Kevin Bowen 

Sad #bookstore news to note with the impending closure of Ada's Technical Books.

I don't get down there much these days; but, I always made it a point to poke my head in to Ada's when I was around 15th Ave/Volunteer Park.
I hardly recognize the neighboorhood any longer(R.I.P. Coastal Kitchen!).

https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2026/04/after-16-years-on-capitol-hill-adas-technical-books-to-close-and-sibling-fuel-coffee-shops-up-for-sale/

#Seattle #pnw #IndependentBookStores #Books

After 16 years on Capitol Hill, Ada’s Technical Books to close and sibling Fuel Coffee shops up for sale

A house home to a book shop on 15th Ave E for decades will need a fresh start and new owners are being sought for its sibling coffee shops. Ada’s Technical Books & Cafe will close in June…

CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News
Apr 22 at 7:39pmWeb
Show threadTamaraPNWApr 22
@kevinbowen sad news for sure
Show threadMarkApr 23
@kevinbowen i used to live right behind that house across the alley 🥹
Show threadKevin Bowen Apr 24

@seatek

Neat. I was running around the neighborhood when the place was Horizon Books.
Initially fell in love with the neighborhood's "off-the-beaten" feel. Seemed like an oasis compared to hustle and bustle of Broadway.

Show threadMarkApr 24

@kevinbowen yeah 🙂 it was Horizon when I lived there. I have no idea if The Canterbury Inn is still there too. I should go visit.

A different world (perhaps) 🙂

Show threadKevin Bowen Apr 24

@seatek

Ha. The Canterbury a.k.a. The Drunken Black Hole from Hell. 🤣

I remember reading about it closing down shortly after the pandemic. I _think_ someone re-opened it back up with the same name but with some chi-chi post-modern Indian cuisine(not sure if it's private equity or not...). NOT the same skanky dive bar we loved.

I still kinda miss Chutney's(??) the Indian place across the street from Canterbury.

Show threadMarkApr 24
@kevinbowen oh yeah! Chutney’s! 😋
Show threadKevin Bowen Apr 24

@seatek

Is that the actual name??? I was wracking my brain over that last night.

Show threadMarkApr 24
@kevinbowen I think so. It sure sounds familiar. There was a nice Thai restaurant too that took over Matzo Mommas. I can’t remember its name.
Show threadKevin Bowen Apr 24

@seatek

There were a bunch of great, little noodle houses on the other side of John closer to the hospital...and, course, Kidd Valley with their fried mushrooms.

There was also a weird whisky/scotch bar right across from the Key Bank parking lot that seemed to change owners and re-brand every 6 months or so.

I am still healing my wounds from the loss of the rotating regional menus of Coastal Kitchen. 😔 I especially miss the foreign language lessons broadcast over the speakers in the rest rooms. I always thought that was a brilliant/hysterical concept.

Show threadMarkApr 24
@kevinbowen ah you’re making me homesick 🙂
Show threadKevin Bowen Apr 24

@seatek

Riiiight. There were, like, 2 or 3 tiny house restaurants squeezed between the Canterbury and the supermarket that were pretty fantastic. Weren't there?

Heh.
I really need to get back down there and visit the museum up in Voluteer Park and be horrified by the neighborhood gentrification....