Seattle’s oldest antique mall, Pacific Galleries Antique Mall, was facing permanent closure, but thanks to a last-minute agreement, it’s not only surviving but thriving as Lander Street Vintage. This exciting development ensures that Seattle’s vibrant vintage scene will continue to flourish. Under the new ownership of Tom Gorz, also co-owner of the popular Epic Antiques, Lander Street Vintage officially reopened on October 1st, marking a new chapter for this beloved Seattle institution. This eleventh-hour save is fantastic news for the community of antique lovers, dealers, and the city’s history itself, guaranteeing that this cornerstone of vintage and antique treasures remains a vital part of Seattle for years to come. “We’ve received incredible support from our customers, it’s been truly amazing,” Gorz shared, emphasizing that there’s still much to be done in this exciting transition. He added, “It feels a bit overwhelming, but overall, I’m incredibly joyous and excited to embark on this venture. It’s not just about preserving a piece of Seattle’s history and a well-established destination, but also creating a complementary location to Epic Antiques.”
The synergy between Pacific and Epic Antiques was already apparent, even before this exciting transition to Lander Street Vintage, according to Sandy Marshall, known as the Treasure Queen and a long-time antique dealer. Marshall, who specializes in vintage décor, jewelry, small furniture, and artwork, has been a vendor at Pacific for around 12 years and at Epic since its inception in 2018. Epic Antiques hasn’t detracted from Pacific’s appeal; instead, it’s enhanced the destination, particularly for visitors from afar. “Customers visit both locations,” Marshall explained. “It makes the trip to come down worthwhile to experience both.” This complementary nature promises an even richer experience for vintage enthusiasts with Lander Street Vintage now in the mix.
Pacific Galleries, with its rich history dating back to its 1972 founding as an auction house in Belltown, has been a Seattle vintage landmark. Larry and Grace Li acquired the business in 2000, and in 2003, they relocated it to a spacious 30,000 square foot building at 241 South Lander Street in SoDo. This location eventually grew to house approximately 150 vendors, becoming a true antique emporium. As rising rents forced other antique malls in Seattle and neighboring areas, such as Gillman Gallery Antiques in Issaquah and Haystack Antiques in Bellevue, to close or relocate, Pacific Galleries stood strong as Seattle’s premier destination for antique and vintage collectors and shoppers. “It’s a good business, and it’s a very pleasant place to be a part of,” Grace Li stated. “I believe it’s the best antique mall in the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, my children weren’t interested in taking over the business.”
Li remains the owner of the building, which also includes office and storage spaces for lease, and expressed her satisfaction in leasing the antique mall space to Gorz, a former long-term tenant. “He’s incredibly knowledgeable about the antique trade,” she noted about Gorz. Both Gorz and Li confirmed the long-term nature of the lease but kept specific details private.
Gorz’s journey in the antique world began as a passionate collector, evolving into a dealer. He started his selling career at Southern California markets before moving to Seattle. Specializing in mid-century modern and postmodern housewares, jewelry, and art under the name Tom Gorz Collection, he was a vendor at Pacific for a decade. In 2018, Gorz and Mathew Culbert, another long-time Pacific vendor, opened Epic Antiques at 3701 7th Ave South. Epic Antiques features 60 vendors within its 22,000 square foot space, which also accommodates offices and an upholstery studio. Known for its vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, complete with an eclectic music mix, Epic also hosts the monthly SoDo Flea Market. Now, Gorz brings his expertise and vision to Lander Street Vintage.
While Lander Street Vintage and Epic Antiques will maintain their distinct identities, Gorz intends to infuse some of Epic’s successful elements into the new venture. “I want Lander Street Vintage to feel less like a standard retail operation and more like an immersive and engaging experience,” Gorz explained. “For instance, when you step into Epic, you’re greeted by a beautiful garden-like space with French antique touches, inviting you to explore. We’re planning to incorporate similar welcoming and visually appealing elements at Lander Street Vintage.”
Gorz acknowledged the rapid pace of the transition, stating that finalizing the changeover for Pacific Galleries to Lander Street Vintage happened “in approximately two weeks.” He encourages visitors to expect the evolution of his vision to unfold gradually. “On your first visit to Lander Street Vintage, you’ll see us in the midst of transitioning to a fresh look, and each subsequent visit will reveal even more exciting developments,” Gorz assured.
This swift transition, while ultimately saving the beloved antique mall, created a whirlwind of emotions and logistical challenges for Pacific’s approximately 150 vendors. During the last weekend of August, as the original closure loomed, signs announcing the closure were displayed, vendors were offering deep discounts up to 50%, and some booths were already sparsely filled. Many dealers, understandably, were reserved about the situation, simply stating they were coordinating their move-out schedules as directed by the Lis.
Rumors of Pacific’s closure, or even the building’s sale, had been circulating for several years. The Lis were ready for retirement and a change of pace. “It felt like déjà vu,” Marshall commented, recalling a similar situation a few years prior when rumors of a building sale surfaced. “With commercial real estate deals, nothing is certain until the ink is dry, and indeed, that deal ultimately fell through.”
That earlier rumor prompted some dealers to move out or prepare to close shop. In fact, Gorz and Culbert’s decision to open Epic Antiques in 2018 was partly influenced by the news of a potential Pacific Galleries sale. “This time, we received official notice a couple of months ago that the mall was closing,” Marshall recounted. “Everyone started having sales, liquidating inventory, and making moving plans. Some had already moved out completely.”
Just three days before the anticipated closure date, Noah Chen, the Lis’ son-in-law and spokesperson, sent an email to Pacific’s vendors. He apologized for the short notice and announced an extension of the closing date to the end of October. The email also mentioned reduced mall hours due to staff departures related to the original closing date, and vendors who chose to stay would be charged prorated rent.
Two days later, a subsequent email from Chen confirmed Pacific’s official closure on August 31st and announced Gorz’s plan to open a new antique mall in the same location. Vendors were welcome to stay for two additional months under the terms of the previous email, but continued tenancy beyond that period would require a new agreement with Gorz and Lander Street Vintage.
“To everyone who incurred moving expenses, sold merchandise at a loss, or feels misled, I sincerely apologize,” Chen wrote. He explained that a recent conversation with Gorz led to exploring possibilities to keep the space as an antique mall. “This was completely unexpected territory… but Tom and I are working tirelessly to make this work.” At the time of the original article’s publication, Chen had not responded to requests for further comment.
On September 1st, Gorz distributed a letter to vendors confirming his new ownership, outlining plans for an informal meeting to discuss the transition, and assuring vendors that they were welcome to remain under the new banner of Lander Street Vintage. Jackie Crow, a customer agent at Epic, played a crucial role in facilitating the changeover. While Lander Street Vintage will continue to showcase the meticulously curated collections of many of the same vendors, the new name signifies a fresh direction for Seattle’s premier vintage and antique destination.
“I believe ‘vintage’ is a crucial word. It represents an important lifestyle,” Gorz stated. “I see it as sustainable, and I think it truly reflects what we’re doing: preserving craftsmanship, beautiful objects—keeping a certain feeling alive.”
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