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Ballard Bugle

Holiday Shopping in Ballard: Way Beyond Clogs

By Julie Reinhardt

Shoppers browse Archie McPhee's strange treasures. (Julie Reinhardt photo)

Dec 20, 2001 -- I must admit, growing up in Ballard made me want to flee as fast as I could. It was a small town inside a city, where Swedes and Norwegians flung Ollie and Sven jokes at one another, and the Danes staged sit-ins on Syttende Mai (that's May 17th, Norwegian Independence Day). I poked fun at Ballard drivers and plugged my nose at Lutefisk to warn out-of-town guests. I trotted off to study on the East Coast, traveled the world, and made it all the way to Fremont.

Sometime in the past five years, Ballard became cool. It's also become quite a healthy, diverse, little community that supports things like the Ballard Arts Walk on the 2nd Saturday of the month, and the Ballard Boys & Girls club, around long before I played pee wee soccer with them, thrives better than ever. Oh yeah! There is much shopping to be done. Every time I walk down Market Street or Ballard Avenue, there is a new fancy boutique that blows away my notion that only thing to get in Ballard is a good pair of clogs. So, without further ado, put on your shopping shoes--clogs or otherwise--and get out to Ballard for your last minute holiday shopping.

Bop Street Records: In my opinion, Bop Street Records should be named an historical landmark. If you haven't met Dave Vorhees, the owner, your life has a gaping hole in it that needs to be filled. You see, before Microsoft and IBM, there was the database of Dave. From endless aisles and rows of every album on the planet, from stacks of rarities scattered on the floor, from seemingly homeless piles of records, Dave can locate any album you desire within minutes. Or, he'll tell you he doesn't have it, and where the last three copies reside. Like, where on the planet. If I seem over-the-top in my flattery, it's only because I've been buying records from this man since I was a pre-teen. Bop Street has lived in five different locations in the past 22 years, most of which were in Ballard. "This is the fifth and final location," said Dave of his new-this-May location on Ballard Avenue. He still has a hand at the other store on 20th Avenue, now called Satisfaction Records. "I started selling albums back in 1974 out of my parents' basement and have been buying records since I was eight." Dave's passion infects folks from all over the world. When I visited him he was pulling out his most rare albums for a past buyer of Christie's auction house flying out to meet him that day. The walls are autographed by local rock stars and recently Radiohead hung out at Bop Street and even signed some autographs. But don't get any ideas that this store is too hip for your musical tastes--you'll find it all at Bop Street. Located at 5219 Ballard Ave. NW, open Monday - Thursday noon - 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon - midnight, Sunday noon - 6 p.m., phone: 297-2232.

Eclectic finds at Tableau. (Julie Reinhardt photo)

Interestingly enough, it seems like Bop Street has spawned an independent music hub in Ballard. Try Easy Street or the brand spankin' new Sonic Boom on opposite sides of the 2200 block of Market Street for new and used CDs (Sonic Boom also carries vinyl for the purists among us).

On Market Street you'll also find the swank style of Tableau. You'll find everything to decorate your home, hip baby goods, first-edition Karl Blossfedt prints and new creations by local artist Randi Starup. Owner Karen Olsen is a Ballard gal and opened her business in 1999. Find her at 2232 NW Market St., #101. Open Monday - Saturday 10:30 - 6 p.m. except Thursday open till 8 p.m., Sunday noon - 5p.m., phone: 782-5846.

My Captain Underpants name is Poopsie GizzardSniffer. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, chances are The Secret Garden is still a secret to you. Though it's branched out to the adult market, this is still THE place to get the best kid's books and plenty of signed copies from the ongoing author readings. Delve deeper than Mr. Potter and discover the magical realm in which this store exists. Find it in this world at 2214 Market Street, open Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday 10 - 6, Sunday 12 - 5, phone: 789-5006.

I told the shopkeeper at Turtle Press that I've never made it out of that store without buying something. "We sort of planned it that way," he replied. Now on Market Street in a portion of the old Ballard Computer space, the Turtle gets my vote for Best Craft Place For the Last Minute Gift. The rubber stamp collection is one of a kind and much of what it sells is partially done for you. The blank card sets are all ready for your artwork, the funky "found paper" bits are already packaged together. It may be cheating a little, but so are my store-bought Trader Joe's truffles that I re-package with my homemade bourbon balls. We all need a little help from our friends. Located at 2214 NW Market St., open Monday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., phone: 706-3186.

