New candy shop opens in Ballard

Geeky Swedes Ballard

There’s a new candy shop in Ballard that sits right on Bergen Place. Nicole Miller, the owner of Blackbird, took a corner of her shop and created a sweet spot tentatively called “Blackbird’s Rotten Tooth.”

Right now they sell your typical candies like Jelly Belly’s, Red Vines and Snickers, but they’re expanding their selection. We talked with employee Andy Ziskis who says he’s hoping to get candy from around the world as well as a local section. “I’m hoping that we’ll become a specialty candy store,” he says. He’s asking customers what they’d like to see, and suggestions include Pop Rocks, Mexican Coke, Mochi and pet treats. The hours aren’t set yet and probably won’t be for the next week, so it’s hit or miss for now. (Thanks Ben for the tip!)

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

145 thoughts to “New candy shop opens in Ballard”

  2. A little candy shoppe is great, but I would drop that name like a hot potato. Blackbirds sweet tooth would be much better . Right now I think dental bills and compost.

  4. Blackbirds don't even have teeth, do they? Yeah, not fond of the name. But I've been wondering where to get pop rocks now that Archie McFee's is gone. You know, for emergencies.

  6. Penny candy would rock. So you could go in with a wee basket and pick out a bunch of little things. There was a penny candy shop where I grew up and we went there every Saturday with our allowance. I know it wouldn't be a penny anymore, though. :)

  7. Maltesers! And proper Smarties; it's too far to go to CostPlus (or Canadialand) just for a candy craving. Hooray for the store, though!

  8. Yeah, like the old five and dime was replaced by the 7-11, true story, the penny candy is gone.
    I was at Arts, yeah, many years ago when the penny candy first became obsolete. I had a nickle, five pieces of penny candy, but not the penny for tax. I had to choose which one to leave at the counter, spent my nickle for four pieces of candy, and I have resented sales tax ever since.
    Of course, the food tax was repealed some time later, fortunately for pop rocks fans;-)

  10. And guess what, they're also a in the Ballard Chamber of Commerce!!!

    That way a couple pennies from each pound of candy directly support the Chamber's lawsuit against bicyclists and the trail SDOT approved.

    I bet Andy Ziskis is so proud that his company is fighting bikers alongside Ballard Oil and people that sell sand for a living. Sand and candy unite against bikes!!!

  11. Let me get this straight, in one shop she sells jeans for 5 ft tall men with size 26 waist and next door she's gonna sell candy to those of us who are not the size of 12 yr old school girls?

  16. thanks for sharing. that's a wonderful story. really gives a community blog like this some character. you are a treasure. i really like how you “winked” at us at the end by using a semi-colon. that's clever!!

  22. As members of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, part of each company's revenue will be contributed to the Chamber as annual dues.

    And the Chamber uses it's money to join a lawsuit against the City. To stop a bike trail that SDOT approved.

    So yes, there's a link. Not the missing link. A real link.

    Call the Chamber and let them know you don't want your tax dollars being spent by the city to defend itself against the Chamber's lawsuit:

    206 784 9705

    Please be polite. But call. We all need to call. Don't let them get away with this.

  23. Ever been in a union? Lot's of my money, for agendas that I don't support, like politics as usual. I don't have a choice, but a part of every hour I worked, went to some nut-job cause, seriously, I can say, nut-job. Still, like Nickles for Gov., again. Ridiculous, beyond nut-job.
    I'm not anti union, generally, but some see it as a mandate for something it was never intended to be. Inclusive.
    Many Chamber members don't support everything the Chamber does. Many non-members support some of what the Chamber does.
    You are trying to pitch walls that don't exist, and trying to paint pictures that are unsellable.

  24. I second that motion! When I was a kid (and the earth's surface was still cooling) there was a candy store on 68h and 32nd, 28th and 65th, a diner with a candy store at 32nd and 65th, a pharnacy with candy at 65th and 32nd, another candy mom & pop store at 75th and 32nd, and Food Town at 64th and 32nd. You could make yourself sick for a dollar on the way home from Webster Elementary!

