SEATTLE -- After ordering a sandwich because "I'm on East Coast time" President Barack Obama sat down with three Western Washington business owners, Sen. Patty Murray and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke late this morning at a bakery on Pioneer Square.

Obama arrived with a gaggle of national press, swept into the Grand Central Bakery located on the ground floor of a historic hotel building and perused the menu. He opted for a half turkey sandwich, described as Thanksgiving on a sandwich by the person behind the counter, and a small "Skagit Valley salad" with local ingredients as cameras clicked and whirred. Then he went out to the dining area to discuss job growth with bakery owner Gillian Allen-White, Tiffany Turner, co-owner of the Inn at Discovery Cove in Long Beach, Wash., and Joe Fugere, founder of Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzaria in Seattle.

All three have grown, adding locations or employees during the recession. Obama mentioned that fact, adding "see, I read my briefing papers." He also chatted about Pioneer Square, throwing out tidbits of tourist trivia he said he learned from Locke.

Obama next heads to the Westin Hotel for a campaign fundraiser for Murray, who is on the ballot in today's state primary.

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