Meet Larry
Larry and his family have been a part of the Eastside for more than 60 years.
The son of a World War II veteran, Larry spent his early childhood living at High Point in West Seattle and attended a one room school in the projects. His father worked days for the postal service, and on weekends took Larry with him while he built the family’s first home across the lake in Bellevue.
Larry graduated from Bellevue High School and after earning his BA at Western Washington State College with a degree in education, he taught elementary school for five years and was President of the Auburn Teachers Association.
In 1975, Larry earned a Master’s Degree in Family Counseling from the University of Oregon, He then served two years as the Administrative Director for the King County Youth Services jobs program followed by two years as the Executive Director of a group home program for delinquent boys in Puyallup.
In 1985, led by a passion for the art of wine and the desire to own his own business, Larry opened “The Grape Choice” in downtown Kirkland. While the business has moved four times over 37 years, the loyalty and deep commitment to the City of Kirkland and its community has kept the store downtown. “The Grape,” as it is warmly referred to by long time customers and friends, is not just a place to buy wine, it seems to be a place where soulmates find each other, there have been four staff marriages and counting.
He has served served in a variety of community organizations in the area, including the Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland Performance Center, and Eastside United Way. In 1993, Larry was elected to the Kirkland City Council. During an 11-year tenure, including a term as Mayor, he was named “Kirkland’s Favorite Elected Official” as well as receiving other local awards, including a National Distinguished Leader award in 1998 for his community leadership.
Larry Springer is a former board member of the Seattle – King County Economic Development Council, former member of Eastside Transportation Partnership, and former Chair of the Suburban Cities Management Board. Larry also served as the SCA representative to the Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board and King County Regional Policy Committee.
Also during Larry’s time on the Kirkland City Council he was a key player in bringing the Little League World Series to Kirkland. As Mayor he secured Kirkland a “Coming Home” sculpture commissioned by the United States Navy League which commemorates the sacrifices made by families of the men and women serving in America’s sea services.
