Food & Drink

Melrose: Capitol Hill’s Quaint Shopping Corner

A city garden of stylish delights thrives along the western edge of Pike and Pine streets.

By Seattle Mag August 22, 2012

melrosebutterhome

This article originally appeared in the September 2012 issue of Seattle Magazine.

Entering the Melrose Market—a multipurpose indoor space on Melrose Avenue that houses Rain Shadow Meats, The Calf & Kid cheese shop and floral boutique Marigold and Mint—is like stepping into the beating heart of what defines Northwest refinement right now.

Those who want to take a piece of it home ascend the small stairway between restaurants Bar Ferd’nand and Homegrown to (1) Butter Home, whose teensy but titillating jewelry selection is so fun and affordable, there’s simply no resisting. If you can’t choose just one color of the glossy resin stud earrings from Botny ($15), go ahead and pick up two.

Turn the corner onto Pine Street for a quadruple punch of winning shops: (2) The Vutique, where owner/designer Huan Vu snips and sews vintage dresses and blouses ($65-$145)—and even pants and jewelry—into refreshed creations that look smart and sassy on today’s streets; (3) Scout, the hill’s source for the perfect pair of jeans for both men and women, comfy, sharp-looking knits and a standout piece of jewelry to tie the look together ($30–$200); and (4) Le Frock, a vintage and high-end consignment mainstay where you’re bound to score something in the neighborhood of a like-new Gucci bag for a fraction of the original cost or an original Rudi Gernreich swimsuit from the 1960s.

Topping it all off is (5) Edie’s Shoes, which carries a wide range of street styles from New York and Europe. Shop this block while you still can—it may all be ousted for new retail development in 2013.

Beauty bonus
If a trendy bolt of color is on your fall style list, book an appointment at nearby (6) Scream salon on E Thomas Street (located a five-block walk north of the Melrose Market); the color specialists here are the hill’s best at hair-raising hues.

Park and go
Spots have been sighted with surprising frequency on the sleepy block of Melrose Avenue between Pike and Pine, which also happens to be the trailhead to this short and easy style hike.

 

Follow Us

15 Valentine’s Day Gifts

15 Valentine’s Day Gifts

Fleece slippers, chocolate figs, and The Book of Love

Who doesn’t want to celebrate love and make someone (anyone!) feel special? So, whether you’re all in or not so much, if you’re looking for gift ideas, here are a few to consider...

The Best Gifts for Travel Lovers 

The Best Gifts for Travel Lovers 

Tinsel, eggnog, mistletoe, and luggage

Travel lovers are the easiest people to buy for. Wrap a gift in old maps and they’ll spend hours deciphering the roadways and important coordinates. Put something inside the wrapping that will satiate their wanderlust, or encourage it, and you might be their next invitee to Paris.

Black Black Friday launches in Seattle

Black Black Friday launches in Seattle

The event is designed to boost Black-owned businesses

An initiative launched in Seattle encourages residents to spend money at Black-owned businesses, starting on Black Friday. Called Black Black Friday, the movement was organized by Laura Clise, founder and CEO of the Intentionalist, an online directory of thousands of small businesses owned by women, people of color, veterans, LBGTQ+, families, and differently abled people,…

Costco Goes for the Gold

Costco Goes for the Gold

Have a sudden need for gold bars? Better act fast.

The warehouse retailer known for everything from its popular food court to organic maple syrup and bulk, well, everything, is now in the business of selling gold. That’s right. Costco is peddling one-ounce gold bars online. But you have to be a member to buy them. And they’re not cheap. Shoppers have two options: One…