Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin King. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Justin King started Ben & Esther’s in Portland, Oregon in 2019. Named after his grandparents, he wanted to create a place that offered all of his childhood favorites but in an ethical way. In 2021, he partnered with San Diego barbershop owner Marc Bennett to open the San Diego store. They opened in Seattle in 2022.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, of course not. The Covid pandemic hit four months after we opened and we had to figure out clever ways to pivot. Supply chain issues, sick employees, etc all made it very difficult to sustain.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ben & Esther’s Vegan Delicatessen?
Ben & Esther’s is a vegan delicatessen with locations in Portland, Oregon, San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA. We offer traditional Jewish deli fare made without animal products. From Reubens to knishes to matzo ball soup, you’ll find all the classic NY deli items, made in an ethical way.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Everything in business is a risk. Especially during the pandemic, choosing to open more locations was a big risk! I’m definitely a risk taker, almost to a fault.
Contact Info:
- Website: benandesthers.com
- Instagram: @benandesthers
- Facebook: benandesthers
