Follow-up to Elliott Bay Books: they are moving

[Diane]

We had discussion in forum post about a month ago, about Bailey Coy closing, and possible closure of Elliott Bay Books, and our love of independent bookstores

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Where have all the independent bookstores gone???

https://westseattleblog.com/blog/forum/topic.php?id=7068

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I just received news from owner of Elliott Bay Book Co, that they are moving, sad/bittersweet; they are not closing, but they are moving out of Pioneer Square; I love their wonderful historic location of 36 years, very sad to see them move; but sounds like the reincarnation will be good.

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Here is the letter:

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Subj: Moving Announcement

Date: 12/9/2009 6:30:45 PM Pacific Standard Time

From: ttaylor@elliottbaybook.com

To: divincent@aol.com

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December 10, 2009

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A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE ELLIOTT BAY BOOK COMPANY

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After many weeks of speculation about the future of The Elliott Bay Book Company, I am now able to confirm that the book store will be moving to a new location on Capitol Hill in the spring of next year.

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The past two years have been a difficult, painful period of exploring and evaluating possibilities in an attempt to determine what would be best–and necessary–to ensure the long-term health and vitality of the store. And while the thought, and the practicalities, of moving from the site and the locale which have been home for the past 36 years are daunting to say the least, I am convinced that this upcoming relocation will afford us the best opportunity to remain, and further develop as a thriving enterprise.

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First–about the new location. We will be moving into a beautiful vintage building on 10th Avenue between Pike and Pine. The building dates from 1918–and was the original Ford truck service center for Seattle. The space will be comparable to the current store (in fact a bit larger), and will incorporate a café and a room dedicated to author appearances. It has the fir floor–complete with creaks–we’re used to treading, and gorgeous high wood ceiling-including massive wood beams–and skylights. While no space could exactly duplicate the charm of the original store, I can promise that the new building will offer a warm, comfortable and cozy environment that will be true to the beautiful place Walter Carr founded on Main Street.

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The building has its own parking below street level-and between this and a nearby lot we will be able provide ample validated parking. In addition the new space will offer something we’ve never been able to offer before–wheelchair access to all levels.

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The neighborhood is one of incredible vitality. I’m confidant that this move will boost our business to the level necessary to maintain our commercial viability–and to facilitate the ongoing investment necessary to keep any business vital.

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1521 10th Avenue on Capitol Hill in Seattle

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It will be sad for us all to leave a building–and a neighborhood-that have been our home for all these years. For those who can’t imagine us anyplace else, believe me–all of us at the store have had to wrestle through that. Moving the store is the second–last thing I would want to see happen. Seeing the store close would be the only thing worse. The fact is that the business has been eking downward for the past several years, and the steeper decline of the past two years has made it clear that if the book store is to survive, it must be in a location that affords the vibrancy (especially in the evenings), parking, population base, and freedom from conflict with the sporting events–all of which characterize the new site.

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When I first became involved in the ownership of Elliott Bay eleven years ago, it was because I believed fervently that this gem, which had been “my” bookstore since I first moved here twenty-seven years ago, was worth saving–that it was a precious asset that must and, in fact, could flourish in this city–if anywhere on earth. Since that time I have done my best to be a faithful steward in preserving both the spirit and the body of this unique place which has been built and nourished cooperatively by the generations of booksellers who have worked here over the years and the book-lovers who have supported us–here in Seattle, across the country and indeed around the world. I’m inexpressibly grateful for that ongoing support–and most especially for the outpouring of concern and commitment we’ve received in recent months. We’re committed to doing everything in our power to continue to earn your patronage and support.

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Even as we work toward this significant change, we will strive to do our best to stay focused day-to-day on our primary calling: putting books in readers’ (your) hands. This includes the full regimen of author readings. To us, this is less about ending or beginning than about continuing, developing and deepening what we can offer to a community of devoted readers.

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We will post progress reports on the new location and ongoing updates on the exact timing of the move on the website (www.elliottbaybook.com). I welcome the opportunity to address any questions or comments you may have.

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Sincerely,

Peter Aaron,

Owner

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Forward email This email was sent to divincent@aol.com by ttaylor@elliottbaybook.com.

Elliott Bay Book Co | 101 S. Main St. | seattle | WA | 98104

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[villagegreen]

Wow – glad to hear they’re moving and not shutting down. That would have been a huge lose for the city. All my book loving relatives love to shop at Elliott Bay when they’re in town. I guess that kind of explains the problem, though. Pioneer Square is mainly a tourist area, with little to offer the average Seattleite (besides drunken meatheads and the possibility of date rape on weekends).

The fact that the city has allowed its most historic district to go to seed just baffles me. There’s so much potential there that isn’t being realized. Kinda like the waterfront being ruined by the viaduct. At least that has a chance of regenerating after it’s torn down.

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[KBear]

Villagegreen, don’t forget the perpetual “going out of business” sales at the Oriental rug shops!

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[RS]

Wow, this SUCKS for Pioneer Square. What a disappointment. I’ve heard that there is city effort underway to revitalize Psquare, but this is a pretty big blow to all the other businesses down there.

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[ellenater]

I HATE Pioneer Square. I have yet to visit without being accosted by some jerk. It happens EVERY time. I’m glad they’re moving. Have always wished they were located somewhere else.

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[austin]

This sort of saddens me, elliot bay books is one of my earliest memories of downtown Seattle. I don’t care for nor visit capitol hill for any reason, but many buses out of West Seattle stop right by their location in Pioneer Square. (I have never had any issues with individuals in pioneer square, aside from chuckling at the people who want to go to the cowgirl bar, but then my outward demeanor doesn’t really inspire strangers to approach me either.) This is too bad.

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[villagegreen]

Austin – It is too bad that they’re leaving Pioneer Square/Scare, but what do you have against Capitol Hill? Many more residents and foot traffic as potential customers. I go over there about once a month or so just to hang out with friends and whatnot. If you haven’t been in a while, it’s booming these days. Tons of new restaurants, bars, and of course condos. Makes West Seattle seem like the sleepy little peninsula that it actually still is (even with all the development people like to complain about). Broadway’s even been cleaned up quite a bit. I see Elliott Bay doing much better over there.

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[austin]

I usually have the same issue with the hill others seem to have with pioneer square- I’m accosted by some drunk dude or dudes when I’m there. And that only happens on capitol hill. Last time I was there some big drunk guy called me a vampire (which I am not) and wouldn’t get out of my face, just a few feet from the new bookstore location. Additionally I prefer the sleepy peninsula thing we’ve got going on to busy hip-ish (or whatever you want to call it) areas, broadway is such a hole that if they’re trying to clean it up I’ll check back in a decade, it’s completely out of the way buswise from other parts of town I find myself and I don’t know anyone who lives there. I hope it’s a good move for elliot bay books financially; Additional and less tourist-only foot traffic can only be a good thing. And on a positive note the #125 out of delridge turns into the #11 which runs just a few blocks from the new elliot bay books. No transfers!

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[Laconique]

(Sorry- I posted as my old account RS above. Stupid saved passwords!)

This is interesting: http://bit.ly/6chtK8 If the city can give them a loan to re-start in expensive Pike/Pine, why couldn’t it give them a loan in Psquare, which the city supposedly wants to revitalize???

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[villagegreen]

Austin – someone called you a vampire?! I’d take that as a complement these days. Vampires seem to be the only ones immune to this recession!

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