Old Seattle Paperworks
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | John Hanawalt |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington , United States |
| Products | Vintage advertising materials, poster art, maps, magazines, newspapers, postcards, collectible ephemera |
| Owner | John Hanawalt (as of 2013) |
Old Seattle Paperworks is a retail establishment situated within Seattle's Pike Place Market, Washington.
Description
Located in the Down Under area of Pike Place Market in Seattle's Central Waterfront neighborhood, Old Seattle Paperworks shares its space next to the Giant Shoe Museum, which is reportedly owned and operated by the shop itself. The store is identified by Business Insider as a "traditional paper retailer" that focuses on vintage advertising materials, poster art, maps, magazines, and newspapers. Its inventory features magazine ads, postcards, and a variety of collectible ephemera, appealing to tourists and collectors who appreciate historical and retro printed items.
History
Established by John Hanawalt in 1976, the business moved from its original location at Eighth and Pike Streets to Pike Place Market in 1978. As of 2013, Hanawalt continued to hold ownership, with operational support from his wife Amy.
Reception
The store is recognized by Lonely Planet as a prime spot for vintage magazine covers and rare posters, attracting collectors and enthusiasts alike. According to the Not for Tourists Guide to Seattle, visitors can easily spend considerable time browsing its extensive selection. In the 2016 edition of National Geographic Traveler: Coastal Alaska, Bob Devine referred to Old Seattle Paperworks as a "Seattle institution."
Thrillist highlights the shop's distinctive assortment of postcards, vintage prints, and magazines, describing it as a "no cover mini museum." Their 2014 "Local's Guide to Seattle's Pike Place Market" commended the store for its impressive collection of posters.