Wizard pub and wand shop coming to Old Ballard

Meghan Walker Ballard

The rumors are true: a wizard pub and a wand shop will soon move into the now-empty Flatiron Building at 5135 Ballard Ave.

The details are still a little hazy, but we know the wandmakers are Piscataqua & Balch. Wands will be made to fit each individual, with date of birth determining species of wood, and then infused with one of 12 magic essences by the wandmaker. “We are European wandmakers but we have synthesized our magics with native North American magics of Passamaquoddy* in Maine,” the wandmaker says in a short video of the making of a wand.

The wizard pub itself will be steeped in wizard history. We’ve been provided a manuscript from the owners detailing the story of the wizards in North America, which can be read in full here.

The owners tell us the pub and wand shop are expected to open in early 2019. We’ll update with more details when they become available.

*An earlier version had a spelling mistake of Passamaquoddy. The error has been corrected.

 

96 thoughts to “Wizard pub and wand shop coming to Old Ballard”

    2. I wonder if the the new found magic will clean up this once great blue collar, family oriented community or just the let the junkies take it over and flush it down the toilet like so many other locals have been.

        1. If you haven’t figured out by now that the owners of the site WANT the reactions they get you will never figure it out. It’s the only traffic they get.

    3. Yeah, they had so much magic they could cure measles, pox, influenza, dysentery, etc. etc. Oh, wait, maybe not… Ridiculous!

    4. No it is not “too bad” they should leave Native Spirituality to the Native people, cultural appropriation is never ok! First the white man committed genocide to wipe out the Native people and now they use the Native people as a joke for profit… SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!!

    1. I really don’t think white folks should open a place focusing on the magic of our PNW native First Peoples. That sounds like a horrible idea that would anger most First Peoples.

      1. I don’t disagree at all but if they are going to co-opt native North American magics of the Passamaquody in Maine my point was that the magics of PNW First Peoples would be more apropos in this area. But your point is valid in that white people should not be co-opting, but rather recognizing, respecting and appreciating the value of native earth magics and the First Peoples/First Nations over all, and not using those beliefs as a marketing toy.

      2. This is definitely a major concern, hence my comments above. We do not coopt practices though we believe that mythos, sensitively expressed, belongs to the world. We are sincerely seeking a synthesis that expresses our collective unconscious rather than imperialistic, colonialistic exploitation with its justification based in blantantly myopic, hierarchical and self aggrandizing standards of the conquerors. We hope to share truths, with context, and will take great pains to do so. We further hope that by expressing the ideals in a Campbellian way, we may highlight the archetypes that bind us rather than rooting out our differences. We may not always succeed, by i guarantee we will try.

        1. If you can somehow fit “intersectional” and “privilege” into that word salad, you’ll have elenchos waving a wand so hard she’ll set fire to the atmosphere.

          1. You have caught me out! I am also a Socratic academic. Please dont hold that against me!
            In truth, i just love words. They are the only way i am able to open my mind to you, mostly, i hope, with clarity and with shadings of nuance.

          2. ” you’ll have elenchos waving a wand so hard she’ll set fire to the atmosphere.”

            Elenchos’s wife keeps his wand in a jar in the shed. He has to ask permission to use it.

        3. “We are sincerely seeking a synthesis that expresses our collective unconscious rather than imperialistic, colonialistic exploitation with its justification based in blantantly myopic, hierarchical and self aggrandizing standards of the conquerors. We hope to share truths, with context, and will take great pains to do so.”

          And the banks loaned you money to start this business?

      3. I believe my point was misunderstood as they’ve stated in the article that they are focusing on native North American magics of Passamaquody in Maine. See my response and see Solomon’s response.

        1. Wait, so this isn’t Harry Potter themed? I thought this was like a Hard Rock Cafe but for magic stuff…like spanning from that one move with Tom cruise to more modern ones.

    2. “Too bad they aren’t focusing on the magic of our PNW native First Peoples.”

      No doubt. If you’re gonna push bulls*t, make it native bullish*t at least.

    1. I am delighted you found enough interest in our doings to comment. I hope that perhaps, when we have made it through, you will visit us. Perhaps we can change your mind, though that seems increasingly difficult in these trying times. I, myself, have always tried to keep an open mind when dealing with people and ideas. I hope your own mind will stay open enough to not base your entire opinion on what you have gleaned from three paragraphs.

          1. No please don’t. He’s definitely not cool enough to even call himself the Fremont troll.

      2. WELCOME, your business enterprise is just what Ballard needs. I have a feeling that some of my money I waste on the shopping channel will be going to you.

      3. You’re missing the point. This has nothing to do with politics, discrimination, or being open to ideas and people that are different than us. It has everything to do with the fact that neither I nor the vast majority of people I know will have any interest in spending our own money at a wizard bar. You’re very much limiting your own potential customer base, which is not smart.

    2. Hey Lambchop if you suck my weiner it’ll give you some grade A fairy dust that’ll help you vomit out your self-hate.

  6. Wand Makers? Are we…are we being trolled? Look, all I care about are delicious cocktails and maybe some tasty bites. If they have that, I’ll visit at least once. But I’m leaving my Batman onesie at home.

    1. No trolling! Wand makers is how we began! I do believe you will find the delicious cocktails, tasty bites and a truly unique experience to boot! I also hope that if you ever do decide to wear your batman onesie out in public, it will be to us that you come. You will be welcome either way!

    3. Of all the pop culture characters out there, your first thought for a wand bar was the well-known wand wielder… Batman?

      You’re trolling US now.

