December 8

The Giving is Good in SLU

Find perfect presents in South Lake Union.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean your hunt for the perfect gift has to end. South Lake Union is home to shops big and small, and there are countless gift options that will delight friends and family. From experiences to stocking stuffers and more, SLU businesses have lots of options for holiday giving.

Experiences

Sandbox VR
From battling zombies in Deadwood Valley to exploring alien worlds in Star Trek: Discovery, Sandbox VR has gaming excitement for everyone. The virtual reality experience combines full-body motion capture with high-quality haptics, completely immersing you in the game you’re playing. Sandbox VR is offering an extra holiday treat — for every $100 spent on gift cards between now and 12/31, receive a $30 bonus code. Bonus codes are valid on bookings 1/1-3/31/2024. sandboxvr.com/seattle

Group of friends engaged in a VR experience.

Waterways Cruises
Whether you’re looking to share a romantic evening, a night out for the family, or a gift for your office, Waterways Cruises has you covered. Choose from dinner cruises, weekend brunches, cocktail outings, and more. waterwaycruises.com

DRIFT Yoga
Help that special someone drift away in this stunning SLU yoga studio space. They offer single drop-in classes, or you can opt for packages like 10-class pack, good for 10 classes within a 3-month period. You can attend any class on the daily regular schedule. This is a good option for anyone who does not practice regularly but likes to have a variety in their movement regimen. driftyogajuicebar.com

Pilates Seattle International
The first “true” Joseph Pilates studio in the Northwest, Pilates Seattle International is the perfect place to jump start your New Year fitness goals. The studio also offers physical therapy to complement Pilates work. Pilates Seattle International is offering a new client special, 8 private sessions for $65 each. pilatesseattle.com

Say Woof Studios
For the dog lover in your life, consider a pup portrait from Say Woof Studios. Typical sessions last about 20 minutes and Say Woof Studios offers a variety of packages ranging from birthday to family photos. The studio’s “mini” packages are incredibly popular and usually follow a seasonal or holiday theme and sell out at least a month in advance. Say Woof even features a selfie portrait studio called Say Cheese. You can take photos in a private studio environment for 20 minutes with the use of a remote control. Every gift card purchase of $100 this month comes with a holiday gift box. saywoofstudios.com

White Elephant and Stocking Stuffers

Rachel’s Ginger Beer
Be the hit at your office white elephant party with a tasty treat from this Seattle favorite. Pick up a growler of classic flavors like blood orange, white guava, and more. Don’t miss seasonal flavors like spiced honeycrisp and cranberry x orange, too. rachelsgingerbeer.com

Goodwill
Find that perfect vintage tee, silly holiday mug, gently used board games and much more at the only thrift shop in South Lake Union. Want to give the gift of a treasure hunt? You can also purchase gift cards, all while supporting an organization that addresses poverty and strengthens communities by preparing people for employment in the current and future marketplace. evergreengoodwill.org

Sub Pop
This tiny shop from big Seattle sound label fills its small space with a sweet inventory of local music goodness. T-shirts, hoodies, and keepsakes line its shelves and racks, but perhaps most enticing is the store’s selection in its Mega Mart, which offers music, souvenirs, and much more. subpop.com

That Perfect Gift

Likelihood
Likelihood, a specialty boutique at 2201 Seventh Avenue, offers everything from classic and collectible sneakers to a selection of unique apparel, home goods, and accessories. Scoop up a pair of Air Jordan 1 Lows or Fenty x Puma collab for the stylish kiddo in your life. likelihood.us

Inside a shoe shop.

glassybaby
Founded in 2001 by cancer survivor Lee Rhodes, glassybaby is known for its simple but elegant votives in a variety of colors and styles. Plus, each purchase gives back to provide healing for people, animals, and planet. If votives aren’t your thing, glassybaby has glass rockers and more. glassybaby.com

Feathered Friends
SLU mainstay Feathered Friends is known for its simple but quality blankets, sleeping bags, and clothing made of ethically sourced down and innovative materials. Check out this down throw—it comes in multiple colors and is large enough to use on a kid’s bunk beds or while lounging on the couch, but is plenty warm to pack up for travels. featheredfriends.com

Glazer’s Camera
This third generation, locally owned business has been helping new and seasoned photographers with the right gear since 1935. Find everything from the latest GoPro or ring light to make your TikTok videos shine. You can also get some excellent used equipment too. Plus, Glazer’s offers a ton of classes and workshops to help you with your new gear. Don’t miss their big holiday sale from December 8–10. glazerscamera.com

Shop // Task
Skip the ice and shred the pavement with some sweet new rollerblades from Shop / Task. This spot has a variety of skates, including pairs for those who are more into tricks like grinds and jumps. Visit the Shop / Task to chat with a friendly employee about skate options, fittings, and lessons. usa.shop-task.com

Story by Ethan Chung & photographs courtesy Laura James, Sandbox VR, & Elizabeth Podlesnik.


At The Center

SLU is the geographical center of Seattle