50 Years of Love: A Match Made in (Market) Heaven

Almost 50 years ago, two teenagers working at their families’ businesses created what would become a classic Market love story. In 1969, Don Kuzaro Jr. was working as a “clean-up kid” at his dad and uncle’s Pike Place Market butcher shop, Don & Joe’s Meats. Directly across from the butchery, Diana Hanada was behind the table at her family’s farm stand, where she first caught Don’s eye.

Every morning after cleaning the display glass, Don would head over to Diana’s stand to say hi, tell jokes and make small talk. The two soon became good friends. Their friendship continued even after Don was drafted into the Navy on Valentine’s Day 1972, promising to remain pen pals. Between deployments, Don and Diana would spend time together, growing closer, eventually dating and finally tying the knot in 1978.

The couple now has two grown daughters, grandchildren and a lifetime of happy memories. Although Diana’s farm stand is no longer running, if you stop by Don & Joe’s Meats the next time you’re at the Market and you might see Don behind the counter (though no longer on clean-up duty)!