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Thursday, May 24, 2007

Lost Seattle

posted by on May 24 at 12:51 PM

Earlier this week we learned that the last remaining pawn shop on First Avenue is closing for good this afternoon—and today we learn that the last remaining crazy ladybug shop/shack on 15 Ave. West is also closing.

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1

It's easy to get all misty-eyed and nostalgic about something as wonderfully Seattle as a shop that sells $5 bags of ladybugs, but I can't get rueful about losing pawn shops. They always make me a little sad - a mausoleum of someone's economic hardship.

Still, more and more of what made this city so wonderfully peculiar disappears every day it seems. Are we to become Dallas or Atlanta? Good thing we moved here when we did, eh, Dan? Some know not what they've missed.

Posted by Bauhaus | May 24, 2007 1:08 PM
2

Yeah, it's a loss of sorts, but really, it's not like the city was once teeming with crazy ladybug retail/neon sculpture studios that have subsequently been lost to gentrification.

Artist's studios in general, on the other hand...

Posted by COMTE | May 24, 2007 1:09 PM
3

Last week I was on 15th and wondered how the ladybug guy was still there with all the development going on. If I had a garden, I'd go grab a $5 bag of ladybugs before he's gone...

Posted by genevieve | May 24, 2007 1:24 PM
4

I feel like every few years theres a story about the plight of the ladybug guy, for someone living in a ratty studio on 15th he must have one helluva marketing team.

Posted by Tost | May 24, 2007 1:28 PM
5

That guy is awesome, I have bought tons of ladybugs for my garden from that guy. The pawnshop, not so much.

Posted by Angry Andrew | May 24, 2007 1:33 PM
6

The Lady Bug Guys hovel is an eyesore and a blight. Good riddance.

Posted by You_Gotta_Be_Kidding_Me | May 24, 2007 1:44 PM
7

I tried to pawn some ladybugs once, but couldn't get anything for them.

And he's a nice guy at that shop.

P.S.: Remember, some ladybugs are male.

Posted by Will in Seattle | May 24, 2007 1:56 PM
8

The disappearance of pawn shops also signals the disappearance of people who go to pawn shops, i.e. the urban poor who used to also live in this city.

Posted by JMS | May 24, 2007 1:58 PM
9

god dammit.

Posted by kerri harrop | May 24, 2007 2:37 PM
10

Central Gun Exchange on First Ave is closing doors too. Fucking yuppie hipster money bag fuckheads. Downtown will have no soul when the guns and crime and drugs and hookers and pawnshops and fake id stores are gone.

Posted by gun nutty | May 24, 2007 2:42 PM
11

Pawn shops just reek of desperation, but I'm still sad when a bit of "old Seattle" fades away. Bradford Bohonus went in and did a "virtual tour" of the place a few days ago, to save it for posterity. Go to his website www.VRSeattle.com and search for "gun shop" to view.

Posted by Marlow Harris | May 24, 2007 3:55 PM
12

i bought my geetar at a pawn shop on 1st. and my mandolin at a pawn shop in rat city. and my boombox at a pawnshop in the market.

i need to git me some ladybugs for my garden.

Posted by maxsolomon | May 24, 2007 4:32 PM
13

In all my years here I never once stopped in a for a bag of bugs, but sure loved that the shop existed.

That stretch 15TH/Elliot used to be so wonderfully weird. Remember that old building that used house a dairy--I think.

So now... I find delight in those massive nets which surround the par 3 golf course and driving range. Great, dignified, utilitarian urban sculptures.

Posted by homage to me | May 24, 2007 4:44 PM
14

Gee, I wonder if I could get away with not paying rent for 16 months?

Posted by Potential Freeloader | May 24, 2007 5:31 PM
15

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16

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