(Image: Capitol Thrill)
By Kali Herbst Minino
Tucked into E Pike and displaying an array of Pride flags, designs created by owner Jeff Gonzales, and a neon sign, Capitol Thrill is marking its second anniversary supporting independent brands owned by underrepresented groups with a new selection of queer-created merchandise.
The Little Queer Pop-Up Shop is growing into a small but lively corner of the store with goods from LGBTQ+ brands, designers, artists and authors.
“The plan is to really do a deep dive and try to find what things people from our community can create,” Gonzales tells CHS.
But finding brands to feature in the pop-up has not been an easy task because a lot of smaller, local artists aren’t set up to do wholesale. They can be found in markets around Seattle, but not in physical stores, Gonzales says.
In 2021, Gonzales told CHS he saw Capitol Thrill as an opportunity to support the neighborhood’s queer creator communities. “Every time I’ve imagined having a store, it’s always been local,” Gonzales said at the time.
(Image: Capitol Thrill)
Unlike past experiments and pop-ups inside Thrill including when its was a “Pup-up shop” with pet goods, the new Little Queer Pop-Up Shop is a permanent addition to the store, Gonzales said. The “pop-up” stays, he stays, because of hopes to cycle LGBTQ+ brands and creators through the space.
The final driver to create the new pop-up came from a running joke with one of Gonzales’ friends. His friend would poke fun about him running a “gay gift store,” and at the time, Gonzales would respond that the gift shop was for everybody.
“The more I started bringing things in I was like ‘oh yeah, I kind of get it.’ It’s kind of a gay gift shop,” Gonzales said.
As Gonzales finds and chooses brands to support, Capitol Thrill is approaching its second anniversary. The milestone had gone somewhat unnoticed by Gonzales up until he renewed his two-year lease.
“It’s one of those things where I’m in it every day and I don’t necessarily appreciate the milestones, but it’s pretty cool to have been able to be around for two years.”
Capitol Thrill is located at 1205 E Pike. Learn more and shop online at capitolthrill.store.
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