Folks often come into Porchlight and ask us what to do while they're in town. To make things easier on you outta-towners, new-to-towners, and hosts of the aforementioned, we've made a little guide of our favorites. Visit PORCHGUIDE for the hot tips.

We're open until 1PM on the 4th of July. Then at 2PM, head over to our party at Seven Hills Park!

The last few years we've been lucky enough to supply all of Sasquatch's backstage with espresso and cold brew. With lots of coffee, sunshine, bands and buddies, there is very little sleep. Here are some photos from the weekend! We can't thank the festival enough for their hospitality and for including our little shop as part of the festival for so many years.

In addition to tons of limited edition releases, we'll have all sorts of merch discounts, free things and a chance to win a pair of Sasquatch tickets. Here's our list of Record Store Day Releases:

Arcade Fire - EP
Beaver and the Trappers — Happiness Is Havin’
Bruce Springsteen - Greatest Hits
Courtney Barnett- A Sea of Split Peas
David Bowie - Welcome To The Blackout
Descendents - Who Are We
Dr Octagon - Moosebumps
Elvis Costello - Someone Else’s Heart
Fleet Foxes - Crack Up
Flume - Flume Picture Disc
Goat - Double Date Original Score
Kevin Morby and Waxahatchee - Farewell Transmission
Los Lobos Vs The Shins - The Fear
MC5 - "I Can Only Give You Everything"/"I Just Don't Know"
MC5 - "Looking At You"/"Borderline"
Mac DeMarco - Old Dog Demos
Mac Demarco and Shamir - Beat Happening Covers
Pickin’ On Series - Pickin’ On Modest Mouse
Prince - 1999
Quicksand Triptych
Rage Against The Machine - Live At The Democratic Convention 200
Rockabye Baby! - Lullaby Renditions of Beastie Boys
Run The Jewels - Stay Gold
Sleigh Bells - Kid Kruschev
Sly & Robbie & Junior Natural - Militant Dub
Sufjan Stevens - Mystery of Love EP
Taylor Swift - 1989
Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift
Tom Waits - Bastards
Tom Waits - Bawlers
Various Artists - New Orleans Soul
Various Artists - Rough Guide To Jug Band Blues
Vitamin String Quartet - Flaming Lips
Wipers - Live At The Met - December 1982
Wu Tang Clan - Instrumentals

Three words that separately stand on their own have joined forces at Porchlight--WEEKEND BREAKFAST TACOS. Each Saturday and Sunday morning you'll be able to grab tacos by Sunrise here at the shop. With vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, you'll want to make sure to show up before noon to grab one (or three).

Every year since 2009, when Seattle's Summer is limping into action, Porchlight has an anniversary. This year marks our 8th year in business and I couldn't be more grateful to everyone that's helped out along the way--so this is the annual mushy thank you. 

The photo above shows Porchlight before we installed plumbing, painted the walls, or even had a light fixture. Little did we know that four years later, our one story building would be torn down, we'd temporarily move 200 feet away while this building shot up seven stories, and we'd then move back into the same exact spot. We were lucky enough that the situation worked out in our favor and we weren't displaced, having to start over in another part of town.

Capitol Hill has been the hub of so many different forces over the years, and lately it's been the focus of drastic economic and social change. The fact that a place like Porchlight can exist, to me, means that there is still life left in what people have long-associated with Capitol Hill. This is not to say that Porchlight is the embodiment or heart of Capitol Hill, but more of an example of success thanks to the people that make up the heart of Capitol Hill--musicians, artists, the LGBTQ community, and long-time residents. We also welcome all the newcomers to the city that stand beside and support the aforementioned. The fact that a coffee and record shop with no budget could open and stay open is all thanks to you.

Since the beginning, folks have regularly asked me about the story of Porchlight and I realized that the biggest influence on Porchlight was my connection to DIY/punk over the years. Obviously punk and DIY aren't too closely connected with "business", but the approach of doing what you like, doing the work yourself (with a close community), while focusing on making a living--not getting rich and overpricing, is how I connected them. I eventually learned what work to do myself (make coffee, hang shelves, make signs, unclog drains) and what not to do (screen print shirts in between customers, build sturdy things, etc).

Porchlight has never relied on traditional advertising, but has been supported heavily by neighborhood word of mouth, touring bands that make us a destination, and social media. As with any small business, customers posting Porchlight photos via avenues like Instagram  and Facebook is so important and helpful. If you like a business, want to support it and keep it in business, yet don't have much to financially offer, I can say with certainty that just posting a photo of that business helps them out. It has helped us over the years and I really can't say "Thank You!" enough. 

To the people that have been coming to Porchlight for the last 8 years, or just discovered us last week...

Thank you, thank you, thank you. On July 4th, we're celebrating these 8 years by giving away Sizzle Pie pizza, drinks, frisbees, and Molly Moon's ice cream. Come to our party!

​-Zack

Here's a nice little video showing off all the things we love about making coffee at the Gorge for Sasquatch 2017.

Each Memorial Day weekend, Porchlight makes the trip over the Gorge to caffeinate Sasquatch Festival's backstage. We get to see a lot of familiar faces, bands and scenic views. Here are a few of 'em!