In Ballard Merchants Association
About the In Ballard Merchants Association
The In Ballard Merchants Association is an official 501(c)(6) non-profit Mutual Business Organization with the State of Washington. The Mission of the In Ballard Merchants Association is to ensure a flourishing Ballard economy through collective event planning and advertising among Ballard businesses. The Association heads up two major campaigns during the year, Tuesdays in Ballard in the Summer and Holidays in Ballard in the Winter. For more information, send an email to merchants@InBallard.com. The Inballard.com site is the official home of the In Ballard Merchants Association.
InBallard.com
The original InBallard.com site, created in 1998 by Ballard designer Hovie Hawk, was one of the first online guides to Ballard. Hawk created the site as a way to showcase what he saw as the best places to drink, eat, shop, and play in, what was then a very sleepy, quiet Ballard community. There were many great little boutiques that were going unnoticed and so the idea of a site promoting the best places came about. Since then Ballard has certainly changed and has become a booming, vibrant neighborhood. In 2009 Hawk joined the In Ballard Merchants Association and agreed to allow the organization to use the site as their official site.
Get listed on inballard.com
We do 2 listing pushes a year based around the summer Tuesdays campaign and the winter Holidays campaign. Business listings are $50 for one category and $25 for each additional category listing, and run from October through the end of September. Listings include access to your page where you can update text and photos via the web. If you are interested in getting your business listed please download this PDF form.
Sponsor level
The "sponsor level" shows the level at which a business has contributed to the most recent In Ballard Merchants Association campaign. Corporate Partners (level 5) are the highest, followed by Media Partners (level 4), Business Partners (level 3), Merchants Partners (level 2) and Partners (level 1).
Holidays in Ballard
The Holidays in Ballard campaign starts in November and continues into early January. With the help of member merchants, the In Ballard Merchants Association has plans for fun and exciting holiday activities and decorations that help to bring people to Ballard from all over the region. For more information please contact merchants@InBallard.com or check out our Facebook Fan page.
Tuesdays in Ballard
The Summer Tuesdays in Ballard campaign was named as the "Best organized effort to shop locally" by Seattle Magazine and has been featured on KIRO 7 News, Northwest Cable News, The Ballard News Tribune, the Lit Riffs blog in the Seattle PI, and MyBallard.com. It creates fun and excitment all Summer in Seattle's greatest neighborhood!
Ballard Walking Maps
Twice a year (Summer and Winter) the In Ballard Merchants Association sponsor member contributions facilitate the creation of the Ballard Walking Map. The map features the sponsor members and is available here online as PDF download (300 kb) or as a handy, pocket sized printed piece available at participating merchant businesses. Very popular, the map is a must for your business to listed on.
IBMA In The News
Tuesdays in Ballard in the News
We've been getting great press for Tuesdays in Ballard 2010. Read what's being said:
Spokane Examiner - Discounts and freebies for Tuesdays in Ballard
Seattle Magazine - Shopping: Tuesdays in Ballard
MyBallard.com - Tuesdays in Ballard Kicks Off with Deals & Activities
Tuesdays in Ballard is Coming
We had a great Merchant Planning Meeting on May 12 to discuss events and activities for this summer's Tuesdays in Ballard. The Ballard News Tribune was there to cover the meeting. Read the full article here.
Holidays in Ballard featured on City Stream
The Holidays in Ballard campaign is featured on the City Stream tv show seen on the Seattle Channel (21). Click here to view.
Rain Can't Dampen Luminaria and Hay Rides
The December 19th event was great fun in spite of the rain. 1,000 luminaria lined the streets of Ballard while horse drawn hay rides full of carolers made Ballard Avenue a magical place. In addition, many merchants handed out holiday treats making for quite a festive atmosphere. Thanks to Java Bean for supplying warm beverages and to the Ballard Community Center for the use of their popcorn machine!
DJ Vinny Livens Artwalk
The December 12th event was lots of fun as DJ Vinny kept shoppers and art walkers dancing in the streets. Thanks to
Romanza, Ballard Sip N Ship, and Starbucks for supplying coffee and hot chocolate for the event!
Santa in Ballard a Great Success
The December 5th Santa in Ballard event was a great success. With the Belltower and parks lit (thanks to Seattle Parks and Recreation, the local Ballard Fire Department and especially Ella Mon) great fun was had by all. Also special thanks to Starbucks for donating the coffee and hot chocolate and to the Ballard Community Center for the use of their popcorn machine!
Tuesdays in Ballard named Seattle's Best
This past summer's Tuesdays in Ballard campaign was named by Seattle Magazine as the "Best organized effort to shop locally" in their year end issue. The campaign, created and organized by the In Ballard Merchants Association included numerous events and activities directed at getting people to shop Ballard businesses on Tuesdays. See the selections >
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