Frank & Dunya
I love this shop, and always stop by when I am in Fremont. They have the coolest local jewelery ( I like Bella Jolie), and great art (I love the chandeliers made of broken glass). Also, they have a great range of prices is you need something small or something pricey
PROS: Local Artist Works
CONS: Fremont Parking!
Balderdash Books and Art
This is a great used book store that is rapidly gaining a loyal fan base. I love that they also show local jewelry and art. Also, the woman who owns the shop is always nice and helpful.
PROS: Great used books
CONS: None that I can think of!
University Book Store
This store has great books, UW and WSU clothing and paraphernalia, coffee, and great visiting authors and lectures. This bookstore isn't just college textbooks like many folks think.
PROS: Authors, Logo Wear
CONS: None that I can think of!
Elliott Bay Book Co
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
Half Price Books
This is for the most part a used bookstore. The prices for the most part, are half of the listed book price. Many other used book stores offer a much better deal, but can't compete with Half Price's selection. If you are looking to rid yourself of books, donate them to a library, or perhaps a small indy bookshop. I traded about 25 books- harbacks included- and they gave me less than $4.00. I was shocked, but lesson learned.
PROS: Selection, occasional $1 discount books
CONS: Price, trade in values, lots of overstocked books from other stores
Something Silver
Most of the jewelry here is really nice and unique. Some is fairly mundane and some are really simple (not in a good way). Prices seem fairly high, but they have a huge stock, so perhaps you'll find what you need.
PROS: Some great jewelry
CONS: Some not so great jewelry
Pike Place Market
If you have family visiting your regularly like I do, then you've been here a gazillion times. If you haven't, make time to do so. The fish throwing is pretty cool, there is a great selection of fruits and veggies, and sometimes some pretty cool art and clothing vendors. The only reasons it isn't world class are that the fish STINK up the whole place, the floor is grimy, sometimes so crowded you have to push through to see things, and parking is a mad house. Take the chance to cross the street to visit the first Starbucks ever, and to sample Beecher's cheeses
PROS: diversity, fun
CONS: stinky stinky stinky.
Twist
Twist is chock full of gorgeous jewelry and gifts. They carry world famous niche jewelers like Anthony Nak. If you want to buy what the celebrities buy, shop here. If you don't earn what the celebrities earn, this is great eye candy, but don't expect to purchase anything
PROS: Gorgeous pieces
CONS: Expensive jewelry
Lush Cosmetics
Were I just reviewing products, Lush would have been world class. Their products range from luscions to sexy, to sweet with or without sparkles, etc. They have diverse types of products including bars of shampoo, dry deodorant, bath bombs and perfume. The caveat is that you will spend some serious bucks to lavish yourself with lush products
PROS: Just about everything
CONS: Pricey
Gene Juarez Salons & Spas
Participated (not sure if still does)in locks for love which I thought was really cool. They will cut your hair for free and donate it to make wigs for children. Down-shot is that they give you their very newest or least busy stylists since they are not making money. My stylist was very nice, my haircut- not so much. Seemingly high turnover rate, and in the paper there was an awful story about a woman with severe scalp burns that turned out to be permanent and disfiguring. I haven't visited their salon since.
PROS: atmosphere, participates in locks for love.
CONS: bad news article, varied skilled workers