Seattle’s Magic Mouse Toys abruptly closes after nearly 50 years in Pioneer Square

One of the oldest toy stores in Seattle, Magic Mouse Toys, abruptly closed after roughly 49 years in Pioneer Square and failed to provide any reasoning for the closure.

The toy store located at 603 First Avenue is now completely covered in paper, paired with a notice taped to the door indicating its permanent closure.

“Magic Mouse Toys has closed for business permanently,” the company wrote in its notice, according to KING 5. “Magic Mouse appreciates and thanks its customers for shopping at Magic Mouse for the past 40+ years. Thanks!”

Seattle toy store’s abrupt closure left longtime customers stunned

Magic Mouse opened in 1977 and took over two floors of the Mutual Life Building at First Avenue and Yesler Way. Customers could browse the more than 6,000-square-foot toy shop for toys, board games, puzzles and collectibles.

As of Monday morning, the Magic Mouse Toys website remains active and lists that the store was open, despite its windows being boarded up with paper.

Owner Walter Powers spoke with KING 5 on Saturday, but did not explain the reasoning for closing the store. Powers said he would relay questions over to his wife and co-owner, Pamela Powers, though she has not offered a response as of this reporting.

Many patrons lined the sidewalk outside the storefront, peering into its boarded-up windows and taking a look at what once was the longest-running toy store in the area.

Vanessa Buneg, a Seattle resident, said she hasn’t been inside the store since she was roughly 13 years old, but she was there often.

“When I was younger, we used to come over here all the time,” Buneg told KING 5.

Josh Totten of Vancouver recalled growing up with the store.

“It was always there when I was a kid,” Totten said. “My mom and dad used to go in there.”

Another longtime Pioneer Square business closed just weeks earlier

Another Pioneer Square store closed in recent months, despite a massive influx of tourists attending recent events in the area such as the FIFA World Cup.

Collins Pub abruptly closed after 23 years in July, shuttering without any warning or public announcement indicating why it had to close.

Collins Pub was located at 526 Second Avenue and operated out of the bottom of the century-old Collins Building since 2003.

The local pub was known for its ever-changing craft beer offerings and bar food menu, but had been a neighborhood staple for years before the World Cup made its way to Seattle.

“[Collins Pub] is a real loss, but Pioneer Square remains a dynamic and resilient neighborhood, and we’re encouraged as others continue to invest and grow here,” Lisa Howard told The Puget Sound Business Journal.

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