Last weekend, we looked for a letterbox near Waterfall Park in Pioneer Square just south of downtown Seattle. Many homeless people congregate there and the area houses many art galleries and studios.
Dennis wanted to look at an old urban building. "The old Kaplan building, I think that's it". What Kaplan building? When we first moved to Seattle in 1979, Dennis worked for Kaplan Paper Company and its owner Seattle Packaging for many years. Leon Kaplan, the CEO of Kaplan Paper, was very good to us as young newcomers to Seattle. An active member of the Jewish community, I remember one year he got us tickets for High Holiday services at the major Reform temple. And I remember going over to dinner at his house. Reflecting, he was an example of a fair kind competent boss. Dennis admired him. The yiddish word Mensch (a person of integrity of honor) comes to my mind when I think of Leon Kaplan. I also remember one of Dennis workmates, went in and talked to him about buying an ad for a Christian directory of businesses and could not understand why Leon was infuriated, angrily refusing to participate. Those closed communities, they do not understand.
Dennis said that this large building near Pioneer Square was the 'old Kaplan building' owned by Leon's father Jacob Kaplan and originally housed the paper company. Sure enough, attractive signs marked it as the Tashiro Kaplan Building which now provides space for many artist's lofts and galleries. Looking into this, the Tashiro and Kaplan buildings are separate contiguous buildings, built in 1906 and 1908. Now refurbished, they are known as TK artist lofts.
We lost track of Leon and his family. Just now I find that he passed away in September 2009. About the same age as my parents. I regret not staying in touch with this fine man.
Shot taken at the entrance through the glass with accompanied by the attendant reflections. Dennis regarded the tile artwork. "That's got to be original," he said, 'Can't you just see Jacob Kaplan running his business here?"
2 comments:
Hey there was looking online for something about my family's old business and found your post. What an amazing story about about my Grandpa! Totally his personality to not want to be posted in a Christian directory, and getting you tickets to services. What a great surprise to find this living on your blog. Jake
Jake,
So great to hear from you. I'm so glad that you responded to my blog. Your grandpa was very good to us all those years ago.
Sandy
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