An Open Letter to DTR

Dear DTR,

I have been talking a lot about you lately. I thought you might like to know what people are saying, if for no other reason than to know you are not being taken for granted.

Where else is there the sense of community that exists here? I would wager almost nowhere else in the Seattle area. There is a sense of togetherness that is palpable and readily felt by anyone who comes to hang out. Everyone is saying that you are not intimidating or snobby like Downtown Seattle (no disrespect meant to our big sister), and not as bland as downtown areas in other outlying areas. People I have been talking to all weekend have been saying how much you have to offer, and they are happy they are getting in on it while you are still relatively unknown. You are truly becoming known as the place to go for things that are fun, unique, and inspired by community.

Just look at all your great stuff: great antique stores, great restaurants and nightlife, great indie stores for quirky and cool stuff, great coffee, great cupcakes (I personally prefer CG's cupcakes to anything at similar specialty stores and bakeries in Seattle--though those places are not without their own charms), awesome body art, bicycle wares, an amazing professional-quality dance studio (*wink*), music venues, a record store (*wink* again), a book store coming in the Spring, and so much more!

All this, and you are still coming up with new ways to surprise the people who are finding you for the first time, and the people who have known you for years. Some people have called you the "new" Belltown, or the "new" West Seattle, but I prefer to think of you as the "original" DTR. And I am starting to get the sense that you've been planning this all along. ; )

Thanks for everything you have done, and everything you are.

Your friend,

TRx