It is truly a special kind of retail purgatory when you just want to browse a few paperbacks and suddenly you're being pitched a sectional with performance fabric. The "hovering" technique is the fastest way to turn a potential sale into a "I'm leaving right now" situation. There is a massive psychological gap between "I am here if you need me" and "I am essentially your shadow." The Desperation: You can see them mentally checking boxes on a manager's "Engagement Checklist." * The Disconnect: They aren't reading the room; they're reading the script. * The Result: A customer who feels hunted rather than helped. Retailers often think that "High Touch" service equals "Constant Contact," but most modern shoppers view their time in a store as a solo mission. We want the associate to be like a GPS: silent and out of the way until we actually take a wrong turn or need a specific destination. When an associate is practically tethered to you, it removes the "discovery" element of shopping. You stop looking at the products because you're too busy trying to figure out how to politely lose your tail And out of all that, I still didn't buy the book as i was focused on writing this review. Damn. This is why we shop on Amazon. read more

Every time I go to Retrofit, I leave with a smile. Their employees are all so helpful and nice! It's one of my favorite stores!

They have great stuff here! Over the years, I've bought trinkets, books, lamps, nothing big - but when I wanted to buy a colorful sofa that was at least mostly made in the USA, Retrofit had it. I don't want to take anything away from other shops, but I didn't want to buy a cliched "classic" from DWR, I kinda liked the choices at Joybird, but I really liked the choices at Retrofit and I'm super happy with my new sofa! read more

Retrofit Home - My sofa! - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Retrofit Home, a unique store located in Capitol Hill, Seattle: Retrofit Home is more than just a furniture store; it's a mini-department store with a sophisticated, fun, and edgy aesthetic. If you're in the Capitol Hill area, be sure to check it out! In addition to furniture, you'll find home goods, kitchen essentials, and unique gift items. The every day books were my favorite collection to browse through. Quirky and funky, Retrofit Home sells lots of items you won't find anywhere else. While their products aren't cheap, the quality and uniqueness make up for it. Even their sale items can be fairly expensive, but they're worth it if you want something special. I told the employee I loved their store the vibe was so inviting and if I had more time I'd probably buy a lot more! So, if you're on the hunt for distinctive furniture, home decor, or delightful gifts, consider paying Retrofit Home a visit. It's a gem in Capitol Hill! read more

Retrofit Home - Front of store - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place is super cute, with a variety of unique homewares at fairly reasonable prices. I particularly love their glassware selection, and picked up a couple of cute pieces for my kitchen! The staff is very friendly and puts a lot of care into curating and displaying the pieces. read more

Retrofit Home - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I love retrofit! been coming here for years and they've been stocking sonny angels for the past year or so. Lori, one of the owners, loves Sonny Angels. wonderful place in Capitol Hill; I'm glad they've stayed open read more

Retrofit Home - jellycat stuffed animals - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Came in here to browse and find some gifts for family and friends for the holiday. They have lots of great stuff and I found some lotions and candles that I loved. The staff member who checked me out was super friendly and nice. Definitely come here for gifts for others or yourself! read more

Retreofit home is my go to place for smiskis and sonny angels :) i always love going there because everyone is so friendly and also curious about your pulls :) thank you for always having my back!! read more

Retrofit Home - sonny angels! - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

What? I haven't written a review for Retrofit yet? Shame on me! Whenever Steve and I are in the Capitol Hill neighborhood we always got to duck in here and check out their furniture and other housewares! The merchandise here is fun! As the name implies much of it is "retro" in nature. For example their sofas and chairs that they have for sale definitely remind me of the 60's or the 70's. They have a lot of "dust collector" type stuff too which is actually really cool and would fit in just right if someone had the right eye for it at their home... or not. That's cool too. There are greeting cards here and a few picture books here and there which would make great material for your coffee table. The staff that work here are always super nice and very helpful as you pour through their lovely merchandise! Definitely a great store to go to while strolling around the neighborhood! read more

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I'm always in the neighborhood so I'm here all the time. I love buying their knick knacks, and I've gotten gifts for friends from here quite a few times as well. The staff is super friendly and always has helpful recommendations. Great business in Cap Hill! read more

