Ask any Seattleite about how the city has changed over the last decade, or even just the last few years, and you’re likely to end up in a very long conversation. Seattle local Cynthia Brothers is no exception… except, well, she founded a media movement that documents and celebrates the disappearing institutions, small businesses, and cultures of Seattle. Known as Vanishing Seattle, Cynthia has created a space that not only documents what’s vanished, but also uplifts tangible ways to support and even save beloved institutions struggling in present-day Seattle. Cynthia holds a wealth of knowledge about our city, so we had to ask her some of our favorite Seattle questions.
Seattle Hidden Gem:
- Margie’s Café – located in the Center for Active Living in West Seattle. Delicious homemade sandwiches and soups (get the beer bread!) – with all proceeds going to their senior programs. Plus, you’re likely to strike up a sweet conversation with an elder grabbing food between classes.
Dream Day of Eating:
- Mike’s Noodle House – a longtime C-ID staple with some of the best won ton mein.
- Luigi’s in Pioneer Square – the last restaurant remaining from a very prominent local Italian American family whose gregarious patriarch Luigi DeNunzio once owned multiple restaurants, even creating a “Little Italy” in the neighborhood.
- Meskel – now the longest-running Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle and a Central District landmark – situated in a cozy house and operated by neighborhood icon Belaynesh “Bebe” Chera.
Favorite Coffee Shop To Read In:
- C&P Coffee Co. in West Seattle – feels like reading in a communal, comfy living room. C&P also has longtime regulars, live music, open mics, storytelling and other events, and its supporters successfully fought to save this neighborhood hub from demolition in 2018.
One Seattle Person (Dead or Alive) To Spend a Day With:
- Tina Bell – the co-founder, songwriter and frontwoman of Bam Bam. Considered the “Godmother of Grunge," Tina Bell was a Black woman who pre-dated and influenced bands like Soundgarden, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam – while confronting racism and sexism in the music scene head-on. Her role and impact was largely unsung until the last few years, when Tina's bandmates, family, and local musicians like Om Johari, Eva Walker, and Shaina Shepherd helped to revive her legacy.
Favorite Free Thing To Do:
- Walk around or hang out at Seward Park, while challenging myself to not look at my phone! The sheer amount of wildlife present - hawks, eagles, turtles and more – is quite awesome and frequent, if you stay present in your surroundings.
Something Seattle Does Best:
- Teriyaki – a uniquely Seattle development of immigrant creativity, confluence, and entrepreneurship (often credited to Toshihiro Kasahara of Toshi’s Teriyaki)– feeding the masses since the ‘70s. By the 1990s, there were hundreds of teriyaki shops in Western Washington, with their respective owners’ various backgrounds adding to the local flavor. From Toshi’s to Yasuko’s (39200 15th Ave W) to Yak’s - everyone has their favorite teriyaki spot, and their own specific reason why. As Seattle continues to gentrify, teriyaki restaurants and their traditionally working class customer base have been priced out over time - so go support your local surviving teriyaki joint.
Seattle Hero:
- Aunty Karen Akada – owner and fierce steward of Bush Garden for about 30 years – an invaluable community gathering place with deep historical significance in the Chinatown-International District. After closing in 2020, Bush will be re-opening (and continuing its legendary karaoke) sometime this year - just a few blocks away in Uncle Bob’s Place!
Tourist Trap That's Actually Great:
- Pike Place Market. There’s so many familiar comforts, new surprises, and only-in-Seattle shops and vendors. I’ve been going my whole life and still find something unexpected and delightful each visit. Don’t miss the late-night offerings too: The Rabbit Box, Can Can cabaret, Il Bistro, Alibi Room and much more.
Best Pop Culture Depiction of Seattle:
- Almost Live! Hyperlocal and hilarious – and over 3 decades later, it still holds up (even after the neighborhoods have changed) – capturing Seattle’s singular brand of weirdness and humor. Some personal favorites include: Sluggy, Capable Woman, East Side Story, Ballard Driving Academy, and Rock Star Fantasy Camp.
