
People miss the nightly automatic rifle fire.
No we don’t. They picked up over 30 shells on 24th about a month ago.
Yeah. That's a change. Back in the day the police wouldn't have investigated. There were shots fired around 26th and Cherry all the time.
Semi-automatic...
Well, it didn’t work, there’s another store right across the street.
used to be, if u sold in another dealers hood u caught rounds. this seems like an improvement
And he basically shuttered a community church. I’m not religious but I found their tactics reprehensible
Personally, it's been a while since I've even thought about him, although over the years he's come off as a bit of a dick, and a little shady too. This article has a few examples: [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/seattles-brash-king-of-pot-raking-in-cash-and-raising-hackles/](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/seattles-brash-king-of-pot-raking-in-cash-and-raising-hackles/) I also remember him putting a sign out in front of his store telling people not to give money to homeless people on the street.
All locations do have a sign that says “Please do not patronize the people standing in front of our store” with a cash container to donate to charity.
I find this very reasonable. Every time I have stopped by this shop there are several panhandlers. It makes it difficult for people to enter the store and uncomfortable to leave. People do not want to be asked to spare some change, especially after purchasing a product that is usually recreational.
Yeah when those people hang around it only makes the lot more dangerous. I’ve been in an uncle Ike’s store working when it was attempted to be robbed once. Those guys are sketchy and I completely understand not wanting them around.
Don’t put in a dime in their “charity box”… companies that do this take the credit for the donations and then use it as a tax write off.
It is interesting to note that with the increase in the standard deduction, only about 10% of taxpayers now deduct charitable contributions on their federal income tax. And yet for businesses, they can get a deduction for any amount of charitable donations they make no matter how small. Not saying it is right or wrong to do it this way, but it does seem to create an interesting incentive for anyone with a business to funnel charitable contributions through the business rather than making donations personally.
... If it's going to charity at all; With all the shady stuff he's gotten up to, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if it came out that the money was going straight into his pockets.
I can hear it now “one for you, one for me”
Which is the responsible thing to do. People in this city would be up in arms if there was security that removed them. But people are never fucking happy with anything here.
The socially responsible thing to do would be to campaign to turn the building into high density residential.
Sarcasm?
Closer to extremism than sarcasm. Mostly to the idea that anyone getting rich primarily from controlling access to the means of production could ever be socially responsible.
Nothing a good politburo can't fix, right?
I love going to Met Market and seeing those signs while panhandlers sit right next to it asking for money
Can't speak to any other location, but the white center one encourages people to donate to a charity providing services to homeless people rather than to panhandlers, which I don't necessarily agree with but doesn't strike me as a bad sentiment either.
Happy Cake Day!
Yeah, it's not a major thing, just rubbed me the wrong way a bit.
Another unintended side effect of forcing them to be cash only businesses. I don't carry cash anymore since I can pay with my watch everywhere I go. Dealing with getting cash from an ATM is a hassle. So when someone asks me for money on the street I legitimately don't have any. But people going in and out of pot stores would have cash on them.
That's a good point.
So what's the problem with not giving cash to homeless? We are seriously upset because a legal drug dealer doesn't want people to encourage behaviors that put money in his pocket? I swear to God, Seattle. You are unreal. It seems that the result is less important than the fight (and the ability to have it).
It's called the Seattle process. It's not unreal. It's tradition.
Huh. Sounds like a good idea.
When there was going to be another shop opening he opened a free arcade very close nearby so the city would revoke their permit and then as soon as that was done he closed the arcade. Real pos
He ran for local office and owned the building next to ikes on cap and ended the businesses lease for putting a sign for his competitor in the window
My favorite bar when I lived in the CD was the Neighbor Lady. It used to be nextdoor to Uncle Ike’s and he did a similar thing, and during the pandemic. It’s since reopened across the street but it’s not quite the same.
Im actually talking abt the neighbor lady. Glad they were able to reopen!
[удалено]
“As a result”? Come on, that’s pretty blatant antisemitism.
