From rare video games and vintage vinyl: Jake, Spike analyze small businesses in WA worth an hour drive

Which businesses in Western Washington are worth a drive? FOX 13 compiled a list of small businesses worth a drive of approximately one hour.

A bookstore that beats all bookstores

“Well, the first one is up north. It’s in Bellingham, which is a beautiful area. I used to live there. It’s called Village Books and Paper Dreams,” Jake Skorheim, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, said. “It’s the third-highest rated spot in Washington for out-of-the-way drivers.”

Village Books is a three-story bookstore with a wide-ranging collection of books and novels, from graphic novels to horror to performing arts.

Last month, Evolve Chocolate + Cafe closed its location inside Village Books, with Next Chapter Cafe replacing the space. The owners of Evolve Chocolate + Cafe decided to close up shop after 14 years of business in Bellingham in favor of moving to California.

Vintage, rare video games

“The No. 2 place is in Seattle. It’s called Pink Gorilla Games,” Skorheim said. “They have rare games, rare video games. So, Nintendo and all sorts of fun stuff. Nostalgic things. People get really into nostalgic things.”

Pink Gorilla Games has three locations in Seattle, including its latest shop in Capitol Hill. It originally opened as Pink Godzilla in the International District in 2005, but rebranded in 2009 after a copyright claim arrived from the owners of the Godzilla franchise.

The last great record store

The last installment on the list is a record store synonymous with music lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest.

“The third place is Easy Street Records in West Seattle. An absolute gem, No. 1 place in the state,” Skorheim said. “It’s a live music venue, great shows. They have food. They have coffee. Great vinyl collection. They say this is where Seattle music lovers feel at home. That’s where people like to go.”

“It’s the last great record store,” Spike O’Neill, co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

What are Jake and Spike’s picks?

Spike, claiming his pick has to be food-based, shouted out Taylor Shellfish on Chuckanut Drive as his spot worth an hour-long drive. Additionally, any of the shops that line Leavenworth’s quaint downtown are worth a visit.

“Leavenworth, for me, would probably be the spot,” Skorheum said.

“There’s also a little spot called Urban Earth,” Spike added. “It’s a nursery, but it’s literally in downtown Fremont. It’s a store in the middle of a block, and this place is fantastic for house plants.”

Listen to the full conversation here.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.