thrice all american: Middle Floor Merchants is Damned Cool

Middle Floor Merchants is Damned Cool

· Posted Monday July 30, 2007 by jamie

So, I was vaguely aware of the existence of the Middle Floor Merchants at Sanford and Sons, but hadn’t really looked into what it was all about. But on Saturday, I decided to do a bit of browsing on Antique Row while Melissa was getting her hair cut at Embellish, and found my way down into the catacombs that make up the middle floor. Suffice to say, it was cool enough that after Melissa was done getting her haircut, we went back to check it out again.

For anyone that hasn’t been there (if there is anyone, maybe I’m just out of it), the closest comparison I can make to the Middle Floor Merchants are the strange little stores in the lower levels of Pike Place Market. The kind where you wonder how they even sell enough stuff to stay in business. But at $250/month rent, the low overhead explains how the stores on the middle floor can make it work.

That’s not to say that there’s nothing worth buying. The first place we stepped into, Mondo Bizarro, indeed lived up to it’s name: it was way strange, in a fun, “cubicle toy”/“dashboard Jesus” sort of way. But there we did pick up what might possibly be the best book ever. (Seriously! Well, ok, maybe you have to be a cat person to understand…) We then checked out Underground Green, an “eco-clothier” specializing in organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, etc., fibers (not to mention a good selection of tea), where Melissa tried on some beautiful dresses…she’s already saving up to head back and buy some stuff. There were several great little gifty sorts of stores, a couple of small antique stores, even some “angel healing”(?). The best part may be that there seems to be a fun community amongst the merchants, who were popping in and out of each others’ stores to chat.

If you haven’t been, I highly suggest checking out the Middle Floor Merchants. It’s a great way to support some up-and-coming local businesses, but moreover, even if you don’t buy anything, it’s just a fun place to be. Sanford and Sons is accessible from either 743 Broadway or 744 Commerce…head to the floor in between!

(Check out the Middle Floor Merchants on MySpace, where you can find a merchant directory and details on their upcoming “prom”.)

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