Wandering through Pike Street Market in the heart of downtown Seattle is a great way to experience the spirit of the city. Easily accessible, you can hop on a bus to get to the market, located at the bottom of Pike Street, or drive and park nearby. If crowds aren’t your thing, go on a weekday when there are fewer people. But if you like to people-watch, visit on a Saturday or Sunday and enjoy the crowd.
The market is where Starbucks got its start and the original store is still there. Many world-renowned musicians also got their start busking for visitors to the market, and up-and-coming entertainers can be found on every corner. These are as varied as a quintet singing gospel, a duo singing country, and a mime painted gold.
The vendors at the market are as unique as the people walking by their stalls. Some have been selling their wares there for decades and others are new. Most are happy to share the story of how they got started in the business they run or how their products are made. Some just want to shoot the breeze and tell about the city.
No Boundaries Books: These journals are handmade out of genuine leather. They have handcrafted acid-free recycled cotton paper inside and a clasp made from a polished rock or shell. Each one is unique and gorgeous! They are meant to inspire drawing or writing and to be a keepsake.
Long Life Candles: Deena Manis and Talbot Uehlinger have been making their own candles for about 30 years. They are 100 percent beeswax, handcrafted and beautiful.
Moon Valley Organics has been selling organic honey and homeopathic-infused lotions at the market for 15 years. The farm is located near Bellingham. I bought some of the blackberry honey (yum) and a muscle rub made with arnica, lobelia, ginger and other organic ingredients.
Savori Rardin handcrafts cuffs and bracelets with recycled leather.
Chukar Cherries has a permanent venue at the market and passes out samples so don’t walk by it too quickly. The candy makes a great gift for someone else or just for yourself to munch on.
And of course, no one can walk by the fresh fruit and vegetable stands, flowers, fish mongers or food purveyors without buying some to take home for dinner. It’s all fresh, all local, all Seattle.