Emma Jean's in Greenwood offers up tribute to Black History

From one of our favorite neighbors: 

Thomas A. Grants inside his charming shop | photography by Greg Plumis

In honor of Black History Month, Thomas A. Grants, proprietor of Emma Jean's Consignment and Antiques in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood is displaying for the first time some items from his private collection of Black History and Black Americana.

His hope is that by putting these items on display, members of the Seattle community will have a deep understanding of the richness and trials of his ancestry...

Among Grants' collection are: photos of his mother's (Emma Jean’s) family, dating back to the early 1920’s; items for the Seattle Chicken Coon Restaurant; books, including Plantation Melodies, Little Black Sambo, plus original theatre promotional posters and programs, vinyl and furnishings.

Here's what you might encounter in the store on a typical day:

A stylized mannequin in the shop front

Black Americana

Men's vintage, luxury accessories

Thomas is also celebrating the shop's 5th anniversary with store-wide discounts of 10% - 60% off vintage clothing that dates from the 1900’s to the 1970’s as well as antiquities, art, china, vinyl and collectibles.

This is a gem of a store in a neighborhood that's not exactly sure what kind of neighborhood it is yet (why we love it). You might be surprised at what you find there.

Emma Jean’s Consignments & Antiques
206.782.1926
emmajeans@comcast.net

Read our story on Emma Jean's in the City Arts Online archives.