The storefront that was home to Bailey Coy Books for 26 years won’t be empty for long. CHS has learned that the owner of the building and founder of the much-loved but financially troubled bookstore, Barbara Bailey, has a tentative agreement to make the space available for a temporary art installation until a new tenant for the 3,000 square-foot retails space can be found.
Sound Transit art program coordinate Barbara Luecke said she is planning the installation and has an artist lined up to fill the space. The Sound Transit art program filled empty Broadway storefronts with art — including the old Broadway Jack in the Box and the installation seen on the photo in this post — as the buildings sat empty for months awaiting demolition.
Bailey Coy said goodbye to Broadway with a wake last week attended by about 150 people that included a fundraiser auction to help owner Michael Wells cover the store’s remaining debts.
Anyone know where to get xmas trees in Cap Hill area? I know I can get them at the big retailers but was looking to just get something within walking distance.
Barista_Alex on the impact of Roy Street & 15th Avenue Street Level Coffee Stores: “I remain open-minded about this concept. With the introduction of Street Level Coffee, I’ve had customers ask more questions and, whether you like it or not, it starts a dialogue. This initiation of a dialogue with customers is KEY to our role, as baristas.”
random observation… It took that #10 bus (in the last shot) two full minutes to load all it’s passengers and start moving again. Hurry up Light Rail, we need you!
The main storyline is pretty similar to what we heard from Bailey Coy owner Michael Wells , steadily declining sales eventually reaching a tipping point where the store just can’t sustain any longer. And like Bailey Coy, Aaron says they don’t have the resources to expand online.
Surprisingly, Aaron says one of the main factors pushing them to move to Capitol Hill is parking, as EBBC would get 30 dedicated parking spots.
From the New Pioneer Square:
[Parking] is a huge factor, if not the main one. I walked around and conducted an informal survey of 25 different customers shopping in the Elliott Bay Bookstore at noon on a Saturday. Want to guess how many were actually from the neighborhood? Not one. One woman was from Chilliwack (Canada), and stops at the store every time she visits the City. Others were from Tacoma, Everett, Montana, California, etc. And they almost unanimously had the same response when I asked why they came to this bookstore. The reputation; it is a destination spot because they have friends that recommend it, or a mom who loves it, or they’ve come for years. Guess what else? They all drive to get here. Aaron has tried to work with numerous parking lot owners and the city to get dedicated parking spots for their store, but no one has cooperated. Not even the parking lot east of Occidental will work them. The city won’t even give them four small spots directly in front of the store.
The building Elliott Bay is reportedly eyeing has some parking in its basement and would also possibly utilize a nearby lot, according to this real estate listing page .
Not so surprisingly, another big factor in the possible move is the vibrancy of the neighborhood.
When I asked Aaron what it was about Capitol Hill that would help them be successful where they weren’t in Pioneer Square, he said that “the reputation of Capitol Hill is that it’s been revitalized and is vibrant. There are incredible retail and restaurant destinations.” Not to mention the streetcar that is coming soon (one block from where the EBBC might relocate). And even though it is five years out, Aaron said that “it’s something that will bring in even more business.” Aaron also said that “the bookstore wouldn’t just be serving the Capitol Hill neighborhood, but also 1st Hill and the universities in the area.” And although there is a healthy daytime population in Pioneer Square, there just aren’t enough locals that shop there. Just as parking, safety, and sports is the perfect storm for EBBC to leave Pioneer Square, parking, retail, and a dense Capitol Hill residential population are the perfect storm for them to move there (the good type of storm, of course).
The article goes on to say that “people go to the bookstore because of what it is, and not necessarily where it’s located,” which is certainly the attitude of Michael Steiner, an attendee at the wake for Bailey Coy earlier this week.
According to the post, EBBC is supposed to make a final decision within weeks, and they say chances are slim that they’ll remain in Pioneer Square. So unless they decide to close, it seems likely that we will soon be welcoming them to the neighborhood.
RELATED : Bailey Coy owner Michael Wells on the possible move
Capitol Hill gets a rare treat on Sunday — a Broadway farmers market in December. Used to be, the weekly market shut down after November. Now we get bonus weeks nearly all the way up to Christmas with the last market of the season on the 20th.
It’s going to be very cold for the market — might even be a little snow. Sounds like crowds have been light so you might want to stop by if you want to support the vendors and the extended market season.
Here’s what’s new at the market this week, courtesy of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance:
NEW AT THE MARKET:
* Cascadian Mushrooms is back at the U-District Market with Oyster, Shitake, Lion’s Mane and Mushroom Kits.
* Baby Spinach – Willie Green’s Organic Farm has beautiful, tender, tiny spinach – washed, bagged and ready to go.
HOLIDAY TREES AND WREATHS–Three Tree Farm is at the U-District and Broadway Farmers Markets for the next 2 weekends. The Noble and Blue Spruce trees have been freshly cut and come in all sizes. Beautiful holiday wreaths are also available from Alm Hill Gardens at all three markets.
A reminder about Tuesday night’s Capitol Hill Holiday Hoopla party at Pravda Studios. RSVP here. Follow on Twitter here. Get excited about meeting the people behind Capitol Hill restaurants, bars and shops here. Get excited about free CHS branded merchandise here!
A driver of a blue Mazda sedan was found in the process of passing out after smashing into a parked car early Saturday morning near 14th Ave and E. Pine. According to police radio reports, the driver attempted to flee the scene but made it only to 13th and Pike before police officers spotted the car. There were no serious injuries and no information yet about charges for the driver.
On 12/5/09, at approximately 1:22 a.m., officers were dispatched to a call of a stabbing under the Convention Center near Hubbel Place. Upon arrival, the victim, who remains unidentified, was found holding gauze to his neck.
The victim was unable to communicate with officers and no definite witnesses were located. One witness stated he found the victim along Pike Street at the Convention Center holding a shirt to his neck and offered him gauze. Seattle Fire Department and Medics responded and declared that the victim was stable. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center (HMC).
Attempts to glean additional information at HMC were negative. At the time of this report, the identity of the victim and actual circumstances & location of the assault are unknown.
Lauren is a new CHS contributor. She is a 5-year Capitol Hill resident. Lauren received her degree in journalism from Seattle University and is a writer and photographer. Welcome to the gang, lauren.p!
I asked Tino Perrina, vice president of the 12th Ave. location, if Capitol Hill’s Ferrari and Maserati Dealership would follow BMW’s off the Hill.
“It’s business as usual,” says Perrina. “We’re doing well and have no plans to move.”
Further down Pike St., the Capitol Hill Phil Smart Mercedes-Benz branch celebrated it’s golden anniversary this year. But are they switching it up any time soon?
“[Mercedes] is planning on staying right where we’ve been for the last 50 years,” said John Ramstetter, general sales manager of the Phill Smart Mercedes-Benz Capitol Hill branch.
But due to the current economy, who can invest in a $300,000 ride?
Perrina admits to a 20% drop in Ferrari sales since the national economy collapse but said Ferrari isn’t on the brink of closure, nor is the Capitol Hill branch in a financial crisis.
“Like almost all businesses in Seattle and around the country, [Mercedes] has experienced a substantial drop in business over the last 12 months,” said Ramstetter. “This is due to the economic climate.”
But, apparently, it’s nothing to leave Capitol Hill over.
