The Elliott Bay Book Co - Seattle, WA

Outside Elliott Bay Book Co. - Seattle, WA

If you do a gig long enough you see just about everything.  You'll see independent book stores in strip malls, old buildings, renovated buildings, old houses.  With independent bookstores you see just about everything thanks to the resourcefulness and creativity of great owners and managers.  Elliott Bay Books is housed in a building that was formerly a Ford auto maintenance garage way back in the day.  Rich, the manager, told me the wooden floors in the store were even thicker in certain places in order to support the weight of the cars.  You'd never know any of this though by visiting this super indie in Seattle.

A very large and expansive main floor which without shelves of books one could picture as an auto garage with a little imagination.  There is a huge inventory of books here but it doesn't feel crowded at all.  Roomy and airy with sky lights cut into the ceiling making this a very bright bookstore.  There is a great children's section in the rear and also a great cafe with plenty of seating.  There are also other great places to sit and read throughout the store.  There is a huge wall of staff picks and there are also staff picks scattered through the shelves of books all around the store.  Also, a great section of regional books and authors.  You can also pick up a t-shirt, book bag, greeting card, or bookstore type knick-knack.  Rich H, the manager, tells me that Elliott Bay Books is doing quite all and I get the impression that it has great local support.  It is located in an area that has a very Bohemian kind of atmosphere.  As a non-local visiting, my biggest complaint was parking.

They also have a great rewards program here with an Elliott Bay Books card.  After 20 purchases of over $10 the card holder is qualified for $20 off a subsequent purchase.  A great idea for all you compulsive book buyers and regular customers.  This is the first I've seen something like this in my visits and I think more indies should do it.

After you get done buying a book here walk across the street to EM music.  Huge collection of vinyl and CDs.  But always, go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

CURRENTLY READING:  Inferno, Dan Brown.

JUST FINISHED:  The Orphan Master's Son, Adam Johnson.  Decent.  You'll appreciate wherever you live after reading this.  3 stars.

RECENTLY PURCHASED:  Andre The Giant, Box Brown.  I'm usually not a big graphic novel fan but Rich H. at EBB gives this 5 stars.

Can you believe this used to be an auto repair shop?

Cool window above the front doors.  

My first view from just inside the front door.  

An incredible display of staff picks!

A rare sighting of a visiting celebrity looking for a bargain.  

The celebrity on the left (ok, yes, it's my mom!) always looking for great chairs.  Here they are!

Looking from the rear of the store toward the front.  

A great children's section.  

What 5 year old wouldn't want to play in this castle in the children's section?!

A great cafe in the rear of the store.  

Rich H, a manager.  

Yours truly and Rich H. after a great visit at Elliott Bay Books!