The staff (owner?) here are quite personable. He helped me decide by asking a very sincere question, "What's your hesitation?", and reassured me the items will be there when I'm ready, and that it's okay to think it over! I explained we've been trying hard to minimize and to buy without much thought would be quite counterproductive from the thousands of dollars worth of items we recently got rid of! He was very understanding and I really appreciated that! So much that the next time I decide to buy on the things they carry, I'll make this my first stop. Don't you love businesses with a heart!? Pros: - very reasonable pricing and great selection! It's hard to find other places better priced than here. - dog friendly, dogs are welcomed! The staff was very kind to Adabear and even asked permission (to give) and spelled out T-R-E-A-T-S to avoid riling her up. As dog owners in public spaces, we TRULY appreciate that gesture. Cons: - Nothing! Maybe more things I would want? read more

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This is the best store for smiskis and knickknacks. i got TWO of the mystery smiski and sonny angels. 10/10 experience. Plus staff is very nice. read more

Retrofit Home is my favorite place to shop in Seattle - wonderful, clever, delightful things to shop through and fun, reasonably priced art to buy. The staff are the most helpful I've ever encountered. Among other things (cards, ornaments, art, books, ceramics, puzzles, stuffed animals, and more), I have bought several pieces of furniture from them. They have solved a few problems (my fault; not theirs) for me with kindness, efficiency, and extra effort. This store and the people who staff it are the best. read more

Such a beautiful place, there are so many different kinds of trinkets, books, etc. Very nice people, they make you feel very welcomed and have great energy. Will go back for sure. read more

Has good variety of smiskis and sonny angels!! Loved the ambiance of the store, drove up there with my friends and the associates there were so welcoming and helpful. Also carries some cute knick knacks that are pretty affordable, overall I could definitely see myself coming back again. read more

Cool store in my book, I enjoy coming in to look at their furniture, funny accessories for your home or as a gift, interesting books and their small card section for bdays or whatever occassion. Its nice to just walk around looking at their items, it can keep me busy for a while. Staff is totally laid back and friendly and even joke around if you drop something. Oooops. Awesome place to browse around and who knows, you may end up purchasing something. read more

Retrofit Home - Hahaha! - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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amazing service! workers are super friendly and the store is beautiful. everything well priced too :) read more

Retrofit Home - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I love a good treasure hunt. Whether it's at a consignment store or Value Village, I'm on the hunt for gems. The one instance in which I insist on buying new, is gift-giving. Retrofit takes most of the work out of the hunt, because those savvy little buyers have accumulated an array of treasures and all I have to do is choose. Whether you're on a budget or flush with the Benjamins, Retrofit to the rescue. My most recent purchase was a gift of an amazing David Bowie coloring book, for a true fan's birthday. Another friend got a cool statement ring, and beware the register area, it's full of impulse-worthy snags. Thanks Retrofit, you're the bees knees. read more

Cute modern home furnishings and gift store...it's filled with a wide range of small items, including books, keychains, candles, toys, soaps, perfume, cosmetics, scarves, jewelry and greeting cards. Accent pieces like pillows, wall art, lighting, plates, drinking glasses, vases, and rugs can add a touch of charm to your home. The upstairs section has modern furniture, including custom sofas that remind me of CB2. I like how they have some offbeat pieces made by local artists, like baby heads on sticks. My pick: * White squirrel lamps read more

Retrofit Home - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

There's everything to like about Retrofit if you're a fan of mid-century modern design and decor. You also have to have a bit of a quippy, ironic sensibility about you, I think, and probably live in an apartment. Which makes sense, given the dense concentrations nearby of rental living. Once you're in, there's a great mix of furniture and decorative arts that show a sense of humor and a bit of nostalgic yearning for the 50s and 60s. There's a lot of Googie, a lot of Jetsons happening here. The prices range from surprisingly good here and there to pretty outlandish. Some of the flashier furniture pieces are way high, even if they probably are pretty hard to get elsewhere. And I would have stocked up on a few greeting cards, most likely, if they weren't all $5 a pop. Bottom line, I am not sure if this place fits my tastes, but it's perfectly clear that their stock is appealing for someone who embraces the aesthetic. And I love that not only does the name work for what they're trying to help you do to your apartment, but it's a word that was invented by Phillip K Dick. Nice touch. read more

