How Did Fremont Become the Center of the Universe?
It's not just about the Troll
By Kendall Upton April 6, 2020
This article originally appeared in the April 2020 issue of Seattle magazine.
This article appears in print in the April 2020 issue. Click here to subscribe.
In the 1990s, a small group of Fremont residents and business owners wanted to rebrand the neighborhood as the culturally rich area it once was, rather than the industrial eyesore it had become.
Building on the success of the Fremont Solstice Parade, founded in 1989, and the Fremont Sunday Market, opened in 1990, the coalition embarked on a concerted grassroots PR campaign. Dubbing Fremont “the Center of the Universe,” they planted a signpost between Fremont Avenue N and Fremont Place N to stake that claim, helpfully directing you from the heart of the neighborhood to nearby landmarks, such as the Lenin statue, and far-flung locales, like the Milky Way.
Follow Us
Seattle Businesses Rally Support for Minneapolis Ahead of National Shutdown
More than 30 local businesses are donating proceeds to help Minneapolis businesses close this Friday in solidarity with a nationwide economic blackout.
If you’re looking for something concrete to do right now, this is it: eat out, grab coffee, or shop local on Thursday, Jan. 29. Across Seattle, dozens of businesses are turning an ordinary day of commerce into a way to support Minneapolis businesses that plan to close on Friday, Jan. 30 as part of a…
When the News Feels Like Too Much
A moment to pause and take care of ourselves right now.
The recent news out of Minneapolis has been hard to watch. No matter where you live, it’s heavy and destabilizing. Staying engaged when things start to feel hopeless—and when it feels like there’s nothing you can do—is really difficult. At our staff meeting today, we talked about how many of us are feeling this same…
Thanks, Seattle
A note of gratitude to everyone who supports our work.
As we head into the holiday, we’re feeling grateful for everyone who makes Seattle magazine what it is. To our readers and subscribers, thank you for showing up for local stories, sharing them, and reminding us why this city is worth covering with care. To our advertisers, partners, and the many PR teams who help…
A Different Way To Cycle
Motoring madness.
It’s no secret that Pacific Northwesterners love to cycle. You can see them pedaling to and from work, along bike trails, and between neighborhoods almost any time of year. On November 28, Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) is turning a lens on another form of cycling with its latest exhibition, Kickstands Up! 125…