There is a row of buildings on the south side of N. 45th that I think of as “Bungalow Row”, some older houses that have been converted into new purposes. These include the Chile Pepper Mexican restaurant, and the recently departed much renowned, and already much missed Tilth. Nestled in at 1415 N. 45th is a longtime Wallingford presence, the Assistance League of Seattle Thrift Shop. This unassuming little secondhand store has a heart of gold that benefits the local community and the city at large. Unlike other area thrift stores that are part of much larger nonprofit and for-profit …

I like to think of Meridian Park and the Good Shepherd Center as anchoring the northern side of Wallingford. There’s plenty of intriguing history behind the park and the Good Shepherd Center, some of which I hope to write about soon. But today I wanted to touch on some of the varied activities that take place in the center itself. Specifically, Wallyhood received a notice about the concerts that happen in the fourth floor chapel space. Obviously, public attendance has been curtailed, but the sponsor, Nonsequitur, has made recordings available online from previous performances in the chapel under the heading …

This is a short story about three different businesses in the neighborhood with a combined residence time here of over 70 years.  The ownerships span the range from Mom & Pop, regional chain, to global dominion.  It repeats the altogether too common, and depressing refrain to this pandemic:  businesses faltering, and some succumbing to the loss of traffic from the necessary restrictions that were put into place.  Wallingford is certainly no exception.

The Shoe Store

Wallyhood received a note from reader Denis, who lamented the imminent closing of another business on the margin between Wallingford and Fremont, Sole Perfection.  This …