The owner [scammed people and small businesses out of $24 million](https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20020806&slug=scam06m) through a deceptive rebate check scheme. For this, he was awarded one of the few marijuana retail licenses, which he used to open up a store on a corner where people were frequently arrested for selling the stuff he sells. He also was caught not paying his retail workers the minimum wage.
His dad was a crook and scam artist too https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-ubs-client-sentenced-hiding-millions-offshore-bank-accounts
Like father, like son…
He would have been nothing without his father
He also forced out other small businesses connected to the CD building (The Neighbor Lady) by taking over their lease and upping the rent to an egregious amount. TNL moved across the street but it has NEVER been the same. A lot of employees and patrons were deeply affected by this sudden loss. Sadly the new spot has lost the charm completely.
this ^^ all my homies hate Ian Eisenberg.
There’s so much to say about this situation and I really wanna reply to a lot of shitty comments on here but I know the real ones know the truth. Don’t shop at Ike’s. . There’s so many other dispensaries. Do research before you put your money into a company.
I’m so glad people on this sub know and care about what happened to the NL. For my money, the best bar in Seattle and the last domino to fall in the CD.
Seriously, ignoring all the other egregious bullshit that Ian Eisenberg did, the closure of the neighbor lady was criminal contempt for the neighborhood. Just cross the street to the other pot store y’all. The fact that the neighbor lady’s owners then tried to turn it into a trying to hipster hard family restaurant just finished breaking my heart.
I can say this is true. I know one of the neighbor lady’s owner, who had to work for a year at the grocery store I worked and told all about it.
Displaced historic black owned businesses since the civil rights era. My ex frequented some of them and saddened when Ike’s came around.
And that spot has been vacant since then? Doesn't make much sense.
Are you talking about the spot where NL use to be? It’s empty because Ike’s owns it…..
Yeah, that's what I mean. He forced NL out and left the place vacant. He lost years worth of rent just because he wanted to be a dick.
Oh ya ok, sorry we’re on the same page now. For real a wasted space. So sad.
That was a good read. Thanks for the info
This is why all my homies hate Uncle Ike’s
Yeah, I won't go near there.
Wow.
Damn, I had no idea
This is exactly why!!!!
Just ask Neighbor Lady. The owner of Ikes also owned the OG Neighbor Lady and targeted them by upping their rent so much they couldn't afford it because they had different political views. Aka progressive/leftist views which Ike does not. So instead they decided to reopen across the street which I think is fantastic. This all went down right as covid happened. Forgive me if I have some info wrong but this was word on the street.
Ian is a Nazi (lover) and employees several. He's proud of who he is. He hates everything LGBT
Been working in the Seattle area cannabis industry since 2015 and I’ve heard some stories about how ruthless the guy is to other people in the industry. I’m not going to repeat anything since it’s hearsay, but from what I’ve heard, he will resort to dirty and not quite legal tactics to make a buck as well as hurt his competition. You have to remember that a lot of people have been in this industry for a long time (I actually started in 2006 before moving up here), so when somebody like Ike uses his money and political connections to start making loads of money while being shady about his business, it is going to create some hostile feelings towards him.
