Washington Trust for Historic Preservation

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Ballast Book Company

Award: Excellence on Main Award

Year: 2025

City: Bremerton

The Excellence on Main Award is an award that recognizes outstanding projects and people that reflect an attitude of perseverance and dedication to community revitalization in Washington. Ballast Book Company has been named the 2025 Excellence on Main Award recipient not only for the importance of its business to Bremerton but for its many contributions to the community over the decades.

Ballast Book Company opened in 2015 as a pop-up of Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo. When the business set out on its own, Kate Larson, an employee of Liberty Bay, came over to Bremerton to manage it. After a brief stint away, Kate returned to Bremerton and took over Ballast Book so the former owner could retire in June 2021. Since then, Kate has continued to steer Ballast Book Company as a community connector, recognizing it as a significant need in the community and transforming an already wonderful indie bookstore into an inclusive and welcoming place for community connection.

Ballast hosts numerous events (like midnight release parties and author talks) throughout the year, often in neighboring downtown Bremerton businesses. During such events as sell-out author talks at the Roxy Theatre with an author signing at a nearby brewery, Kate and her crew of bookeroos took advantage of the new visitors, waiting for their book to be signed or for the next ferry to head back to Seattle, to share about the great things to do in downtown Bremerton. Kate also hosts seven monthly book clubs, held in three different downtown business locations. These book clubs appeal to Bremerton’s mix of fantasy and sci fi-loving, queer, introverted, and quirky residents. One club—Wine and Silence, an hour-long session of reading your own book silently—brings upwards of two dozen people into a downtown wine bar on a Wednesday night every month.

The economic uncertainty that has prevailed this year has not stopped Kate’s never-ending passion for connecting people with books. Ballast’s stance is clear: no to book bans and yes to love and self-expression. Despite the economy, business remains brisk at Ballast, as the community knows and trusts where Kate stands as a business owner.

But her impact is more than her own success—it’s also the economic impact she promotes amongst her neighbors. Kate insists on being open seven days a week to support people coming downtown every day of the week and encourages her customers to visit and support other shops. Every sales receipt at Ballast also includes a coupon to use at the coffee shop next door. Every First Friday Art Walk, she invites a local artist or author to table at her store, increasing their exposure.

“Kate is a fearless and driven business owner. Her passion for downtown and small businesses is evident in everything she does. She is truly a remarkable example of an entrepreneur who puts community first,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “As Kate has said regarding her shop’s name, ‘The idea is that the ship of your life sometimes goes through storms, and books are the ballast that steady your ship.’ Well, we’d also say that Kate, her bookeroos, and her cozy shop of books are the ballast that are steadying downtown Bremerton.” Durham personally presented the Excellence on Main Award to Kate Larson, who was in attendance at the awards ceremony.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Andra and John Mobley

Award: Leadership on Main

Year: 2025

City: Stevenson

The Leadership on Main Award is an award that recognizes an individual (or individuals) who has shown extraordinary dedication to their local Main Street over a significant period of time. Andra and John Mobley have been named the 2025 Leadership on Main Award recipients for their contributions as community leaders, business owners, and Main Street supporters.

Andra and John Mobley have called Stevenson home for decades, raising their family there and embedding their love for the place into A&J Market, an independent grocery store where Andra manages financials and HR and John leads operations and logistics. A&J Market is a vital employer in Stevenson, often the first job for high school students. Twelve staff have served 10+ years, eight have for more than 20 years, and two staff members have been with the store since it opened in 1995. This loyalty is sustained by a staff retirement plan, a 20% employee family discount, and team celebrations. The Mobleys’ personal commitment goes even further—they’ve driven through snowstorms to ensure staff could arrive safely and the community never lost grocery access.

A&J Market is more than a grocery store—it’s a symbol of generosity, longevity, and community identity. Andra and John have cultivated a business rooted in personal relationships and local investment. Since 2014, A&J’s Coupon Donation Program has raised more than $350,000 for local youth, education, and nonprofit causes. Today, the store sponsors virtually every event in town, from sports teams to local fundraisers, and is known for its quiet but consistent giving. In 2021, A&J became the third retailer in Washington certified for online EBT—after Amazon and Walmart—providing rural families with dignified, safe grocery access. And during the pandemic, A&J shared inventory with neighboring stores to prevent shortages, setting aside competition for the greater good.

