Frankie4 in shinier days (Image: Frankie4 Shoes)

Believe it or not, there is corporate calculus going on in the world that goes something like this: Should we open our U.S. flagship store in the hip and vibrant neighborhood of Capitol Hill — or University Village?

CHS brings you this revelation as we catch up on the reporting about two instances where that calculation quietly flamed out after shiny starts in Capitol Hill retail.

Recent weeks have brought the demise of two fashion retailers that settled on the Hill but couldn’t ultimately make a go of it in the neighborhood.

On E Pine, the one-time “rapidly growing” Australian footwear designer Frankie4 Shoes quietly shuttered its Capitol Hill shop earlier this year, shutting down the store the company said would be its U.S. headquarters after about two years of business. At the time, Frankie4 told CHS the company’s Australian leadership chose Seattle due to the “innovative nature of the city” and it “marriage of culture and style” based around a growing number of outdoor and adventure brands. “It’s a perfect fit,” the rep said, not embarrassed in the least by the groan-worthy quip.

The company isn’t exiting its U.S. or Puget Sound ambitions. Its “Seattle store” is now located in the Bellevue Square mall.

Meanwhile, another company that made the mall vs. Hill calculation and landed on both also closed down its neighborhood presence this spring. Euro fashion retailer Scotch and Soda opened in 2018 on the Melrose side of the massive Excelsior mixed-use development around the corner from the 2017-born Rapha Clubhouse. It was the company’s second shop in Seattle — its first store opened in U Village. Both shops are now closed and the Dutch parent company has filed for bankruptcy. Scotch and Soda’s arrival will be remembered for its part in the bizarre transition of that corner from a mix of small businesses including Le Frock, Edie’s, Scout Apparel, Vutique, Wall of Sound and Spine & Crown Books into a mix of tenants in the new construction like Warby Parker, Marine Layer, Aesop skincare, and a Seattle outlet of California’s The Pressed Juicery.

The mall mix and Capitol Hill retail are much closer cousins these days. For one, there are more instances like Capitol Hill small business Hello Robin scaling up to join U Village or longtime neighborhood retailer Ghost Gallery finding a home in downtown’s Pacific Place. But malls have also changed, too, with more reasonable rents used to attract independent businesses and help bring in more shoppers for the big brand chain neighbors. That mix and community elements means some malls have the neighborhood feel of old business districts — the owners at E Pike’s Mediums Collective said they would have opened in a mall like Southcenter or Northgate if they didn’t find an opportunity to be part of Pike/Pine.

Meanwhile, two of the biggest retail plays to make Capitol Hill home in recent years both remain active on 10th Ave where Glossier opened in full pink glory in 2021 and furniture retailer Joybird debuted this spring.

Recent Capitol Hill Retail Openings

• Indian grocery store Spice SPC now open on the edge of Capitol Hill
• ‘I know there has to be black artists in Seattle’ — Black Arts Love amplifying art and bringing community together on Capitol Hill
• In a neighborhood with REI roots, Windthrow part of new expeditions in Capitol Hill outdoor retail and community
• Named for Roman soldiers who are also symbols of gay love, Sergius & Bacchus goes to battle fighting for fun, bold fashion on Capitol Hill
• Plus milestones for Retail Therapy (20 years) and Phoenix Comics (10 years)

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