  28. I'm not anti union either, but I definitely sympathize with your earning being spent on causes you don't support, with nothing you can do about it.

    But Chamber membership is a lot different. Many many businesses are not members and get along fine.

    So any business that does not support the Chamber's lawsuit should quit the Chamber.

    It's that simple.

    Is the Chamber really helping these businesses? Or protecting a couple strong incumbents like Ballard Oil, who manage to lobby and sue just fine on their own.

    Chamber companies need to wake up and realize what is being done in their name.

  29. At the risk of running afoul of the angry anti-SeafoodFest biker fella, I second the vote for Zots! Although I'll leave the dark choc to everyone else.

    How about some Aero, CoffeeCrisp, and Crunchie bars? And I know there are plenty of folks who wouldn't mind some MacIntosh's Toffee. And what were those crunchy things that tasted like the inside of a Butterfinger bar: chicken sticks? I know that wasn't what they were called, but they were kind of homely and boring, but they tasted pretty good.

  30. love ice cubes! I remember at the corner store of my youth they cost twice as much as the other candies but they were totally worth it!

    Mini abba-zabbas were my other fave! Abba-zabbas: guaranteeing work for dentists nationwide since the 1920s ;>

  40. Ha! Rotten Beak occurred to me, too.

    A better name for a punk rock candy store might be “Decay.”

    Or how about “White Death?” That was the name of a book about the evils of sugar. ;-)

  44. During a recent family celebration weekend, it was revealed that my grandmother worked at the Abba Zabba factory when she was a teenager (this was in the 1920's). My cousins and I were immediately enthralled!

  47. Jana, your asking about Chick-o-Sticks, yum! Made by Atkinson's:
    http://www.atkinsoncandy.com/

    If you know where these are sold let me know.
    Last place I found them was the store at the 1st Ave entrance to the Exchange Bldg. downtown.
    And they are vegan!
    Thanks for reminding me.

  49. Huge flashbacks just reading these posts. I remember when a whole quarter was absolute riches and bought you a little brown bag full of candy that would last all day long.

    Remember redvines loose in the box (we'd all reach in to grab our own and yes, we all survived the unsanitary conditions lol) and you'd bite the top of and fill them up with pixie stix? Now that was a sugar rush!

  51. Oh boy! I'm out of town for the week and all hell breaks loose. Here are the corrections for this article:

    1. We haven't decided on a name for the shop. Blackbird's Rotten Tooth was an inside joke within the store since the space is a little black patch within our white walls. Most likely it will be called Blackbird Candy.

    2. We will not be selling dog treats. We do sell locally made Empire Ice Cream.

    3. We are not part of the Chamber of Commerce. Never have been. Yay Bikes!

    We LOVE Ballard and love the people. The candy store is for the neighborhood. I think everyone needs a little joy these days.

    And a side note: We sell a broad range of sizes and cuts at Blackbird. Small people need clothes just as much as larger people. We also try to offer many price points to accommodate all budgets. We can't be everything to everyone but we try. It's discouraging to hear negative comments from people in the neighborhood. If we're not your thing, let us know how we can accommodate your needs. We listen.

  53. WHAT?! I'm 5 ft tall (although a woman) and can't find jeans anywhere!!! There's a store that really has clothes for those of us who are “below average” height?

    I'm hoping you're not exaggerating, Billy, because now I've got my hopes up :)

  55. Thanks for the clarification, Good to hear you are not a Ballard chamber of Commerce member – I will stop in and check out the new place.

  59. You had me at ice cream! Good luck with this, Nicole. And don't listen to some of these knee jerks. Me, I'll be in for pop rocks and ice cream. A fun combo. :-)

  61. I'm the person who accused you of being in the Ballard Chamber of Commerce.

    I take your word that you're not, but please be aware that you're listed on their site as a member:
    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/1581

    doug11 tries hard to be factual! I did research before posting. Maybe somebody else signed up or paid the dues, and you're not aware of it?

    It would be great if you quit, and told them their lawsuit against the trail is the reason!!! Get your fellow businesses on that block to quit as well!!

