Around The Block

February 20th
Local artist Margie McDonald puts the finishing touches on the artistic archway that is being installed on the sidewalk at Water & Taylor Street on Tuesday, February 21--Mardi Gras-- to welcome pedestrians. We are having an “Archway Opening” at 4 pm Tuesday.
Businesses are open during construction and are accessible via the sidewalk. It is anticipated that Taylor Street will be closed to traffic through early May. The archway idea was generated by merchants as we planned for the construction process. It was created under the auspices of the Port Townsend Main Street Program, the City of Port Townsend, and PT Artscape. 59 Port Townsend High School students in Kathleen Burgett’s art class worked on the art project with Margie McDonald. It is part of the “Light at the End of The Tunnel” Project to support businesses during the downtown construction project. Special thanks to the Mount Baker Block, Julian Arthur of Arthur Equipment, and Scott Nollette/Copper Bamboo.


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Margie McDonald weaves “Shops Open” message into the archway.


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Port Townsend High School art students created
elements for the archway.

IN OTHER LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL NEWS:
Loyalty cards are available at 57 businesses--look for store signs!
The prize is a $500 package of fun gift certificates on Taylor Street!

Cris Busch-Lyons and Glenn Lyons of Summer House Design have been having alot of fun creating clues for the “Treasure Hunt” this weekend. Click on the Treasure Hunt button on our website for more details. There are some fun prizes!


February 13th, 2012
There is a new Construction Q & A posted on our website--check it out.
The “Light at the End of the Tunnel” Downtown Construction loyalty card program starts Feb. 20th.
Stay tuned for the list of participating stores.

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February 7, 2012

The Downtown Construction Sidewalk Lid Replacement Project bid has been awarded to Strider Construction of Bellingham, WA. Work is now scheduled to begin on Taylor Street February 20th, 2012. The anticipated project time frame is February 20 to June 2, 2012. The majority of the work will be centered on Taylor Street from February 20 to mid- May. The scope of work includes sewer line replacement, utility undergrounding, filling sidewalk voids in specified areas, Washington/Taylor intersection work and sidewalk lid replacement. Work will take place on the east side of the sidewalk first, then proceed to the west side (Mount Baker Block Building).


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Merchant Breakfast at The Silverwater Cafe 2/7/12.

http://sidewalktunnels.wordpress.com/


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Construction Walk-Through with Contractors 1/23/12

The next Main Street Merchant Breakfast is
Tuesday, February 7th from 8:30-9:45 at The Silverwater Cafe. The topic is the Downtown Construction update and related marketing plan. Come hear the latest news and learn more about the marketing program.

We have delivered information to the downtown businesses on these activities and we encourage downtown merchants to take advantage of the free marketing opportunities including a loyalty card program and coupon book. Our goal is to encourage locals and visitors to patronize our businesses during the construction project.


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Time to stop snowing!


It’s been a quiet week, with a fluffy blanket of snow covering town. But now it’s melting, and things are picking up for the weekend. Come join friends and warm up at one of our friendly coffeehouses. Shake cabin fever and go out for dinner! On Friday evening, the Wineseller is hosting a wine tasting of Spanish gems. There are new movies at The Rose, the Iron Lady with Meryl Streep is playing at The Uptown Theater, and there’s live music at local clubs.

Around the block:
Update for January 19, 2012 noon DM disposal has just notified the city that they have had to pull their trucks off the road today for safety reasons. As soon as possible they will resume service. They will work Saturday. If you have a scheduled pick-up, leave your cans off the road but visible for the trucks.

Thanks to all who have pitched in to shovel snow from the sidewalks. Jim Cately, owner of William James Bookseller, was spotted shoveling his block of 800 Water Street. Thanks Jim! Tickled Pink, 825 Water Street, is remodeling. January is a great time for remodeling/painting projects, getting a head start on taxes, and catching up on paperwork. You can show off your talents at Open Mic at Sirens on Wednesday evenings, and there’s Karaoke on Thursdays eves. At The Upstage, the Open Mic showcase is on Monday nights. Come down for some local color!

