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Fall fashion options for men at Blackbird in Ballard.

I've noticed I'm spending increasing amounts of time in Ballard. Once upon a time, there was only the girl haven Olivine Atelier and a few other interesting shops along Ballard Avenue. But now the compact area has become a true destination shopping hot spot, and one I always recommend to visitors. The influx of hip boutiques and unique stores in Ballard continues, most recently with the opening of Blackbird, the men's clothing store that relocated from Fremont. And there's more to come.

Blackbird
Nicole Miller originally opened her men's clothing store because she constantly struggled to find interesting styles in Seattle for her husband. It started with looking for a pair of black lace-up shoes. Failing that, she decided to offer guys clothing beyond basic chinos and colored T's at her own shop. She relocated from Fremont to Ballard in September 2005, and her store has been a smash among men and their significant others since it opened its doors.

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Billykirk one-of-a-kind wallets ($149 each), and the white leather belt ($132) with a stylized skull at Blackbird.

Located in the new building which rose from the ashes of the historic meat packing building (it burned down in 2000), the space now sports the ubiquitous concrete floors of hip urban shops; 18-foot ceilings; industrial fixtures such as a mobile metal staircase, which serves as a shoe display; mod, low-slung leather chairs situated around a coffee table laden with watches, wallets and belts; a circa 1980s Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga video game; and gear-and-cog wall art.

Miller has a well-rounded selection from screen print T-shirts that start at $28 to a fashionable Oliver Spencer velvet pinstripe blazer for $588. Some of the hottest lines in-store right now include Trovata, clothing that features details such as pockets lined with fabric in vintage-look prints; A.P.C., a French line of updated classics that's wildly popular in Japan; EVER, the label guys like because everything — especially the hoodies — look like beat-up, well-worn, casually thrown-on pieces; Modern Amusement, a combination preppy/edgy/surfer line of clothing; retro-cool Penguin clothing, shoes and sunglasses (the same line your dad used to wear); and locally made wool knit Coal hats.

Blackbird also carries messenger bags and ties from Jack Spade, boxer shorts from Ted Baker of London, as well as more ties and watches. Especially fun is the funky Billykirk line, the brainchild of two Los Angeles brothers who make belt buckles featuring stylized skulls, and canvas wallets with customized doodles of trees, street signs, punctuation marks, etc. for $149 (!) — but they're SO cool.

For men who want their skin care to go beyond a bar of soap, Miller stocks two skin-care lines, Baxter and Sharps. You'll find aftershave, face washes, clay masks and scrubs.

Miller has plans to expand her space in January 2006, with a loft of upscale luxury clothing.

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Local handmade soaps by Sistercraft.

Dandelion Botanical
This shop has been around for almost a decade, but a recent move has revitalized this go-to spot for serious herbalists. The new space, painted in soothing shades of green, has the look and feel of a turn-of-the-century mercantile, with its hardwood floors and an old-fashioned scale to weigh your selections. Amber-colored jars are filled with common and exotic herbs stacked on floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves.

Among the mainstays of essential oils, herbs, and medicinal extracts, Dandelion also offers locally made, scented soaps by Sistercraft; Moon Valley honey and solid lotions; incense; books on herbs and aromatherapy; Big Dipper bee's wax candles; body lotions; bath bombs; and a nice collection of locally made jewelry.

Confused or overwhelmed by the selection? Don't be. Owner Mary Kachi Cassinelli is an expert herbalist and can assist with suggestions on whatever ails you — or at least make educated recommendations. Dandelion also holds a wide variety of classes in the upstairs classrooms on everything from aromatherapy to concocting your own herbal remedies.

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A freestanding electric fireplace from the '60s ($350).

Space Oddity
This specialized vintage shop recently moved from Queen Anne to Ballard. In its new subterranean digs, owner Todd Werny offers something that's increasingly elusive in vintage/mid-century modern furniture — affordable furnishings. While you're not likely to find a Charles Eames chair in pristine condition, you will find funky and oddball pieces from the '50s and into the '80s, with a focus on industrial and institutional pieces. I spied a sadly already-sold olive green file cabinet that I've been looking for. And it was only $75. Werny currently has a collection of side and coffee tables, couches, off-beat art, desks and a '60s-era fake fireplace. Inventory moves quickly so check back often or leave a request if you're looking for something specific.

Brazilli's
You'll want to samba right on over to this boutique scheduled to open at the end of October, 2005, next door to Blackbird. Two Brazilian sisters, Julia Torresan and Thais Fryberg, wanted to bring a little of the fashion and culture that goes beyond the Carnival/beach scene of their indigenous country to Seattle. They plan to import Brazilian-made clothing and accessories by upscale designers such as Maria Bonita, Tessuti and Folic, and offer them in an elegant environment. A peek at the shop in progress shows that to be true — two grand crystal chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling, the concrete floor is stained in Italianate style, antique furniture will be used for display, and there are plans to use locally designed metal work in fixtures, and a gazebo over the cashier. A grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 12 in conjunction with the Ballard Art Walk.

Kathy Schultz is a free-lance writer who lives in Seattle and loves to shop. If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, e-mail us.