Umpqua Bank now open in Ballard

The former Radio Shack space at 2032 NW Market St is now the newest branch of Umpqua Bank. “This doesn’t feel like a bank,” we overheard someone say while touring the new location. And it doesn’t. The Umpqua “stores” are all about community. The location is called a store because it’s more than just a …

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Queen of Norway opening with Po Dog

Back in October we wrote that Po Dog hot dogs was opening in the old Market Street Traders space at 2014 NW Market St. Along with the popular hot dog joint, Chris Pardo and Laura Olson are opening a restaurant in that space called Queen of Norway. “My family has been living in the Ballard …

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Cafe Munir brings a taste of Lebanon to Ballard

Driving past the small retail hub at the intersection of 24th Ave NW and NW 80th Street, Rajah Gargour knew it would be the perfect place to open a restaurant. Then he saw a space for rent and called the landlord. Turns out two adjacent spaces were available – so he took both. For months …

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Sweet and savory couple to open The Fat Hen

Playing off their talents, Ballardites Massimo and Linnea Gallo will soon open The Fat Hen at 1418 NW 70th St, where A Caprice Kitchen used to be. The Gallos met in France while at culinary school. Linnea is a Seattle native and Massimo is from Naples, Italy. The little Ballard cafe will be a combination …

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New Tuscan-style pizza trailer coming to Ballard

Updated: We have more information about Tuscan Stone Wood Fired Pizza, whose sign caught our eye last Friday at 8th Ave NW and NW Leary. Bruce Martin, the owner of the wood-fired pizza “experience” tells us that this is a permanent trailer that will be parked at that location. “We have spent two years investigating …

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Lady Bug Cafe opens on 15th

The Lady Bug Cafe at 7334 15th Ave NW is hard to miss. It’s fire engine red with black spots. The Lady Bug opened just this week and is hoping to fill a niche in Ballard. “I’m trying to be a part of my community and fill a hole,” owner Mark Hackett tells us. The …

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New food truck hits the Ballard scene

Get a taste of “soulful food” from Ballard’s newest food truck. Snout & Co is making the brainchild of Lee Scott, a former bartender and self-described food lover who makes food “from the soul.” “I really do want to share and create for everyone,” Scott tells us. “Interacting with everybody you serve is genuine.” The …

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Fitness 19 opening in Ballard

Ballard is getting a new low-cost health club. Fitness 19 is getting ready to open later this year at 5680 24th Ave NW. A new health club getting ready to open across from QFC The new gym sounds like it will be a no-nonsense place. Their model is this: provide good equipment and keep the …

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Ballard’s new Brazilian restaurant opens

Ballard has a new Brazilian restaurant – Paratii is now open at 5463 Leary Ave NW (originally we called it Paraty, the name on the liquor license.) According to Seattle.eater.com, “owner Samir Hassan says Paratii is the only place in town to find vatapa, a Brazilian dish of shrimp and fish atop a blend of …

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The Sexton to replace Madame K’s

A new restaurant/lounge is getting ready to open on Ballard Avenue. A liquor license notice for “spirits/beer/wine restaurant lounge” has been posted for “The Sexton” (5327 Ballard Ave NW), which is the last name of one of the applicants. The new establishment replaces Madame K’s, which closed last fall. Work appears to be underway, although …

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Full Tilt Ice Cream opening in Ballard

The rumors are true – Full Tilt Ice Cream is getting ready to open in Ballard. Owner Justin Cline tells us that they’ll be moving into the old Olsen Furniture location just off Market Street on Leary Ave. “We think that what we do would do really well in Ballard,” Cline says of the pinball, …

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Cafe Reiki to open soon in Ballard

A new organic cafe is getting ready to open at the corner of 17th Ave NW and NW 56th St. Cafe Reiki coins itself as “Organic Raw living foods Cafe and Community hub for holistic living.” As well as the traditional cafe offerings of juice, espresso, tea and pastries, they will also pre-packaged organic, gluten-free …

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