Find out more about the Quimper Mercantile Project at
www.quimpermerc.com

Don’t forget to
“Vote Port Townsend” as America’s Coolest Small Town! Vote every day til January 31st! Spread the word, spread the link! Don’t forget to vote on weekends...Thank you!


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A new year has begun...resolutions in progress!

We are very grateful to all the businesses which generously contributed to the Main Street Tax Incentive Program in 2011.
Thanks to you, our program has a strong start to 2012.

We are finalizing our 2012 calendar of events and will finalize our workplans at our annual board retreat January 25. We welcome two new board members this year: Roselynn Itti (The Closet Space, Little Rose Thai Restaurant) and Tammi Rubert (Manager of Jefferson Transit). We thank them for their willingness to serve our community. Stay tuned for coming news about the Downtown Construction Marketing Plan. Sign up to receive blogposts about the project on the home page of our website.

Around the block: The end of an era--The Green Eyeshade closed its doors and we wish Marilyn Staples and her crew the very best!
There was a full house at the Quimper Mercantile meeting at the Undertown 1/11/12. There is excitement about this new enterprise, which hopes to be up and running this summer, adding to a healthier economy in Port Townsend. Keep up to date on the project on their Facebook page. And while you are on Facebook, become a fan of Port Townsend Main Street Program too! Thanks!


12/20/11
Thanks to all who participated on “We Love Locals” Day Dec. 15th. There were over 400 entry cards filled out!

There are literally thousands of great last minute gift ideas in Port Townsend businesses. A number of stores will be open later from Dec. 15 to 23. Take some time to stroll past the many lively windows decorated in the spirit of the season as you hunt for last minute gift ideas and gift certificates for friends and family.
Malcolm Dorn and his Wallyworks crew partnered with Main Street to decorate Uptown and it is looking very festive, Uptown and Downtown.
Thank you for shopping and dining locally. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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’Thar She Glows-“ The white whale at Artisans on Taylor


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It was a very special day on Saturday, Dec. 3 The carolers sang during the Merchant Open House from 1-3 pm and again at the Treelighting. Santa arrived in style with Mayor Sandoval aboard Fire Engine No. 3. There was a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” and a holiday message by the Mayor. Santa visited with children after the treelighting at Flagship Landing. Treats were provided by Bon Appetit and Kiwanis Key Club helped Main Street with an ornament-making activity for waiting children.

Thanks to all our volunteer helpers and to our Promotion Committee for their hard work.

Congratulations to two local winners of the Hometown Holiday Sweepstakes--Pam Gray and Elizabeth Mention. They were very excited to each win a $500 shopping spree!

If you are one of the 34 stores participating in the holiday activities, please promote it on your Facebook and social media. Let your customers also know about your extended hours. The next special event is LOCALS’ NIGHT December 15th. There’s so much fun in Port Townsend throughout the holiday season.

The holiday graphics feature the James & Hastings Building and Fire Truck No. 3 (Santa’s ride this year); it was created by Kevin Mason (
Victorianworkshop.com).

Congratulations to
TICKLED PINK at 825 Water Street for their winning holiday windows--the theme was “Let There Be Light.”


The Main Street ornament is on sale now at 12 select stores; it features Fire Engine No. 3 which brought Santa to town this year for the treelighting. Elizabeth Becker (SeaportPhotography) took the photo for the ornament. Add these to your collection and support the work of the Port Townsend Main Street Program--thank you!


