Ballardblog.com

A few weeks ago we heard the unfortunate news that Archie McPhee, our beloved novelty store, was bailing out of Ballard because their 10 year lease expired, to leave the shop homeless on Dec. 31 of 2008. With the landlords unclear on their next move, Archie McPhee decided to get proactive and start looking for a new home–in Wallingford.

We’ll still get to enjoy Archie McPhee through the holiday (Halloween, of course) since they’re not scheduled to move in to their new space until mid 2009. Their new home will be in a much smaller building on the northwest corner of 45th and Stone Way. 

When we visited the shop last week to say “hi” and buy a blue beehive wig for our Marge Simpson Halloween costume, our check-out clerk seemed generally pleased with their to-be neighborhood in Wallingford. “It’s the next best fit for us, and we used to be back in Wallingford before we moved out to Ballard.” Twenty five years ago, Archie McPhee started out in Fremont, and has had two different storefronts on Stone Way before residing in Ballard. Hopefully, the third time is the charm. 

Good luck, Archie, We’ll miss you.