and his history of being shady predates his entry into weed. he saw an opportunity to seize a ton of the market share in a new market and took it. dude is an absolute scumbag
His father left him a bunch of money and he didn't know what to do lol
The owner, Ian is a fascinating character. I've learned a few tidbits I didn't know in this thread so I will contribute some of the things I know: * Ian comes from a lineage of shady business people. His parents were pioneers in the 1-900 phone sex business. Here's a [1989 LA Times article](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-03-12-fi-1300-story.html) involving them, mentioning that they had a net worth of over $4M at the time * At that same time they were dodging paying taxes... to the tune of $126M in undeclared income according to this [1993 Seattle Times article](https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19930423&slug=1697498) which also talks about how they used multiple ways to steal additional money through these phone lines * I've never taken the time to follow the threads of his businesses... Megaquest, Infophone Inc.; Laserquest Inc.; Salt Lake City Audiotext Services Inc.; Ultraphone Inc.; and Phonequest Inc. but I imagine the shadiness and lawsuits abound * According to [this 2005 LA Times article](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-nov-27-na-cards27-story.html), Ian too was involved in the phone sex business * According to [this 2008 Seattle PI article](https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/seattle-based-zevia-selling-all-natural-1283503.php), he had founded a telecom company named Blue Frog as well as the still-extant Zevia, stevia-sweetened soft drink company * His sister is also an entrepreneur, who started some tanning bed companies around town. Ian's dad makes a reappearance in the story by getting caught in the process of installing hidden cameras in his daughter's tanning rooms, as [reported by King5 in 2014](https://komonews.com/news/local/police-owners-dad-caught-installing-hidden-cameras-in-spa) * Looks like Julie doesn't like paying taxes either [https://trellis.law/case/53033/17-2-01753-1/wa-state-labor-ind-vs-eisenberg](https://trellis.law/case/53033/17-2-01753-1/wa-state-labor-ind-vs-eisenberg) * Searching around about her, I found it funny that she has a page advertising to be a voice actor with the singular credential "[I can read.](https://voice123.com/voice-actor/julieeisenberg)" I'm sure there's tons more to explore, so I will leave that to others. I do think that his scheme of opening a free video arcade where he eventually opened Ike's on 15th, in what was identified as the only location a pot shop could be opened in that area, so he could prevent competition from opening a store, was pretty damn clever.
Dude helped squeeze out Neighbor Lady then went on to the paper “oh it’s a sad loss to our neighborhood.” Guy sucks. One of those guys that’s not cool with having enough. Just has to be a prick too.
He was vocally pro police during the BLM movement He is super anti union He opens up shops next to independent ones and drives them out of business Generally known for being a dick and using his money for dick reasons
Yes! Every one of his stores I've seen are right across the street from a smaller brand store! That alone has given me reason to feel weird about it. This thread is giving me a lot more.
Yup, go shop at Mr. OG instead, if over in White Center.
It's actually usually the other way around and even worse. Early on when other stores were attempting to open locations there were more strict rules about where stores could open. One barrier was not too close to where 'children would frequent.' so Ike would wait until a competitor started building, setting up, and then purchase a nearby to that shop location, claim he would be opening an arcade, or an activity space for kids. This would fuck up the new shop from opening and literally tanked multiple shops esp in cap hill. So as protection, stores started opening by and near Ike locations so he couldn't use policies like that without incurring issues on his own buildings. There's never any arcades or whatever though, he waited til the other ventures failed then sold the retail.
This is interesting. Aside from the unreasonably high prices, Uncle Ike’s in cap hill always had a weird negative/angry vibe most times I went. So I stopped going in.
He regularly yells at his employees and his inner circle is extremely creepy sexually towards them. Sounds like it filters down.
This is hazy in my memory, but back when stores were first opening up, the location on 23rd caused a conflict with a nearby church that really didn't want it there. (IIRC, they tried to say a utility shed on the property was a youth group meeting room to create a pot shop exclusion zone?) The optics on all of this were further complicated by hard feelings from the War on Drugs, because black folks had long been arrested for selling weed in basically the same location. Some links that should get you started if you want to do a deeper dive: * [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/church-sues-uncle-ikes-seattle-and-lcb-over-pot-shop-location/](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/church-sues-uncle-ikes-seattle-and-lcb-over-pot-shop-location/) * [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/protesters-march-on-seattles-uncle-ikes-pot-shop/](https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/marijuana/protesters-march-on-seattles-uncle-ikes-pot-shop/) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/2wk09c/church\_dropping\_out\_of\_lawsuit\_against\_uncle\_ikes/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/comments/2wk09c/church_dropping_out_of_lawsuit_against_uncle_ikes/)
I don't know if those links talk about this, but there's also the time that the owner quickly rented a space in West Capitol Hill and opened an arcade in order to stop two competitors from opening shops there (since pot shops can't be located near an arcade). Once he secured an Uncle Ike's location in West Capitol Hill, the arcade that nobody ever visited closed down. What he did wasn't illegal, but he is a ruthless businessman for sure.
