100 Best Shops
5 Only-in-Seattle Stores for Gags and Gifts
In need of an extremely creepy horse mask? Or maybe it’s an imported tea set you seek. These Seattle stores carry the neat and the novelty.
Archie McPhee's wall of masks.
Image: Amber Fouts
The Purple Store
Everything in the Purple Store is, well, purple. Clothing, kitchenware, jewelry, shoes, gadgets, gifts, and a few appropriately colored University of Washington items. Any questions? 1100 NW 51st St, Ballard, 206-801-1599; thepurplestore.com
Archie McPhee
The Madison Square Garden of Seattle novelty shops boasts an impressive collection of inspired creations, like a yodeling pickle, “handerpants” (yes, hand underpants), and an impressive mask selection. 1300 N 45th St, Wallingford, 206-297-0240; mcphee.com
Shiga’s Imports
In business on the Ave for over 50 years, Shiga’s specializes in affordable Asian and South Asian imports, including kimonos, Japanese dishware, paper goods, and tea. 4306 University Way NW, University District, 206-633-2400; shigasimports.com
Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop
The horse-drawn cart that rolls into town at night carrying curios from unknown lands: that’s Ballyhoo, with unique antiques, natural oddities, and weird decor for the home. 5445 Ballard Ave NW, Ballard, 206-268-0371; ballyhooseattle.com
Market Magic Shop
Aspiring street magicians look no further than Pike Place Market’s very own mini magic emporium. It’s floor-to-ceiling card tricks, stage props, and magic guides for the beginner and master illusionist alike. 1501 Pike Pl, Ste 427, Downtown, 206-624-4271; marketmagicshop.com
Airstream Ateliers
The shopping mall. It’s the crystallized form of Americana, fabricated from loitering teens and Orange Julius stalls. But down in Georgetown, far from the business districts and centers of consumerism, lies an eccentric marketplace: the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall. At the far side of a small parking lot off Airport Way awaits a wagon train of eight vintage trailers. Every weekend, vendors peddle Patsy Cline records, folk art, and a plethora of wonderfully bizarre ephemera. Or towers of scratch-made layer cake, if you’re famished. Even a tent filled with hot sauce and Honey Bunches of Oats had a home here. For seven years, this modern-day trading post has helped Seattle forsake its mall rat ways. —Rosin Saez
Seek and Destroy sells goods out of a vintage trailer.
Image: Liz Ophoven
