Elliott Bay Book Co

I found Elliott Bay Book Company to be a nice, quaint store. They are quite large and have two different upstairs sections. They have many books that I have not seen in used bookstores here in Yakima, Wa. Their prices are somewhat higher than in Yakima, but, you're also seeing many books here that you don't see in Yakima either. Conditions of the books seemed to be pretty good. Their Sci-Fi Section wasn't too bad, it was only a little bit bigger than I see here in Yakima. The staff is incredibly helpful in finding you what you are looking for!

Posted 07/23/07 | Report Abuse

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Check their monthly appearance schedule for a list of amazing visiting authors. They are often world class and well known, but tickets go in a snap. Great book selection.

PROS: Authors
CONS: Availability of tickets for authors

Posted 06/28/06 | Report Abuse

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Elliott Bay Book Company is located south of downtown in Pioneer Square. There is a great feel to this bookstore, walls of books on wooden shelves.
I have found great travel, children's and cooking books here! The staff is very friendly and will go out of their way to help you find the book you are looking for. It is a great place to check out on a rainy day, grab a tasty coffee too!

PROS:
CONS: parking

Posted 06/27/06 | Report Abuse

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This is one of the best book stores in Seattle. If you're looking for wall to wall, ceiling to floor books then you've found your place. It's a little on the pricey side, about the same as Borders but you'll find a better mix of books here as well as friendly staff and a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. They also attract tons of famous authors and celebs for book signings so check out their events calender to make sure you don't miss something sweet!

PROS: Books, people, everything!
CONS:

Posted 02/16/06 | Report Abuse

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elliot bay books is amazing. it has ever book and sections on every topic and and friendly helpful wonderfully great staff. prices rival "the big boys" (aka barnes and noble and borders) but with such a better atmosphere. its one of those book stores where you feel like you can sit and flip through pages of books all day, without feeling weird about it.

and they have beautiful hardwood floors.

and fun events all the time

Posted 11/30/05 | Report Abuse

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With all the stories about little independently owned bookstores foldiong under the enourmous pressure exerted by giants like Borders, Elliot Bay books is truly remarkable. It is a massive two story building in Pioneer Square. It's the center for local literary culture. All of Seattle writers come through, buy all their books here, lecture and associate. The cafe downstais is mediocre--it hasn't decided what it's identity is yet and now it just seems a bit like a seventeenth century prison.

Posted 11/29/05 | Report Abuse

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Situated in an historic building dating back to 1890, in the midst of a revitalized Pioneer Square, Elliott Bay Book Company is the area's most renowned independent book seller. Famous for the attractive cedar shelving along brick walls in many different rooms, the store contains over 150,000 different titles. New, used, and antique.

Posted 11/10/05 | Report Abuse

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This is the best bookstore in the world, after Powell's Books in Portland. I guess there's something about Pacific Northwesteners and books, but we sure do love them.

Elliott Bay Books is located in Pioneer Square and is multi-leveled and takes up nearly and entire city block. The staff is friendly and competent and very willing to help you find whatever obscure book you need.

I have never gone there and not been able to find a book that I was looking for.

In the downstairs area there is a cafe which was the inspiration for the cafe featured in the TV show "Frasier". It's very dark and grotto-like.

Highly reccomend this bookstore if for nothing other than the experience of seeing millions of books in one place

Posted 10/09/05 | Report Abuse

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Please, stop patronizing those souless chains, like B&N and Borders. Elliott bay has an awesome selection of new and used books, good prices, great hours and a decent location if you're near the city. Plus it has something the chains lack CLASS. I think browsing for books is enhanced by a nice homey aesthetic like EBC. Go check it out.

Posted 08/23/05 | Report Abuse

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Elliott Bay is a Pioneer Sq fixture. They have an incredible selection of books. It is a very large store with a funky layout that adds to its charm. They have a great children's area with a place to play and read. The magazine selection is wonderful - lots of art mags. Downstairs is a book lined cafe with wonderful food. This is a must visit store.

Posted 07/26/05 | Report Abuse

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Elliot Bay Book Company is everything a bookstore should be - warm and cozy, stocked with a terrific and varied selection of books, and staffed with people who actually read. Their staff picks are always a good choice.

The only downside - its Pioneer Square location makes a parking space a difficult thing to come by.

Posted 06/23/05 | Report Abuse

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Not as big as Powells in Portland or as famous as New York's Strand, this is nevertheless one of the nation's great bookstores. When your favorite author comes to town, I'll be they come here. Elliott Bay was threatened with oblivion recently but local investors rallied behind it to keep this landmark open. The staff recommendations rule.

PROS: atmosphere, location, both new and used available
CONS: cafe is mediocre

Posted 06/03/05 | Report Abuse

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I have been wowed by Elliott Bay's book signing/reading selection. They bring in all different kinds of authors from food scientist chefs like Alton Brown to excellent young writers like Jonathon Saffron Foer. They seem to be catering to a wide range of interests all the time.

PROS: great selection, great atmosphere.
CONS:

Posted 05/29/05 | Report Abuse

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this is the second best book store in the world. it is charming and independant. Don't go to the barnes and noble when you can support local business.

