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    Old Seattle Paperworks

    4.0 (41 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Mark H.

    This is the worst place ever and extremely over priced! Awful costumer service, the small man working the cashier was rude, obnoxious and started cursing people out for literally no reason- since they kindly asked for a nominal discount after purchasing 5 posters. This man has 0 business working at a shop, let alone owning one. I think he was probably bipolar or off his meds, he made a spectacle in front of other customers and scared them all away. BE CAREFUL GOING INSIDE..It's not safe.

    Girl on the left might die of lung cancer but she'll go down looking good
    Joanna T.

    If you are a fan of vintage advertising (I am, in a huge way) this tiny shop on one of the lower levels of the Pike Place market is definitely something to check out. Apparently, the owner has been at it for more than 40 years so expect a well curated, well organized selection of both original and reproduction stuff. When I visited, there were very few people in the store but I'd imagine on a busy weekend that it would get very crowded. Bins are organized by theme (food, beer, tobacco, military, etc) and marked clearly if they are original or not. I snapped up 3 original ads for $40 - I especially love the glamorous smoking ad - girl is going to die from lung cancer, but dammit she's going to go out looking good! Also a plus for me was the ability to get some of the classic ad posters in a smaller size as many of my walls at home won't accommodate larger pieces. I really appreciated that they left the rigid plastic protectors on everything I bought so nothing will rumple or crease on my trip home. Obviously, this store is something that's either going to be "your thing" or not - I found it to absolutely be my thing and found some real treasures.

    Greg G.

    Every now and then you run into shops like this. I love em'! Old newspapers, vintage magazines, propaganda and ad clippings- That's what you'll find here. Out of respect for the "No Pictures" sign inside the store I have nothing to show you Yelpers, but I can tell you this place is pretty cool. I spent so much time browsing the magazine racks inside Paperworks that I almost forgot about all the delicious seafood calling my name outside- just a few storefronts away. Very cool shop and worthy of this quick 4 star review- check it out if you're in the area!

    Brycelaine P.

    This place has been around for ages...and when you take a look around you realize the span of 20th century. From war propoganda posters to classic guinness, you'll be smiling all the way to the register.

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    6 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Pretty cool. Some super cool stuff. If I had more time I would've spent more time here

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    4 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    21 years ago

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    20 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    20 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Vintage prints are awesome! The lady who works here though is incredibly grumpy.

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    13 years ago

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    21 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Great selection and very informed owners. Fun to be there and buy some posters.

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    17 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

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    Review Highlights - Old Seattle Paperworks

    The selection is tremendous if you are looking for something classy, stylish, and vintage for your walls.

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    Watson Kennedy Fine Home

    Watson Kennedy Fine Home

    3.8
    (62 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    ​I was just strolling down 1st Ave when I stumbled upon this absolutely stunning shop for the very…read morefirst time. Pro-tip for first-timers: if you're confused about how to get in, just press the button next to the door! The friendly staff will buzz you right in. ​Once inside, I was completely blown away by how beautifully the shop is curated. The front features gorgeous color-coded displays in vibrant greens, pinks, and yellows. As you wander deeper into the store, it's like a treasure trove filled with high-quality wines, perfumes, artisanal soaps, gourmet treats, and incredibly tasteful home decor and novelties. ​This is the ultimate spot to pick up a little self-care treat or find a unique, thoughtful gift for someone special. Yes, the prices are a bit on the higher side, but given the exceptional quality and uniqueness of everything they carry, the satisfaction level is 100% there. Such a gem with a wonderful aesthetic!

    We stopped by Watson Kennedy Fine Home after being drawn in by its beautifully curated window…read moredisplay, and it did not disappoint! From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed by the wonderful staff. The store is a dream, everything is thoughtfully color-coordinated, making it a feast for the eyes. There's truly something for everyone, and it's the perfect one-stop shop for creating a thoughtful gift basket. I could have easily spent hours browsing the unique selection, but my husband was eager to get to our next destination. We were visiting from out of town the first time we stopped in, but now it is a go to spot, even if it's just to check out what they have put out recently! If you're in Seattle, this store is an absolute must-visit!

    Photos
    Watson Kennedy Fine Home
    Watson Kennedy Fine Home
    The green section was lovely.

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    The green section was lovely.
    Retrofit Home

    Retrofit Home

    4.0
    (109 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    It is truly a special kind of retail purgatory when you just want to browse a few paperbacks and…read moresuddenly you're being pitched a sectional with performance fabric. The "hovering" technique is the fastest way to turn a potential sale into a "I'm leaving right now" situation. There is a massive psychological gap between "I am here if you need me" and "I am essentially your shadow." The Desperation: You can see them mentally checking boxes on a manager's "Engagement Checklist." * The Disconnect: They aren't reading the room; they're reading the script. * The Result: A customer who feels hunted rather than helped. Retailers often think that "High Touch" service equals "Constant Contact," but most modern shoppers view their time in a store as a solo mission. We want the associate to be like a GPS: silent and out of the way until we actually take a wrong turn or need a specific destination. When an associate is practically tethered to you, it removes the "discovery" element of shopping. You stop looking at the products because you're too busy trying to figure out how to politely lose your tail And out of all that, I still didn't buy the book as i was focused on writing this review. Damn. This is why we shop on Amazon.

    They have great stuff here! Over the years, I've bought trinkets, books, lamps, nothing big - but…read morewhen I wanted to buy a colorful sofa that was at least mostly made in the USA, Retrofit had it. I don't want to take anything away from other shops, but I didn't want to buy a cliched "classic" from DWR, I kinda liked the choices at Joybird, but I really liked the choices at Retrofit and I'm super happy with my new sofa!

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    Retrofit Home
    Retrofit Home
    Retrofit Home

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    KOBO

    KOBO

    4.5
    (46 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Many visitors and shoppers tend to have an emotional connection to Kobo, formerly known as Higo. I…read moream one of those people who calls it Higo, before I will remember it is in fact Kobo now. Higo is the original shop owned and run by the Murakami family. This is one of the few businesses that survived the Executive Order 9066 written in 1942 with thanks to the non-Japanese friends of the family who owned businesses in the same building. Today, Kobo represents a new generation of local artists, selling gift items, crafts, tees, books, art, jewelry, and much more at varying level of prices. I highly recommend Kobo when shopping for unique gifts. When I recently visited, they had a glass artwork on display, art gallery style. It was also the yearly Nihonmachi celebration, and they had a table outside with an artist painting one of three designs on classic Japanese windchimes. I was thrilled to buy one of these adorable windchimes commonly featured in anime including Studio Ghibli movies. For those who want to read the long version of the store's history: https://www.historylink.org/File/9094

    Lovely gift shop in the Japantown / Chinatown / International District area that offers an array of…read moreapparel and textiles, art, houseware and decor, and even the random novelty items. My mother picked up a really fun t-shirt from KOBO, and I found various gifts - including the Mari Ichimasu (a Seattle-based Japanese artist who works in stop-motion animation, painting, and drawing) book "Fur Coats & Backpacks", which includes the art of her collection of traveling cats & an accompanying poem for each cat. The perfect gift for my feline-loving friends. The staff were happy to let you browse through the store, and you can tell that they work to include items from the local art and design community while also carrying items with wider appeal. The prices may be a bit high? But I was less concerned with the cost of the items than I was on finding quality gifts - and KOBO has those in spades. I'd certainly recommend a visit.

    Photos
    Artist painting windchime
    Artist painting windchime
    KOBO
    KOBO

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    Old Seattle Paperworks - antiques - Updated June 2026

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