“Ferndale’s Leader Block is a special place. “The leader block building has an interesting, distinct history as a vibrant, underground speakeasy,” says Robert Pinkley, present owner of the Leader Block.

Located in downtown Ferndale, the building has a sordid past. “Upstairs was a barbershop and a drugstore, and that was a front for the speakeasy that was located in the basement,” says Pinkley, who has owned the building for the past 15 years. He’s found old bottles and distilling equipment in the basement, complete with an old timey speakeasy door. If you can imagine a pioneer Great Gatsby structure, the Leader Block is it. It’s rumored that the top floor was home to a brothel….   (…Read More…)

Robert Pinkley, a lifelong Washington native with deep local roots and global experience, is the visionary behind Leader Block Trattoria and Bar. His family’s history in the Yakima Valley dates back to the 1800s, when they were pioneers in apple and peach orchards and hop farming. These agricultural ties inspired Robert’s passion for food, wine, and community, which is reflected in the locally sourced cured meats featured on the restaurant’s charcuterie plate, made in collaboration with the Batali side of his family.

Robert’s journey has taken him far beyond Washington. As a Samantha Smith Scholar, he studied in the USSR during the Cold War’s final years, and his work has spanned international business, exporting Washington wines, and promoting global trade. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in International Finance, Robert also worked with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Vanguard Exporting Company.

Blending his heritage with his global perspective, Robert created Leader Block as a destination where Eastern and Western cultural influences come together through exceptional cuisine, wine, and art. A proud Ferndale resident, he serves on the city council and is actively involved in civic and philanthropic efforts. For Robert, Leader Block is not just a business—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and a shared love of food and wine.