Olivine will close after 10 years, making way for Horseshoe's move from Fremont to Ballard

Big changes are afoot on the Seattle boutique scene. You may have already heard that Olivine in Ballard, that most cherished of local boutiques, is closing. After 10 years of fashion excellence, owner Julie Merriman Wray is shutting the doors Aug. 17 and moving on to her next project: Show Pony. 

Opening in the former Flit space in Fremont on Sept. 13, Show Pony will carry accessories, jewelry, cards, journals, housewares, gifts and baby items, as well as a small selection of clothing. During a recent conversation Wray described Show Pony as "Julie's-favorite-things-store; an ever-evolving mix of items and categories."

Expect to find organic cotton clothing from Prairie Underground, as well as handbags from Crystalyn Kae and Kim White. Ever the perfume maven, Wray is bringing on three lines exclusive to Show Pony: Trance Essence from L.A., cult favorite Melissa Flagg Perfumes, and the awesomely named Parisian line Juliette Has a Gun. Show Pony will also stock exclusive international lines, including handbags from Switzerland and jewelry from Scotland and Australia.

The women of Seattle have trusted Wray's great taste for 10 years at Olivine. If Show Pony is chock full of her favorite stuff, we're golden.

So the obvious question is: Who snagged the soon-to-be-empty Olivine space? The crown jewel of Ballard Avenue has been lassoed by none other than Horseshoe owner Jill Andersen.

Stocked with "Finery for Fillies," Fremont boutique Horseshoe is one of my favorites. Andersen has a keen eye and carries sweet eco-conscious, casual clothing perfect for laid-back Seattle.

The move to Ballard will mean a significant increase in square footage for Horseshoe.  Andersen plans on keeping some lines familiar to Olivine shoppers, including Citizens of Humanity, Velvet, Michael Stars and Frye boots. In addition to the stable of lines already carried at Horseshoe (Porridge, Ella Moss and Prairie Underground), look for new duds from organic line Raw Earth Wild Sky and slouchy Italian leather handbags from San Francisco's 49 Square Miles.

Andersen will be open at her Fremont location until late September and plans on a soft opening in Ballard around Oct. 1. Horseshoe's official grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 11 as part of Ballard's Second Saturday Artwalk.

Show Pony will enter the ring at 3526 Fremont Pl. N., Suite D; and Horseshoe's new digs will be at 5344 Ballard Ave. N.W.

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