Starbucks number one, Seattle Park Market.

Almost all visitors to the Pike market share a common goal, that is, to make a pilgrimage to the world's first Starbucks coffee shop. It turned out that Starbucks, the world's largest coffee chain nearby, was bred on Pike Street.

In 1971, the founder of Starbucks opened its first store in Pike Market, selling its own roasted coffee beans and coffee drinks. This was a mediocre business in Seattle, which is famous for its coffee. After Howard Schultz joined as a shareholder, Starbucks' coffee culture was carried forward and developed into a multinational coffee chain popular in the United States and around the world. It is reported that the names you see to describe the size of coffee drinks, such as Single and Tall, are also created by Starbucks.

Today, you can see an endless stream of pilgrimage visitors in Starbucks No.1, which is preserved in its original appearance. Perhaps it is not strange that the shop assistants have long been used to it. When we took pictures wantonly in the store and even invited the shop assistants to do homework as models, we didn't say no. It's worth it! When we came to this original store, we all acted in unison, taking photos, drinking coffee and shopping. The huge bronze sculpture carved in the store since 1971 and the original Starbucks Mermaid logo were all targeted. And many of these unique special coffee beans, dolls and souvenir cups have become a must-buy letter.

The Pike Market, which people in Seattle call the soul of Seattle, attracts not only the Starbucks No.1 store but also the market itself, which is said to attract about 10 million visitors every year.

Today, however, the development of the Parker market, which has many neem buildings, has not been plain sailing. After the market was transformed from the original farmers' bazaar to selling diversified projects such as agricultural products, fish, snacks and handicrafts, it has been withered for decades due to disrepair and World War II, and faced with the bad luck of being demolished. Fortunately, Victor Steinbrueck, the architect in charge of building the Seattle landmark Space Needle, worked hard. In 1971, we finally succeeded in preserving the Parker market, so we can continue to see the elegant demeanor of the oldest agricultural product market in the United States today. The Public Market Center neon sign you see in front of the market today is the first large neon sign west of the Mississippi River, and the big aisle next to it is also the oldest one on the west coast of the United States.

At present, there are more than 200 shops in Pike Market. Apart from selling fruits and vegetables, seafood and meat, there are also shops and restaurants selling flowers and dairy products. They are also home to handicrafts and souvenirs shops on the lower floors. More than 200 buskers make a living here. When visitors come to the Pike Market, there are two must-take sights. One is the Copper Bowl Pig Rachel in front of the market. It is said that since its appearance in 1986, the donation box in Rachel can donate more than HK $50,000 a year to protect the market. The other is the chewing gum wall covered with chewing gum next to the market, which is not elegant, but you might as well take a look.