A beloved Ballard shop known for its one-of-a-kind collection of oddities is recovering after a weekend break-in left its owner with nearly $20,000 in losses, including prehistoric artifacts and the store’s entire jewelry stock.
The burglary happened early Sunday morning at Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop on Ballard Avenue, where two masked figures forced their way inside, smashed display cases, and stuffed valuables into sacks before fleeing.
Owner Ryan Robbins said the damage was evident as soon as he arrived, with shattered glass littering the floor and several cases completely emptied. Among the stolen merchandise were shark teeth, a woolly mammoth tooth, and other rare pieces that made the store a destination for collectors and curious shoppers alike. Robbins believes the theft was both opportunistic and targeted, noting that “there’s always a crime of convenience, but I do think there’s also deliberateness in it.”
Security footage shows the suspects moving quickly through the store, with one urging the other to hurry before focusing on specific high-value items. Robbins said the loss represents a major blow for his small business, not only in monetary value but in the carefully curated nature of the collection.
The timing, he added, made the situation sting even more, coming just days before his birthday. Still, he remains committed to keeping the shop open and welcoming to customers, saying that while the incident felt violating, he refuses to view visitors with suspicion.
Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop will soon be relocating to a larger storefront just up the street, a move Robbins says will continue despite the setback. For now, the store’s entrance is boarded up, a visible reminder of the weekend crime, while the Seattle Police Department continues its investigation.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the shop recover from the burglary. Anyone with information is urged to contact Seattle police.
