The Elliott Bay Book Company

Category:	Book Store
Address:	1521 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, USA
Phone:	+1 206-624-6600
Site:	elliottbaybook.com
Rating:	4.8
Working:	10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–11PM 10AM–11PM 10AM–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

grace Crowley

Until today, this was the only bookstore in Seattle I would spend money at. I have come to Elliot Bay Books every Monday to buy my new books for the week and talk to the employees about their recommendations and favorite QTPOC coming of age novels. No more. Very disappointed in Tracy, the general manager, and the white, bald man with glasses who refused to give me his name. As a low income nanny and volunteer Girl Scout leader, I have been receiving the educator discount for the past 6 months on books related to race, gender, immigration, lgbtq issues, coming of age, gender-based violence, and the environment. Today, not only was I denied the educator discount, the white, bald man with glasses told me that Im "not really and educator." I told him that I have received this discount as an educator for months and that as someone who has been raising other peoples children for the past 10 years and volunteering my time as a Girl Scout leader I find it extremely disrespectful to say that I, and others in my field, are not educators. At this point Tracy, the general manager, stated that their policy is for classroom teachers and librarians with ID cards. "Policy." I explained ha this is my favorite bookstore in the city and have been coming for years and how disappointed I am with this interaction and their opinion that solely classroom teachers and librarians are educators. I reminded her again that I have been receiving this discount for many months. She and he claimed they have never heard of anyone giving a discount to someone other than a teacher or librarian. I think its cowardly and gross that the white, bald man wouldnt give his name and I think its disgusting that I was treated the way I was. I have scoured their website and there is absolutely no such "policy" listed anywhere. I am very sad to say and decide that I will not be returning to Elliot Bay Bookstore again. I cannot, however, support a business that does not see the importance of education outside of a classroom or the importance of regular customers.

Selena Hutchins

This is my favourite place in Capitol Hill, so Im very biased as I write this review. Ive been buying books at Elliott Bay Book Company since they were located in Pioneer Square. Back then, they were the creaky wooden floors, high wooden shelves bookstore of any booklovers dreams. But they were in Pioneer Square. Since moving to Capitol Hill, I can say I only like them more. Theyve created a warm and welcome bookstore, full of knowledgeable book lovers, a very healthy selection of books (you can always find the newest scifi, YA and general fiction here - but theyre great about keeping up with nonfiction, comics, essays, etc). Theyve recently remodeled their cafe and they are now calling it "Little Oddfellows." This is a great place for a cup of coffee and a pastry of some kind. I can always find one little table tucked off into the corner to catch up on writing or even browsing the web (lets be honest, Im on GoodReads looking up what else I should buy). Last but not least, EBB is great about keeping authors coming into the shop regularly. They release a monthly event calendar (paper and online) and they have a cozy room downstairs where one can go to hear authors read. Ive seen amazing authors here - Maria Semple, Garth Risk Hallberg, Neal Stephenson). I know I said last but not least above, but really though, 1 more thing. EBB is an institution - theyve been around for 40 yeas, I think. They help create community in a busy and diverse part of Capitol Hill, encouraging us all to stop in, slow down and pick up a book. Always support independent book stores, because scrolling through a webpage will never compare to browsing the aisles.

Sara Wainwright-Jahn

In the town that unleashed Amazon onto the world, one does bemoan the slow death of the independent bookstore (while guiltily ordering bacon, champagne and OJ on Amazon Now one supremely hungover morning). However, its hard to be too sad because said town also boasts a healthy selection of independents of which Elliott Bay must be the largest and most beloved. We were all sad to see it move from its original location in Pioneer Square with the dark wood paneling and basement cafe where it was easy to imagine bookish types and literary icons of old Seattle chain smoking and drinking coffee. However, the crackheads and lost sportsball fans did tend to distract from the overall aesthetic. Now, youll find the venerable book shop in tech bro, hipster overrun Capitol Hill (you can decide on the relative merits of its neighbors then and now). The space is brighter and more straightforward in layout and the cafe, which is always packed, will tolerate no moody chain smoking or vehement espresso drinking. MacBook Pros and cheerful 20 somethings are all that will accost you. The staff recommends section is great if you are looking for your next great read and the latest releases that you just read about in the NYT Book Review are helpfully placed near the front of the store. They also have a punch card system that doesnt quite make up for the massive price undercutting that Amazon employs but does make the $27 price tag for a hardcover easier on the pocketbook and assuage somewhat the guilt you feel for ordering one pack of AAA batteries delivered to your home when Target is literally a mile away.

Greg Huber

One of the signs of a good, independent bookstore is that they leave you alone to find the right book... until you need help, and then theyre willing to do everything they can for you. Elliott Bay Book Company consistently delivers on this. While its not quite, say, the Powells of Seattle, they do a great job of offering recommendations all throughout the store. Features books are refreshed fairly often, and even the bargain book section (upstairs, back right) has a pretty decent selection. Downstairs, there are some reading areas, as well as a place to host talks and readings. I managed to swing a sitting with Cory Docotrow here and found it a really enjoyable environment to engage with an author. Its quiet enough to hear, spacious enough to seat everyone, and intimate enough to remain close to the folks you want to hear. The cafe is perfectly acceptable too, though the highlights are definitely the books.

A Private User

Four visits to the cafè have made it clear that its not a place for eating so much as its a place to have the music blasted at you while paying too much for too little. The soup today was apple fennel; it was tasty. A bowl of soup is actually a cup of soup, actually, if I measured it would likely be less than a cup. Seven dollars for less than a cup of soup is no deal, in fact its only because its voluntary that its not considered a crime. Oh,the soup does come with two slices of bread, each about the size of a silver-dollar. Its a good place to go if you plan on eating afterward. Service is typical of most Seattle places; the cafe manager is absent-minded and obtuse; clearly she thinks that helping customers is below her. The cafè staff are friendly and good at their jobs.

Gowri Chandra

Elliott Bay, I love you! I come here at least once a week to browse with a latte or hot tea in hand. You can browse for hours and, if youre lucky, snag one of the four comfy leather armchairs in the middle of the store. Its a very open and inviting atmosphere, and you never feel rushed or like you have to buy something or leave. They have a beautiful selection of planners and journals in addition to almost every book you could want (even if you didnt know you wanted it-- the very knowledgeable staff will help you). The cafe is great too, some gluten free selections-- bewarned though, the Wifi is notoriously unreliable, both in signal strength and actual presence. Otherwise, EBBC is spot on. Thanks Elliott Bay!