Native Seattleite, Marianne Mullin has been in the rug business for 23 years and on Capitol Hill for just under a year. She has also been a plumber, hairdresser, aesthetician, interior designer and card reader. Oh, and she’s owned a teahouse in Greenwood. Ask her what her current occupation is, and she would humorously say professional lover. “I’ve had years of experience,” laughs Mullin.
Located on 13th and Pine, nestled in the lone building with the vast parking lot surrounding it, Rug Outlet Store is more than just what the sign suggests. What used to be a Tae Kwon Do studio, is now a self-described indoor garage sale.
Owner Marianne Mullin posers inside her store with her favorite rug.
At first, Mullin said the main objective of the store was to consign rugs. Mullin’s love for rugs has lasted for almost half her life. She has traveled to Turkey, India and Nepal—traded, bought, taught rug symbols and educated herself extensively on the business of rugs.
“I have a love affair with rugs,” says Mullin. “I firmly believe that rugs pick their owners.”
Opening the store this past summer was at first a temporary experiment but has now grown exponentially into more than just a business that deals with carpet — it has become a treasure trove for vintage and collectible items on Capitol Hill.
Little by little, Mullin was beginning to add more things to her store and she said eventually it exploded into selling anything from vintage baby clothes to adult clothes, furniture, shoes, books, etc. The store is so jam-packed with oddities in every corner that you might not notice the room dedicated to card reading.
“Oh, I also read cards,” Mullin said, smiling mischievously. “I’ve reached the point in my life where I don’t really care what other people think of my frivolities.”
Beyond the things that Mullin sells, the heart of Mullin’s business lies in her ability to gather strangers together and rapture them for hours with anecdotes of her life. With virtually no publicity of her store since its opening, Mullin has managed with the help of curious customers and her quirky and welcoming personality.
Mullin says her goal is to create community and make her store a place where people can gather, roam and talk to each other.
“This is just all stuff,” Mullin said. “These aren’t really necessities. My only job is to love.”
For Mullin, the Rug Outlet Store has been a fairy-tale.
“I’ve met the most incredible people — they just walk into the store and into my life,” said Mullin. “The universe has always been funny to me like that.”
The Rug Outlet Store is located at 1222 E. Pine. Hours and days open vary. Take a chance!
Yeah, I have been here before, she is a really cool lady, she is like a book; she is filled with stories.
I wasn’t even aware this place existed! Can’t wait to check it out…sounds like we have a common design sensibility.
I went while looking for rugs, but while there’s a lot of interesting things, all the rugs there at the time were oriental style rugs, some quite worn. She seemed interesting and the shop is interesting, but unless you’re looking for an oriental style rug, it’s not the place for rug shopping, despite the name!
I stopped in here a few months back out of curiosity and ended up talking with Marianne for over an hour while perusing the shop and trying on all sorts of unique vintage clothing and accessory finds. This place is really neat. I left with so many great things.
You are an amazing person and I apologize for the hurt I caused you many years ago. I was so immature. I am doing well.