Pike's Place Market

Next up on my travel bucket list in Seattle was going to Pike's Place Market!  According to Wikipedia, "The Market opened August 17, 1907, and is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers' markets in the United States."  I just had to go!  I saw the throwing of the fish, lots and lots of stalls of fresh food and the most beautiful smelling flowers!

It was a bit chaotic and busy so we didn't stay long, but I'm super happy we checked it off my to-do list.  With more than 10 million visitors annually, Pike Place Market is Seattle's most popular tourist destination and is the 33rd most visited tourist attraction in the world.  AHHH so busy!!!!

Beautiful flower arrangements

And I was super surprised to see how cheap they all were!

And then we turned the corner and its the first Starbucks store ever!  It was created in 1971...well technically.  According to Wikipedia, While commonly referred to as the first Starbucks location, the current address is the second for the Pike Place store. The first Starbucks cafe was located at 2000 Western Avenue from 1971–1976. This cafe later moved to 1912 Pike Place, its present location (pictured above).

I didn't actually go in because let's face it, I was with my father and he does NOT wait in line. Oh well!  But if I HAD gone in, here are a few notable things according to the Starbucks website:

• The leather on bar’s outer facing was scrap obtained from shoe and automobile factories.
• The walnut used in the tables, doors and bar top was salvaged from a nearby farm.
• The signage on the bar uses recycled slate from a local high school.
• The community table is twice reused; it was previously located at a Seattle restaurant and before that, in a home.
• The restroom partitions are made from recycled laundry detergent bottles.
• The wall tapestry is made of repurposed burlap coffee bags from our local roasting plant.

Waving goodbye to the Pike Place Market!!!