Seattle Press on Line - Hardware and Habitude

Payne +1

Hardware and Habitude

By Unknown Writer #4

Nov 15, 2000 -- I was so very wrong. I thought the disparity would be huge, but as it turns out, there are far more similarities than differences. But hold your horses. Before you assume I'm referring to our recent national election, let me clarify. It's about Habitude, a salon/spa, and Ballard Hardware, both entrenched denizens on Ballard Avenue. These are the findings from my afternoon of official research:

Customer service. At Habitude, I felt so pampered and caressed it bordered on love. The receptionist greeted me with genuine warmth and took me past the restored salon to the spa in the back where the lights were low and the leather couches beckoned like a long lost paramour. She showed me a room where I could ditch my street clothes and slip into a robe and slippers.

She offered a just-the-right-temperature tea of licorice, chamomile and peppermint, and explained that my masseuse, Kristen, would be in shortly. I put on a cozy black robe, snuggled into a couch and before I got through the first magazine page she appeared. "What sort of scents are you most attracted to?" she asked, gently guiding me to a shelf filled with a plethora of aromas. Not being a "scent" kind of girl, I answered, "Oh, something spicy." We settled on frankincense and sandalwood. Next was the massage. Within minutes I was nearly unconscious. Soft new age-y music, robust fingers finding every neck crick, damned if I couldn't have stayed there all day. But alas, after about 45 minutes of my "neck release," I rolled weak-kneed off the massage table, stumbled into my clothes, thanked everyone and left the womb of Habitude. Floating down the block to Ballard Hardware, I was revived by the crisp autumn air.

Now. At Ballard Hardware, it's all about customer service, too. In fact, though the place is intricately cluttered, there are only a few products that are "self serve." You have to pretty much know what it is you're looking for and request the item intelligently and concisely. For instance, I asked the clerk if they had some cool tool that would loosen a bolt off a screw, one that would work better than my traditional rusty pliers. "Not exactly like a pipe wrench, and not exactly a socket wrench, and I'm not sure if it's a vice grip." My clerk wasn't sure either, but he showed me a socket set and a pipe wrench anyway. I didn't purchase either one, but I love the rules there. You have the clerk retrieve the item and then they send you over to another counter to cash out. Sharon, the person you pay, sits behind the counter, writes up a bill, takes your money and thanks you. Simple.

A few other amazing similarities? Nails (duh) and skin products. While Habitude has exclusive emollients, Ballard Hardware has Goop.

And finally, what were the souvenirs of my survey? WD-40 and frankincense oil. Both are equally essential. The fact is, it's all therapy. It just depends on your preference.

Payne's picks:

Tuesdays - The John Bishop Jazz Combo - Old Town Ale House, 5233 Ballard Avenue NW, (206) 782-8323.

Thursdays - Dave Conant and The D-Rangers - Lock and Keel, 5144 Ballard Avenue NW, (206) 781-9092.

Wednesday, November 22 - Hank Williams Wednesdays Return - Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, (206) 789-3599.

Friday, November 24 - Ian Moore Band - Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, (206) 789-3599.

Call venues for times and prices.

Clubs: Please e-mail schedules to cpollyc@aol.com or fax to: (206) 324-5336.

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walt mills	Apr 25, 2004	vashon	adult daycare( wash. st. ferry
I'm Installing a hydronic hot water head system in my sail boat and some hard to find brass fittings. 3/4" male X 7/8"hose barb, do they make them or a 3/4"x7/8" reducer and 7/8" hose barb. also same problem with 1"x7/8" male hose barb. Any sugestions, If this does not work call me after 2:pm m-f 206-567-4253, Thanks Walt