Find Surprise and Delight at Artisans PNW and Artisans Books & Coffee
Artisans PNW and Artisans Books & Coffee will be one of those places where you will be surprised and delighted by something new every time you visit. And I'm not even talking about the incredible selection of artisan-made goods.
Since my visit last December to Artisan's PNW and Artisans Books & Coffee to get a sneak peek at the exciting new shops in downtown Everett, I've regularly checked their social media to see when they are opening. Mother-Daughter owners Judy and Emma Kate Ramsey were shooting for January but remodeling a historic building is challenging and takes time. It's May now, and I saw a social post for a soft opening, so I stopped in to check it out.
I took tons of pictures, but I'm not going to show them all to you because you really must see for yourself.
Everywhere you look, there’s something amazing to see // Linda War Bonnet
On my visit, Emma Kate was working on unpacking and displaying merchandise. There were still empty fixtures and bare walls, but more stock is on its way. The Art-o-mat I'm so excited to see was still in storage. It's a refurbished cigarette machine that dispenses art.
Emma Kate pricing stock // Linda War Bonnet
Minor disappointments aside, I spent a lot of time looking up and looking closer. I was mesmerized by the high exposed ceilings, gorgeous windows, wood floors with their mars and even the painted concrete.
Many of the beautiful fixtures looked like art themselves and were filled with handmade goods by many artisans I've never seen in other spaces. Artisan's PNW will be a go-to spot for gift shopping.
Where to start looking? // Linda War Bonnet
After touring the Artisan PNW side of the building, I checked out Artisan Books & Coffee on the other side. Again, I was blown away by the transformation of the space. It felt alive, full of color and books and food. Again everywhere I looked, something caught my attention.
My biggest surprise in the space was the Kegerator. I didn't recall Judi and Emma Kate mentioning it on my last visit, and it was in a spot where a piano was going to go. It's not even the cool Kegerator that will dispense beer, cider, kombucha and wine that is so delightful; it's the old sign pulled from the scrap heap that was used to create the enclosure for the Kegerator.
Cleverly repurposed trash // Linda War Bonnet
The sign was affixed to thick plywood and had been used to secure the Hodges Building after the fire in 2013. Emma Kate carefully smoothed out and reglued the torn parts, and she used polyurethane to seal the artwork. I love that about artists - making something amazing out of nothing.
There are lots of different seating areas. Some with booth-type seating. Some with an eclectic mix of chairs. Some with beautiful artist-painted tables. The book selection looks pretty solid with a used book section and books by northwest authors.
Artisans Books & Coffee from the Artisans PNW rear entrance // Linda War Bonnet
I ended up staying for what felt like a homemade lunch by mom. And it kind of was. Judi made a delicious vegetarian split pea soup and grilled cheese on oat bread. I had a lavender seltzer on the side.
They were still touching up all the fabulous details // Linda War Bonnnet
The menu is on the small side due to the size of the kitchen, but that means it is very well thought out.
Artisans Coffee & Books invites your curiosity // Linda War Bonnet
Since my visit, the art-o-mat and a piano have been delivered. I'm sure Emma Kate has continued to stock fixtures. The ribbon-cutting was on May 19, and Artisans PNW participated in its first Everett Art Walk.
I plan to go back soon to see what's new, what I missed last time and to linger with breakfast and a cup of coffee at an artist-painted table.
Artisans PNW and Artisans Books & Coffee
1800 Hewitt Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
(360) 568-1567
Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.