As I walked down Pike I passed two men building a snowman. I wanted to help, so I wandered into Retrofit and asked the woman behind the counter if she had any unneeded items that could be used. She brought me back into the back room of the store and started going through the recycling bin with me, pulling out a plastic bag to use as a scarf, cardboard boxes to use as arms, etc. The final product: http://flickr.com/photos/xaotica/3121386251/ I'd been meaning to review the store prior to that anyway but just hadn't gotten around to it. They carry a lot of neat modern design and ecofriendly products, little gifts and cards, wallets made of recycled material, Moleskin notebooks with maps, etc. read more

Retrofit Home - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

4 stars for: ****Super cute inventory! ****Super cute vibe! ****Super cute friendly of staff! ****Super cute location! ...only one less star given because the price was not super cute... a little high for me, but definitely worth shopping at again! I love retro home decor with a funky vibe and funky colours, and this store has it! Maybe I can convenience my employer to give me a super cute salary raise that will let me buy some super cute funky retro pieces to fit up my pad! read more

Fun little gift shop with all kinds of kitschy shite for the ones you love. There were all kinds of bottle openers and wine stoppers for the alchies in your life, unique, handmade and recycled jewelry for the accessorizers in your life, interesting stationary, and conversational kitchenware. I didn't leave with much but a cherimoya scented candle for use when traveling and a new bottle of nail polish, but I made a great mental list of xmas gifts that I will definitely come back for. read more

The staff here is pretty friendly and the prices are pretty reasonable. I love all the plats they have, there are a bunch of cactus that are very large. I am tempted to get one almost every time. The last couple times I have come in there seems to be more stuff. It honestly make the place feel pretty cluttered. read more

I have walked by this place about a billion times and have often remarked on the yellow plastic throne they have sitting outside - and yet I never came in! I finally popped that cherry on the Art Walk, when I saw that they were having a 'reception' - some prosecco, yummy cookies and hummus with veggies sitting out, just begging to be nibbled on. I'm glad that the promise of snacks lured me in this time around, because this store is awesome! Some really cool stuff in here - awesome retro sunglasses, funky jewelry, an awesome selection of coffee table art books and great furniture and housewares. My studio is stocked to the gills, but I'm a sucker for knickknacks and tchotchkes and Retrofit has them in spades. I fell in love with some matryoshka measuring spoons and cups and crown-printed mugs. Lots of rad, hilarious cards here as well. The prices are a bit steep - $20 for tiny charm earrings that would take ten minutes to make by hand! - but the selection is wonderful. read more

This is a colorful shop with a lot of fun items. They have novelty items that are actually cool and pretty nice. These range from socks, tees, keychains to jewelry to air plant holders. They also carry cards for different occasions. It's a bit more upscale than your run of the mill novelty store, but I'm sure that fits well with Seattle these days. I will keep this place in mind when I can't think of a gift for someone and may be back for an air plant vase. read more

Being in business on the hill requires you to serve a diverse clientele, not gawk at what comes through your doors. One of their employees sunk the deal on what would have been a majorly productive whimsical housewares shopping spree - seriously, so much whimsy I thought Zooey Deschanel might spring up out of the pink dinosaur cactus planter. I was really geeked about several things despite the general disorganization of the place - a pendant overhead light (overhead lighting for renters!), some surreal hard bound books and a couch. I left without buying them because an employee was incredibly rude and offensive to me. I use a wheelchair; I had brought a scooter. An employee was making CONSTANT remarks about my wheelchair whenever he saw me. "Look at you go!" "You can drive really well!" "You take corners on that thing really well." "How fast does that thing go?" It's kind of ew to fixate on my chair like that. I am a customer. My chair is not the only relevant thing about me. I asked him to stop those comments and said it's inappropriate to say to people in wheelchairs. instead of backing off and realizing he was being icky, he said "God! it's hard to know what's inappropriate these days." Like he was whining about me being "P.C." or something. It's NOT hard to know that it's inappropriate to treat the arrival of somebody in a wheelchair as a circus act, dude. Retrofit, that was a $2k sale. read more

