The Cobbled Stretch
Start at the south end of Ballard Ave NW, the brick-and-cobblestone street that runs from 20th Ave NW up to NW Market St. Studio RA (5301 Ballard Ave NW), on the corner, carries European labels such as Rundholz, Ilse Jacobsen and Lurdes Bergada, plus denim, pottery and menswear. A few doors up, re-souL (5319 Ballard Ave NW) sells shoes for women and men from Vagabond, Camper, Frye and Karhu alongside its own line, and Fair Trade Winds (5329 Ballard Ave NW) has knitwear, jewelry, kitchenware and tea bought directly from artisans and cooperatives abroad.
Across the street, Woodland Mod (5330 Ballard Ave NW) is a Nordic- and Japanese-leaning home store with Ferm Living, Marimekko and Hasami Porcelain. Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop (5333 Ballard Ave NW) is the street's oddity: taxidermy, fossils, skulls and Victorian, nautical and medical antiques, with mystery boxes for gifts.
Jewelers and a Perfumer
Ballard Ave has a cluster of jewelers. Aviv Jewelry (5337 Ballard Ave NW) carries artisan makers, and Begin (5349 Ballard Ave NW) has handmade pieces by founder MK Byrne and other designers, Oaxacan silverwork and an estate and vintage case, priced from under $50 to more than $1,000. Horseshoe Boutique (5344 Ballard Ave NW) mixes women's clothing with Pendleton, premium denim and artisan jewelry. Just off the avenue, Summit & Terrace (5402 22nd Ave NW) sells niche and independent perfumes and its own candles.
Records and Books
At the top of Ballard Ave, turn onto NW Market St. Sonic Boom Records (2209 NW Market St) sells new and used vinyl, CDs and cassettes with an indie focus, is open daily 11am to 7pm and buys used records. Across the street, Secret Garden Books (2214 NW Market St) has a strong children's section, and Annie's Art & Frame (2212 NW Market St) next door sells prints, housewares and toys and does custom framing. Market Street Shoes (2232 NW Market St), owner-run since 2006, carries work, walking and athletic shoes.
Sundays, Parking and Hours
Come on a Sunday if you can. The Ballard Farmers Market fills Ballard Ave NW from 20th Ave NW to NW Market St from 9am to 2pm, year-round, rain or shine, and the street meters around Ballard Ave are free on Sundays. ADA parking for the market is on NW Vernon Pl between Shilshole Ave NW and Ballard Ave NW.
Most shops open at 10 or 11am and close at 6 or 7pm, with shorter Sunday hours, and several boutiques close on Mondays. Aviv Jewelry, Horseshoe Boutique, Fair Trade Winds and Summit & Terrace don't post hours, so call ahead. See every shop on our Ballard page.