Smål Market is a collection of six local businesses in a shared retail space located at 2206 NW Market Street, Seattle, WA 98107, in the center of the Ballard Improvement District. This initiative is designed to provide emerging small retail businesses with access to premium ground floor retail space, staffing support, educational opportunities and events aimed at business development. The program aims to improve opportunities for small businesses in Ballard’s competitive commercial environment, with the goal of helping businesses secure their own market-rate spaces.

Bringing the project to life was made possible through the combined efforts of the Ballard Alliance and Senator Murray.

“I am excited to see the Smål Market formally opening and creating a space for local small businesses to establish themselves and grow in the community. It not only provides retail space, but gives retailers mentorship, business support, and access to the Ballard Alliance’s programs and events—this will help keep Ballard the vibrant and thriving neighborhood we all love. I am so glad I was able to be a part of jumpstarting the Smål Market by securing federal funding for the project, and I can’t wait to see these small businesses flourish,” said Senator Murray.

The Ballard Alliance manages all aspects of this project, including commercial space buildout, operational strategy, staffing support, programming, marketing, and tenant recruitment. The Ballard Alliance worked with Seattle-based creative studio People People to develop Smål Market’s name, branding, and visual identity, drawing inspiration from Ballard’s Scandinavian roots.

“The Ballard Alliance’s mission is building and sustaining a vibrant and diverse community in Ballard and the Smål Market project exemplifies this effort by activating, reimagining retail spaces, supporting emerging small businesses, and attracting new energy to key locations within the business district. We leveraged our expertise in working with our local and regional partners to compete for congressional funds,” said Ballard Alliance Executive Director Michael Stewart.

“It is our goal to help the businesses within the Smål Market collective to reach the next level of acquiring and operating their own brick-and-mortar space in the neighborhood after their tenancy is complete,” said Stewart.

Smål Market contains several small-footprint, affordable and flexible commercial spaces. The Ballard Alliance provides several business support opportunities to Smål Market tenants on topics ranging from financial education and operational assistance to marketing support and commercial space acquisition. The Alliance has drawn from a network of local professionals who are volunteering as small business mentors, industry experts, and educational resources.

Smål Market is open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The shop features goods from Ruby Laine Apparel, Noir Lux Candle Bar, Ballard FC & Salmon Bay FC Team Store, Visit Ballard shop, The Ballard Collective and Riverbed Lifestyle.</div class=”left-aligned-text”>