In addition to the significant role they play as business owners, John and Andra are also involved in community groups including the Stevenson Downtown Association, chamber of commerce, county fair board, and local education foundation. Their volunteerism runs the gamut, from chairing boards to stringing lights and leading student kayaking expeditions.

“Through three decades of growth, change, and service, the Mobleys have kept A&J Market rooted in local values while adapting to meet new community needs,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “As Stevenson Downtown Association executive director Kelly O’Malley McKee puts it, ‘Their story is one of service without fanfare, sustained generosity, and quiet leadership—and Stevenson would not be the same without them.’” Durham personally presented the Leadership on Main Award to John and Andra Mobley, who were in attendance at the awards ceremony.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Kelly’s Hardware

Award: Legacy on Main

Year: 2025

City: Chelan

The Legacy on Main Award is an award that recognizes a small business that has stood the test of time and impacted generations of community members. Kelly’s Hardware has been named the 2025 Legacy on Main Award recipient not only for its longevity but for its many contributions to the community.

With roots dating back to 1925—when it was originally called Chelan Hardware and shared a building with Chelan State Bank—Kelly’s Hardware is woven into the fabric of downtown Chelan. In 1958, Wayne Kelly acquired the business, setting the stage for a remarkable family legacy that now spans three generations. Today, Kelly’s Hardware is the second oldest multi-generational business in downtown Chelan, operated by Wayne’s son, Pat Kelly, who is now mentoring his own son, Brogan, to carry the business forward. This continuity speaks not only to the strength of the Kelly family, but to their dedication to serving the needs of their community decade after decade.

More than just a hardware store, Kelly’s Hardware has become a trusted institution—a place where locals know they can find tools, parts, and trusted advice from people who know their names. For visitors, it offers a glimpse into the spirit of small-town hospitality. Its presence as a stable, enduring business has helped anchor downtown Chelan through periods of change and growth.

The Kelly family’s deep commitment to Chelan is perhaps most joyfully expressed through the Wayne Kelly Memorial Top Dog Parade, a beloved St. Patrick’s Day tradition held in honor of Pat’s late father Wayne. The parade always draws crowds, fostering connections and highlighting the best of small-town life—a reflection of the same values the Kelly family brings to their store.

“Multi-generational small businesses like Kelly’s Hardware play a critical role in sustaining vibrant downtowns. Kelly’s Hardware serves as an anchor of trust, consistency, and personal connection, all of which help build loyalty among customers and stability in the local economy,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “Through three generations, the Kelly family has built more than a business—they’ve built trust, tradition, and a lasting presence that continues to shape the identity of downtown Chelan.” Durham presented the Legacy on Main Award to Pat Kelly, who was in attendance at the awards ceremony.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Owens Meats

Award: Legacy on Main

Year: 2025

City: Cle Elum

The Legacy on Main Award is an award that recognizes a small business that has stood the test of time and impacted generations of community members. Owens Meats has been named the 2025 Legacy on Main Award recipient not only for its longevity but for its many contributions to the community.

For more than 130 years, Owens Meats has been serving meat to families in Cle Elum and beyond. Likely the oldest continuously operated family business in Kittitas County and perhaps one of the oldest in the state, Owens Meats was founded in 1887 to provide quality food for coal miners and their families. Founder Morgan Owens saw firsthand how hard-working families needed reliable access to meat, often extending credit during tough times. Over the decades, new needs emerged—from refrigeration and sanitation to changing consumer habits and rural economic shifts.

Each generation of the Owens family has responded to these needs by evolving the business. During the Great Depression and coal strikes, the family supported struggling customers. In the 1980s, recognizing a shift in shopping habits, Owens Meats transitioned from freezer sales to retail, making meat more accessible (not to mention, the world’s first meat vending machine). The Owens family didn’t just witness these needs—they experienced them personally. Their business decisions reflect a deep understanding of and commitment to local families, agriculture, and economic resilience, shaped by more than 130 years of listening and responding.

