For many years, we had a whimsically enjoyable storefront near 85th St. called the Greenwood Space Travel Supply Co. What many did not realize is that the store – while indeed a functioning retail spot that sold astronaut ice cream among other items – was really a front for a nonprofit creative writing workshop called the Bureau of Fearless Ideas.
The Greenwood Pencil Box is an interactive retail and community event space created in partnership by The Bureau of Fearless Ideas and Sanctuary Art Center with the goal of supporting youth arts and leadership in the Seattle area.
Our intrepid reporter and neighborhood gadabout, Bill Thorness took advantage of the nice weather to drop by recently.
In the photo above, Caroline from Sanctuary Art Center holds up her favorite t-shirt designs at the new Greenwood Pencil Box store. It opened on Oct. 1 at 8414 Greenwood Avenue North. Behind the store is the Fearless Ideas youth tutoring center.
In the photo below, Fearless Ideas Creative Director Ian Bell shows of an “I ♥ Greenwood” hoodie.
Ian explains that the “Atomic Teleporter” that connects the store to the tutoring center has been turned into the world’s largest pencil (see the pink eraser on the back wall). He insists that the pencil continues right through the building’s roof and is actually taller than the Space Needle, which will surely make it one of Seattle’s newest tourist attractions.
Take a selfie with the bottom part of a giant pencil during the Greenwood Pencil Box’s regular hours, Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 12 to 5 p.m. Maybe you’ll even see a cool t-shirt to buy, and you can help support two great neighborhood non-profits working with youth.
