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All For Kids
Near the University District, All For Kids has one of the largest selections of children's books in town and also stocks a lot of children's music.
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Aprie
A small boutique with a well-curated selection of trendy tops, dresses and skinny jeans from brands too hip to list here (I mean, if you don't know, I'm not gonna tell you), Aprie is a miniparadise for fashionistas. Also located at 4514 University Way NE (ph: 206.547.6800)
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Babeland
Opened in 1993 as Toys in Babeland, this sex-positive toy store for women has since abbreviated its name and expanded its business to include shops in New York and Los Angeles.
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Bailey/Coy Books
This is a general bookstore with a good gay and lesbian section and a really classy, well-chosen supply of literary fiction.
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Beyond The Closet Books
Beyond the Closet is the city's primary gay-focused bookstore. It also holds readings and book signings; check local papers for a schedule.
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Bon-Macy's
Seattle's oldest and largest department store, the 'Bon' - formerly Bon-Marché, but renamed in August 2003 when it was bought by Macy's - is still a classic.
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Bud's Jazz Records
Whether you're looking for recordings of Coltrane or the Duke, you'll have a good chance of finding them here. Bud specializes in vintage vinyl recordings of early and hard-to-find jazz. Hours aren't always strictly kept, but it's worth checking back to catch the shop when it's open.
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Bulldog News & Espresso
The newsstand of choice at the university, this place has pretty much every magazine or newspaper you might want, from imports and big glossies to stapled-together zines. Good coffee, too.
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Cameras West
The foremost selection of film and photographic supplies in Seattle is Cameras West, right downtown. They sell a range of cameras.
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Cellophane Square
Locally based chain Cellophane Square has rack after rack of used CDs to flip through and can special-order anything.
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Channel 9 Store
In the lobby of KCTS TV, this cool shop is filled with educational videos and games that educate as much as they entertain. It also benefits public broadcasting.
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City Cellars
There's no snobbery at City Cellars, just great wines at reasonable prices. In the adjoining storefront, check out Bottleworks Inc (206-633-2437; Suite 3, 1710 N 45th St), which sells mostly imported bottled beer.
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Comics Dungeon
Nestled right between the U District and Wallingford, Comics Dungeon stocks a good selection of comics and graphic novels plus the usual accompaniments of gothy dolls, toys and action figures.
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Continental Store
By 'the continent,' they mean Germany; here's where to pick up imported foods, books and knickknacks. There's also a great deli.
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Crossroads Trading Co
Recycled clothing requires some sifting through, but often unearths fashion gems. Keep an eye out for designer label bargains. Buy, sell and trade clothes and receive 35% of their retail value, but you must be 18+ and have ID.
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Crypt
A cheesy but fun place to browse, the Crypt sells clubwear, leather and novelties for folks just slightly too grown-up to buy them elsewhere.
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Delaurenti's
DeLaurenti's is a mandatory market stop for the Italian chef or continental food enthusiast. Not only is there a stunning selection of cheese, sausages, hams and pasta, but there's also the largest selection of capers, olive oil and anchovies that you're likely to find this side of Genoa. The wine selection is also quite broad.
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Deluxe Junk
A local landmark and Located in a former funeral parlor, Deluxe Junk carries a deeply weird assortment of, well, junk. But some of it is pretty nice junk, retro and glitzy and sometimes fabulous - everything from retro sundresses and fluffy feather boas to home wares and furniture from the 1950s.
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Dilettante Chocolates
If you have a sweet tooth to satisfy, try the confection truffles here. Great selection of desserts, too. You can taste chocolates in the shop, along with good coffee and other snacks, or pick up a box to take home. The European-style chocolates are made in-house.
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Easy Street Records & Café
This place has everything: rock-and-roll, coffee, beer, food and an open, airy place to hang out while enjoying all of the above. Any place where you can shop for new import records, have a beer and then kick back on the couch for a while is bound to attract attention, and you might have to elbow some hipsters out of your way to grab that coveted album - just try not to spill. Also located at Queen Anne, 20 West Mercer St (ph: 691-3279)
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Elliott Bay Bicycles
This place aims more at pro or hardcore cyclists who are prepared to slap down big bucks for bikes. Custom-made bikes are a renowned specialty.
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Elliott Bay Book Company
One of the best general bookstores in the Northwest is this rambling bookstore, which takes up an entire block of historic storefronts in Pioneer Square. All exposed red brick and high ceilings, it is absolutely stuffed full of books and browsing customers. Downstairs is a popular café. and author appearances occur on an almost nightly basis - pick up a schedule near the entrance to see who's coming up.
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Erotic Bakery
Kind of worn-out and vaguely icky in a not-all-that-hilarious way, the Erotic Bakery nevertheless clings to its 'local landmark' status with boob cookies, penis cakes and other baked goods shaped like body parts. Send one anonymously to your boss on his or her birthday.
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Evo
Skateboards, skis and snowboards, funky gear and a tuning service are all to be found at this huge new space, which also includes a small art gallery.
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Feathered Friends
Feathered Friends stocks high-end climbing equipment, made-to-order sleeping bags and backcountry ski gear. Products made with down are the specialty.