    Thanks
    doug11

  63. wow Doug11, you may have caught the Chamber inflating their member list, or, Blackbird is riding the fence…'yay bikes'.
    Fortunately, life is not a choice between bikes and the Chamber.
    It's choosing how to use either one, or both…

  65. Most likely they don't even know they're a member.

    This is the problem with the Chamber. Companies join, then have no idea what is being done in their name. The Chamber uses dues from member companies to pursue a narrow agenda controlled by the big banks and companies with lawyers that know how to throw their weight (or gravel) around. Just look at who is on the Board of Directors.

    So, Nicole, what's the answer?

    Are you in the Chamber after all?

    Are you going to quit, or are you going to standby while the Chamber represents you in a lawsuit against the city to stop the trail SDOT approved?

    You say, “We listen.” Well, we're waiting.

  66. Well, if I had ever printed a check to the Chamber, I'd know…
    As far as the trail, it's a jobs program for the SDOT, and it won't go as planned, sorry, but that is what it is.
    I've road from Lake Sammamish to Gasworks Park numerous times. Most of the trail is incredible, safe, beautiful, and it deserves a legitimate extension.
    Then we come to the industrial area of Ballard, which I have always avoided.
    We want to change the industrial area of Ballard, really?
    The missing link has to be found, and the SDOT can't find there butt with both hands, imho.
    Maybe this will get the issue out of their incapable hands, and the community will find and secure the missing link.
    Thanks for your efforts.

  67. I need some help with my memories of a favorite candy. Does anyone remember a chocolate bar that was basically made up of a line of different bite-size chocolates? I keep thinking it was called 7-up but that can't be right. It was as if you lined up a small square of mint covered in chocolate, then caramel, then chocolate nougat or something. Anyway – they were all in a row then the whole thing dipped in another coat of chocolate to hold it together. The last time I had one I think it was the late 1970's and from a gas station quickie mart in Packwood. I would love to find those candy bars again!

  68. Ah, finally your opinion, Chopper.

    The link has been found, after years of planning and consultation and study. And approved. The lawsuit itself is an appeal.

    Do you think one bike trail is enough to “change the industrial area of Ballard?” People talk as if the sand and oil companies are the bedrock of the economy, but apparently these huge enterprises that are so fragile that they'll collapse under the strain of some new traffic signals and relocated employee parking?

    Please. This is about politics and power. Old vs New Ballard of whatever you want to call it. Ballard Oil and the company that sells sand don't like bikers and don't like being told what to do. And they fight back like the bitter aging industrialists they are. And they laugh about it all the way. Nobody thinks these companies care about their community. They care about their power over it.

  69. Webster Elementary is NOW the Nordic Heritage Museum. If you haven't bought my book, “Early Ballard”, consider doing so, and supporting a local author!

  70. I see it different. Although, no one despises the power of politics more than I, I don't see the STOD having any credibility on this issue.
    They are pushing this now, as a jobs program from the stimulus of Federal funds.
    They want to spend it, I want to see it spent right.
    I'd bet the Chamber feels the same, but, as not a member, I wouldn't know.
    Suffice to say, I doubt the veracity of anything the SDOT says, nearly as much as the Chamber.
    SPG has me convinced that powers are at play, but not which one to rally against.
    I'm anticipating more clarification on the issue.
    Thanks again.

  71. Except the plan is the result of a process that began in 2003, and was approved before the stimulus plan even existed.

    The SDOT has the authority, they followed the legal process, and you should have challenged their credibility a lot earlier than this.

    All you're doing now is wasting more tax dollars and endangering cyclists in the meantime.

    The end result will be the same. You'll see.

    Still no word from Blackbird whether they are a Chamber member or not….. hey Nicole are you listening?

  73. Chamber, Chamber, Chamber
    Bums, Bums, Bums
    Drugs, Drugs, Drugs
    Taggers, Taggers, Taggers

    Sorry dudes, just wanted to make sure this thread meets the quota…

  75. 'began in 2003', sorry, but that's just not true.
    This began in the 80's, I was there.
    What you don't know, is this community has more say than anyone one would suspect.
    Seattle's interests don't hold much sway anymore.
    The Chamber may be the only coherent voice available, I don't know, but I will tell you sincerely, you've been misled.
    There are other routes that are safer, more feasible, more cost effective.
    However, the 'jobs program' of the SDOT will probably prevail.
    Two, maybe three times…
    I'm personally sick about how they handle 'our' money, let alone, what federal dollars they can now milk.

