Barn Owl Vintage Goods has opened a new Ballard location in the former Tactics store on Ballard Avenue.
The shop, called Barn Owl Vintage A to Z, is located at 5209 Ballard Ave NW, marking the business’s return to the neighborhood after several years.
The return comes about four years after Barn Owl first opened in Ballard inside Sparklebarn, where it occupied a roughly 700-square-foot space in the back of the store. As My Ballard reported in June, owner Josh Dand said the business outgrew that location and later moved operations to 6012 12th Ave. S. while continuing to look for a larger storefront in Ballard.
When the former Tactics space became available after the shop closed in February 2026, Dand said it provided the opportunity the business had been waiting for to return to the neighborhood.
According to Dand, the new store will continue to specialize in vintage Filson pieces and workwear while expanding its inventory through a partnership with Aidan and Zay. The shop will also carry vintage outdoor gear and other items reflecting the history of Seattle’s workwear manufacturing, a nod to the building’s past as the longtime home of Second Ascent.
The business also said its opening came despite delays in receiving approval for exterior signage from the Ballard Historical Landmark District board.
The store opens at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10. A grand opening party is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.
According to Barn Owl Vintage, the opening weekend will include a dedicated Filson section, rare vintage items, and an ultra-rare Mother Love Bone vintage T-shirt.
Photo: Google Image Capture