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DOWNTOWN SIDEWALK PROJECT 2012

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Scott Sawyer, Shea-Carr-Jewell, (assisted by Mari Mullen) met with 45 merchants over 11/17 & 11/18 for updates on the 2012 Construction Project. More visits to be set in the near future. If you need more information, or have a specific question, please contact our office at director@ptmainstreet.org. Have you signed up for the project blog? Click through to find out what’s happening.
http://sidewalktunnels.wordpress.com/
Click here to see how to sign up for the email updates


Lots of great promotional ideas came out of The Main Street Merchant Breakfast at The Public House Nov. 3rd. The topic was “Strengthening Your Business in the Off Season.” Approximately 50 merchants came to hear the 2012 Construction Project Update from Shea-Carr-Jewell and hear local merchants talk about what’s worked/what hasn’t for marketing their businesses. We will followup on the marketing ideas through the Main Street Promotion committee and interested volunteers.


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GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT RAISES $6400--THANKS TO YOU
GALLERY WALK OCTOBER 1ST
Holly Green and Max Grover’s new whimsical and wonderful store “Sideshow Variety” at 630 Water Street and all the stops at Gallery Walk were a hit Saturday--an excellent turnout. Max Grover sold quite a few paintings that day--congratulations!

Thanks to our participating merchants, Jefferson Healthcare, our sponsors, SOS Printing, and our hard-working Main Street promotion committee and volunteers. And thanks to everyone who wore leopard, zebra, giraffe, tiger or snake print--you were wild!

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Thanks to 25 businesses who got in the film festival spirit and decorated their store windows.
Congratulations to About Time, our Merchant Window Contest winner!

SIDEWALK SALE SEPT 17/18 2011
Save BIG by Shopping Locally

MEMBERSHIPS--If you have renewed, thank you! If you have not yet joined, please consider being a part of making it all happen in the historic districts. From caring for Adams Street Park and 100 flower baskets, marketing the Uptown Street Fair, coordinating award-winning promotions and supporting historic preservation, Main Street helps businesses stay healthy and preserves our small town charm. The Port Townsend Main Street Program is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Find out more about our organization’s activities by signing up to receive our enews via our website. Please call the office at 360-385-7911 for details

Thanks to all who have sent in their memberships.

We ask merchants and property owners to do their part in helping Port Townsend sparkle for summer. Extra attention is needed for windows, doorways and sidewalks in front of your businesses. For sidewalk cleaning, hosing off near the catch basin in the street is the best bet.


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Read about it in
The Leader.


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Local bands performed on The Edensaw Stage at Uptown
Street Fair 8/20/11

“Locust Street Taxi” 8/11 brought an estimated crowd of 400 downtown--our biggest yet! Thanks to Sport Townsend and FinnRiver Farm and Cidery for sponsoring. The beer garden was very popular--we re-stocked PT Brewing’s beer, the Christina James wine was a hit as was FinnRiver Farm’s cider selection.

These community concerts are made possible by the Port Townsend Main Street Program, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and generous business sponsors. Please show our business sponsors your support. We thank them for being such good partners.

We also thank the City of Port Townsend, The Farmer’s Market, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation and the American Legion for their support of this summer music series. Concerts begin at 5:30 pm and end at 8 pm.

CONCERTS ON THE DOCK PHOTOS

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LOCUST STREET TAXI

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Our media sponsor was the Peninsula Daily News--thank you!



Susan Monroe (All About Escrow) and Kim Aldrich (Cobalt Mortgage)
sponsored the concert

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Blacky Sheridan

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Dancing in the daylight to Blacky Sheridan

Pasted Graphic
Lou Faulkner of MongoSmash

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AUGUST IS PORT TOWNSEND MAIN STREET MEMBERSHIP MONTH!
If you are a current Main Street member, thank you! If you are up for renewal, please watch your mailbox--renewal letters coming soon.
We appreciate your support of our activities, we can’t do it without you!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ATTENDS QUARTERLY MANAGER MEETING IN MOUNT VERNON
I have just returned from two days meeting with Main Street Managers from across the state. Our training was focused on “Marketing Main Street” with Erica Mills of Claxon Marketing. It was a fascinating and worthwhile session. There was advance homework and thought-provoking followup still to do.

