Mallow

I’m not sure if I should give Mallow a 2 or 3 star. The store isn’t well organized and it the set up reminds me something of a flea market. For that 2 stars. But it deserves at least 3 because of its uniqueness. Where else can one find yummy Euro chocolates and other foods along with Euro trinkets and what not? I like to browse and buy the chocolate and candy. Mmmm Euro candies in my tummy make me quite happy. The store would probably be good for those who want to get in touch with their eastern Euro roots a bit. This store could easily be a 4 store if the lady would fix it up a bit. But regardless I’ll be back.

Its a Saturday night and on our way home from Tacoma and its a little after midnight this place is open WTF? hey who are we to complain so we flipped a bitch an found a spot to park
no sure if the lady was stranded with no way to get home or what and just decided to stay open but we were took advantage of being able to get some some good chocolates at this fine hour
love to browse the nick knacks and what not

Unusual, tasteful and attractive thank you cards and stationery. The jewelry is also pretty cool and most is priced under $ 15. I’m a browser, so I find the bazaar-​like quality of the shop relaxing. For me, this place is spot on. I can always find the perfect little token of my gratitude and affection. Mallow is one of those places that inspires loyalty in customers without even trying.

I’ve past this place many times and never stepped in. Sandwiched between a convenience store and a payday loan joint, it’s a little instinctive to avoid it. But today, like the blocked rivulets of melted snow trying to find a storm drain, I decided to veer off my intended path and take a looksy at this scattered little shop.
At first, it’s kinda overwhelming. Bracelets are next to Russian tea cookies which are next to stationary which are flanked by paintings… but after a bit of browsing I saw they had a bunch of neat stuff.
For me in particular, that’s the food. Jars of all sorts of roasted vegetables at prices for less than you’d pay at another import store. Candies, cookies, and cakes from throughout Europe (Eastern in particular). How I wish I could try it all!
I’ll be back, if only to replace the amazing jar of roasted pepper spread that I’m on the verge of killing off.

Mallow has moved to Madison, near the corner of Boren. It still has its amazing range of intriguing stuff, from contemporary plein air oil paintings ($ 700) to scrumptious European chocolate and contemporary stationery goods. I came home with some magnificent Czech chocolate, plus a large jar of Polish beet-​and-​cabbage slaw. I will definitely visit again.

Given that Mallow is right next door to Vivace, it’s probably not as well-​kept a secret as I’d like to think it is. But something about it — maybe the basementy, unobtrusive location or the fact that you have to walk down a flight of steps to get in — makes it feel like a hidden spot that only those in the know can find. Just humor me, okay?
Mallow carries an appealing hodge-​podge of stuff, although most of it has a Russian flair. The upper level is devoted to stationery, gift wrap and tags, and the like. They have cute, hip designs and fairly reasonable prices, although I’ve never bought any paper goods from them (having put myself on a stationery embargo until I use up some of what I’ve got).
The lower level, though, is where the fun stuff really is. There’s garish, circa-​1980s plastic earrings (I’m unable to decide if they’re ironic or sincere), amber jewelry, beaded man-​necklaces, and (my favorite) handmade lacquered wooden jewelry with elaborate, folk-​arty designs. You’ll also find wooden nesting dolls, beautifully carved trinket boxes and chess sets, painted wooden eggs, and baffling wall art made out of colored seeds and shells glued into patterns. The prices aren’t crazy bargains, but when you consider that they’re handmade, the quality of the work makes the prices fair. However, you can pick up a pair of huge, funky wooden earrings for $ 15, or a painted egg for around $ 10, which isn’t so bad.
I have only a couple of complaints with the store, and they’re minor ones. First, presumably to thwart shoplifters, the jewelry is pinned down to the tablecloths with safety pins. You would literally not believe how many times I forget that, try to pick something up, and create a noisy, embarrassing mess. Second, whoever’s minding the store (usually the same lady) just sits there in her chair in the corner… watching you. She’s perfectly nice and will happily chat with you if you ask her something, but I just find it a bit unnerving to be steadily watched while I’m browsing. The pressure, it’s too much!
Overall, though, Mallow is a fun place to browse through, and you can easily spend half an hour or more examining all the handicrafts and trinkets there. You may not be able to find a gift for everyone on your list there, but if you’re looking for something folky and eclectic, Mallow could be the place for you.