Hildegard (1150 NW 46th St), the small Ballard shop and community space known for its fermented goods, herbal creations, and workshops, will close by the end of 2025.
Owners Rosa Vissers and Howard Kuo shared the news this week, marking three years since the shop first opened in 2022. In their announcement, they reflected on the challenges of operating a small business in Seattle and their decision to stay true to their original values rather than adapting to meet market pressures.
“Running a small business in Seattle is not for the faint of heart,” they wrote. “When we look at the current landscape, we see that if we want to continue to be a viable business, we’d have to play a game we’re not interested in. It would force us to become something we are not.”
The owners said they plan to keep the shop open through the end of the year, with several more pop-ups and events planned, including appearances at Julefest, the Phinney Ridge Winter Beerfest, and a final Hildegard Sessions show.
Vissers will continue her work as a clinical herbalist, offering classes and plant walks in 2026.
Hildegard will be open select Sundays from 1–5 p.m. through the end of the year.
Photo: Hildegard