Celebrating Six Mother-Child Teams Powering Seattle Southside’s Favorite Flavors
Across Seattle Southside, dynamic mother-child duos are behind some of our most beloved local businesses. From hand-crafted chocolates to family-run Filipino flavors, these inspiring teams are a tribute to the hard work, creativity, and legacy-building spirit of mothers and their children.
As we prepare to honor women in our lives for Mother’s Day, we wanted to share six special places where you can celebrate strong female figures and the entrepreneurial families shaping our community.
Seattle Chocolate Company, maker of Maeve Chocolate and jcoco chocolate. As a mother-daughter duo, Maeve (formerly Seattle Chocolate) has always been a family affair. The duo behind Maeve—CEO Jean Thompson and her daughter, Brand Manager Ellie Thompson—continue to create premium chocolates that are as beautiful as they are delicious. With a focus on bold flavors and a spirit of empowerment, their rebranding has been a journey of collaboration, love, and dedication. As Ellie shares, “I love working with my mom because her extensive knowledge and experience empowers my ideas.”
Owner Max Heigh of Neighborhood Café knows the importance of family in business. His mother, Leeann Subelbia, plays a crucial role in the café’s success, managing the business side while Max leads the kitchen in a fusion of Filipino flavors. Max reflects, “Working with my mother has been a privilege, because in our culture, family is always first. I am lucky I get to work with many of my loved ones, especially the woman who raised me.”.
Tandoori Slice, a family-owned Indian fusion pizza joint, is a true family effort, with both mother and daughter regularly working in the kitchen. Their delicious fusion pizzas, which blend traditional Indian spices with classic pizza elements, offer a tasty tribute to their mother-daughter collaboration.
At Natalie’s Sugarcane & Dessert, the mother-son-daughter trio brings a delightful combination of sweet treats to the community. Whether you’re grabbing a dessert at one of their locations or enjoying the offerings at Lam’s in Tukwila, the love and effort that goes into every dish is palpable.
If you’re in SeaTac, Urban Tapri is the place to enjoy a wonderful meal while supporting a family-run business. Mother and sons run the show here, bringing the vibrant flavors of Indian street food to the area. It’s a place that not only serves amazing food but also reflects the strength and dedication of family bonds.
For a charming Mother’s Day afternoon tea, Marina Mercantile in Des Moines is a lovely choice. Owner Brenda Sutherland bakes the treats with the help of her daughter, creating a warm, community-focused atmosphere. A great stop for those wanting to enjoy something sweet while celebrating the strength of family businesses.
This Mother’s Day, honor the women who build, nurture, and empower businesses with heart and passion. These family-run spots around Seattle Southside are a true testament to the love, dedication, and creativity that mothers bring to the table.
Explore Seattle Southside (Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority) has a bold vision to reimagine the way people travel. Established over 25 years ago in 1999, Explore Seattle Southside is the destination marketing organization for the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila, Des Moines and beyond. Also known as the curiously wonderful destination for exploring the Pacific Northwest, Explore Seattle Southside showcases the Seattle Southside region with pride and imagination as an ideal travel destination for leisure and business travelers to explore Western Washington and as an idyllic place for meeting and event planners to hold their events. Explore Seattle Southside is funded by a Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) assessment and was recognized in 2023 and 2024—thanks to a commitment to empowering employees and an ambitious vision for the future—as one of Washington State’s Top 100 Best Workplaces.