Times change, and businesses come and go. We understand that, but it doesn’t make the process of losing a beloved local spot any easier. These are just a few of the many places that Washingtonians wish were still around.
- The Kingdome, Seattle
PacoScott/Flickr Sure, Safeco Field is beautiful (and has a retractable roof), but anyone who grew up seeing the Mariners play at the Kingdome has a special place in their hearts for the ‘dome.
- Drive-In Theaters, Statewide
four12/Flickr Considering there aren’t many drive-in theaters left in the US, it’s tough to lose them. Washington used to have some great options (luckily, there still a few). The Country Drive-In was a favorite place for Yakima residents to catch outdoor movies from 1954-2001. The Park-In Drive-in in Lakeview sat on the shores of Soap Lake in the 50s. It could hold about 250 cars, so it was clearly a popular place.
- Luna Park, Seattle
Wikipedia Did you know that West Seattle once had its own version of a Coney Island-style amusement park? Luna Park was only open from 1907 until 1913, but it might be fun to have a permanent carnival
- Cyrus O’Leary’s, Spokane
Cyrus O’Leary’s/Yelp This iconic Spokane restaurant served the best pie (and great entrees) in the city for 31 years. The locals were sad to see it go in 2011, but luckily you can still pick up pies from the shop in Airway Heights.
- The Harvard Exit Theatre, Seattle
Nonsequiturlass/Flickr Seattleites young and old were crushed when the announcement came that The Harvard Exit Theatre was closing in January 2015. With history dating back to 1925, rumored hauntings and a great lineup of independent films, it was a Capitol Hill landmark.
- Skate King, Bellevue
KurtClark/Flickr Skate King was a beloved part of Bellevue for 40 years. At one time, the business was doing so well that there were seven locations in Washington. Bellevue’s Skate King was the first and the last―it closed last year.
- The Country Store, Yakima
Jeff Youngstrom/Flickr Anyone over the age of 30 who grew up in Yakima will smile when you mention The Country Store. Your shopping experience here could include video games or playing Tic-Tac-Toe with a chicken.
- Chubby & Tubby, Seattle area
hey skinny/Flickr For many years, the three Chubby & Tubby stores on Rainier Avenue, Aurora and in White Center sold military surplus, Christmas trees and a little bit of everything. Unfortunately, they closed in 2003, much to the dismay of the locals.
- Barbara Ann’s, Moses Lake
Barbara Ann’s/Yelp This burger joint was a local favorite for years and a great place to stop on road trips since it was right off I-90.
- 2 Swabbies, Spokane
Jason Taellious/Flickr “Spokane’s most unusual shopping center” was launched in 1948 by two sailors who’d saved their pay during World War II. It was demolished in 2000.
- Sunset Bowling, Seattle
Sunset Bowl/Yelp This was a devastating loss to the Ballard community. Sunset Bowling was open for 51 years, and you could bowl 24 hours a day.
- Sit & Spin, Seattle
Guillaume DELEBARRE/Flickr If you’ve ever been at a laundromat and wished it had a bar, you would have loved Sit & Spin, Belltown’s best bar in the 90s. This place had beer, food, games and laundry facilities, all reasonably priced.
What former place in your hometown do you miss the most?
PacoScott/Flickr
Sure, Safeco Field is beautiful (and has a retractable roof), but anyone who grew up seeing the Mariners play at the Kingdome has a special place in their hearts for the ‘dome.
four12/Flickr
Considering there aren’t many drive-in theaters left in the US, it’s tough to lose them. Washington used to have some great options (luckily, there still a few). The Country Drive-In was a favorite place for Yakima residents to catch outdoor movies from 1954-2001. The Park-In Drive-in in Lakeview sat on the shores of Soap Lake in the 50s. It could hold about 250 cars, so it was clearly a popular place.
Wikipedia
Did you know that West Seattle once had its own version of a Coney Island-style amusement park? Luna Park was only open from 1907 until 1913, but it might be fun to have a permanent carnival
Cyrus O’Leary’s/Yelp
This iconic Spokane restaurant served the best pie (and great entrees) in the city for 31 years. The locals were sad to see it go in 2011, but luckily you can still pick up pies from the shop in Airway Heights.
Nonsequiturlass/Flickr
Seattleites young and old were crushed when the announcement came that The Harvard Exit Theatre was closing in January 2015. With history dating back to 1925, rumored hauntings and a great lineup of independent films, it was a Capitol Hill landmark.
KurtClark/Flickr
Skate King was a beloved part of Bellevue for 40 years. At one time, the business was doing so well that there were seven locations in Washington. Bellevue’s Skate King was the first and the last―it closed last year.
Jeff Youngstrom/Flickr
Anyone over the age of 30 who grew up in Yakima will smile when you mention The Country Store. Your shopping experience here could include video games or playing Tic-Tac-Toe with a chicken.
hey skinny/Flickr
For many years, the three Chubby & Tubby stores on Rainier Avenue, Aurora and in White Center sold military surplus, Christmas trees and a little bit of everything. Unfortunately, they closed in 2003, much to the dismay of the locals.
Barbara Ann’s/Yelp
This burger joint was a local favorite for years and a great place to stop on road trips since it was right off I-90.
Jason Taellious/Flickr
“Spokane’s most unusual shopping center” was launched in 1948 by two sailors who’d saved their pay during World War II. It was demolished in 2000.
Sunset Bowl/Yelp
This was a devastating loss to the Ballard community. Sunset Bowling was open for 51 years, and you could bowl 24 hours a day.
Guillaume DELEBARRE/Flickr
If you’ve ever been at a laundromat and wished it had a bar, you would have loved Sit & Spin, Belltown’s best bar in the 90s. This place had beer, food, games and laundry facilities, all reasonably priced.
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