100 FLOWER BASKETS, ADAMS STREET PARK BLOSSOMS
Thanks to Tara, our waterer, the hanging flower baskets planted by Henery’s Garden Center are blooming beautifully. Though it has been challenging, unseasonable windy and wet, she has devoted herself to their care, deadheading, fixing the hangers, and keeping plants in good health. Despite birds nesting, winds whipping, and excessive rain, she is winning the battle for beautiful baskets throughout town. Thanks Tara! And thanks to all the merchants who have signed up for this program to keep Port Townsend beautiful.


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GALLERY WALK SATURDAY, JULY 2nd 5:30-8:00pm
Gallery Walk on July 2 featured knock-out art at the Galleries, new businesses open (welcome Writer’s Workshoppe on Taylor and Sea Grass at 633 Water Street), a temporary local art show at 911 Water Street (with wearable art wedding dresses from the Wearable Art Show, and Williwaw driftwood bike sculptures, paintings by several local artists. The wedding dresses splashed with poppies were painted by Susan Hazard.

The art show at 911 Water was coordinated by Marilyn Kurka of Admiralty Apartments. The Port Townsend Main Street Program helped coordinate getting wearable art in vacant store windows—check out the Mount Baker Block Building window on Taylor Street too. The Wearable Art displays were created by Judith Bird and Debbi Steele.


At the Mount Baker Block 211 Taylor Street
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Poppy splashed wedding dresses by Susan Hazard were up temporarily for Gallery Walk July 2
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Whimsical chicken paintings by Beverly Michaelsen also part of temporary display


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NEW SPOTS AROUND THE BLOCK

Come check out Heather Pollack’s “Seagrass” Interior Design store in the N.D. Hill Building at 633 Water Street (formerly the Christian Science Reading Room). You may have met Heather at her space at the Farmer’s Market.

We welcome Anna and Peter Quinn’s Writer’s Workshoppe to 234 Taylor Street--stop by and see how they have transformed the space. It’s right across from the Rose Theatre. The three year old ‘store for writers’ offers books, tools, fun stuff and workshops for writers of all kinds. “We hold 10-12 workshops a week ranging from poetry to novels in progress to writing children’s books” said Anna Quinn, co-owner. “After two locations up a flight of stairs, we are thrilled to be on the street level in such a vibrant part of town.”
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GLADDEN YOUR HEART WITH SOME ART
Debbi Steele and Judith Bird have installed some fantastic pieces from the Wearable Art Show in Downtown open window spaces at 211 Taylor and 911 Water Street. Proceeds from the sale of the dresses benefit the Women and Girls Fund of the Jefferson County Community Foundation. Here is a preview:
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Gorgeous hand-painted wedding dress by Susan Hazard
on view at 911 Water Street--stop by at Gallery Walk July 2
(This desirable space on Water Street is available for rent--good to know! Contact: (360) 385-0553)

FERRY GOOD NEWS

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It is exciting to have two ferries back in service on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route and just in time for the busy three day weekend! Three cheers to WSDOT, our civic leaders and Todd Shipyards for making it all happen.
The MV Salish is sparkling in the dock. The ferry party on June 30th was attended by approximately 300 community members and included words of welcome by elected officials and Washington State Dept. of Transportation representatives. The greetings and performances by members of the Port Gamble S’Kallam, Jamestown S’Klallam and Lower Elwha S’Kallam tribes were a highlight of the event.


Taste Volunteers Gayle and Charlie Moore
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Wine & Cider Tasting

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TASTE OF PT TICKETS--199 happy diners attended
the annual Taste of Port Townsend June 16th. Many thanks to our diners who supported the event, our generous restaurants, and volunteers. Thanks also to Sweet Laurette’s Cafe & Bistro, Muskan Indian Food, Perfect Endings Cupcakes, and The Upstage’s Downtown Deli for donating to The Tasty Prize. This was a fundraiser for the Port Townsend Main Street Program, and kudos to our Organization Committee for their work coordinating the event.