February 23

Not a Number struggles to stay in Wallingford

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Not a Number, Wallingford’s one-stop shop for cards, goofy gifts, books and all things lefty, will likely leave the neighborhood if the proprietors can’t find another location immediately.

After expanding the shop a few years ago, owners Kara Ceriello and Jon DeLeeuw scaled back last year (and The Sock Monster moved in). Now they can’t afford to stay in their current spot at 1905 N. 45th St., on the block they’ve proclaimed (without dispute that we’ve heard) the “coolest block in Wallingford.”

Ceriello told us that when she announced Not a Number’s move last week at the monthly Wallingford Chamber of Commerce meeting, other business owners “audibly gasped.” “We got a standing ovation and a bunch of hugs!” she told us. “It was definitely close to Kleenex time.” Ceriello had been president of the Chamber for the past five years and recently opted not to run again.

Ceriello had been looking at the former Alterations and Reweaving space on 1601 N. 45th for a few months, but that fell through. Local community members in the past week have come to Not a Number’s aid, and tried to find affordable space for the struggling business.

Though Ceriello and partner DeLeeuw live in Crown Hill, they consider Wallingford their neighborhood (DeLeeuw is vice president of the Wallingford Community Council) and want to keep their business here. “We just love the people of Wallingford so much, we really want to continue being involved,” Ceriello said. “Wallingford is more cohesive and caring of its own and such a great, active and protective community.”

“Right now it’s 50-50 we’ll be able to stay in Wallingford,” Ceriello said. She’s looking into spaces in Fremont, Ballard and South Lake Union, and considering offers to partner with other businesses.

If you know of a space that would work for a downsized Not a Number, contact Ceriello at k@notanumberinc.com.

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