Landmark's Time Stays Behind

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Post on Oct 27, 2024

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Time Stays Behind: Landmark's Haunting Journey Through Memory

Okay, so you've probably heard of Landmark, right? That huge, sprawling, kinda intimidating-looking building in Downtown Seattle, right next to the Space Needle. But did you know that thing used to be a department store? I mean, like, a real department store, not some fancy boutique. It was a thing. A huge thing.

Landmark's Rise and Fall: A Seattle Icon

The Landmark Building was originally called the Bon Marche, and back in the day, it was the heart of Seattle shopping. People would come from all over to shop at the Bon Marche, and it was just a big deal! It was the place to be. You could buy everything there, from clothes to furniture to groceries. It was like a mini-mall before mini-malls were even a thing. I mean, this place was legendary!

But times change, right? And by the 80s, the Bon Marche was starting to lose its shine. The malls started popping up, and people were drawn to newer, shinier things. The Bon Marche started to feel a little outdated, and eventually, it just couldn't compete. They closed their doors in 1987.

From Retail Giant to Ghostly Landmark

It was kind of a heartbreak, you know? The Bon Marche was just so iconic for Seattle. The building was so big and empty, and it just kind of sat there, like a giant ghost of its former self. People felt a little sad seeing it like that, all dark and dusty.

But then, in 2005, the building was redeveloped. It got a fancy new name, "Landmark," and it became a mixed-use building with apartments, offices, and even a hotel. It still had some of the old Bon Marche charm, but it was totally different from what it used to be.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

It's cool to see the Landmark building get a new life, but I can't help but feel a little nostalgic for the old Bon Marche days. Walking through the building, you can still see glimpses of its past. The high ceilings, the old-fashioned details, it's like a time capsule of Seattle's retail history. And that's what makes Landmark special -- it's a reminder of what was, even as it embraces the future.

Maybe you'll see the Landmark building next time you're in Seattle. If you do, take a moment to imagine the bustling department store it used to be. And maybe, just maybe, you'll catch a glimpse of the ghost of the Bon Marche, lingering in the air. Because, as they say, time stays behind.