Elliot Bay Book Company
Three months ago, I went on vacation to Seattle to visit a dear friend. The trip was terrific and a much-needed escape from my hectic life. On one of our days there, we went downtown to go shopping and exploring. While we were there, I had to go into a unique bookstore called Elliott Bay Book Company.
View from the second floor
Elliott Bay Book Company is located in the heart of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood and is a full-service bookstore with over 150,000 titles. Founded in 1973, this cozy, eclectic shop has provided readers with a quirky yet inviting atmosphere for over four decades. The shop is divided into two levels full of cedar bookshelves. Not only does the shop offer plenty of new and popular titles, but an extensive collection of bargain and independent titles.
During my visit to Elliott Bay Book Company, I wandered in and out of the rows, taking in the cozy décor and the many sections of books. I loved walking through each section of the bookstore. I had an idea of the type of books I was looking for, but I still walked around the entire store. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, ready to help you find what you are looking for or to suggest an option. Honestly, I could have spent a couple more hours in the store. It's probably a good thing I didn't though because I only had so much room in my suitcase and I would have bought too many books to fit inside it.
One aspect of the store that was a pleasant surprise was the organization of their selections. Like any bookstore, the staff has separated the books into horror, arts & crafts, classical literature, history, etc. But Elliott Bay Book Company takes it a step further and has signs that break things down into specific categories, making finding things super easy. Some titles have little notes designating that they are a staff pick. The message includes the staffer's name and why the book is a must-read. It was fascinating to find titles that I hadn't heard of and read the staff member's thoughts who had read the book.
If you live in the Seattle area and haven't been to this shop or are an out-of-town visitor, I highly recommend going to Elliott Bay Book Company. Even if you are not a book nerd, going in and walking around is worth it. And books are not the only product they offer – the store has a sizeable array of puzzles, magazines, journals, cards, and stationery. It is a beautiful little bookstore with style all its own, and I am so glad that I stopped by for a visit.