Community Partnerships in the Future For Legendary Elliott Bay Book Company

The new Capitol Hill home of Elliott Bay Book Co., on 10th Avenue between Pike and Pine Streets, is reminiscent of its former Pioneer Square location.

As the Elliott Bay Book Company settles into its new home at 1521 10th Ave., there's excitement about what the legendary Pioneer Square bookstore brings to Capitol Hill.

Numerous neighbors— including the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, Richard Hugo House and Seattle University—are reaching out to bookstore owner Peter Aaron.

Aaron says he envisions several opportunities for collaborations with SU.

"I've always had a dream of hosting a literary festival with readings, seminars and panel discussions," he says. "It would be great to do that in conjunction with Seattle University's Department of English or creative writing program. I'm definitely looking forward to meeting with SU's provost and deans to discuss the possibilities."

Aaron scouted many possible locations before deciding on what ultimately was the very first space he saw for the bookstore.

The former Ford truck repair shop between Pike and Pine streets offers retail space identical to the Pioneer Square location with a more compact non-selling area.

"The environment had to be just right because we were leaving a place that was so special and unique. This space adds a little and takes a little away."

Plusses include parking, no sports stadium conflicts, great foot traffic and close proximity to a community college, a center for the literary arts and SU.

Aaron smiles as he describes the building's charm, including squeaky wooden floors much like those at the previous store. Tamara Murphy will continue to oversee operations at the successful Elliott Bay Café in both the old location and the new one.

And what about the more than 600 published authors the store attracts annually for readings and book signings?

"They'll continue to span the full scale of the hierarchy of the literary heavens," Aaron says with a grin. "Wouldn't it be wonderful to bring them into the classroom at Seattle University, too? That seems very natural and desirable to do."