Since living in the burbs of Seattle for the past fourteen years, I’ve visited Pike Place Market numerous times, first as a tourist myself, later as an escort for visiting friends and family. But there is one place I had never ventured to discover and visit, the original Starbucks Seattle store.
Many tourists who take a trip to the market often confuse the original Starbucks Seattle store as being located at 1st and Pike. It’s an easy assumption, seeing how it’s located right at the main “entrance” to the market, as well as being a beautiful nod to the pacific northwest in architecture and design. However, this beautiful flagship store is not the original Starbucks Seattle store.
Looking back in history you’ll soon discover that you actually can’t visit the original store (open from 1971-1976), it closed and was relocated to it’s second location at 1912 Pike Place. That’s where you’ll want to head to visit to the original Starbucks Seattle store, and now I’m going to share why it is definitely worth a stop.
First, don’t get alarmed when you notice the long line outside. The store is tiny and has kept is original design and look over the years thanks to the market’s historical significance and design guidelines. Starbucks has well thought out handling the crowds and the line is orderly and moves fast. Of course our visit was on a drizzly Seattle day, so if you’re visiting in the peak of summer sunshine, you might have a bit longer to wait. Our line was past about three stores/doorways and we had to wait approximately 15-20 minutes. Well worth it if you’re a Starbucks fan.
Why would you want to wait for a coffee that you can just as easily grab with no wait from another Starbucks down the road? Pure marketing brilliance, signature items! The original Starbucks Seattle store is the only place to buy specialty mugs with the original Starbucks logo, as well as a special Pike Place Market Reserve coffee. Just be aware – the original Starbucks logo features an exhibitionistic mermaid.
There is definitely something to be said about how my coffee tastes out of my new Pike Place Market You Are Here mug, feels like sipping a little taste of Seattle.
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