A lot of folks visit downtown Seattle and seek out the first Starbucks store to exist. That’s cool. Heck, I did that too. However, I literally sought out the first Starbucks store just to see it. I did not step foot inside nor did I wait in the ridiculous line to get in. Fun fact: there’s a Starbucks around the corner that serves the same stuff if you’re just going for a cup of Joe. Anyways, back to the post!
I have been a Starbucks gold card member since 2011. That apparently doesn’t mean much seeing as Starbucks rewards have gotten worse and they don’t mail gold cards anymore. However, I digress. . . Being a Starbucks gold card member for so long, I enjoy the coffee (just coffee and not all the crazy drinks) and appreciate the brand’s history. With that being said, visiting the first Starbucks store was a cool experience. The funny thing is that I did not end up purchasing any Starbucks drinks while in its birthplace. I went to a little coffee shop called Storyville.
What’s the story with Storyville? Honestly, I have no clue. Walking around Pike Place Market I saw a sign that mentioned coffee. Early morning, not waiting in line for Starbucks, could use some coffee, I was intrigued. Up the stairs and through the winding hall I went. Last post I talked about my Pike Place Market visit being outside of peak time as it was an early weekday morning. These winding hallways would have been much more alive and less eery otherwise.
This was a pleasantly surprising experience. Not only did I arrive at a fairly modern looking storefront but I entered into an experience. The folks at the counter were friendly and helpful as I ordered a cup of pressed coffee. During the checkout process I was asked if I had been to Storyville before to which I obviously said no. Being my first time there, the lady at the counter had me simply subscribe to their newsletter so I could take a gift home with me. I got a free mug!
The Storyville experience at Pike Place Market was excellent. If I could have stayed longer I would have sat down and enjoyed my coffee in store. However, I had to leave as I literally had a train to catch later that morning. With a to-go fresh cup of coffee and a free coffee mug, I left this experience ready to discover more of what Storyville was about. The pastries are apparently made fresh daily so that’s a plus and a reason to return.
On a scale from one to give your right arm, I would say Storyville provided an experience worth a score of 8.5. That’s pretty good, right? Given that Storyville also has a coffee subscription service, I wouldn’t mind purchasing a bag of whole beans to try at home. If you are visiting the Seattle area, I would recommend adding Storyville to your list of establishments to check out. At the very least you can get a free mug.
Signing off from Seattle, WA.
A Couple New Things 
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