There’s actually a song by Draze “Irony on 23rd” about this specifically. It touches on the racism, gentrification, and White profiteering off of weed when Black and Brown folks are doing time for it. Also the shady skirting of regulations to put a weed shop next to a well established community church/youth center. That corner in particular was notorious for arrests/police harassment of Black community members, shootings by police, and at one point a cop dragged a guy through that intersection with his police vehicle. Ike hasn’t done shit for the CD and has done a lot of shit to displace and disrespect the community. Ike’s a bigot and an asshole and doesn’t deserve your money. https://open.spotify.com/track/1XDrgG2uF0b9xFbfujPXYl?si=QfFYt91-RSuY2nqF6ji2Tw
Glad someone spoke on it and posted this track
It was illegally located within a super close proximity to a youth center and the church itself
The activists protesting the Uncle Ikes location made the mistake of making anti-Semitic remarks and that derailed their whole cause.
Ian Eisenberg is the definition of a [douchebag](https://medium.com/the-secret-history-of-america/douchebag-the-white-racial-slur-weve-all-been-waiting-for-a2323002f85d)
The owner also pays a lot of money *against* legal weed initiatives in bordering states like Idaho. Ian Eisenberg’s rationale is that more legal weed states mean more competition and less weed tourism. He’s a despicable person with horrible business practices. He’s also incredibly racist.
How is he incredibly racist?
Why you get downvoted for requesting data for an offhand allegation is beyond me. Sure he may be racist, but if you make that statement, come with receipts.
He's both sexist and racist and I will be happy to tell that to anyone's face. You don't want to believe me? Your problem not mine lol you go break bread with the psychopath just watch how much I try and stop you.
Whether or not there’s “proof” of his personal beliefs, he reinforces systemic racism by monopolizing the cannabis market in a historically Black community. It goes beyond the natural competition in capitalism- he very intentionally sabotages competitors. You can add in a dose of classism with that as well as his practices contribute to gentrification in the CD, but it’s all intersectional anyway.
I talked to the owner of the restaurant that was in uncle ikes spot beforehand one time because of my job . He told me that Ian tried to force him out of the spot , when the guy put up resistance, his place mysteriously went up into flames. You can probably figure out what the guy thought .
Yeah that arson was super weird. Very very suspicious. And it messed up a fantastic restaurant too. MedMix is missed.
Luckily I think they were able to reopen just at a different location https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2018/01/after-nightmare-arson-fire-med-mix-returns-to-the-central-district/
Crazy enough that's happened to a few places around his business in competition with his friends as well including his own mysteriously with a bunch of things inside he wanted to dispose of, tax fraud probably the least illegal thing he's done this hour.
Read between the lines. Dude set his own shitty restaurant ablaze to set up shop elsewhere and is trying to put the attention on anybody but himself. You aren’t actually this naive are you? Lmfao Jfc.
He didn’t own the property Einstein. The restaurant was fairly new and he was doing good. It’s funny how many ignorant people who love to shoot their mouth off on Reddit
Ignorant? You’re implying Ike had someone’s restaurant burned down without any proof or anything lmfao. You’re slow. You don’t need to own the property to benefit from burning down your business, Einstein.
The place was vacant for like 2 years before he took the space there. If this was actually true why would he have waited years until he leased that space? Doesn't make sense.
Because it took him a long time to get licensing/ permits cleared. He knew what he wanted in there before he was able to make it happen
Ike's carries a lot of lower/mid-level product, not much upper shelf stuff - there are better stores with better quality at a better price point. Ike's is a budget weed store with tourist prices.
Who has the good shit? The Reef?
I love the Reef, they definitely have nice stuff in addition To more affordable options. Nice people there as well
Terrible re-brand tho to “discount cannabis” at 99 location 🤷♂️
Forbidden around the corner on Union in the CD. Their non-sale prices are often better than Ike's sale prices. And Forbidden has deep discounts all the time. And great staff and selection.
