Curated with Care: Shop Specialty Service at Pike Place Market

Curated with Care: Shop Specialty Service at Pike Place Market

Unlike your traditional big box stores, shopping the Market means working with people who are vested in a deep knowledge of their products and passionate about directly connecting with customers. It’s more than just a grab-and-go experience. It’s getting to know your specialty cheesemongers, artisanal purveyors, and retail service workers who stand behind the quality of their sourcing and serve as experts to guide shoppers in curating the most fitting gift ideas.

Read on for holiday picks that offer a personal and customized approach to ensuring you find the perfect presents to share with your loved ones.

Since 1946, DeLaurenti Food & Wine has been a staple for specialty deli offerings and novelties from around the world at Pike Place Market. Started by Pete DeLaurenti’s trailblazing ideas to sell gourmet imported foods well before its time, DeLaurenti’s continues his legacy of bringing a boundless array of Italian delicacies that inspire togetherness and a taste for the finer things.

Today, their shop carries over 200 cheeses, a complete line of cured meats, over 1,800 wines, and dozens of microbrews that make up their wealth of imported goods fit for any foodie. Their staff are happy to help curate the perfect pairings for any menu in mind, and offer recommendations to fill your gift baskets and table for gatherings this holiday season. Head upstairs to chat with their knowledgeable staff in the wine section where they carry varietals from every region of the globe. With just a few intended flavor preferences or ingredients, they can easily pull a handful of options to pare down picks from their vast selection.

Holiday Staples

Don’t miss their panettone loaves! A signature of the Italian holiday season and a great festive treat to enjoy any time of the day. Melding candied fruit, raisins, and sometimes chocolate, choose from four flavors of this pillowy delicious bread that invites conversation over morning coffee or an after-dinner delight with a flute of bubbly.

Head to their dessert aisle near the front entrance to find other classic delicious Italian holiday treats like biscotti, amaretti cookies, torrone, and so much more.

Started with a purchase of 8,000 cherry trees in the Yakima Valley, Chukar Cherries has grown into a flourishing business that is a central stop for local specialties in the Main Arcade. Their family business has always been driven by freshness and small-batch attentiveness. Started in 1988, founder Pam Montgomery was inspired by the end-of-season cherries that would dry out and naturally transform into a concentrated burst of sweetness. Her vision launched a decadent array of specialty chocolate-covered cherries, sauces, nuts, and other homegrown goods that represent the best of the Northwest.

When you stop in at their booth, staff are happy to share the magic of their naturally sweetened products and ingredients. Stop in for a spoonful of samples to “cherry pick” the products fit for treating all those on your list. Their personalized tasting experiences and gift recommendations are what makes this booth a must-have on every local’s list.

Holiday Treats

Their thoughtfully designed assortments are excellent additions to any gift basket and a crowd-pleaser for a taste of all their signature products. Don’t miss limited-edition hazelnut cherries, layering creamy milk chocolate and crushed Oregon hazelnuts over dried Bing cherries. Try it out in the Holiday Trio Tin, which includes hazelnut cherries, raspberry truffle cherries, and classic dark chocolate-covered cherries.

For over half a century, Metsker Maps has been a cherished local treasure. Step in to browse an extensive selection of maps, guidebooks, geographic art, games, puzzles, and more. They curate their shelves to fit the whole world into one charming store. Shoppers become explorers here, in a shop that invites curiosity for the places unseen and vintage wonders that take you back in time to early discoverers.

As an employee-owned business, they take pride in providing customer service that caters to all ages. Products range from detailed road maps to kid-friendly exploration books that turn geography into a fun adventure.

Whether you’re a local or just visiting, they’re dedicated to ensuring you have a memorable experience at “that really cool map store in Pike Place Market!”

Gifts to Inspire Explorers

Staff have curated a number of adventure games designed to explore new places and share quality time this holiday season. Check out their illustrated puzzle of the world, National Parks games, and nautical-themed cribbage boards that are designed to connect players with the natural world around them.

The story of Eclipse Hat Shop began back in 1949, when Herman Helmun founded its original location in the Sanitary Market. Current owner Sharon apprenticed under Herman Helmun and worked with him closely before taking over the helm in 1996. After a 20-year hiatus, Sharon revived Eclipse Hat Shop at the Market and joined the talented lineup of women artisans that fill Western Avenue.

Step into her cozy storefront and you’ll be greeted by the unmatched passion of Sharon’s haberdashery and millinery skillset. She has a talent for the classic and timeless, with an effervescent energy that welcomes all customers to find their perfect match. Whether it’s a Western-style Stetson, fine felted Borsalinos, or a classic fedora, Sharon is enthusiastic about connecting with anyone who walks in her door to share her love for hats and finding a custom-fit, staple accessory to gift to your loved ones.

Haberdasher’s Must-Haves

Curated by Sharon directly from London, find Bates fine fur felt hats and porkpies fresh to the shelves this holiday season. These classic pieces in rich navy and black hues elevate any outfit for the timeless dresser in your life.

More than just a shop for truffle-based products (although there are many delicious ones!), Truffle Queen curates unique regional specialties that speak to intention. Wines sourced from small, women-owned cooperatives, multi-generational family producers who refine their product to its finest level, and selections suitable for a broad range of dietary needs to offer inclusive indulgences.

As a mom-daughter team, owner Rei and Alicia are committed to excellence in their gourmet food and wine selection. For over 20 years, they’ve welcomed shoppers in to discover flavors of truffle-based decadence and beyond. They share their passion and service in meeting customers where they’re at, whether their gift is for a cook or just an enthusiastic eater. They have oils, sauces, seasonings, and salts with unique twists to inspire a basket full of pantry provisions. For their staff, it’s all about sharing the love of gathering around food and good wine as a segue for the special fellowship and quality time that comes with the holiday season.

Holiday Basket-Building

Stop into their Holiday Open Houses from on Dec. 4 or 17 from 5-8pm to sample free snacks made with their products and $5 pours of select wines as you put together custom gift baskets, and enjoy discounts on Italian holiday specialties. It’s a great time to mingle, snack and sip and get your shopping done!

View our Full Holiday Guide Below!

View Holiday Guide