  78. Wow! Thanks for the link! I think Sky Bars are close to what I remember. Ha ha – now I'm on a retro candy quest (hey – when did my memorable candy become retro?! so old…….)

  80. Really? I don't know how hard you looked, but they stock a wide assortment of sizes and I have had no problem finding things that fit me there. Of course, finding things that I like enough to pay their prices for is a different story…

  83. The owner of Blackbird, Nicole, writes below:

    3. We are not part of the Chamber of Commerce. Never have been. Yay Bikes!

    Except on the Ballard Chamber of Commerce site, Blackbird is listed as a member!!!

    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/1581

    So what gives? Nicole says “we listen” but apparently they won't speak until this blog post is old news.

    Tell us Nicole, is Blackbird a member? Will you remain a member?

    Bicyclists in Ballard want to know if the money we spend at your store is being used to fund the Chamber's lawsuit against the City of Seattle to stop the bike trail that SDOT approved.

    We also don't appreciate you posting false information here. According to the Chamber you are indeed a member.

    It would be great if you resigned your Chamber membership in protest of the lawsuit. Then hopefully the Geeky Swedes would see fit to write about THAT.

    Yay bikes…… = supporting a lawsuit against the trail bikers need to be safe??

    Yours truly
    doug11, who has spent some serious bank on your pricey clothes.

  85. Nestlé used to have a milk chocolate bar in a red wrapper without any crunchy crap that was really good. Like to see that again…

  86. This whole blog should be a celebration of the opening of this new candy store and the addition of a great new business in the heart of Ballard. Why do you insist on taking every article and turning it into a platform to protest issues pertaining to the trail? This is not the place for it. I, for one, support Nicole and the new candy store REGARDLESS of whether they are a Chamber member or not.

  87. If a business in Ballard is supporting the lawsuit against the trail, the customers in Ballard have every right to know.

    We have every right to discuss it here. Local blogs are the perfect place for this kind of discussion. This is not a press release or a paid advertisement. A business gets press coverage, and the publisher encourages readers to chime in.

    Unlike you, I will no longer shop at Blackbird if they remain a member. I buy clothes there, not candy.

    I also don't appreciate the owner of a business claiming they're not a member and writing things like “Yay bikes” if the Chamber claims they are a member. We deserve a clarification.

    Sorry to ruin your “celebration” with actual issues the community cares about.

  88. both of you put a sock in it, go outside and enjoy the summer.

    I've known Nicole for ages and it bums me out to see you jerks nitty-picking apart every fraking post and thread on this website.

  90. If you've known Nicole for ages maybe you have some insights as to whether she tells the truth.

    “We are not part of the Chamber of Commerce. Never have been. Yay Bikes!”
    – Nicole, earlier today

    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/1581
    – Ballard Chamber of Commerce, Member Directory

    I am outside enjoying summer. I'm just wondering if these pricey shorts I bought at Blackbird are funding a lawsuit against the bike trail that would let me enjoy next summer a whole lot more.

    Can you call Nicole and tell her there's a raging discussion on this blog? We want her response!!!!!

  91. OK, before i leave and enjoy my birthday happy hour(s) and skate session I would like to point out that the Ballard Chamber is about as corrupt as it gets. During the whole original Ballard Bowl debacle ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5CRbqE8PEc ) Cathy Tuttle and the Chamber were the complete voices of opposition. Using hollow threats from businesses they 'claimed' were members were one of their tactics. They had listed skatepark-friendly businesses such as Max's Sunset and Jons Peoples Pub and put them on a list saying they were against it.

    All in all – hollow threats from a poorly-organized group of people with special interests in mind. I will email Nicole and recommend she asks to get taken off the list as well and would advise you folks who see others on there to be notified of their name(s) being used for ill intents.

