Wallaby Station: New Seattle Store Won't Come Up Short With Many Guys

Short men of Seattle, rejoice! Not since Mich Matsudaira closed the doors of Mich's Short and Small Shop last year have you had a shop you can call your own.

Now you have. Wallaby Station at First Avenue and Spring Street opened this month and is devoted exclusively to men who are 5 feet 8 inches and under. It is owned by Dave and Claudia Wittmer.

Sizes short, extra short, short portly and extra short portly are available. Along with suits and sports coats, the store carries shirts, outerwear, sweaters, leathers and ties. Suits, coats and shirts can be special ordered.

Labels include Bill Blass, Tallia, Perry Ellis, Lanvin, Oleg Cassini, Pierre Cardin, Turnbury and Coogie.

The shop carries short rise slacks including specially designed dress slacks. Casual slacks and jeans are in waist sizes from 28 to 42 inches. Shirts include 30-, 31- and 32-inch sleeves. Silk ties in graphics, florals and tapestries are designed in 52-inch lengths instead of the regular 56-inch length.

Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Free child care

Northgate Shopping Center will offer free professional child care for shopping parents during the holiday season.

The CLUB KID will open Friday and will continue on weekends, plus the two days before Christmas Eve. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. most days and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Each parent can be notified immediately if a need arises.

CLUB KID is for children 2 and potty trained through 9 years. It will be located across from Sea-First Bank near the Bon Marche. Children can stay up to three hours each day and the program can accommodate 18 at one time. Trained staff members lead the children in organized activities, games and arts and crafts. Nutritious snacks will be served.

While the center is underwriting the cost of the club, parents donate to the Salvation Army.

For further information, call 942-9947.

Longer hours

Downtown stores will be open late during the holiday season. Major department stores will be open until 9 and later on weekdays and Saturdays and from noon to 7 p.m. Sundays. The extended hours begin Friday.

For further information, call 623-0340. Marilyn Kirkby's column appears Wednesday in the Style section of The Times.