Bibliofreakblog

Read-A-Thon: Post #5

Bookcation’s Mini-Challenge to talk about Indie bookstores reminds me of something I’ve been meaning to write about: Elliott Bay, the iconic Seattle bookstore, is moving from Pioneer Square, which is full of zombie looking crackheads to Capitol Hill, which is full of zombie looking hipsters.

This picture (which I totally stole from my boss’s Slog post–but, hey, they don’t pay me and the most I’ve stolen from them in my time there is a stamp…though I do get free books) is of the new space, which will have its grand-opening celebration on the 15th (they closed down the old space at the end of March in order to facilitate their move).  

I’m of two minds about this: On the one hand, I don’t like change.  And this is a big blow to the already flailing Pioneer Square.  But on the other hand, it’s much better than going out of business or laying people off.  From what I understand, the issue didn’t have anything to do with space, but did involve rent, and I think also the fact that Pioneer Square is full of crackheads and nobody hangs out in PS (except for me.  I’m there hanging out all the freaking time, because my husband works there and because I love me a good dive bar).  

So, next time the winter library conference thingy rolls into the Seattle Conference Center (which I’m always happy about because then my sister comes and stays on my couch, and if I’m lucky, even brings her kids), plan on rolling on up Pike St to Capitol Hill, rather than down to PS (unless you go on the Underground Tour, which I highly recommend you do NOT do because it’s lame).

One last thing, a gift of trivia from me to you: Elliott Bay is NOT the oldest Indie bookstore in Seattle.  That honor goes to University Bookstore, which is like, three times as old.  No, for real, it’s like 110 years old.  Or maybe just 100.  Now I can’t remember.  It’s one or the other.