Elsie’s Variety Store

Elsie’s Variety Store was a beloved fixture in the Queen Anne community from 1948 to the mid-1970’s. Owner Elsie K. Faubel sold toys and candy for children, as well as sewing notions, light hardware items, household goods, figurines and more. The shop was located at 2205 Queen Anne Avenue North. Surprisingly, at the time it was heated by a single wood-burning stove. Elsie became a cherished figure in the neighborhood with her kindness and generosity.

Residents like Mary Chapman Cole and Marsha Savery fondly recalled the warmth of both the shop and its owner. Mary reminisced about the store, saying, “Elsie’s Variety Store was a magical place for a small child in the early 1970’s. It was full of toys and candies. I remember buying penny candy there. Elsie was a sweet lady.” 

Marsha recalled, “There was an aisle down the middle of the store with wood bins on both sides which made four rows of bins to explore. Mom would go to get sewing notions and my sisters and I would look at every single thing—a kaleidoscope of treasures at our eye level. Elsie always reminded me of a perfect Disney grandma. I can still recall the smell of the varnished floors. And Zirk's Ice cream shop was next door. Elsie’s and Ice cream, pretty magical!”

After Elsie retired, the storefront became Nancy’s Sewing Basket. Since 1994, it has been the home of Caffe Ladro, a popular coffee shop and bakery.

Even though Elsie passed away in 1988, the memory of her store continues. The Queen Anne Historical Society has a recording of an interview with Elsie where she reflects on what made Queen Anne such a special community. 

To listen to a snippet of Elsie's oral history, please click the link below. Her full interview and many others are available upon request from the Queen Anne Historical Society archives.