    _jason h

  94. Awesome.

    Happy Birthday!

    We need to get the Geeky Swedes to write about this. How many businesses in the Chamber of Commerce didn't actually join?

    Would Nicole be willing to go on the record and say she definitely never joined?

    By joining the lawsuit against the bike trail, the Ballard Chamber of Commerce isn't going to know what hit them.

    Doug11 is just getting warmed up…

    Geeky Swedes…. how about some investigative journalism, or at least a story on local businesses reaction to the Chamber joining this lawsuit????

    Geeky Swedes???

  95. additional businesses on the list who definitely wouldn't be happy to know they are boycotting the bike trail:

    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/556 Salmon Bay Cycling Team/Ballard Bike Race

    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/1538
    Bombshelter Skateboards

    etc al,

    oh yeah Marleys hasn't been in Ballard for 10 years and in business for over 6 years:
    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/425

    all bark, no bite

    maybe the BoC needs a little protest outside their business? Sadly, that's the only way Seattle seems to listen to it's citizens.

  96. additional businesses on the list who definitely wouldn't be happy to know they are boycotting the bike trail:

    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/556 Salmon Bay Cycling Team/Ballard Bike Race

    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/1538
    Bombshelter Skateboards

    etc al,

    oh yeah Marleys hasn't been in Ballard for 10 years and in business for over 6 years:
    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/425

    all bark, no bite

    maybe the BoC needs a little protest outside their business? Sadly, that's the only way Seattle seems to listen to it's citizens.

  97. Well it's three questions

    1. Are these companies actual members?

    2. Do they support the lawsuit?

    3. Will they remain members give then the lawsuit?

  98. She clarified below, but you don't believe her. So you're calling her a liar. And you claim to have done “research” before posting this info about Nicole. Did you actually CALL the Chamber to find out if this is true? No. How do I know? Because I called the Chamber and CONFIRMED that Blackbird is NOT a member – the error is with the website, which is now being corrected. So get off your sanctimonious soapbox and be done with it.

    Blackbird and Nicole, welcome to the neighborhood!

  99. If you're going to bring candy from all over the globe then I vote for Happy Hippos (they're actually Kinder, but I can only find them in Italy) and Bueno Bars! :)

  102. These businesses are listed as Ballard Chamber of Commerce members.

    Let's find out:

    1. Are they members?
    2. Do they support the Chamber's lawsuit against the bike trail?
    3. Will they remain members given the lawsuit?

    I'll start emailing/calling — if you'd like to help please post the results here. Let's at least track the outdoor and bike-friendly companies first.

    We just need a couple of these companies to quit the Chamber and the story will get a lot more attention. Ideally from the Geeky Swedes. But also forward to your friends at SLOG, the Seattle P-I, Seattle Times, local news, etc.

    Second Ascent
    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/934

    Olympic Athletic Club
    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/492

    Kavu
    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/938

    Seattle Sports
    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/586

    Big 5 Sporting Goods
    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/138

  104. I never called Nicole a liar. I said things like “We deserve a clarification” and “I take your word that you're not, but please be aware that you're listed on their site as a member.”

    Did I CALL the Chamber? No, I trusted the part of their website that says “Member Directory” and found a listing for Blackbird, which is still there:
    http://www.ballardchamber.com/node/1581

    “Sanctimonious” is a big word for you.

    It seems to me business owners like Nicole would be extremely interested to know that the Chamber is claiming false members, and using the good name of those members as participants in a lawsuit against the city to stop bike trails.

    Geeky Swedes – how about some real coverage on this???????

    And how can we find out who is REALLY in the Chamber of Commerce?

  107. Chopper I am starting to like you. We should go bike riding sometime.

    I should have called. Silly me, trusting an online members directory.

  108. Billy, as an admitted fan of hyperbole, I get your joke but there's lots of other good stuff to be had in there…I've picked up some shirts, a killer deal on a messenger bag, a couple hats, but I haven't bought any jeans even though they come in my size as well as bigger and smaller cuts. Blackbird ain't for everyone and neither is Marshall's. You gotta find the place you like and not really insult the (local) customers and owners of the one's you don't like, unless of course they're insulting you. aaaanywayyyy….just a word of recomendation to check out Blackbird from an occasional customer.

