Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 3127 NW 85th ST NW / Parcel ID 4447300015 / Inv # BA011

Historic Name: Mattson's Grocery Common Name: The Gob Shop Style: Commercial Neighborhood: Crown Hill/Ballard Built By: Year Built: 1928   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. This structure sits at the intersection NW 85th Street, 32nd Avenue NW and Loyal Way NW, at the top of the hill that descends to Golden Gardens Park. The building marked the end of the line for the streetcar to Loyal Heights, which began operation in 1907. The trolley line and the presence of this store facilitated the development of the Loyal Heights neighborhood. This structure was built in 1928 by Louis and Anna Mattson, who operated Mattson's Grocery until 1938. A succession of later owners continued to operate it as a grocery for many years. It is now a coffee shop. The second storefront later became the Golden Gardens Drug Company, with several owners over the years. From 1957 to 1963 it was Sunset Beverage and Sundry, which had a soda fountain and grill. Since 1972 this storefront has been the Gob Shoppe, a music store that is a very popular landmark with high school and college students. Although this is currently the only commercial building here, up until the 1960s there were several other businesses at the intersection, including a gas station, cleaners and another grocery.   Appearance This is an unusual triangular building, shaped to fit the lot where three streets intersect. The narrow west end has broad curved steps down to the sidewalk to accommodate the slope. The building has extensive decorative brickwork, primarily red with tan bricks marking the cornice and the pilasters. Geometric patterns in yellow and tan brick are above the display windows, partially covered by a sign. The rear (north) elevation is clad in plain red brick and has no windows. Although the original suspended canopy has been removed, the building retains its original window sash.

Detail for 3127 NW 85th ST NW / Parcel ID 4447300015 / Inv # BA011

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Business Plan: Unknown Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: one Unit Theme(s): Commerce, Community Planning/Development, Transportation Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References Gilbert, Rich, and John Gracey. "There was a Place for Us: Architecture at the End of the Line," in Preservation of the Vernacular Environment, Vol. II, University of Washington, CAUP, 1996. King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.

Photo collection for 3127 NW 85th ST NW / Parcel ID 4447300015 / Inv # BA011

Photo taken Aug 23, 2001