[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#ebebe6″ background_enable_image=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Bree Serif||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”60px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
ABOUT<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/leaderblock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/26451738886858_\u5927.jpeg” title_text=”26451738886858_\u5927” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/leaderblock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/26471738886938_\u5927.jpeg” title_text=”26471738886938_\u5927” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/leaderblock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/26491738887045_\u5927.jpeg” title_text=”26491738887045_\u5927” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Bree Serif||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_text_align=”center” text_orientation=”justified” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\u201cFerndale\u2019s Leader Block is a special place. \u201cThe leader block building has an interesting, distinct history as a vibrant, underground speakeasy,\u201d says Robert Pinkley, present owner of the\u00a0Leader Block.<\/p>\n
Located in downtown Ferndale, the building has a sordid past. \u201cUpstairs was a barbershop and a drugstore, and that was a front for the speakeasy that was located in the basement,\u201d says Pinkley, who has owned the building for the past 15 years. He\u2019s 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\u2019s rumored that the top floor was home to a brothel\u2026.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>(\u2026Read More\u2026<\/a>)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/leaderblock.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Robert-Pinkley\u5927.jpeg” title_text=”Facebook\u8138\u4e66\u6a21\u677f – 1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Bree Serif||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Robert Pinkley<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Bree Serif||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_orientation=”justified” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Robert Pinkley, a lifelong Washington native with deep local roots and global experience, is the visionary behind Leader Block Trattoria and Bar. His family\u2019s 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\u2019s passion for food, wine, and community, which is reflected in the locally sourced cured meats featured on the restaurant\u2019s charcuterie plate, made in collaboration with the Batali side of his family.<\/p>\n Robert\u2019s journey has taken him far beyond Washington. As a Samantha Smith Scholar, he studied in the USSR during the Cold War\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2014it\u2019s a celebration of community, culture, and a shared love of food and wine.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n