PROS: locally owned
CONS: pioneer square bums

Posted 05/28/05 | Report Abuse

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I love Elliott Bay Books. I don't always like
the parking but on Saturdays its not too
bad. I think this store is great for a movie
set if one is to appreciate that old brick
look of Seattle.

Posted 04/25/05 | Report Abuse

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This book store has a large selection of new books, and also a section that sells used books. One of the nicest things about the used part is that, despite the fact that they don't have the best used selection in Seattle, they allow you to use your credit (for selling books there) to buy used OR new books. They also sometimes host interesting poets and authors in the basement. I saw Red Pine give a talk there that was very interesting.

Posted 04/20/05 | Report Abuse

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I have only had positive experiences with this book store. There are tons of books to choose from, even for the picky type. The employees are very cool and helpful. I really dig the atmosphere and cleanliness of the store. You have to check this place out if you're ever curious or looking for a book. Sometimes they also host book signings for popular authors and whatnot. I say "please go". You won't be disappointed by any means.

Posted 04/13/05 | Report Abuse

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I like going here the environment is book reader friendly. The staff is not Border book young and you do not feel like you are shopping at a puppy mill of a book store. I find all kinds of great reading on the upper floors. The location is just south of downtown and a little north of Safeco. Located in the old town section Seattle.

Posted 04/13/05 | Report Abuse

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Elliott Bay was the first book store I walked into
when I moved to Seattle. I don't always like the
parking situation but the store itself is great.
Cozy, woody, and they have great book
signings and author appearances.

Posted 04/09/05 | Report Abuse

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I love Elliot Bay books! Their store is beautiful, with it's all wood interior, and great selection of books. It'snot a huge store, but they seem to choose their collection carefully, with new and classic titles. They have a cafe in the basement that has tasty baked goods and coffee, and they often have authors visit for book readings/signings. Located in the always interesting Pioneer Square neighboorhood.

Posted 03/24/05 | Report Abuse

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This is a great independently owned book store, it is a wonderful place to go in and get a book and go to the little coffee shop and start reading a great book. The employees have wonderful suggestions to give on all the books. If you are looking for a quiet bookstore this is your place to go.

Posted 03/01/05 | Report Abuse

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This my favorite book store hands down! Does it get any better than this? Elliott Bay Books is a stable in Seattle, independantly owned, and still feels like a hometown store. The variety of books they have here are amazing. The store is welcoming with places to read and helpful staff. It's located in a central location and the prices are quite good. I love shopping here and I definitely like to support an independant business with all the mainstreaming that has happened in the past few years. Elliott seems to provide all of the major needs of the true book lover.

PROS:
CONS: Parking on meters and/or garages only.

Posted 02/28/05 | Report Abuse

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While it can't match the University bookstores size, Elliott Bay is a special bookstore in its own right. Located in Pioneer Square (which is sometimes a plus, and sometimes a minus), it is wonderful in how the funky old wood rooms have nooks and cranies to explore. This is the way bookstores used to be before the chains came to town. A good cafe is downstairs, and a wing of used books is also available. Elliott Bay attracts a good list of authors and speakers, and has great selection. Good for gifts and cards too. A fun diversion for book lovers.

Posted 02/22/05 | Report Abuse

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I realise now of course that Elliot Bay Books is well known amongst Seattle's bibliophiles. But when I happened upon it, I knew nothing of the sort. This place is fabulous and well-stocked. Their staff recommendations are excellent reads, and the layout of the place has really great feng shui. There's even a fantastic little coffeeshop downstairs.

Posted 02/19/05 | Report Abuse

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The biggest independent bookstore in Seattle, Elliott Bay is a haven for true book lovers. The rambling building provides great atmosphere, the selection is wonderful, and there are great sales and lots of readings. If you cant find it anywhere else, or are looking for something special, Elliott Bay is the place to go.

Posted 02/08/05 | Report Abuse

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Elliott Bay Books is one of those unforgettable places that you really must see to believe. For my whole life, I have been shopping there, even if I only get around to it once a year. Their selection and the atmosphere are what makes it so unique. Guest speakers also make frequent visits to the store. The one thing about this store that I was just introduced to is the AMAZING cafe downstairs. It's an organic bakery, but they have amazing sandwiches, salads, and soups at lunch.

Posted 01/25/05 | Report Abuse

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Independently owned and operated by true book lovers, this is a vital Seattle business. It is very comfortable and the staff is ready to help you with anything you need. If they don't have it, they will get it for you, but usually they have it already. Their author readings are fabulous, as are their staff and bookclub recommendations. A great cafe downstairs make this the perfect lunch break or all-afternoon getaway. I can and do get lost here for hours. Great place for students to buy books at instead of your bookstore. I don't find all my texts here, but they have some of them. They also have a used book section where you can buy or sell.

Posted 01/22/05 | Report Abuse

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Elliott Bay is a meandering oasis of books contained in a rambling old brick building in the beautiful Pioneer Square area. They have a delicious cafe located in the basement, a cavernous room for book and poetry readings, and an incredible, expansive selection of books on every possible subject. This is the kind of store you can get lost in, drifting from stack to stack of books!

Posted 01/20/05 | Report Abuse

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