Nasima Akhter, owner of the food truck Spice on Curve, is excited about Amazon’s new policy requiring employees to return to the office five days a week. Akhter is ready for the lunchtime rush of Amazon employees in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. Despite the anticipation, the area was not bustling as expected on a gray day, leading many to believe the real return would happen on Monday. Akhter, who lost her husband Salem last year, continues to run their business serving authentic Indian cuisine from their parked food truck.
The return-to-office mandate by Amazon could potentially benefit various small businesses in the South Lake Union neighborhood, including food trucks, restaurants, bars, doggy daycares, salons, and gyms. Some businesses experienced an uptick in activity during the three-day-per-week mandate implemented in May 2023 and are now looking forward to the five-day mandate. The hope is to eliminate slow days like Mondays and Fridays, which were often spent remotely by many workers. The Banana Stand, a popular spot for Amazon employees to grab free fruit, saw increased activity, and employees in the area began returning to offices.
Amazon announced its plan to bring employees back into the office five days a week in September. CEO Andy Jassy emphasized the importance of maintaining the company’s unique culture by working in the office regularly. City leaders and small business owners are optimistic that Amazon’s decision could lead to a broader shift towards more in-office work for companies, moving away from remote and hybrid policies adopted during the pandemic. However, Amazon faces internal opposition from employees who are dissatisfied with the new policy, leading to protests and considerations of finding new jobs.
The neighborhood around Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, including South Lake Union and Denny Triangle, appeared quiet on a Thursday following the new return-to-office mandate. Employees were seen moving between buildings, some with dogs that are also returning to the office. Traffic in the area was relatively light, with a feeling of a post-holiday lull hanging over the neighborhood. Businesses such as Mainstay Provisions observed minimal traffic on Thursday and anticipated an increase in activity on Monday when more employees were expected to return.
Nasima Akhter, who runs the Spice on Curve food truck, continues to operate in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood after the passing of her husband Salem. The couple previously struggled to navigate the pandemic and changing work policies at Amazon. With Salem’s death, Akhter is now managing the business on her own, serving authentic Indian cuisine. Other food trucks, restaurants, and businesses in the area also hope to benefit from the increase in in-office work brought about by Amazon’s new policy. The area around The Spheres saw an increase in activity at the Banana Stand, indicating the return of Amazon employees to the office.
Despite the slow start on Thursday, with employees gradually coming back to the office, there is optimism in the South Lake Union neighborhood about the potential boost in business activity as more Amazon employees return to the office. The transition to a five-day return-to-office mandate is seen as an opportunity for small businesses to thrive and for the area to regain its vibrancy. The impact of Amazon’s decision on in-office work policies is being closely watched by other companies, as it could set a precedent for the broader shift back to in-person work following trends of remote and hybrid work during the pandemic.
