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October 2023 by Tom R.
I've been going to Secret Garden for years, a much-loved resource. Buy books online, pay at the store when you pick it up. My most recent purchase was a pre-order, which was a good thing, because the book was so popular, that the first print run was sold out, except for the ones who had preordered.
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September 2023 by Ianthe Cytokine IV
This small bookshop is great. They obviously don't have every book but each book they do carry feels like it's gone through a careful selection process and the entire shop feels well curated. The staff are also super friendly!!
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July 2023 by Jason T.
With all that downtown Ballard's been through coming out of the pandemic, it feels good seeing a small business like Secret Garden surviving and thriving. Secret Garden was among our first stops when we moved back to Seattle a few years ago. And I'm always pleasantly surprised to find that they have what I'm looking for, whether it's a somewhat obscure novel or a best seller. I'll be back soon.
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July 2023 by Christine B.
I love a local bookstore. We stopped in after lunch and enjoyed browsing. The shop is well organized, has good inventory, and is very welcoming. The children's section is really cute, complete with a little table and chairs. They also have some cute local-themed prints and other items if you're looking for gifts. Definitely check them out and support small business!
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June 2023 by Kendall Murray
Cute local bookshop with an incredible collection. Love that they had so many LGBTQ+ books for all ages! ♡♡♡
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June 2023 by Mojdeh S.
A wonderful, cozy gem in the heart of Ballard. The book selection is wonderful, the space sweet, and the minimal toys and games and miscellaneous offerings are thoughtful and gentle. Service is unassuming and friendly.
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June 2023 by Gerard de Ridefort
My favourite little bookstore in town. They always have great ideas for books for my grandkids.
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May 2023 by Jacob Jawson
Just feel it could just be a bit more. Seems like a letdown compared to other book stores in the area.
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April 2023 by Nico B.
Located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, Secret Garden Bookshop is a charming and cozy independent bookstore offering a delightful shopping experience for book lovers of all ages. The bookstore has become an anchor in the neighborhood, serving the community for over 40 years.Secret Garden Bookshop is well-known for its impressive selection of children's books. The collection is thoughtfully curated and covers every subject parents might be looking for. Picture books, chapter books, young adult novels... you name it, they've got it! What's more, the staff at Secret Garden Bookshop are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about children's literature. They are always happy to offer recommendations or help parents find the perfect book for their child's age and reading level. And with so many great books to choose from, it's easy to get lost in the stacks and spend hours browsing the shelves.I love children's books, and write them as well... so that's my primary focus when I visit Secret Garden. But rest assured, the store also has an impressive selection of books for adults, including bestsellers, classics, and niche titles. They offer regular author events and book clubs, so the store really is a great place to connect with other book lovers and discover new authors.
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March 2023 by Bryan P
Not much of a bookstore. Poor selection of literature, shelves are stacked with the manifestation of one person’s reading list: mostly sells trendy knickknacks.
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March 2023 by Laetitia
Super impressed with this tidy, well-stocked store - friendly staff too and top-notch recommendations.
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February 2023 by Liz F
I always have a positive experience visiting this local bookstore. The staff are very kind and welcoming and they have a nice selection of new books and run occasional sales. It’s definitely worth stopping by next time you are in Ballard!
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February 2023 by Cooper Cole
One of the best selections of translated fiction (Korean, Japanese) that I've found in Seattle. I haven't found another bookstore with a curated and incredibly diverse selection like this one.
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February 2023 by j spain Greene
In business for over 30 years... Secret Garden Books is a special gem in Seattle: An independent, forward minded book shop primarily for children with quite a bit for grown ups as well.Things I love: thoughtful recommendations from staff and community, many many inclusive titles, highlights on local talent and they have a frequent buyer card!I have been shopping here since I was a girl and it was still located by the Greenlake kiddy pool...I love that the shop still has some of the bricks from that location. Some of them are signed... the Kevin Henkes autograph with a sketch of Lily is one of my favs.
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December 2022 by Brenda Winter Hansen
I love supporting indie bookstores all over Seattle and this is my favorite in Ballard. I live in NE Seattle and will still order books specifically from SGB because I love it so much. They have a great staff, excellent recommendations, and host local authors for book release events. If you are in Ballard, do not miss this bookstore. I don’t think I have ever walked out empty-handed.
