The monthly SODO market hits on all cylinders. Good merchants willing to engage with you, food…read moretrucks, reasonable parking, and the bonus of EPIC. Epic is the antique market that is the building next to the market. I always find good deals and new rings from one of the merchants. The antique market is the usual treasure, give yourself at least an hour to explore all the options. Housewares, outdoor things, and too much to describe. Perhaps Epic will let me do a video walkthrough at some point. Put this market on your calendar, the second Saturday of every month. One more great reason to celebrate living in Seattle. #ShopLocal #shopsmall

Came here May 2022. Most of the reviews are for other years and when I went, the market wasn't too…read moreexciting. I had just come from the Lake Union Saturday Market and compared to the music, amount of vendors, and food trucks there, SODO was quiet and smaller. This one wraps around the antique shop but there was room for three food trucks and a small strip of vendors. There were a lot of people selling re-thrifted clothes. Looked like there were a few gems but you may need to do some digging around, and at that point I may just do my own thrifting. Of course like with any market there are a few quality things worth coming for. I saw a few hanging crystal decorations with moons and stars and I would love to gift one to my niece. The handmade jewelry selections were super cute and very nice quality. There are some of the same looking stuff throughout vendors though so really walk the tents through before making a purchase.

Zen dog is the best guy ever! This tea house is actually the house he is currently living in. He…read morewelcomes you not just a guest to a tea room, but a guest to his own happy place. He shows you to the upstairs and downstairs and the backyard. He offers you 3 tea for $10 and sometimes even for nothing. It is super traditional filled with Chinese calligraphy, paintings, teapots etc. And a ton of tea. I am amazed at his comprehensive collection of tea including all the well known Chinese tea like dragon well, tie guan yin, dian hong, da hong pao, even yellow tea and pu er. My favorite is Dong Ding from Taiwan and ZD Zest blend. He really tries to give you high quality yet fairly priced tea here. I will not hesitate to stop by when I am in the area. Just to sit down, have some tea and great conversations with this great guy!

I really like The man that runs this place! He's so peaceful and gives off a really really good…read morevibe! The second time, I went with a friend I was not seeing but zen dog assumed we were together... And asked if we wanted to participate in a game he created. He seemed so excited and we were in no rush so we did. Unfortunately, it made it really awkward because I was not interested in dating this guy so it was just awkward to ask such personal questions.

Stores have come and gone at the Wallingford Center, former school now retail and food destination…read morefor 35 years. Ahhh the UW college days... Worthy of an occasional visit with its a convenient ATM, customer parking lot, and located on a major Metro bus route. My recent visit yesterday included Crackerjack Contemporary Crafts and Trophy (6/23/18). I have stopped in also to Yazdi to browse and to dine at Chutney's. Sometimes got to shake it up from malls, outlet centers, box stores and online e-commerce...discoveries await you with a visit to Wallingford Center.

A sweet, quaint and cozy center with a handful of boutique shops. The building is reminiscent of an…read moreold schoolhouse, converted to host shops and a cafe, restaurant downstairs. It's quiet and cozy and seems that the shops are quite specialized, many items feeling more like small gifts you may wish to give rather than items one would purchase and keep in their own possessions. Shop staff were friendly and greeted us warmly as we peruses their specialty selections.

Stopped by for the Mad Scientist mixology class here. If you're even remotely interested in…read morecocktails or mocktails, the Mad Scientist Mixology Class is an experience you shouldn't miss. We had an absolute blast from start to finish. What I loved most was how hands-on and interactive the class was. They provide recipe reference cards if you want guidance, but they also encourage you to experiment, get creative, and build cocktails your own way in their "lab." It felt less like a class and more like being a bartender for the day. The selection of ingredients was incredible--from an extensive range of spirits, liqueurs, and mixers to an impressive collection of dehydrated fruits, herbs, and spices. Learning how to use these ingredients to infuse flavor into cocktails was fascinating, and the smoking techniques they demonstrated added another level of creativity to the experience. A special shoutout to Jen, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire session fun and approachable, whether you were a beginner or an experienced cocktail enthusiast. Another thing I really appreciated is that they offer both cocktail and mocktail options, making the experience enjoyable for everyone. They also host private events and team-building sessions at office locations (where permitted), which would make for such a fun and unique work event. I can't wait to do this again. Whether you're planning a date night, a get-together with friends, or a team outing, this is an experience I'd wholeheartedly recommend.

