Will be in Issaquah, local knowledge sought

[sly]

We'll be visiting a friend near Issaquah for a few days. I've already ordered specialty items from B&S to be delivered to her, but is there somewhere near there that I can buy some basic film/darkroom supplies? I don't want to go into Seattle - as I loath big cities. It could be anywhere between the Canadian Border and, I guess, Tacoma; as long as it isn't Seattle or Tacoma (which is pretty built up too, I understand.)
Thanks in advance,

 

[Larry Bullis]

We'll be visiting a friend near Issaquah for a few days. I've already ordered specialty items from B&S to be delivered to her, but is there somewhere near there that I can buy some basic film/darkroom supplies? I don't want to go into Seattle - as I loath big cities. It could be anywhere between the Canadian Border and, I guess, Tacoma; as long as it isn't Seattle or Tacoma (which is pretty built up too, I understand.)
Thanks in advance,

Quicksilver in Bellingham. It is on Cornwall, in the same building but below Kulshan Cycles. They don't have a lot, but they do have the basics. And they are good people. Other than that, you won't find much north of Seattle.

One thing, though, that might be useful to you. If you come into Seattle from the eastside of Lake Washington on highway 520, the northernmost of the bridges, you would enter the city right at the University of Washington's campus. On University Way, the University Bookstore has what has always been a very well stocked and excellent photo department.

I haven't been keeping myself up to date very well over recent years, but I'm pretty sure that the bookstore would still be a good place to go. It would spare you almost the whole city; you could come in, get your stuff, and go right back out missing all but a few blocks of Seattle.

Larry

 

[plummerl]

Sorry, but from Issaquah (I would have a hard time describing the Eastside as not big!), your only choice (best) would be Glazer's, in Seattle. Kenmore Camera (between Lake Forest Park and Bothel) has a very limited supply, but the trip there would be much, much worse than a quick trip to Glazer's. Glazer's has a very large darkroom and film supply, as well as good prices.

 

[plummerl]

....
One thing, though, that might be useful to you. If you come into Seattle from the eastside of Lake Washington on highway 520, the northernmost of the bridges, you would enter the city right at the University of Washington's campus. On University Way, the University Bookstore has what has always been a very well stocked and excellent photo department.

I haven't been keeping myself up to date very well over recent years, but I'm pretty sure that the bookstore would still be a good place to go. It would spare you almost the whole city; you could come in, get your stuff, and go right back out missing all but a few blocks of Seattle.

Larry

The U Bookstore has not had a photo department for over a year now. Their once, very good department has been reduced to a small stand with about eight different 35mm/120 films and a few selections of 8x10 paper.

larry

 

[Larry Bullis]

The U Bookstore has not had a photo department for over a year now. Their once, very good department has been reduced to a small stand with about eight different 35mm/120 films and a few selections of 8x10 paper.

larry

That is very unfortunate and sad. And you are right about the Eastside being pretty much a big city itself - with the additional issue of greater sprawl. I avoid it whenever possible; actually, I think Seattle is usually preferable. The eastside seems to be this constantly morphing maze.

I would have to concur with your suggestion to brave the city and head in to Glazer's. It is easy to get to from I-5, and easy to get out. Just try to avoid the rush hours in the morning and late afternoon. My experience with Seattle traffic would suggest that around 11 AM would be a pretty good time to go into town.

We have lost most of our once ample list of suppliers for materials and supplies. With the loss of Rainier, last year, we took a really big hit. (Aside -- I would encourage everyone to buy locally when possible; it wasn't digital that did Rainier in, but online buying! That's a fact.)

 

[rpsawin]

Yep...Glazers. Check them out Dead Link Removed

Best regards,

Bob

 

[sly]

Mostly I want stuff like fix - real basics. I might give Quicksilver a try. I'd rather pay the higher prices and order on-line in Canada, than try to find my way in and out of Seattle. (My only contact with Seattle so far has been the airport - did not leave a good impression.) (I hate Vancouver too. I expect Seattle to be just as annoying, if not more so - just 'cause it's bigger.)
How big is Bellingham?

This is my first trip to Washington State - other than changing planes and going through customs in the airport. The friend is outside Issaquah - looking at her place on Google Earth it does look reasonably out-of-town. Her house and 10 acres is completly surrounded by trees.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Glazer's is your best option for supplies. Anytime after 9:30 am is ok on I-90. That said, I'd be more likely to take 520, then take the Roanoke ST exit off 520. Left on Roanoke, across I-5, then down the hill to Eastlake. Left onto Eastlake and follow that until you come to the "Y" in the road, where you can continue straight toward REI or right toward the Space Needle (I think this is Fairview Ave N.). Turn right, and continue until you get to Broad ST. Right on that, then left onto 9th. Continue south to Republican ST, hang a right, then there's an alley between an awards business and Glazer's. Left into that. Either park on the back side of Glazer's or continue a block south on the alley to Harrison ST. Hang a right onto Harrison and another right onto 8th. Park anywhere along 8th, or in the parking lot next to the supplies store, which is across the street from the main store.

You may want to visit the main store and check out their selection of used gear while you're picking up your supplies. That said, you may wind up going back to Issaquah with a much lighter wallet and a bag full of gear and supplies. Depends on how resistant you are to GAS.

-J

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Mostly I want stuff like fix - real basics. I might give Quicksilver a try. I'd rather pay the higher prices and order on-line in Canada, than try to find my way in and out of Seattle. (My only contact with Seattle so far has been the airport - did not leave a good impression.) (I hate Vancouver too. I expect Seattle to be just as annoying, if not more so - just 'cause it's bigger.)
How big is Bellingham?

Seattle's a bit smaller than Vancouver. 587,000 people, compared to 800,000 or so. Bellingham is around 73,000 people. About the size of what Bellevue was 10 years ago or so.