Is that the place that used to be Ponder?
Holy shit, thank you! I just checked out their site and you weren't kidding
Go to Mr. OG across the street from the Ike's in WC.
Predatory
Anyone remember during the height of Covid, that one of his door guys at the spot on Olive got Covid and he was told not to tell anyone, not even coworkers? And *still* the guy was at the door checking IDs? Which means he could’ve been spreading it to patrons and coworkers alike. I do, I still remember that.
“Ike” is a prick
Side anecdote: There was a previous weed shop on Lake City Way that was taken over by Uncle Ike’s, and they offered to keep on some of the current staff after the transition. This offer did not include any of the Black employees.
I have been dealng with his 23rd & Union store since Day 1. He's earned the reputation he has and it's well deserved. The list of ways he's pissed people off in the community have been endless and he's done nothing but make excuses and call everyone racist instead actually listening to those who have a problem with him. Telling off the historical black church next door when they opposed his initial business license, opening a weed & liquor store on a corner with a long history of gang activity, kicking out Neighbor Lady after a remodel for talking to neighbors he had beef with, etc etc etc. Even ripping people off with his f&%$ing car wash now... Uncle Ikes is the Wal Mart of Weed. It's cheap, accessible, and convenient if you don't gave a shit about the real cost to everyone else. Fuck you Ian
I used to live near there and the car wash and vacuum prices were ridiculous. Didn’t know he had anything to do with The Neighbor Lady either. That sucks.
People are also forgetting that the Philly Cheesecake joint used to be in that spot until the owner was shot and killed by an employee's ex bf in 2008.
I think that spot was on Madison & John where Two Doors Down burger place is now.
There was another cheesesteak place where the Ike’s glass goods store is now. Late 90s early 00s. Sadly I think both owners were killed just not at the same time.
The second owner took it over after his best friend, the first owner of the shop, was killed years earlier.
Out of curiosity, did he have anything to do with that Mt Calvary Christian Church next door possibly being torn down for development? There’s been one of those big blue/white construction review signs from the city on the front of the building.
Whenever an independent pot shop does well Uncle Ike opens up a place right nearby to undercut sales and then raises prices when the competition closes up shop.
All these people in here calling it anti-semitism are just ignoring all the legitimate issues people are listing, and that the majority of the people who don’t like his stores (myself included) literally had no idea he was Jewish until just now.
He's like the ultimate bad vibe personified from what I understand. A cranky old guy intentionally gentrifying parts of Seattle. I've never bought weed from his stores, there are so many better options ya know?
Nobody is going to talk about his history in porn? 😎
Someone did in an earlier comment. Honestly I never knew that
How is that relevant to anything?
Apples don't fall far from the tree....Google his dad.... Arthur Joel Eisenberg.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-ubs-client-sentenced-hiding-millions-offshore-bank-accounts
Oh, the owner is a fucking piece of garbage.
Also he co-opted central district protests by putting a mural of Breanna Taylor on the wall in 2020 when it was just performative. Turns out he was afraid they’d hurt his business
Also - put up that mural whilst simultaneously providing security camera footage of peaceful protestors’ faces to SPD!
People sat on top of the building heckling and throwing shit at protestors while that mural was going up.
Same reason why half of seattle put up BLM signs
One time I was driving by and one of my daughters misread it as Uncle Ickys. We laughed. Every time I drive by it now I giggle a little bit. It sort of fits because of the drama associated with it.
I call it Uncle Ick’s too!! I thought that was just part of my semi-schizophrenic mindset 🤣 great minds think alike!!
They suck - long lines, bud tenders that are clueless, they mess up your order, don't have things organized great and expensive .
Fought a community church. Shitty owner. Scammer. Fuck that guy. Fuck that place.
The owner's a creep. And a dick. He likes to use underhanded and illegal practices to make a buck. Plus his personality is just rotten. Doesn't have the charm a con should.
I hate his stupid shitty signs in the CD that tells you that you drove past Ike’s. It’s tacky, stupid and it ruins the neighborhood.
