Pacific Place

Pacific Place, at 600 Pine St in Downtown Seattle, Washington, is a multi-level indoor shopping center a few blocks from Westlake Center and the Nordstrom flagship. It combines a mix of fashion, beauty, accessory, and lifestyle brands with a cinema and a food court, and it is positioned as a step up from the more commuter-oriented stops along the same stretch of Pine Street. The goods sold differ from generic shopping in the tenant mix, which leans toward mid-range and premium national brands rather than discount outlets, and in the building itself, which has a light-filled atrium and a more relaxed atmosphere than a typical big-box mall. Brand lineups change, so visitors should check the mall's website for current stores. Prices are fixed and there is no bargaining culture, though sales and seasonal discounts are common at the individual shops. Credit cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, and cash is rarely needed. The United States has no visitor tax-refund scheme, and sales tax of roughly 10 percent is added at the register on most purchases. The atmosphere is calm during weekday mornings and early afternoons, and busier on weekends, in the evening when cinema crowds arrive, and during the holiday season. Food options include a food court with fast and casual counters, along with cafes and sit-down restaurants in and around the building. Parking is available in the center's garage, which charges an hourly rate, and the building is a short walk from Westlake light rail station. Pacific Place is useful for visitors who want to compare brands, shop out of the rain, or take a break with a film. It also works well in combination with a walk along Pine Street, taking in Westlake Center, Nordstrom, and nearby downtown retailers, and finishing at Pike Place Market a short distance to the west.