i remember the first time i went into the sip and ship. i needed to mail something. i DETEST going to the post office. so… i went into the sip and ship, after a long day of work, to mail something. and there was this wonderful lady behind the counter who was helping people, and chatting with people… and as i stood there, i had this flashback to the husband and wife team who ran the local drugstore in the town i grew up, mr. and mrs. jones. mr jones was a pharmacist, and he could fill your prescription, or walk over to the soda fountain on the other side of the pharmacy, and just as easy, make you a homemade oreo milkshake… mrs. jones ran the cash register, and she’d ask you about your mom, or where you were headed… they were a hub. and this lady behind this mail counter in ballard was just such a hub. i went in several more times over the next couple of months, and she could talk to me about which earrings i needed, or what postage was to london. did i need a latte, try this savory biscuit and let’s overnight this, how’s your dog doing? helping multiple people, greeting EVERYONE by name, jumping behind the cafe counter, weighing envelopes, holding a fussy baby… she’s a hub. her and her husband, and their wonderful business, are a hub.
i could bore you with more of my story about why and how, and definitely the who of my love for the ballard sip and ship, but i took some pictures at their recent holiday kick off event, and i think they cover it. locals coming together to support one another… friends, businesses… the line is a little grey, and honestly, it’s just right. i love supporting a great local business when i can, not out of charity, or obligation, but because they add something to our city that is so important, and that is community.
here’s just a smattering of what they offer:
shipping- standing in line is lame. wouldn’t you rather do it somewhere where you can buy a latte, and a muffin AND listen to good music? i thought so.
packing- hate packing boxes? yeah, me too, and it never fails, i’m out of tape, or my husband threw away the peanuts or… whatever. they’ll pack it all up for you for a small charge, AND if they pack it, they garuantee it.
wrapping- god i detest wrapping. diana is the QUEEN of wrapping. you can literally drop your stuff off, come back and it’s done. like elves. little magic, good at wrapping elves.
coffee, snacks- yes, yes and yes.
cards, unique gifts, baby/kid stuff, mom stuff, ballard stuff, smell good bath stuff… i could go on. if you go in there, you will find something.
they blog – keep up to date on shipping dates, deadline is this weekend? if you want the cheap way, and all their amazing services- visit their blog!
sip, ship, shop. yes please.
festive! the goods… unique cards, wrapping paper…
ballard gear, boxed card sets and the mailboxes.
cool scarves, warm hats + hoodies, and my very delicious latte.
delish bath stuff. who doesn’t like getting this stuff?
they were literally in the middle of setting up for the party, and still stopped to help that last customer!
tasty, tasty party food. write if you know where it’s from and i’ll add, so yum!
ballard has a winery. i’m not kidding. domanico cellars, i had some, yummy!
what kind of dummy doesn’t stop taking pictures to try the chocolate *raises hand* apparently they can’t keep komforte chokolates in the store, it’s THAT GOOD.
these two ladies had many a hard-to-buy-for-person gift… morrow lane and frances had 3 sisters. both on etsy.
babies love diana, don’t be fooled. they’re not always into strangers with cameras…