I love getting furniture and househood goodies here! They always have new stuff and everything is interesting, not mainstream or too ordinary, which I like. They have a variety of things from pillows, planters, couches, to wall decorations and even jewelry. A fun store to come browse and look at. The price is pretty expensive though, unless you get things on sale. Overall, pretty okay pricing for household items you can use for a long time. read more

Retrofit Home - Bought this awesome Dino planter - Furniture Stores Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Love this store, so many good knick knacks. If you need a good laugh, come in here and browse through their hilarious comic goodies. We ended up buying a 2015 moleskin today and a tiny business card holder in the shape of a metal briefcase. Such a cool store, and they have such fabulous staff here. Very nice, helpful, welcoming, and warm. Might pick up something from their vegan taxidermy the next time. Or their biodegradable chairs. read more

Such a beautiful store! Go in there and grab the candles and the incense. There are some beautiful artists in there!! Unfortunately I had an extremely bad customer service experience there personally, with some arrogance and strangeness with the managers. But still, they have good taste. Unfortunately taste in good art doesn't make you an artist in business. 2 stars for me. But y'all know this is just my opinion, right? Experience it for yourself. I don't think it's terrible in there. Hence 2 stars instead of 1. But it ain't great. read more

I love this place! The furniture and decor are beautiful and unique, they are so careful around Covid which makes me feel safe, and they have never failed to answer my kajillion questions and musings. read more

retrofit is my favorite gift store in cap hill!!! they have a huge selection including furniture, knick knacks and much more. definitely recommend if you're looking for a gift or just to treat yourself!! read more

Love this store! Very unique gifts and accessories for the home!! I was surprised to find prices very reasonable as well. Good find!

Very beautiful store! The items are super cool- a bit pricey - but beautiful. I love that when you come into the store, the people working there will nod and smile at you, but they won't try to talk to you (yes, please let me shop in peace)! read more

i love this local store! they have so many goodies and the staff is always so friendly! definitely stop by if you are in capitol hill :) me and all my homies love retrofit!!! read more

Incredibly rude staff. My friend and I walked out less than 2 minutes after arriving because of how the two employees were acting. It was a bummer too because I saw a lot of stuff I liked in that short time. It was bad enough that I didn't wanna give the store my money even though I'm sure they were just front of house employees read more

Great service- from the moment we walked in the door, until the moment we left. Most of the furniture and home accessories hey sell here is a little too retro and fast for my liking, but it doesn't mean that they're not doing a great job at what it is they're doing. Prices were, well... pricey, but the furniture they sell here are quality reproduction pieces. They seem to be worth the price. They also carry a great selection of accessories, books, cards, jewelry, and Ugly dolls which can come in handy if you're in search of a little something, other than an arm chair or a chaise lounge. read more

I'm such a jerk... I walked in here today at 6:56pm. 4 minutes before closing. And you know what? No one cared! I was welcomed warmly and although it was obvious I wasn't about to make a $3500 purchase for a chase lounge, they were nice enough to let me browse. Which is good.. because I'm in the market for some new (real.. not IKEA) furniture soon. I'm about to be broke as a joke but I have a mental list of things I want to buy to furnish my (potential - keep your fingers crossed for me!) new place. Oh.. and they have these neat burping fish water pitchers! read more

I want to like this place since I have been living in Capitol Hill the past year. However the handful of times I have gone not once has an employee said hello to me upon entering the store but will say hello to the white people that enter after me. If I could give a negative 100 stars, I would! read more

Really poor customer service exp. Rude and pushy, Very Seattle I guess. I will not be back and will not buy anything else from there ( right, treated poorly when i spent money there, just not right). Truly not the place you want to waste your time, unless rude Seattle is your favor. read more