Momo takes shoppers around the world in 80 steps

"Where are the best noodles?"

It's not a question you're likely to hear in many boutiques in town. But in the short time that Momo has been open in the food-centric International District, owner Lei Ann Shiramizu has been asked that question more than once.

She considers it part of her job to field questions about the area. "Being a part of the community was very important to me," says the Hawaii native of Japanese descent. "The shop was a vehicle to be here," she says of Momo -- Japanese for peach and a symbol of good luck.

The light-filled corner shop with 17-foot ceilings contains an eclectic mix of European and Asian goods. And while the merchandise is good stuff, the story behind the shop is, too.

Momo is housed in the historic Jackson Building on a compact block that was once part of a thriving Japantown. That neighborhood was virtually decimated at the beginning of World War II, when much of Seattle's Japanese population was deported to internment camps. Shiramizu settled the store here in part to help restore the Japanese heritage to the neighborhood.

The construction of the shop was a joint project between Shiramizu and her husband, Tom Kleifgen, but also involved much of the community. Shiramizu was spotted painting the tall walls on an extension when a passerby offered her the use of his scaffolding, free of charge, for months. His only payment: "He asked me to be successful," says Shiramizu. He also turned out to be the cousin of a Japanese denim designer, whose collection, True Brit, Shiramizu now stocks in her store.

Reclaimed-wood shelving and recycled fixtures display merchandise carefully selected by the earth-conscious couple. Shopping here is an international experience. On a recent visit, a CD played French, Romanian, Czechoslovakian and Brazilian songs by female artists while I browsed among offerings from Paris, Denmark, Japan, Hawaii, Portugal and Seattle.

The list of goodies is long, but some of my favorites include a rich brown leather handbag from Bronsino made from a recycled Prada couch ($248); French linen tea towels in muted contemporary shades ($16); a child's toy box from the Qing Dynasty ($137); figure-enhancing Cop.Copine tops and skirts from Paris; sage-scented goat soap from Montana ($5.25); colorful Ronni Kappos necklaces and earrings made from vintage German glass ($40-$242); and over-the-knee socks from Japan ($14).

For men, there are Ellington "man bags" ($90-$279); Momentum watches, which are popular at dive shops ($90-$180); and Billy Jealousy skin care, from face wash to shaving cream.

So, where are the best noodles? "That depends," says Shiramizu. "Do you want Japanese, Chinese or Vietnamese?"

Momo is at 600 S. Jackson St.; 206-329-4736. Through December, the store is open Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., in addition to its regular Tuesday through Saturday hours.

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