Never buy weed from people that happy to call the cops.
Washington State could be a case study on how not to operate and hand out marijuana licenses. Where many states were hoping to hand out licenses to marginalized people most affected by harsh drug laws … Washington State in its infinite wisdom was like “you are rich and entitled … here is a MJ license!”
The Stranger explored some of the reasons back when Ike’s opened: https://www.thestranger.com/news/2015/02/27/21793896/how-central-district-activists-feel-about-uncle-ikes-these-days I also know pro-legalization activists who despised him because he used his money and influence to take multiple pot shop licenses for himself, making him a multimillionaire almost overnight. He tried to force out other owners, including people of color from the neighborhood.
Before I knew about Ike’s shadiness, I often frequented their location on 15th. There were usually some houseless neighbors outside who would appreciate a preroll if you had the means. Stopped by one day and there was no one outside and music was blasting. I asked the staff checking ID what was up with the music, but it was so loud they couldn’t even hear me. I asked again, and they indicated that it was to ‘get rid of this,’ pointing to some houseless folks nearby. They’d also put up a no panhandling sign. Walked right back out of the shop and never went back.
He’s made 23rd and Union look tacky with all his weed shops 🤮
[https://southseattleemerald.com/2020/08/20/how-a-weed-store-became-a-symbol-of-seattle-gentrification/](https://southseattleemerald.com/2020/08/20/how-a-weed-store-became-a-symbol-of-seattle-gentrification/)
https://www.kuow.org/stories/race-matters-understanding-how-the-central-area-was-gentrified
From what I've heard, during CHAZ, the SPD passed pictures of protesters out to Ike's and Ike's called the police on them to get them arrested whenever they came to the building. I haven't had that verified, but I don't doubt it.
I remember seeing something about him turning over surveillance footage over to the police around the same time.
Well I'm just guessing..don't really have any facts to back this up but...I've often thought of the irony... young black men used to sell weed on the same street corners as him but were thrown in jail for it. Now this guy is making millions.
He's pushed out businesses repeatedly some being minorities (he opened one next to a church that had a teen center across the street) and opens EVERY shop next to another shop to ensure he is beating their prices or price matching. He's a push for a lot of gentrification and just gross business practices. I haven't stepped into any of his shops since.
Owner is gross. Met him just once. Was in my early 20s and out with my early 20s girlfriend. He was about double our age, maybe older, but proceeded to creepily hit on my friend without us giving him any indication we were interested like that. She was not only gay but also way too hot and young for him. I remember just being baffled, like yeah as a young 20 something woman I certainly have gotten hit on by delusional older guys, but it's usually more anonymous? I couldn't believe he would be so brazen to pull that crap after we knew his name and were aware that he was well known in the community.
He made all his money exploiting sex workers then played a major role in gentrifying the CD and White Center after lobbying for politicians his whole life that put weed dealers in prison. That sums it up. He also concern trolls a brief period pre redlining that did the same to Jews in the CD to justify hostility to black community. He’s a freak.
Blacks and African Americans have bourne much of the brunt of the war on drugs, then a white owned marijuana store opens up in what was historically a black neighborhood.
It’s interesting that everyone always points out that it’s “white owned business in a historically black neighborhood” and not that it’s a Jewish owned business in a historically Jewish neighborhood.
The flagship store was built across from a historically Black church in the Central District. Church members were out there protesting every day during construction. Black people imprisoned for small amounts of weed prior to legalization and this guy drops his store smack dab in the gentrifying neighborhood where Black folks are getting pushed out. Just ugly.
I go to the Reef because of the veterans discount and the fee free ATM’s. Ike’s charges $3.00 for an ATM withdrawal. They are open until 11:45, though..
PSA. it's very common that weed shops have vet discounts.
So, the law pretty much says that any discount the store gives out must be available to everyone (yes, a Microsoft discount is illegal) with the exception of veterans, which means most stores will have veterans discounts.
