Offbeat shops among neighborhood's treasures

By LYNN STEINBERG
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Crown Hill is one of Seattle's 12 "official" hills, with an elevation of 335 feet, about the same as First Hill. Its name was chosen by local residents, apparently "for the purpose of having a high-sounding title," writes Robert Hitchman in his book, "Place Names of Washington."

The main retail area, along 15th Avenue Northwest, is one of the most heavily traveled in the city and the high volume of cars make a leisurely stroll down the block next to impossible. So it's easy to miss the neighborhood's little treasures: the specialty stores and antique shops all but hidden among the banks, repair shops, fast food outlets and the all-too-visible adult entertainment establishments.

There is the Scandinavian Bakery, where marzipan cakes are the rage. And just next door, Scandinavian Specialty Products, where Norwegian sausages are made on the premises and specialties include fish cakes and fish pudding, dry cured lamb ribs and Swedish pickled ham.

The store, which draws customers from as far as Ellensburg and Bellingham, is owned by Ruby and Herb Anderson.

Ruby, who was born in China and grew up in Norway, had never made a sausage before buying the business in 1980. But she learned from the previous owners, and when her husband retired as an inspector for the Department of Health, he joined her in the business. It offers a wide variety of Scandinavian products, from flat breads and jam to flags and Norwegian paper dolls.

Other fixtures include Crown Hill Hardware, at the corner of 80th and 15th. It's the kind of place where workers patiently explain to inexperienced homeowners how to install a light switch or fix a broken toilet.

The store, which has been around for 80 years, is a throwback to the days when merchants knew their customers by name and offered assistance the moment they walked through the door.

"Most people who come into a hardware store want to do something," says owner Don Palmer. "We help them do it and get them back out. They don't want to walk around for 30 minutes."

One of the neighborhood's newest gems opened three months ago in a run-down house on Northwest 85th Street. Landscape designers David Blakesley and Chuck Atkinson bought the home and returned the overgrown garden to its former glory. Then they opened a little garden shop in their garage. It has a delightful collection of oddities: herbs and edible plants, pottery, old furniture, incense and soaps.

With a keen eye for detail, and tastes that run toward the eccentric, their clever displays spill out into the driveway. Here's where you'll find an old headboard supporting a wall of climbing roses and a footboard that doubles as a fence. With two Rottweilers on the premises, Blakesley and Atkinson hardly need a lock.

Their business, called Stone Crow Design, started as a garage sale to raise money after Atkinson was injured and the bank was about to foreclose on their property. Their plan was to sell off the contents of their house, then close up shop. But business was so brisk, they decided to keep at it, adding items such as faux finished furniture and imported products for home, garden and spirit.

Farther east on 85th is another upstart business, started by newcomers who are gradually making their imprint on the neighborhood.

After moving to the Northwest from Southern California, Mary and Tim Cleaveland opened the Library Cafe in 1995 as a supplement to the upholstery cleaning business they operate just behind it.

They stocked the shelves with old books that customers are welcome to peruse while kicking back by any of the cafe's three fireplaces -- a legacy to the building's former incarnation as a fireplace store.

A kiddie corner is brimming with children's books and toys -- enough to keep most pint-sized patrons occupied while their parents enjoy a steaming cup of java and the morning paper.

The eclectic assortment of tables, chairs and crystal chandeliers, some tucked into cozy little alcoves, are all for sale. So the arrangement can change daily. There are comfy old reading chairs, lace table cloths, and brass candlesticks; bridge lamps, cards and gift books.

"We were hoping to just sell antiques and books and order baked goods," says Mary Cleaveland. "But the neighbors wanted everything made fresh."

So the Cleavelands hired a baker who prepares the daily assortment of breads, scones and muffins -- in addition to pastries such as chocolate espresso cream cheese brownies and the aptly named decadence cake -- on the premises.

Live music is offered once a month. The cafe is open until 9 p.m. most nights, and serves beer and wine in addition to light breakfasts and lunches. A full-service breakfast and lunch menu will be available this summer, as soon as the Cleavelands expand their tiny kitchen.