    1. Harry Potter is to Millenials what Star Wars is to Gen X’ers. It’s just a different story. And it’s a good story, but I never took it further than enjoying the movies.

      1. Speaking of Trolls, ‘Harry Potter’ was the name of the young man in the movie Troll (played by my old roomie Noah Hathaway). Rowling wasnt as original as she claims.

      1. Yes, everyone is different. But the fact is that the wizard community (?) is much smaller than the rest of the potential customer base that won’t ever go to a wizard bar. It’s not a smart business decision.

      2. Yep, and I won’t be going. Nor will the vast majority of the people I know. I have no problem with Harry Potter/Wizards/etc. But I also have no interest in visiting a bar themed as such. I just don’t think it’s a great idea financially speaking to choose such a polarizing theme for your bar. In terms of marketing, why would you choose a theme that is going to repel the vast majority of your potential customer base? It is a huge financial risk to the vast majority of the stakeholders, hence my statement that this might be the worst idea for a bar that I’ve ever heard.

      1. I don’t plan on it, which proves my point. This is Marketing 101. It’s not a good idea to open a bar with a theme that will attract a tiny customer base and repel a huge majority of the rest of the potential customers. This is a great example of very bad marketing and presents a huge financial risk for the stakeholders, hence my statement that this might be the worst idea for a bar I’ve ever heard of.

        1. Marketing 101 would be the lowest marketing course. There’s actually more to learn after that. But yes, your point is definitely Marketing 101 quality.

          1. “Marketing 101 would be the lowest marketing course.”

            Yep, that’s why I said it’s Marketing 101. This is basic marketing we’re talking about here.

    2. The establishments will welcome everyone, though i am certain that as the night progresses it may well morph into a more adult space. The space is configured in such a way that a full bar will be available on the floor slightly below street level. This will stay 21+, and its inviolability can be easily maintained.
      We are certainly planning special events for the whole family, and some that are for less impressionable minds!

  10. Soooooo Fricking G@y ……..what’s next Ballard “fairy rancho burritos”. Bloody Shites go back to Greenwich village or Portland ! Feck !

    1. Joe, Only scared people are insulting to people/places they don’t know on the internet. Your nasty tone makes me think you hate yourself–otherwise why would you get so incensed about a neighborhood bar? Too bad you don’t have any happy magic in your life. I’ll pray for you when I get a chance to stop gagging on your invective. Have a good day!

    3. So now you cant have straws but you can get free needles and wands. Seattle use to be one of the greatest cities. I grew up in Ballard. We had our family business there. The leadership in Seattle has destroyed it. Rent has skyrocketed while the quality of life has declined. Maybe Seattle could use a little magic at this point, along with common sense and strong leadership.

    4. Joe I think I speak for most everyone when I say shove your homophobic bullshit up your ass. You might actually like it.

  11. Visitors to Ballard have been going to pubs to eat, drink, tell stories, play games and escape reality for over a hundred years. Thank you to these new owners for investing 2.4 million in our community to continue this tradition. I look forward to visiting their establishment. Cheers!

  12. Sure are a lot of regular grumpypants on this site who don’t ever seem to be happy unless they’re not happy. That’s no way to live, kids.

    1. Haven’t seen the movie or read the book but am interested in this shop. Hope they do well. I need a little more magic in my life. Trinitynzxt, I am with you. I believe it will be an awesome place.

  24. Those knocking the marketability of this place have no idea just how passionate and loyal geeks are to businesses that celebrate something they love. It might not get mass appeal, but it definitely will get a very strong loyal fan-base that has longed for opportunities to connect with others around common interests. This place is selling community and enthusiasm married with drinks, food, and ways to more deeply engage with their interests. That’s a great business niche. About 5 months ago a brewery had a Harry Potter trivia night and the place was filled to capacity an hour before trivia even started. If this bar does any kind of regular trivia, game night, or events it’ll be packed most days of the week. If they start collaborating with any of the major number of breweries to make wizard themed releases then they’ll also have the beer afficianados in their pocket too. Let’s not forget that just a year ago a guy in Ballard built his own Diagon Alley for Halloween and people came from all over to see it up until New Years. I can think of no other neighborhood that would be more well suited to feature this idea.

  27. Wow. Just like European colonizers….trying to profit off Native people and our cultures, while entertaining racist stereotypes and miseducation that led to our spirituality being outlawed until 1978 because it was deemed evil and seen as witchcraft. Synthesizing their magic with Native Magic……let’s say us Natives were magical mystic people…..with all the harm that has been done and continues to be done to Native people….you really, seriously think our spirits would entertain your asses? Nah….your magic and your spirits have no power on Native Land….I don’t care what JK Rowling Bullshit you’ve bought into.

  28. Europeans synthesizing native magic? No no no no no…just no on so many levels. As a white person it is not for you to say that “mythos belong to the world”. That is so reductive and treats native people as a myth from a forgotten time. Do you know that an embarrassing percentage of Americans don’t know we still exist? I was into the idea of your establishment until I hit that detail. As a Native American local geek…please proceed with you general plans, but back up and focus on your own culture…don’t appropriate mine. We are still here and our “mythos” doesn’t belong to you.

  29. Your cultural appropriation of the Native Spirituality of the Passamaquoddy people as “North American magics” is disgusting!!! Just another example of white people, white washing the Native Culture to make a profit. If you want to get in touch with European “magics” go back to Europe and leave the Natives who pre-date your ancestors alone!!! You have no right to be in business…

  30. Cultural appropriation is never ok! They should not be allowed to open!!! Meghan Walker could you not be bothered to google you information you spelt Passamaquoddy wrong!!! Shame on you for promoting this garbage…

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