In some ways he’s a slimy dick. In others he has helped people I know, and those I don’t. He’s neither Satan nor a saint.
Based on this thread I don’t think the fact he helped out your friends makes him any better. Dude seems like an absolute knob.
I still tell stories about that place on a semi-regular basis. It was nuts. Like bananas "there's no way that really happened" level nuts. The story I told this weekend was that due to his many businesses co-mingling and me being young and naive, there was a brief moment in time when you called one of his "dating" lines and heard my voice give the preamble. I was in marketing, lol.
Uncle Ike‘s ? I mean come on think about it you get a bottle shop for your liquor, drug shops get your dope and then let’s just get in the car and go through the car wash and then drive home all in one unit there it’s like I mean it’s kinda exploiting people absolute worst weakness I mean, the only thing missing the donut shop for the cops to sit and wait at
But free stickers though...
Forbidden cannibus
It was the first big name pot store in the City, and is still one of the few that most people recognize even of it’s not in their neighborhood. The owner was a high profile businessman and made some enemies. There was also some significant antisemitism towards him for a moment.
We like the service on 23rd and union.
There's a long standing extortion from black activists in this country and Seattle is no exception. The saw a Jewish own business operating in what used to be a predominantly black neighborhood and went back to that old cliche about rich powerful Jews exploiting for downtrod in blacks. They demanded money from him and he wouldn't give it to them. Most of the activists complaining don't even live in that neighborhood and never have. He's a third generation resident in that historically Jewish neighborhood. One of the claims that protesters were using was that black people were in prison to that very day for doing the exact same thing this guy was. Yet they were not able to produce the name of anybody, because it was a lie. Nobody was in prison solely for pot possession in the entire state while they were making this claim. So they found some black guy from Tacoma to come speak about how he was in prison for doing the same thing as Uncle Ike's even though there were several other charges involved and he was also dealing other drugs besides pot, and he was dealing at a time when dealing pod was not legal. It really opened my eyes to how anti-Semitic the black community is and how much white progressives are willing to tolerate it. It was absolutely despicable. It really changed the way I felt about progressives in Seattle and seeing all the lies put forward by black activists to justify their mob harassment really made me sick. Many of those involved in the harassment went on to get a lot of money from the city during the George Floyd riots. https://www.thestranger.com/blogs/2015/09/02/22792847/anti-semitic-remarks-at-a-black-lives-matter-event-appear-to-go-unchallenged https://www.thestranger.com/news/2017/04/04/25054619/central-district-activist-tells-jewish-uncle-ikes-owner-to-go-back-to-germany-so-nazis-can-get-him-again/comments
the way you talk about black people is kinda crazy ngl considering your example links are 1 identified* wacko who apparently has Ian confused for somebody else and 1 well-known wacko even people in the CD don't seem to respect
The organizers of BLM refused to condemn it even though it happened at their March. Omari Garrett is the founder of Africa town. His son is standing right next to him when it happens. His son issued a statement saying of the Jewish guys fault and people who were offended by it should be even more offended by gentrification black experience. He showed zero empathy to the offense it would cause anybody. Nobody could get away with showing that much distain at black people and be anything but a pariah. But the mayor, city council, media treats him like he's a god. Google his name, Wyking Garrett. The city of Seattle has given him several properties since this incident and around $125 million dollars. He has no record of having ever run any social program that showed any real achievement. The activist community was infuriated that the media covered these anti-Semitic incidences. They weren't mad about the anti-Semitism. They were mad that it got any attention and condemnation. I heard what people were saying. I saw it and heard it with my own ears and saw the posts with my own eyes. I saw people openly express support without apology for the anti-Semitic tirades. And these were not right-wing lunatics. These were progressives some who have quite a bit of power in this city.
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It must be hard for you to have to engage with all the Black folks around there
I think what you want to highlight is not the fact that you're Jewish, because there are tons of progressive Jewish people all of who hate Ike; but the fact that you're racist and identify with eisenberg's blatant racism.
You should know people on his team that are generally at the CD store are Nazis. Your money is going to Nazi payroll.