Nelson Lau
Growing up in Washington, I still remember as a child going with my parents to the Made in Washington store at the mall and grabbing gifts for friends and family before heading out of town. We would grab Washington-made products from local artisans such as snow globes, wooden statues, t-shirts, handbags, etc.
Today, this is no longer your mom and dad’s Made in Washington store. The original flagship Made in Washington Store at Pike Place Market has gotten a facelift and has reinvented itself to focus more on the foods and beverages Washington State has to offer. After going through the first significant remodel since 1984, this iconic store is focusing approximately 75% of their store to artisanal food and beverage lines.
One of the key highlights to the revamped store is their incorporation of SeaBear Wild Salmon products. As the flagship Made in Washington store, it will be the first to carry fresh-case smoked salmon direct from the SeaBear Smokehouse out of Anacortes. In addition, they will also be serving their signature Smokehouse Tasting Flight, which will attract not only tourists walking around Pike Place Market, but locals as well as this is some of the best smoked seafood in Seattle. What do you get in the Smokehouse Tasting Flight? For only a $5 sampling fee, you’ll receive 5 morsels of edible gold: Lox, Traditional Northwest smoked salmon, Smoked Scallop, Smoked Halibut Mousse, and the Smokehouse Slider with Mama Lil’s Peppers.
Not a seafood fan? Not to worry. There is also an abundance of other Washington-made food and drinks available at the Made in Washington flagship store. If you’re a chocolate fan, you’ll love the variety of different chocolates to choose from including Theo Chocolate, Seattle Chocolates, and chocolate covered cherries from Chukar. In addition, you’ll also find a nice selection of Washington wines, teas, and other beverages. Made in Washington isn’t just for established brands as well. Currently, they are featuring smaller and newer companies such as Recipe33’s flavored almonds, Mitch’s Wing Sauce, and Girl Meets Dirt Shrubs and will continue to feature other brands throughout the seasons.
Besides all the Washington-made products, the Made in Washington store also installed an attraction for people of all ages to enjoy. Just like Rachel the Pig at the beginning of Pike Place Market, stop by the Made in Washington Store and get a picture holding Sammy the Salmon, an actual 3-foot plus long Sockeye Salmon. Complete your experience with yellow rain slickers and a backdrop and you’ll feel as if you braved the treacherous seas on the salmon boat and caught Sammy yourself.
On November 2nd at 10 a.m., the Made in Washington store will be open its doors to the public for their Grand Opening and from Friday through Sunday during the weekend-long celebration, the SeaBear Smokehouse Tasting Flight will be FREE to all customers. That’s right! Free! Head down this weekend to 1530 Post Alley and stop by the Made in Washington store and see what this beautiful state has to offer.
