I'm gonna be hitting these 3 cities next week. Anyone know of any cool shops to check out while I'm there? I know about Billy Galaxy in Portland. Any others???
No real kaiju in Seattle, though Schmancy carries Western vinyl, plush, and some art. In terms of art galleries, you should check out Roq la Rue and BLVD. All three of these places are within a few blocks of each other. OKOK is also cool to visit. While it used to carry toys, it's almost exclusively an art gallery now, with lots of books, prints, originals, etc.
Billy Galaxy now has two stores in Portland - the original flavor and the new and improved Moshi Moshi a couple doors down from Bwana. Although Just Be Complex (also in Portland) used to carry a lot of Kaiju back in the day, their focus is now mostly on designer vinyl although I did pick up some amazing "dissected" style capsule toys of Eleking and Alien Baltan as well as a hard to find Marusan Rockin' Jellybean wrestling figure. Outstanding.
Pretty much all the Portland locations have been mentioned. Billy Galaxy - mostly American vintage, lots of it! Moshi Moshi - one case of asian vintage Missing Link - one case of new kaiju, lots of american crap and apparel Grass Hut - cool place to visit, mostly zines and prints, some apparel and Bwana toys, good art right now
bummer, i was hoping there was one I havent heard of yet. But that is the best PDX store too what they stock post. Now Seattle and Vancouver time.
Not much for kaiju in Vancouver. We do have some cool clothing shops and western toys. Headquarters, Voltage, El Cartel, ALIFE, Livestock, Subdivision. Some cool streetwear can be found but not kaiju sorry.
Unfortunately, Seattle shops have Western vinyl. Non-toy related, go to the new museum, the international district for cheap grub(& you may find some kaiju gashapon at Uwajimaya + an attached Japanese bookstore) and for the best bang for your buck, take the ferry from downtown to Bainbridge Island & time it so you come back at night. And if you are doing a road trip, between Portland & Seattle is Mt. St. Helens. It is worth the time. (and so is Mt.Rainier, but that's alot of time.)
If you're into art check out Blvd Art and Roq la Rue in Seattle (they're next door to each other). And if you're into hotdogs eat at Shorty's a few blocks towards downtown (south) from the galleries.
I'm in Vancouver so that should be worth the trip alone, and for $5 I will let you look at my toy collection.
Hey Count, does that $5 include room and board for my band for the night? We're playing @ Pat's Pub on Thursday (the 21st, not tonight) if you likey the punk rawk. Everybody else - thanks a million for the tips!
If I had any room you could stay for free, but I live in a small apartment, don't you get a hotel hook up playing at Pat's? I'll try to make it to the show, I liked the stuff I heard on your website.
