If you’ve walked through downtown Seattle lately, you might want to take a second look at the old 7-Eleven at Third Avenue and Pine Street. It’s still set up like a convenience store—but now, instead of grabbing a soda or a quick snack, you can buy a piece of art. And Seattleites are invited to visit during its grand opening this Saturday as part of the WALKDONTRUN art marathon downtown.
Welcome to “Inconvenience Store,” a playful pop-up exhibit and store that turns the former 7-Eleven into an art-filled imitation of itself. The hot bar, checkout counter, refrigerator, and store aisles are all still part of the experience. The difference? You’ll now find handcrafted art that resembles the store’s former goods but with a twist: ceramic eggs with faces, shoulder bags made from Cheetos and Lay’s wrappers, and Nerds Gummy Clusters keychains are just a few of the items for sale.
The project comes from Seattle artists and curators Lilia Deering and Mary Anne Carter, the duo behind 2024’s IKEA-inspired art shop “STÖR.” Their goal is to make art feel less intimidating (and a lot more accessible) by putting it somewhere you already know how to navigate.
The clearly marked prices also help to make art more accessible to everyday consumers. Prices range from $1 all the way up to $10,000.
More than 70 artists (mostly local) created the pieces, reimagining everyday convenience-store products across 14 departments. In the “everyday inconveniences” section, familiar objects get decidedly impractical. One example: candles that double as yardsticks, only to get shorter when you light them.
There’s plenty to interact with, too, making the experience fully immersive. You can listen to an ATM-inspired sound sculpture or step inside the now room-temperature refrigerator to see a small gallery featuring rotating artists.
“Inconvenience Store” officially opens on Saturday, September 19 during Seattle’s WALKDONTRUN arts marathon. It’s free to visit and will be open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. at Parnassus, 1524 Third Ave. The pop-up is expected to stick around through mid-2027.
Inconvenience Store
- 📍 Location: Parnassus, 1524 Third Ave.
- 💸 Cost: Free admission
- 🕐 Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, noon–4 p.m.
- 🎉 Grand Opening: Saturday, Sept. 19, noon–4 p.m.
