Lee was a craftsperson in the Market from the middle to late 70’s
with a keen interest in the newsstand biz resulting from an experience he had working in a New York City newsstand. Lee approached Seby with the idea of joining forces at First and Pike as a full service newsstand with papers and magazines from across the country and around the world.

The Market was in the process of renovation in the late 70’s so the time was right for a new business on the corner. They approached the Market management with the newsstand idea and the Market liked it, partly because of veteran Seby’s involment in the project and that it would be a good entry business, open early and late, bright and colourful in a location that had previously been difficult and only seasonally occupied. Lee built the first version of the newsstand during the summer of ’79 in market friend Bill Lundgren’s carport on Queen Anne Hill. They opened on a cold October night with a searchlight and champagne party. They named the business “Read All About It”.

In early 1980 the first employee, Steve Dunnington was hired and it worked out so well he was asked to be the third partner. Steve brought organizing skills to the business that neither Seby or Lee possessed. So, Seby had the location, Lee had the idea and Steve had the talent to point the newsstand in the right direction.

From the beginning it was not known whether the newsstand
could be a “real” business as this type of business had totally disappeared from the American landscape with bookstores,
drugstores, supermarkets taking over the task. The price of merchandise being so low and cost of goods so high left the question of survival yet to be determined but it was learned early
on that bad news is good for newsstands as one Sunday morning
in May 1980 Mount St. Helens blew and the newsstand was busy.

Over the years there have been ups and downs as in all business ventures but in 1987 they experienced a big loss with the passing of partner Seby. Seby earned the title of “veteran newsy”
after nearly 50 years selling papers on the streets of Seattle.

Lee says, “the secret to our success, besides having the best location, right in the doorway of Seattle’s “world famous”
Pike Place Market, have been the wonderful employee’s we’ve
had over the years and the delightful customers both devoted neighbourhood regulars and visitors from everywhere.”

The success over the years has been gratifying but the most satisfying part of the business has been the day-to-day contact with the widest range of humanity, from those down on their luck to the “superstars” of the world. In the year 2001 Steve decided to call it quitsand sold his share of the newsstand to Lee who now operates as a sole proprietor with the new name “First & Pike News”.

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