20 Twenty

I used to shop here a few years ago, when it was a small shop on 20^th Ave. Prices were excellent, customer service was great, and there was a great selection of clothes for men and women. I haven’t been shopping in Ballard for a while, mostly because Ballard has changed so much in recent years and I’m priced out of most of the boutiques there. But I had some free time on my hands before meeting up with a friend for dinner so I thought I would take a look around. First thing I noticed were the prices had gone way up. Second thing was just how hipster-​centric the clothes were. One of the things I love about shopping for vintage clothing is finding that one-​of-​a-​kind piece. But after thumbing through racks of rayon floral dresses and Navajo prints, it felt more like a trip to Urban Outfitters. I don’t know, maybe that’s what sells and they have to cater to the new Ballard crowd? But the kicker for me was the customer service, rude rude rude. It was that unique brand of hipster rudeness that I expect from other shops on Ballard Ave, but not this place. I won’t be coming back here, unfortunately.

It’s ok. A small little shop and the girl here was very helpful towards me but I wasn’t that interested in the clothes. They need more V-​neck tops instead of crew tees. They were out of a lot of smaller sizes. I heard they will customize them for you but it will take awhile if you special order. I did buy a $ 30 dollar shirt because I just felt like helping out the local artist that designs here. I did like that the one I picked out was a hoodie, swoop neck and quarter length sleeves and to my surprise, not black!
I’ll try again in the summer to see what’s up.

Visiting Seattle from DC, I stumbled upon this great 80s vintage store. I loved everything in the shop and landed on a cute purple cardigan. Great color organization on the racks and cute stuff. I wish I could have bought a few more things like the plaid button down with the horses on the cuff or the Los Angeles compact. Just couldn’t spend anymore money here. But cute shop with good finds.

I have been meaning to add another star or two for some time. After reading my initial review, the owner contacted me, concerned that I was too hard on his shop. We conversed over a few messages and I saw his point of view as much as he saw mine. I was impressed with his humility, it made me think about how I might have given some people the wrong impression. I also got the idea that this guy actually listens to his customers.
For those reasons, I think you should mosey on in, see if they have something that interests you.
And seriously, I DO love those of you who can legitimately rock the 80’s look. I can’t. And ya know, it might have been my own dismay over my fashion inepitude that had me poking fun at this shop.
Respect to the owner.

I love thrift stores. I love everything about them from how they promote green living and local economy to the funky out of the box stuff i find in them. This one was a real disapointment though.
We walked in close to closing and perused around quickly. I think only skinny girls sell their clothes here so no semi-​new jeans for me. There weren’t any sizes on the tops of the rails so you just kind of had to pick through and hope for hte best. They had some new stuff, some lightly used stuff and some down right vintage stuff.
My main issue with this place was their prices. I found an adorable shirt that looked something like a senior citizens bowling league t-​shirt and was thrilled it was my size. But I didn’t even get it to the fitting room, I looked at the price… $ 20!!! This is a used shirt people! That’s one of my fave things about thrift and this place killed it for me… that you can go in with pocket change and get 2 or three very cool things. Not here, bring your card or at least a good chunk of the change under your couch coushions because this place is over priced. It kinda looked like they got out a price gun, set it $ 20 and went through the store just marking everything… I can see how this could make some things a total steal but it made what I wanted a complete deal breaker. I can now see where they get their name.

Quite possibly Seattle’s best example of a shop that’s riding the trendy thrift store wave, while actually being its sworn enemy: a sky-​high priced boutique, elevating the look of thrift to a rarely affordable fashion statement — A pose, an oxymoron, and true threat to real thrifters and thrift stores alike.
Most memorably, I honestly saw a Rick Springfield tour t-​shirt from the 80’s going for $ 80. Or was it $ 180?
Maybe it’s a good sign, though: if money’s that tight for them, hopefully the end isn’t too far off.

I love, love, love visiting this store when I find myself in Seattle. It is staffed by a collection of the most sincere, friendly, warm people that Seattle has to offer, it’s racks are filled to the brim with delicious vintage finds ((how the crap do they keep it stocked?)) including crazy designer brands from the 60’s-80’s at prices that remind me of Chicago. It’s like a carefully cultivated thrift store… none of the fluff, all of the stuff. All of the time.
Plus? Extra double plus cool accessories made by local nice people.
AND? The art shows here at top-​notch. Who curates this stuff?
Please go here if you live in/​visit Seattle. You will not be disappointed.

im not fashionable, but i run with a flashy crowd. so when i need a new shirt, i go to 20 20 and usually find something me in a few minutes. hard to do anywhere else. fair prices, cool art work, cool neighborhood, joel is a good guy… best vintage place in town.

My favorite typewriter came from 20twenty. They usually have such a good collection of typewriters that I want more, even though I really don’t need them. They also usually have a bunch of Polaroid cameras looking for a loving homes. Again, tempted.
I enjoy the artwork that frequents the walls. (I had the opportunity to be in the Polaroid show a while back.) Joel, the owner, was great to work with and very passionate about his shop and the show.
As far as the clothing, there are some good finds to be found– vintage t-​shirts screen printed with various designs.
Mostly though, it’s the feel of the shop that I enjoy. Laid back and fun. Even if I can’t afford to buy something I pop in for a little inspiration.

