THE GUM WALL PIKE PLACE MARKET

THE GUM WALL PIKE PLACE MARKET Gum Wall, Seattle WA
Started by fans in line for Theatresports improv comedy in the 90s. Still a hit! The wall began more respectably. Others followed suit.
(1695)

New patrons waiting in line outside of Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater may be startled by what they see on the front wall of the theater: designs made by thousands of pieces of chewed gum. Early 20th century farmers coming to the Market to sell produce shelters their horses in the stable located in the Economy Building. Later the building housed a movie theater. Established improv theater

company, Unexpected Productions, began leasing the building 1991. Soon after, a patron waiting in the ticket line to see Theatresports, a popular competition improv comedy show (still running today), stuck a piece of chewed gum to the wall, topping it with a penny. By the end of 1995, the wall was covered with coin-topped chewed gum offering. One day, someone in need of money to all the coins, but left the gum. The idea stuck. The landlord – Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA) was offend that theatergoers would deface the historic brick building and asked Unexpected Productions to remove the gum. The gum quickly returned, and the PDA asked that the wall be again be scraped clean. 1998, after patrons reconstructed the wall a third time, the Market finally gave up as the tradition was in full swing. The wall continues to grow and evolve. Much like an improv performance, it is different every single day. Since the gum wall’s inception there have been reports of walls of gum created in various communities across the United States. However, none of them has gained the fame (actually infamy) of the Gum Wall in Pike Place Market

Creators of the gum wall have taken their time, spelling out their name or their significant other’s name along the wall. Others have posted their hometown or their home country. And a few have even put up messages of hope and peace. Seattleites use the gum wall in a variety of ways, even as an unusual backdrop for wedding photos, something the theater staff sees about twice a month. Photographs of the wall also have graced business brochures. Tour groups visiting the Market stop daily to see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynPrXWFoIUU
11/12/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynPrXWFoIUU

Downtown Seattle's iconic Gum Wall at Pike Place Market underwent its first cleaning in nearly five years. The last time the Gum Wall was cleaned was in 2019...

Pete Carol in gum. We will miss this awesome Seahawks coach!
03/18/2024

Pete Carol in gum. We will miss this awesome Seahawks coach!

03/18/2024

THE GUM WALL PIKE PLACE MARKET and more.

03/18/2024
01/30/2023
"Honestly, why would you want to take a picture in front of someone else’s chewed-up gum?
08/17/2021

"Honestly, why would you want to take a picture in front of someone else’s chewed-up gum?

Do you have one to add?

Please vote for our home in Pike Place Market. We need to give this special place all of our support at this time.
03/16/2021

Please vote for our home in Pike Place Market. We need to give this special place all of our support at this time.

Voting for the Best Public Market is open! Cast your vote daily to help pick the 2021 10Best Readers' Choice Award for Best Public Market.

Yikes
09/18/2018

Yikes

Out for a walk. But how is this possible when the block was closed for the annual cleaning of the gum wall? It's a myste...
09/12/2018

Out for a walk. But how is this possible when the block was closed for the annual cleaning of the gum wall? It's a mystery...

Best gum in Seattle!

Gum wall mention.
03/16/2018

Gum wall mention.

The series premiere of "Station 19," set in the same world as "Grey's Anatomy," will air March 22 on ABC.

Address

Unexpected Productions' Market Theater 1428 Post Alley
Seattle, WA
98101

Telephone

+12065872414

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when THE GUM WALL PIKE PLACE MARKET posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to THE GUM WALL PIKE PLACE MARKET:

Shortcuts

Share

Category