We came for the 'Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab'. You start off choosing a name and donning a lab coat…read moreso everyone is on the same level. I kept thinking of Chevy Chase saying "doctor. Doctor. " I was a little worried this wasn't an instructional mixology class, but I ended up liking all three of my creations as well as those of the others in class. Everyone had a blast! Jen helped us with ingredients and processes like smoking. We stuck around a bit and chatted and the group (which included strangers that are now new friends) intends to come back for another class.

Psychedelic Lens and Sunshine Coffee Cart is the perfect third space. With brightly colored walls,…read moreretro decor, and awesome riso prints for sale, this is a wonderful place to stop in and soak up some good vibes. The owners, Erin and Daniel, are two of the coolest human beings you'll ever meet, and their pup Sequoia and cat Sophie are the absolute cutest! The coffee cart is vegan with stamp act coffee and oat or soy milk. Their solar lounge is open for working on analog projects and disconnecting from technology (no wifi here! Time to make some new friends instead!) They host workshops with their Art Club each month. A great place to build community and get creative!

Really cute art store that serves coffee. Worth going for vibes and inspiration. Good energy in the…read morespace.

Visiting Seattle and their wonderful West Seattle Farmer's Market and stepped into this beautiful…read moreshop. Friendly owners and unique items throughout the store. Take a look you will love it! Check out the reel https://www.facebook.com/reel/700184852021855?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=roAVj8

Came for their ribbon cutting last Friday but was just there the day before. Beautifully curated…read morestationary store providing you with materials to write, journal or create. I'm a sucker for pens and paper and love that a store like this exist in the age of digital and AI age. There is a range of prices, something for everyone. Stickers, pens, journal books for writing or drawing. Service is friendly and helpful. Located in the old Intrigue Chocolate space on Jackson.

The Outpost Stationary recently came to my attention via IG and I wanted this indie retailer to…read morealso have exposure on Yelp. It is located in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood within proximity to SoDo's sports facilities, accessible by streetcar from the CID on S Jackson, and walking distance from the waterfront. I managed to locate a parking spot about two blocks away on 1st Avenue. Upon arrival, it was well visited. Lots of folks looking at the variety of items showcased. There's also a large table where one can try out various pens and markers on different types of paper surfaces. Stickers, bookmarks, cards, notebooks, journals, writing gear and storage...great place to find something unique! The quality inventory is also reasonably priced. I extensively browsed the display shelves and ended up buying two small notebooks and a ferry boat sticker. Owner provided helpful information and had a pleasant demeanor upon entering and departing the shop. Great addition since indie art and stationary shops are hard to come by.

I visited chophouse row for the first time yesterday for the fashion show and it was so fun! There…read moreare so many fun shops around here and a cute Photo Booth too. I will definitely be back here to explore!

Long overdue Yelp post as I have been an admirer of Chophouse Row and its collection of various…read moreonsite and adjacent businesses. It uniquely links 11th, 12th, with Pike on Capitol Hill since 2018 (5/30/23). I am fond of urban architecture, but in ways that helps preserve the historical bones of the structure and continues to contribute to the neighborhood. Best summed up from an excerpt from the Dunn & Hobbes website, "Chophouse Row puts the "mixed" in "mixed-use", featuring state-of-the-art creative office space, an extensive retail marketplace and residential penthouses in the heart of the Pike-Pine neighborhood of Capitol Hill. The project combines the historic Chophouse building, built as an auto parts store in 1924 and used for decades as iconic band practice space, with a new office tower that features open plan workspaces with floor to ceiling windows and exposed steel structure. Salvaged materials were used throughout and the building features highly sustainable energy and water systems. A pedestrian mews and mid-block courtyard connects Chophouse Row through to Dunn & Hobbes' other 12th Avenue Marketplace properties." I do miss shuttered businesses such as Amandine, By Tae, Petti-Rosso, and Kurt Farm Shop, but I enjoy revisiting to see what new businesses have taken their place and newer ones to wander through. A big plus is the juxtaposition of the surrounding mixed materials and the sky above. It brings out my inner photographer. Also, the open courtyard is a great getaway especially during warmer months with their variety of outdoor seating and even during crisp autumn evenings when the firepit is lit.