### An hour after my review which is not good and a major bitch out from the owner 2 5 star reviews magically appear. He has a nice shop. Bad customer service and fake reviews hurt that business. ####Bleah!
I saw a warm angel hair sweater from the window and noticed the neat racks. I came in and got a desultory hello.
The stuff is excellent quality, not too crowded and everything is clean.
I was looking for a few things — no help.
I’ll go Unilocal.
Off to another store.
**** NOTE*** Got a LENGTHY PM from owner. It is his store and he is upset. Well F it. Say hello like you mean it.
I am not in the business of teaching people customer service. I am in the business of enjoying my life and applying for jobs and I give excellent customer service. That sweater was cute. How much was it?

This shop reminds me of the vintage clothing shops in Japan that carry only American vintage clothing. Where do they get this stuff? The way that it is curated is cool — sort of like if you took Seattle Grunge and crossed it with the costume trailer from the set of ‘Revenge of the Nerds’.
So get your vintage duds here for cheap — if the kids in Japan are doing it, you know its got to be cool.

Update: I went to visit the physical store and it too is quite cool. It’s a mixture of new clothes and vintage. Some of the vintage ones have also been screenprinted with 20twenty designs and some are just random cool stuff.
My experience with this store was actually via their etsy mail order (
). The clothes were great and the service very friendly. Then I learned there’s now a full store in Ballard, so I plan on checking it out ASAP.
I bought a shirt for my boyfriend from their etsy store and it’s great… stylish, cute, and soft. He’s fond of it and it looks good. They have clothing for men, woman and children as well as accessories. The designs are screenprints of things like bikes, polaroid cameras, modern geometric line art, snakes, etc.

I like to imagine myself writing a great novel on a beat up typewriter I would buy from here. In a small room above a garage. In the winter, with a dog at my feet. I actually don’t know if they sell the typewriters, but they are cool to look at (most useful review, ever). I also love the old books that were made into sprial bound notebooks.

Hello? I love you. Won’t you tell me your name?
Vintage rules. There’s nothing better than finding a really cute dress that fits, is affordable and even better, one of a kind. It makes me want to punch a Norbot out of sheer glee. I love the selection of truly pretty typewriters, ironic vintage t-​shirts and even new handmade items like silkscreened t-​shirts. Last but not least, adorable vintage kids clothes, so you can dress your hipster spawn in equally cool duds.

Super great vintage pieces, lots with silk-​screened images on them. I got a great 80’s shirt with a Polaroid camera silk-​screened on it. As said before, the staff was really nice and not «too hip for you». Very clean and organized, shirts were $ 10 – 20.

All of my boyfriend’s signature pieces come from this wonderful boutique!!! And they carry my favorite local handmade skin care line (Eva’s Essentials) This place is better than a basket of kittens!

These clothes seriously are great. Joel (owner) knows how to pick them. I used to shop thrift stores until I realized I could save myself countless hours by seeing what Joel’s brought back to his store.

Ran down for the groovy t-​shirts. Found two for Christmas presents. Graphics are cool though you have to look at each t-​shirt style cuz they’re not all the same. Prices were not too crazy though there were some things that seemed like a big splurge. Service was excellent and helpful. What a great little find! If I had kids I would totally buy a vintage coat for them here!

«It’s Dead… Whatever It Was.»
This was emblazoned in sketchy black silkscreen ink on the first tee-​shirt I saw from 20 Twenty… on a rack they shared with OkOk Gallery at Bumbershoot 2005. This store/​gallery/​hangout that seems to refuse to be categorized has since become one of my favorite places to spend the cash for which I daily sell my soul to Paul Allen. The shop is located on the apparently hip Ballard Ave, right across the street from the Tractor Tavern and Hattie’s Hat, occupying a simple, hospital green room with more going on in it than an Everything bagel.
What you’ll find: ultracool silk-​screened tee-​shirts designed by local artists/​designers; vintage clothing, accessories, and shoes for guys, gals, and small fry; journals from Olympia’s ExLibris Anonymous; jewelry and accessories made by local crafties; vintage clothing silk-​screened or embroidered by local crafties; vintage typewriters and cameras; vintage neckties updated with silk-​screened images; monthly rotating art shows by local artists, with amazing (and affordable!) art; a sweet staff of artsy/​musicy/​awesome-​type people you instantly want to be friends with.
What you won’t find: anything that you wouldn’t want to own, bad attitudes, and anything that you can find at Wal-​Mart .
Over the past year, my 20Twenty shopping adventures have net me: two vintage silk-​screened ties (one with a camera, another with a bicycle), 3 vintage men’s western shirts (so I can embroider sea monsters on them for my best friends), an eel-​skin vintage clutch, two paintings by Sarah Sandman, at least 6 tee-​shirts with an array of silk-​screened designs (robots, planes dropping riffs not bombs, people with umbrellas, etc), a place to take my friends to impress them, a never-​fail gift idea center, connections with local artists, and a few cool friends on the staff.
They’re open from 11 to 7 pm Mon — Sat, and 11 – 5 Sun. I suggest going in the evening on a Second Saturday of any month (they’re open late for art walk) when the new art comes in and the PBR is flowing. They still have those dead monster shirts, too. =)

It’s on 20^th Ave NW and everything they sell is right around twenty bucks! Get it? I checked this place out on my lunch break last week, and will definitely be back. The premise is that they hand pick a bunch of super-​cute vintage items, many of which have been personalized or screenprinted by indie designers. Very hip, but without the big pricetag of places like Blackbird or Velouria.