It's no secret that Ballard is changing rapidly. But, one particular area, the north side of Market Street from 24th Avenue Northwest to 22nd Avenue Northwest, is virtually unrecognizable from one year ago.

In the span of one year, six businesses closed or moved, leaving gaps of vacant storefronts where iconic neighborhood businesses, such as Olsen's Scandinavian Foods, once operated.

In a possibly unexpected turnaround considering the recession gripping the country, all six storefronts have been filled with new and familiar faces.

The final piece of the picture will be completed when Pho Big Bowl, currently awaiting permits, opens in the former Olsen's space in the coming months.

"It's exciting to see who's moving in and how they're going to last," Janelle Hopkins said.

Hopkins is the manager of Kitchen 'n Things, located on the corner of Northwest Market Street and 24th Avenue Northwest. The store has been around for 35 years and could be considered the crafty veteran to the block's new class of rookies.

The new stores will act as a boost to the businesses that are already established on the block, she said. She said they will also help build Ballard up as the the best shopping district in the city.

Hopkins said she is happy to see that some of the businesses are independent and locally owned.

But, not everyone is as happy to see the new businesses as Hopkins.

"It definitely helps to have the storefronts filled, but we don't want more restaurants in Ballard," said Kerri Lonergan, vice president of Lombardi's Italian Restaurant on the corner of 22nd Avenue and Market Street. "We have too many as it is."

Lonergan said she is worried that too many restaurants will keep any of them from succeeding.

Landlords should be more strategic about what types of businesses they lease to, she said.

With six storefronts changing hands in one year on one block, it can be difficult to keep up.

Starting on the west end of the block, Bella's Boutique was split into two spaces. Puerto Rican restaurant La Isla expanded into one, and Supercuts moved into the other.

Supercuts had been located a few storefronts east, then moved temporarily to the upper floor of the Ballard Square building before setting up shop next door to La Isla.

Pho Big Bowl, as mentioned, is awaiting permits to open in the former Olsen's Scandinavian Foods space.

A new storefront was created by combining Best Regards and half of Annabelle's Consignment. Savour, a specialty foods store, will open in the new space in November.

Movie Cycle is already open in the remaining half of Annabelle's.

Buffalo Exchange moved into the former Supercuts location in the lower floor of Ballard Square, and Boeing Employees Credit Union opened in the Tux Shop location next door.