  111. They have tons of sizes, i don't know what you are talking about. If they don't have your size you should probably just ask, they are really accomodating. All my pairs I have bought from Blackbird have lasted for a reallly long time too.

  112. Does anyone remember the large chocolate chip type candy that came in a tube? Think they were called Flicks? Ah, Saturday afternoons at the old John Danz theatre in Bellevue. Remember the dolphin?

  120. Back in my reckless youth, my friends and I attended “Star Trek 1” (the motionless picture) at the John Danz. That was probably the most illegal drugs I've ever had in my body at one time. We laughed long and loud at all the funny parts.

    It was years later that somebody pointed out to me that there are no funny parts in Star Trek 1…

  121. I remember those things. Kinda like squashed Hershey's kisses in a shiny blue, gold, red or green, foil-covered tube!

    The ones I got always tasted kinda stale…

  122. Kerala, Flicks were the best!!! Yummy chocolate in a foil tube (green, red, blue or the oh-so-special gold) and the very best treat to eat while at the movies. Way better than the filling-removal Jujubees. I believe they were made by Ghiradelli in SF. I heard from my sister who lives in CA that a small company down there bought the rights to Flicks and is now producing them on a small scale. How cool if we could get them distributed at a few independent theaters here. Like I need more chocolate?!

  123. Here's one I haven't heard yet.

    We used to get packs of funny cards wrapped up with a flat piece of bubble gum. The ones I liked best were the ones that parodied products like Wheaties, or Mr. Clean. They would have gross pictures on the cards that mimicked the actual product packaging. I wish I could remember what they were called!

  125. Why, you certainly may, and I will be happy to inscribe it to you, or anyone you want. When and where?

    Funny story: a woman author got tired of signing books so she simply signed EVERY book to a man with “To the only man I have ever loved.”

  129. Okey dokey. BTW, I swear I used to own the same leopard-print spandex jeans…20 years and 50 lbs ago. Just got rid of them recently!

  130. Are Chick-o-sticks that hard to find? I haven't eaten them in decades, so I'm not positive, but seems to me I've seen them at the Ballard Bartell's recently.

  131. The Bueno Bars have an apt name, I tell you! The Happy Hippos are actually shaped like wee hippos and have little candy faces. They're kind of a cross between a cookie/candy. They're adorable AND tasty. I heart them.

  132. Hey guys…I was on a HUNT for this candy having remembered it from my childhood and they are indeed called FLICKS, they were indeed made by Ghiradelli in SF. You can still get them from Ghiradelli, but you can't get them in a tube…just a bulk bag. To my knowledge (last time I looked) they sell actual Flicks at Majestic Bay. I saw them behind the counter and about screeched with excitement. :)

  137. FANTASTIC SUGGESTIONS FOR BLACKBIRD: (based on my travels)

    – Japanese candy! Specifically flavored kit-kats. Do you know how difficult these are to find outside of Japan?! I have searched everywhere and they are super delicious. My favorites are salted caramel, pudding and coffee!

    – I've had some fabulous gummy candy from Italy – specifically Rome. It is not your typical brand and haven't been able to find them!

  138. I like you already so not to worry with all the negs!

    My suggestions for candy flavors are:

    – Japanese kit kats specifically pudding flavored, salted caramel flavored and coffee flavored. Do you know how difficult these are to find and oh so good. Almost ready to book another trip to Japan just to get some!

  141. Take a trip down to Uwajimaya some time. They have all sorts of good little snacky foods imported from Japan and other asian countries. You should try the Japanese potato chips too.

  142. I have tried Uwajimaya and sadly they don't have these! I could order them from the internet….but if Blackbird stocked them then woohoo—- I could just walk to their place and gorge myself with them!

  143. OMG please have Musks and any other wonderful candy from Australia… like green apple eating licorice, or the cookie dough flavored kit kats… Those are amazing… And real cadbury!

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