It IS a small world.

We really enjoyed shopping there–lots of different things to try.

-j

Classy, just classy

If you don't like it, don't shop there. Reality is if people want this store they will shop there and it will stay in business. People complain about sushi, coffee shops, tanning salons, etc. but guess what? Those businesses are staying in business because people shop there. When your quaint little book store or whatever goes belly up it's because people don't shop there. You can complain about rising rents all you want but there are plenty of other businesses that see their rents rise yet manage to stay in business.

Hmm, I wonder if that is a common name for that kind of store–we had a store called the uncommon market in Pittsburgh that sold those kind of things. I thought it was a one-off, maybe I was wrong.

-j

Whenever a business closes, a good portion of comments lean towards land lords being ignorant and charging more rent than the market will bear. This is simply not the case as there are few vacant spaces and most of them have or will be filled by new tenants.

Oh, and if people are so convinced that new business X is such a terrible idea, and business Y or business Z would do so much better, shut up and do it yourself. I can't believe how many people complain about jobs being created.

OK. I guess that's a bit harsh.

But honestly, EVERY time I tell someone I live in Ballard they tell me how much they like this neighborhood. So I just don't understand what you and your friends find to be so wrong about it. What neighborhoods in Seattle would you and your friends deem to have balanced businesses?

I've bought two phones at the Cingular/ATT store by Tran Bros., it was convienient. What's the big deal?

I walk past frequently and picture a little market. Where I grew up on the east coast there is a tiny place called the uncommon market. They carry a variety of things but specialize in imported groceries. Think cost plus without the furniture/decor items.