Elliott Bay is a family owned, independently run literary mecca. Founded by Walter Carr in 1973, it first set up shop in Pioneer Square’s Globe Building. Then in April 2010, it packed up everything and relocated to a larger space on 10th Avenue in the heart of Capitol Hill. The store is still chock-full of knowledgeable staff and sports a diverse catalog of books and still shining in the face of fierce competition from a certain South Lake Union behemoth . 1521 10th Ave., 624-6600

First runner-up: Third Place Books

Second runner-up: Twice Sold Tales

Honorable mention: University Book Store, Left Bank Books

Read about the rest of the Best of Seattle Reader Poll winners here. If you didn’t get a chance to vote this go-round, make sure your voice is heard next year. Email us at bestofseattle@seattleweekly.com and we will let you know when nominations open for BoS 2017.