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Downtown Kirkland Washington used to be a drowsy village on the eastern shores of Lake Washington, but that has changed. With the explosion in high-end condo construction in nearby Bellevue, Kirkland has a condo boom of its own.
Gone are many of the scruffy older buildings above its lakefront avenues and, in their places, complexes built of an East Village aesthetic, with tony watering-holes and chic showrooms to pin them to the street.
You can go from boutique to small shop and find forward fashions to resort wear to consignment attire. You may discover individual décor for the home, trip over unique paintings and sculptures, sample spa and skincare delights, tumble from chocolates to jewelry, and corral kitchen habiliments to help you mime being a fine chef. To give you the flavor of the Kirkland Village experience, we are going to briefly recount an album of shops and salons that we find to be notable in their gifted offerings, atmospheres and service.
Via Lago is translated to mean "by way of the lake". Via Lago have stores on Lake Street in downtown Kirkland's waterfront and West Linn, Oregon's Central Village. Karin Powers, Via Lago's owner, define her stores as "impromptu meeting places for women. It's so great when three or four girlfriends come in, have a glass of wine together, laugh and relax. We also have lots of fashion shows and parties. It's not just about shopping. It's about looking good, feeling good and enjoying the moment."
Ms Park uses her couture pedigree to catch rising designers from emerging markets like Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Madrid and Seoul "at the cusp of their destined fame." Promesse is a singularly exquisite experience and defines the reputation of Kirkland as a fashion destination for the entire Seattle area.
The crew are super accommodating and the salon is relaxing even when it is full of purring clients. The Salon is so successful owner Zoey Brumm is opening another salon only nine blocks away, in the heart of trendy Kirkland. To get to know Zoey better, read the interview with this intriguing salon maven.
Bombaii Cutters is a tropical bolt of electricity that puts on its own parade in the summer and is staffed by, in our estimation, some of the best looking and talented tonsorial artisans around these parts. Bombaii Cutters was named the Best Salon in 2009 by Seattle Weekly magazine and called "a funky, open-air, Venice Beach-style hair salon" by its delighted reviewers. In contrast to the fun atmosphere of the salon, owner Debbie Lamont is pragmatic and the model of practicality. Our interview with Ms Lamont is a guide for sober salon management and a festive salon like Bombaii can attribute its 30 year run to her keen vision.Read our interview with Debbie Lamont, owner of Bombaii Cutters. Edward Paul for Capelli d'Oro ©2009 |
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Kirkland has a village atmosphere with a tight cluster of designer boutiques, trendy hair salons, cutting-edge cuisine and art galleries along its main streets and tree-lined lanes.
Via Lago
Promesse
Zo Hair Salon
Bombaii Cutters