rss feedReport: Elliott Bay Book Co. might leave location in Seattle’s Pioneer Square
Elliott Bay Book Co., a landmark in Seattle's Pioneer Square, might vacate its location, partly because of lower sales and credit issues. Photo credit: Copyright Brian Yuen's photostream on flickr
So does physical location matter these days?
I ask this question partially because the Elliott Bay Book Co., located at First Avenue and South Main Street in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square, might move.
I know Seattle residents are aware of this news thanks to community talk and a Seattle Times report.
But I note this because people outside of Seattle might not have heard of this possibility. But many know the store as one of the best in the city for books and a great place to relax.
In her article, reporter Amy Martinez quotes store owner, Peter Aaron, who talked about the economy and his line of credit which will expire in January:
I need to find a way to operate at a lower expense level or increase our sales….finding a lender to keep us liquid is an ongoing battle….I must refinance, or the loan gets called.
Martinez notes that he is in talks with the Globe Building owners about a possible rent cut.
When it comes to bookstores in book-loving Seattle, this is one of the first places to roll off people’s tongues.
The recession sadly has created many unwanted changes.
If the store does move, I’m certain Seattle residents and people from throughout the country will take note and possibly gather to bid the store’s location in the Globe Building farewell.
If images posted on flickr are any indication of the store’s popularity, there are more than 480 photographs of the company, books and authors – submitted by regular people, who, well, love reading and learning.
A few years ago, humorist John Hodgman showed up to impress people with his wit.
Sketch artist Gabriel Campanario of The Seattle Times recently visited and drew what he saw.
Elliott Bay Cook Co. has operated from the Globe Building in Seattle's Pioneer Square since the 1970s. Photo credit: Copyright mystery monotreme's photostream on flickr
On one hand, change – as we know – happens.
Amazon is selling its electronic reader, the Kindle. Barnes & Noble introduced its Nook. At stores, I’ve seen Sony’s e-reader version, too.
And in Beijing, as a more distant example, the traditional alleys known as “hutongs” are being replaced by modern construction, including shopping malls.
Yet, on the other hand, Elliott Bay has called the Globe Building home since the 1970s.
Ask almost anyone who has walked in to just relax, browse or listen to an author read from a book. It’s a great place.
Before my wife and I visited Europe in 2005, we stopped by Elliott Bay to buy a weighty and useful travel book.
In fact, we still don’t visit as often as we should.
When my parents, sister and her family and aunts and uncles have visited Seattle, we stop at the bookstore to see what’s new and catch titles that we might have missed.
My uncle, Bill Wong, even gave a reading at the bookstore back in 2001 when his book, Yellow Journalist, was published by Temple University Press.
If anything, though, this possible move shows again how economic contractions not only hit bank accounts and budgets.
They also strike at familiar places that can let you clear your mind, or reflect and fill up on new ideas.
Elliott Bay Book Co. offers wooden floors and thousands of titles. Photo credit: Copyright brewbooks' photostream on flickr
Online has its place, too.
But without a grounding in history, or a sense of place, people and design, or a community place to meet others face to face, a city can turn into a blob of sorts.
I did tell you that I grew up in the suburbs in Northern California, right?
In fact, if the bright people at Seattle-based HistoryLink didn’t make a note of it, it would have been easy to overlook that Oct. 22, 2009 is the anniversary of King County’s largest jail break back in 1961.
The jail break was led by a jewel thief and escape artist, who was wanted in 11 states.
Back then, the jail was located in the King County Courthouse.
Now, is this information completely relevant to your life right now?
Probably, not.
Yes, the HistoryLink staff posted the article on its Web site.
But if you hang around Seattle long enough and attend community events, you’ll meet the staff.
The one or two staff members that I’ve met have been hilarious, filled with facts, quips, an appreciation for the city and off-the-wall thoughts that make Seattle the community that it is.
In a historical sense, the King County Courthouse is similar to the Elliott Bay Book Co.
Both are recognizable Seattle places.
Businesses and institutions have moved before, which again prompts my initial question:
Does physical location still matter these days?
