The block of 10th Avenue between Pike and Pine Street was closed off from traffic Thursday as Capitol Hill loudly welcomed Elliott Bay Book Company and Everyday Music to the Pike/Pine district.
Elliott Bay Book Company closed their historic store in Pioneer Square in March, moving from its home of nearly 37 years to what was formerly a Ford repair shop on Capitol Hill.
The new store holds much of the same charm as the old location—all of the original bookshelves were moved to the new store and a mezzanine level was built in what seems to be an homage to the Pioneer Square store's cozy lofts. Skylights will welcome natural light for reading on Seattle's sunny days, but the store has plenty of bright nooks to escape to with a good book for the rainy days as well.
Cupcake Royale, Oddfellows Café and Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream were among some of the local businesses whose owners welcomed one of Seattle's most beloved bookstores to the neighborhood with donated food and liquor. All proceeds from the event went to the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce.
"It's nice to have a good bookstore so close, especially with Bailey Coy closing," said Lisa Kunkey, Cupcake Royale employee who graduated from Seattle University in 2006.
Jill Cronauer, a property manager with Hunters Capital (the company that owns the Elliott Bay's building), said the event was a big community effort. She said the company was glad to welcome Elliott Bay, as they hope to bring more daytime retail to the area.
Local band Let's Get Lost performed near the beer garden, but there was little dancing as people seemed more interested in exploring the two new stores and conversing with neighbors in the crowded street.
"Seattle doesn't have a lot of gatherings like this. […] It's really novel," said Alex Mitchell, senior political science major.
The line in the bookstore stretched almost all the way to the back shelves in the children's section for much of the evening. Only in Seattle, America's most literate city, could such a raucous celebration mark a bookstore opening.
"I think it will be a great little hub [for the neighborhood]," said Capitol Hill resident Connie Innis, who describes herself as a regular patron of Elliott Bay. "If anyone can [make it financially on the Hill], Elliott Bay can."
Frances may be reached at news@su-spectator.com
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