Elliot Bay Books is one of the Great Bookstores of the World.
It has a huge selection of both used and new books, magazines, literery journals, local zines and even journals and notebooks.
The interior maintains a sense of rough-hewn intimacy despite the impressive size of the place. Here and there odd staircases take you up to nooks and crannys off the main rooms, and in the basement there is a comfortable cafe (though the restrooms leave something to be desired) serving excellent coffee, salads and sandwiches.
The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the store publishes its own monthly newsletter. They also sponsor regular readings by interesting and well-known writers (sometimes both!).
Maybe not quite as comprehensive a selection as Powells in Portland, but it wins hands-down on literary atmosphere.
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