Tell you what, PM me when you're in the Seattle area, and I'll gladly meet with you and show you how to get in and out of Seattle with the least amount of trouble.

-J

 

[MattKing]

Sly:

It is easier to get to Exit 167 heading south on I5 then it is to navigate the streets in old town Nanaimo .

I've sent you a pm, with google map link.

Matt

 

[sly]

Yup, Matt, I spent the first 6 months in Nanaimo cussing because I always found myself on the wrong street, going the wrong way. BUT, if you set your sights on Mount Benson (if it's not too socked in with clouds), and head towards it, you can be out of the city in 10-15 minutes. That's the right size city for me!

The map link didn't work, but I know how to use Google Earth - It's not the getting lost that worries me, it's just the amount of concrete and ashphalt and windows and people, in relation to the amount of greenery and slugs and birds. I prefer to spend my few precious days off work surrounded by trees, rather than by buildings.

 

[MattKing]

Yup, Matt, I spent the first 6 months in Nanaimo cussing because I always found myself on the wrong street, going the wrong way. BUT, if you set your sights on Mount Benson (if it's not too socked in with clouds), and head towards it, you can be out of the city in 10-15 minutes. That's the right size city for me!

The map link didn't work, but I know how to use Google Earth - It's not the getting lost that worries me, it's just the amount of concrete and ashphalt and windows and people, in relation to the amount of greenery and slugs and birds. I prefer to spend my few precious days off work surrounded by trees, rather than by buildings.

Sly:

I think the Google Map directions indicated about a 25 minute trip.

The biggest reason to go to Glazer's though is that it is just fun to go to a place that has lots of analogue photography stuff.

The wall of glass door refrigerators filled with film and colour paper does it for me - think the dairy section in a large supermarket!

If you do go, don't worry if you walk in and seem to see just a bunch of digital cameras. There are a few things analogue there too (e.g. I found a Hoya R72 filter in stock for my experiments with IR), but it just means you are in the wrong store. Their film and darkroom and lighting store is across the street.

Being Seattle, it probably is possible to find a slug or two somewhere nearby .

Matt

 

[plummerl]

Sly:
....
Being Seattle, it probably is possible to find a slug or two somewhere nearby .

Matt

This (especially today!) is a serious understatement.

larry

 

[Larry Bullis]

How big is Bellingham?

Bellingham is great. Its worst problem is that it was cobbled together out of something like 5 small towns, all of which had streets going in different directions and not meeting up right, which means that nobody who hasn't lived there for a while has any way of knowing where things are. The good part is that if you just keep going, usually you end up close to where you are going. It's a space warp. Quicksilver is not particularly hard to find, but just be careful not to take detours; they can be interesting but time consuming. It's a really neat small city - the best town for used books I've ever found! Spectacular.

Quicksilver will have the basics, but don't count on anything more than that. They are on our side (analog) but are well aware that in order to continue to exist they must provide for the heathens as well.

Here's a Mapquest link.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Bellingham&state=WA&address=1130+Cornwall+Ave

However, don't plan on just driving up to B'ham just to get fixer. It is a loooooong way from Issaquah! After you get to Issaquah, it's Glazer's.

 

[MattKing]

Bellingham is great. Its worst problem is that it was cobbled together out of something like 5 small towns, all of which had streets going in different directions and not meeting up right, which means that nobody who hasn't lived there for a while has any way of knowing where things are.

Sly:

Sort of like Victoria

Matt

 

[Larry Bullis]

Another little bit about how to get to Glazer's.

John, with all respect, I think it is so much simpler to get there from the freeway without all the downtown stuff for someone coming in from out of town. Just get off I-5 at Mercer. At the end of the exit (get to the left asap as you come down the ramp) and turn left (up the hill) at Fairview. Go up the hill (south) on Fairview just a couple of blocks to Republican, then turn right on Republican and continue to 9th or 8th or whatever that street is, stopping at the red building (can't possibly miss it - it is RED). If you lose your nerve at Fairview and Republican, you could just stop there and go into Optechs; they might have what you need. Or go the few remaining blox to G. Myself, I like to drive around in Seattle on the streets, but I've lived here/there since 1969 and it is incredibly hard for me to get lost (although, in so many ways, I'm definitely lost most of the time!).

The hardware and digital is in the red building on the east side of the street, the analog chemistry and film, etc. is in the equally red but smaller building on the west side.

If you don't go on Tuesday or Wednesday, you might actually run into Dante in the eastside building. By himself, he's well worth the trip. Give him an extremely hard time and be sure to tell him he's due for lasagna dinner in Anacortes immediately. No excuses.

L

There seem to be two Larrys on this thread. This one is Bullis

 

[sly]

However, don't plan on just driving up to B'ham just to get fixer. It is a loooooong way from Issaquah! After you get to Issaquah, it's Glazer's.[/QUOTE]

I'm thinking of on the way down or back to Canada.

Bookstores you say? I'm very fond of bookstores, so that's 2 reasons to try Bellingham.

 

[Larry Bullis]

Bookstores you say? I'm very fond of bookstores, so that's 2 reasons to try Bellingham.

Getting to Henderson's is not for the faint of heart. I always end up awry, but my wife always finds it. She's a poet and that's where she goes to find the stuff people tell her she'll find the next day hell freezes over. She scores big there more or less reliably. Its at one of those small town boundaries, but worth the search; actually, it is right downtown, so can't be too hard. Keep the red tower of the Whatcom Museum in sight. Across the street from H is Michael's, which is more technically oriented. Henderson's is literature and art, and very strong in those areas. In Fairhaven, Village Books and Eclipse. For some really bizarre reason (maybe the university?) even the Bellingham Goodwill store seems to have better books! But don't bother with that. Henderson's is the main one to hit.