NORTHWEST HOME AND GARDEN MARCH/APRIL 2005

Word of Ballard's Lucca Great Finds has spread as far as the New York Times with good reason. Statuary, bird cages and baskets fill this Euro-centric store, where a quick once-over will not be enough.

LUCKY FEB. 2005

The name is apt: Stroll through this well-edited decor and paper goods store and you'll quickly turn up goods that aren't easily found elsewhere. That includes antique glass medicine bottles, and taper candles poured in the shape of knotty twigs. And do check out the shelves overflowing with spools of gorgeous, unusual ribbons; take home a few yards to tie around your next present.

Frommer's

Designed to resemble Parisian gift salons of the 1920s and 1930s, this little Ballard shop is an absolute joy to explore. You never know what might turn up amid the vintage classics and chic contemporary items. Perhaps you're in need of some mounted insects for your curiosity cabinet, or maybe you just need some French toothpaste. Whichever you seek, you'll find it here. A separate store, at 7716 15th Ave. NW (tel.  206/789-8444 ), sells European garden ornaments.

Sunset November 2005  by Kimberly Brown Seely
Look at Lucca
European-inspired Lucca Great Finds is a tiny store stocked with well-chosen treasures: beautifully boxed, handcrafted MarieBelle truffles ($9-$25), G. Lalo writing paper in dreamy colors ($8-$12), and, for die-hard Francophiles, Eiffel Tower desk statues ($42). Open daily. 5332 Ballard; www.luccastatuary.com/retailgreatfinds.asp or 206/782-7337.

Lucky May 2004 - feature:  shops we love
Lucca Great Finds (5332 Ballard Ave. NW, 206-782-7337) for spot-on gifts.

Yelp.com   by  Kathleen W  09/18/2005
"This place is just scrumptious! The narrow space is filled with scented candles and lotions, the walls are lined with stationary and wrapping paper that reminds me of french wallpaper.. antique chandeliers hang from the ceiling. This place just feels like Europe! I don't remember the prices because for once in my life I was thinking "whatever it costs, it's worth it". Go here for gifts and simple things to make you feel more like the princess you are!"

Jargol - Lucca Great Finds
Yearn for the Old Country? Where your grandfather worked the land, or, where you vacationed for a week last summer? Modeled after the charming gift shops all across Europe, Lucca Great Finds brings the Old Country to America. Unlike their American counterparts, it seems European gift shops don't specialize in shot glasses and sparkly pens. No, these gifts of a more refined variety include soaps from an Italian apothecary, fine stationery, birdcages, ornate glassware, silk ribbon, antique prints, apothecary jars and leather-bound journals.

Citysearch Editorial Profile -- By Citysearch Staff

Elegant, eclectic gifts for everyone on your list.
Ballard Avenue is now heavy with tasteful gift shops, but Lucca may win the prize for cramming in the highest volume of attractive wares. Featuring European jewelry, soaps, candles, housewares, stationary and all manner of decorative pieces and curios, this elegant boutique offers choices to fit most any price range. Better yet, the eclectic stock--framed insect specimens to dainty teas--fits nearly everyone on your shopping list.

NW Source Shopping:  By Vanessa McGrady

Lucca Great Finds is modeled after Parisian gift salons of the 1920s and '30s with arty gift ideas such as bird cages, Officina di Profuma di Santa Maria Novella body-care products from Italy, and hand-made stationery.

"I spent the rest of the afternoon on Market and Ballard streets, wandering into a vintage furniture, gifts and collectibles shop called Re-Soul; a day spa and salon called Habitude; and the superb LUCCA, which has wonderful French decorative objects.

LUCCA has a buyer with a flair for the stylish and unexpected, such as 19th-century silk banners advertising French fetes at $350, as well as more affordable writing paper, calendars and garden bric-a-brac. Open daily."

 
Seattle Magazine
Best of 2001 - Shopping
December 2001

"On Ballard Avenue NW - the new shabby-chic paradise LUCCA great finds - the only place in town we’ve found Officina di Profuma di Santa Maria Novella bath and body products from Italy."   return to top

 
Seattle Magazine - Jenni Simpson
In An Italian Lather
January/February 2002

"Fans of the divine bath and body products from Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella will be happy to learn they no longer have to rely on their broken Italian to call overseas and purchase indulgences. Lucca great finds is the exclusive Seattle-area retail source of these soaps and products made at the famous pharmacy in Florence that was once (during the 17th century) run by Italian monks. Available in fragrances such as rose, violet, lavender, mint, lilac, and verbena, the soaps, colognes, powders and tonics are still made with the original centuries-old chemical-free formulas and techniques used by the monks. The best part is, these authentic luxuries don't come with an expensive trip to Europe. Spend $8 for a bar of soap to $64 for the cologne."   return to top

 
Seattle Bride - Ali Bayse
Unvieled - News and Notes for the Nearly Wed
Spring/Summer 2002

"Are your groomsmen a little rough around the edges? Spruce 'em up with Italian toiletries from Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, one of the world's oldest pharmacies (c.1612), located in Florence. Alcohol di Menta mint mouthwash, $18 and Sapone di Latte soap, available in five scents, $8, should do the trick. Available at LUCCA great finds in Ballard, 206.782.7337."   return to top

 
The Robb Report - William Kissell Health & Grooming - Herbal Renewal
Santa Maria Novella: Modern remedies from 13th-century monks.
January 2002

"Santa Maria Novella is the crown jewel of body care - the most important, the best product, the most prestigious." says John Bressler, owner of Lafco New York...."With Santa Maria Novella, the relationship between prestige and price is skewed: Prestige is not born out of price but out of authenticity.

Of course it is hard to dispute the authenticity of a company that was founded almost 800 years ago and is considered the world's oldest perfumery."   return to top