Speaking of crafts, try Fusion Beads on Leary Way (1111 Leary, 782-4595) for last minute bead-mania, and Pourette, the other place in Seattle (besides Zenith on Roosevelt--see last issue) to get all your candle-making supplies, plus classes that go beyond the basics. Pourette is at 1418 NW 53rd St, open Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., phone: 783-7312.

Archie McPhee: Ah, There's just nothing like "The Phee". Though it moved further away from my home, the larger digs give more room for the Kingdom of Phee. My pick for this shopping season: George Bush and the Devil punching puppets. If you can't find something here that makes you giggle, you need a different prescription, my friend. Located at 2428 NW Market St. Holiday hours are Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., phone: 297-0240.

Souvenir: I walked into this store specifically because I heard the man walking out say, "That's the weirdest store I've ever been in." My guess is he lives in Lynnwood and doesn't get out much, but I will say Souvenir is cozily interesting. Floor-to-ceiling shelves cover an entire wall highlighting original art cards. You'll also find intricate candles and other objets d'arte at 5325 Ballard Ave., phone: 297-7116. TIMES?

Santa and other gods on display at Archie McPhee's. (Julie Reinhardt photo)

The divine little boutiques on Ballard Avenue are too many to include. Check out Olivine, Camelion Design, Pillow Fetish, and Re-Soul for Good Things Not To Be Found In A Mall.

One little Ballard Ave shop that really popped out was the Plaid Dahlia. You may finally end your quest to find out what a Tussie Mussie really is or, you can just GET MARRIED. This floral shop transforms into an elegant chapel, a Las Vegas affair, or a place for your intimate dinner party. Owner Cindy Payne performs ceremonies for all faiths but finds the weddings she's done to be quite different than she originally imagined. "I thought it would be more like a performance, but it really is about guiding people. I didn't realize how much I would bond with the couples." I adore the store's giant hand-folded Origami ornaments, and of course, the Christmas Tussie Mussie. Other events at the Dahlia include performances in the chapel space, and workshops in its large floral kitchen. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. or by appointment at 5427 Ballard Ave. NW. Call 781-0882.

If you've followed my meandering path, you're tired of shopping and have nothing planned for dinner. Let Dish pack you a roasted chicken or handmade ravioli and sauces to go. The store also includes everything to make a great last-minute gift basket. I'm partial to the caramelized onion and gorgonzola single-serving pizzetta. Open Monday - Friday 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday noon - 5 p.m. (holidays only). Located at 2052 Market St., phone: 297-1852.

Before you get all fancy shopping the New Ballard, let's not forget a little tradition during the holidays. The meat market burned down, Scandies turned into an Indian restaurant, but Olsen's Scandinavian Foods on Market Street stands its ground, slamming out the lefse and marzipan this time of year like a clog dancer on coke. Nothing says Christmas morning like lox and pickled herring. I'm serious. You can take the girl out of Ballard, but you can't take Ballard out of the girl. Open Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. at 2248 NW Market St., phone: 783-8288.

And folks, when you're out there shopping, please remember there are people truly in need. Call the Ballard Boys & Girls Club to Adopt-a-Family this year (783-5775), give to the Ballard-Magnolia Food Bank (7005 24th Ave. NW, phone: 789-7800) or one of the many other charities in your neighborhood and beyond. Happy Holidays everyone!

Reader Comments

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Lauren	Jan 22, 2004	Ballard	Funkkeeper
This is a GREAT review! I moved here from the East Coast 4 years ago, and i have found that Ballard has the best mix of kitsch, culture, and crustiness. It's just industrial enough to qualify for hipster status, and just underdeveloped enough to maintain its dignity. Ballard has just about everything you need, too. Beads? Cookie cutters? Shoes? CD's? Ballard's got it all. It's come a long way from being Little Scandanavia, and I, for one, just love the place.


Orvin Drangsveit	Sep 27, 2005	albert lea mn 56007
I am looking for raw lingenberries