Barn Owl Vintage Goods is filling a 5,000-square-foot vacancy on Ballard Ave NW, an upgrade from its previous 700-square-foot location in 2021.

The shop's website describes the move as a return to Ballard as their second Seattle location.

Owner Josh Dand confirmed to My Ballard that the shop will open at 5209 Ballard Ave NW. On its website, Barn Owl said it is targeting an opening in time for Ballard Seafoodfest from July 10 to July 12. The shop currently operates a Georgetown location at 6012 12th Ave S, open Tuesday through Sunday, and carries workwear, denim, Filson clothing, Hawaiian shirts, and coats spanning the 1920s through the 1990s.

In 2021, Barn Owl used to operate a 700-square-foot store in the back of Sparklebarn in West Ballard by Limback Lumber and Nordic Museum, according to a Reddit post from Dand.

"When I started looking for larger environs to move to, it seemed everywhere I looked was already rented out so we moved down to Georgetown in 2022," the Barn Owl owner commented.

Dand updated the community on Instagram with a picture of his staff at the new, empty location.

"All of us are so excited to realize the vision of the new space and can’t wait to give an official opening date," he commented.

The 5209 Ballard Ave NW space was most recently home to skate and snowboard retailer Tactics, which closed March 19, 2026, after roughly two years of operation. Before Tactics, the building housed outdoor gear shop Second Ascent.

Barn Owl is one of at least three new tenants filling recent vacancies along Ballard's retail corridors. Victor Steinbrueck, owner of Local Tide in Fremont and grandson of the architect who led the campaign to save Pike Place Market, is planning a new concept at 5130 Ballard Ave NW. That space housed Kathy Casey Food Studios for 27 years before it closed in September 2025.

Some people are ready for the 2nd location to come back to Ballard.

"This is such awesome news . What you have built has become such a Seattle Gem and now we get two! Congratulations!!!," one person said.

"Will be walking in every day on my lunch break!," another person commented.

However, others aren't stoked about the new vintage store opening on social media.

"Can anyone explain the business metrics here? There's so many vintage/resale clothing shops in the area already. I don't understand. Help me understand!" a Reddit user replied.

"Another vintage store. Just what Ballard needs! We are only two years away from Ballard being nothing but vintage stores & Thai restaurants," another person commented.

A new bar called Sea Rose is moving into the former Stepping Stone location at 5903 24th Ave NW. The Stepping Stone closed in January 2025 after 17 years when the building's new owner served a notice to vacate.

Three storefronts with a combined half-century of vacancy history are now all with signed tenants heading into summer.