Merge - CLOSED

 

6

30

Lisa S.

Seattle, WA

Merge is brand new on the Seattle scene -- and boy, did we need it.  I just stumbled across it on a rainy afternoon.  I usually don't park that far down on Ballard Ave., but it was late afternoon on a Saturday, so there weren't many spots left & I ended up on 20th.  And there was Merge.

Merge helps to fill what I've found to be a wide hole in the Seattle shopping scene:  clothing that's fashionable & stylish, not just trendy.  These clothes are the sort of thing I usually have to buy when I squeeze shopping into business trips to San Francisco, Chicago or New York.  I've been lamenting for a long time that it's impossible to get anything in Seattle in between trendy, funky (but downscale) urban clothing and, well, a few Chanel and Marc Jacobs pieces at Nordstrom or Barney's.  

Merge's owner, Pat, has an eye for fashion-forward designer pieces that she's developed over years in the apparel industry in LA.  Not only has she chosen a strong selection of pieces from designers like Chaiken, Jarbo & Nicholas K, but she's also more than happy to help you figure out how to put them together.  I've been searching for the perfect thing to top off a skirt I bought over a month ago, and she understood exactly what silhouette I was looking for and pulled a number of things out for me right away.  At most boutiques here, I'm barely spoken to because the salespeople size up my size 12 frame and decide I won't find much in their stores so I'm not worth it.  Not so at Merge -- she carries some pieces that will work on bodies above size 8 and is willing to work with you to find the right piece and the right way to wear it.

The prices are exactly what you'd expect for a store filling this niche -- sweaters and blouses are $150 - $400.  A basic tee goes for $35 or so, which is pretty good for the quality.  

Merge is a terrific addition to what is already one of my favorite streets in Seattle.  And I think Merge is only going to get better, as she gets the new collections in.

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Elite '08

29

98

Brian S.

Seattle, WA

Stopped in during my usual Ballard holiday shopping run, noticing it was new, and I was pleasantly surprised to see cool things in all price ranges.  The girl working there was helpful even though I only I nabbed a gift card for my wife.  Upon return to Merge for after holiday shopping there were some awesome sale deals and she picked up THE little black dress with her little pink gift card!

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0

17

mary c.

Seattle, WA

I've lived in ballard for years (long before this boutique arrived) and i have to say it's exceptional.  i'm a size L/XL most months and experienced nothing but stellar service from the girls at Merge.  I found a brilliant Ports 1961 top there and may just have to buy some of the new Elijah line.

My work takes me to London and New York often but it's nice to find the same international style (at incredibly good prices) at Merge.  

I once lamented the change of Ballard Ave but I have to say that this shop somehow makes it all seem a bit better.

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