A Day in Seattle – Local Edition

As a Seattle native who’s lived here since I was three, the city of Seattle has always been overwhelming tome. With so many districts and blocks covering 83 square miles, it’s an intimidating city to explore.

Everyone knows the typical tourist attractions such as Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. However, there are plenty of underground spots that aren’t as crowded. Today, I’ll be taking you on a virtual tour of a favorite local spot, Capitol Hill.

“Cap Hill” in central Seattle is known for being a young, inclusive neighborhood. It’s filled with vibrant colors, local food, and adventures down its many streets and alleyways.

 

 

 

As an avid thrifter and foodie, I love Capitol Hill for its wide selection of trendy eateries and fantastic thrift shops. From dog-friendly bars to rainbow sidewalks, there’s something for everyone. Here are four of my favorite lesser-known Capitol Hill places for shopping.

For the Sneakerheads: Lucky Dog on the Ave

Although they have a bigger location in Central Seattle, Lucky Dog on the Ave is its pint-sized counterpart. They specialize in trendy shoes (think Jordan 1’s, Yeezy’s, Nike SB’s, and so much more), and have a huge selection of high-end items like Supreme lighters,  Off-White rugs, and vintage t-shirts of rap legends like Eminem and Tupac.

My favorite thing about the store is their bulldog mascot Squish. Squish pops in now and then to shuffle around the store and beg you for treats.

For the Foodies: Chophouse Row

Chophouse Row is a hidden-away alley in the middle of Capitol Hill. This isn’t a shop, but rather a collection of stores. Experience fancy French food at Marmite, get pampered at Cake Skincare, or enjoy a scoop of local-ingredient-sourced ice cream at Sweet Alchemy. Pictures do not do this place justice!

For The Best Thrifting: Red Light Vintage

If you’re looking for an upgrade from rummaging through the racks of Goodwill, Red Light is the perfect spot for you. Located a few minutes away from Lucky Dog, the store is filled with everything from old graphic tees to plants.

While they have a section of newer thrift items, they also have a more expensive back aisle of vintage clothing sorted by decade. Items range from 70’s bell-bottoms to 1960’s pencil skirts.

Fun fact: Red Light Vintage was the location featured in Macklemore’s Thrift Shop music video. You can see the endless rows of vintage clothing in the background.

For Perfectly Curated Style: Likelihood

Likelihood is a sneaker shop and boutique located on the edge of Cap Hill. They’re known for carrying smaller indie brands of clothing and shoes, their beautiful interior, and hosting local workshops on design, business, and branding. Recently, they’ve worked extra hard to highlight POC brands and companies local to Seattle. 

They also hold raffles for anticipated sneakers, such as the Jordan 1 Satin Toe, or the Jordan 1 Mochas. Unlike most sneaker raffles, customers must be Washington residents. Likelihood often puts a fun spin on the experience. For example, they brought in a local bakery to box up mocha cupcakes with a “yes” or “no” on the inside of the box. A yes meant you had the chance to buy the limited quantity Mochas. They also give customers extra entries with a donation to local homeless shelters.

Not to mention, they have an in-store shopping assistant named Kevin, a three-year-old golden lab (You’re probably seeing a pattern here).

No matter what city you live in, remember to support your favorite small businesses when possible! Even after spending my whole life here, I’m always so surprised by all the wonderful small businesses out there that make Seattle a city I will treasure forever. Next time you’re in Seattle, give Cap Hill a visit!