“Owens Meats has expanded from a local butcher to a nationally recognized brand, with increased sales, a strong retail presence, and a growing network of vending machines. Generations of families continue to shop there, showing deep trust and tradition,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “Their legacy showcases that long-term success comes from adapting to change without losing sight of your roots.” Durham presented the Legacy on Main Award to Don Owens, who was in attendance at the awards ceremony.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Jeannie Bayles

Award: Entrepreneur of the Year

Year: 2025

City: Ellensburg

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is an annual award that recognizes the innovation, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit of our state’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. Ellensburg’s Jeannie Bayles was named 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year for her hard work not only as a small business owner but in supporting her community.

After years of working in restaurants, including helping her mom open traditional Korean restaurants in Colorado, Jeannie Bayles recognized an opportunity to complement Ellensburg’s growing food scene with something uniquely her own—an experience that felt both creative and comforting, rooted in personal history and community connection.

That vision led to the opening of The Early Bird, a welcoming all-day brunch eatery that quickly became a local favorite. After opening on Water Street in 2018, The Early Bird quickly outgrew its space and moved to Main Street. The new building fueled Jeannie’s vision and entrepreneurial spirit, and looking to maximize her space with a complementary concept, Jeannie opened The Night Owl in an auxiliary space within the building in 2023. The second bird is moody, elevated, and designed for the evening crowd, featuring a handcrafted cocktail menu by Jeannie’s trusted general manager Mike Wooldridge.

Jeannie’s two distinct businesses bookend the day in downtown Ellensburg—comforting brunches at The Early Bird and creative cocktails at The Night Owl. But what makes them special isn’t just the food or drink. It’s the way she invites her team into every part of the process. From cross-training to recipe contributions, her staff feel seen, valued, and heard. Her leadership has fostered a culture of mutual respect and shared investment in the downtown experience, which contributes to strong retention and a sense of ownership. Jeannie is building businesses that reflects the character of Ellensburg itself—collaborative, warm, creative, and proud of its people.

“By trusting her team, sharing ownership of ideas, and leading with humility, Jeannie has created a workplace culture that is rare and remarkable. Her restaurants have become launchpads for young professionals, creative thinkers, and emerging leaders,” said Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “Jeannie also proves that downtown revitalization isn’t just structural—it’s emotional. It’s about creating places people feel connected to, return to, and talk about.” Durham personally presented the Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Jeannie Bayles, who was in attendance.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Movable Furniture Project

Awardee: Downtown Pullman Association

Award: Places for People

Year: 2025

City: Pullman

The Places for People Award is an award that recognizes projects that create inclusive spaces and invite community engagement year-round. The Downtown Pullman Association has been named the 2025 Places for People Award recipient for its Movable Furniture Project, adding much-needed community function to downtown Pullman.

Research such as that by William H. White in The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces inspired Bobbie Ryder and Gigi Skrzycka of the Downtown Pullman Association to consider the power of the chair to activate downtown Pullman. Community feedback consistently said that downtown Pullman lacked accessible, inclusive, and pet-friendly spaces where people could sit, relax, eat, read, and connect. In fact, the community was very clearly asking for more “third places”—free, welcoming spaces beyond home or work that can support social interaction and belonging.

Recognizing the potential of underused public plazas, Gigi and Bobbie proposed adding movable tables, chairs, and umbrellas to transform these areas into vibrant, flexible social hubs. With a successful application to T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant in 2023, the Downtown Pullman Association’s Movable Furniture Project was underway.

Over the last two years, as furniture was gradually distributed throughout downtown, volunteers helped unbox, assemble, and maintain it. Initial placements like High Street Plaza quickly became part of daily life downtown, appreciated by residents, students, and visitors. The project also supported the local economy during a major construction project in 2024, maintaining activity and a sense of vibrancy downtown, which supported small businesses and strengthened community resilience in a challenging time.

“The Movable Furniture Project has reaffirmed downtown Pullman as a place for connection, culture, and community life, making it an excellent example of community-driven placemaking,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “The Downtown Pullman Association has proved that meaningful change doesn’t always require large infrastructure—it starts with a table, a chair, and a commitment to people.” Durham personally presented the Places for People Award to Gigi Skrzycka and Bobbie Ryder of the Downtown Pullman Association, who were in attendance at the awards ceremony.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

TwispWorks

Award: Economic Opportunity

Year: 2025

City: Twisp

The Economic Opportunity Award is an award that recognizes enhancement efforts that have improved the economic vitality of the district including job creation and retention, sales growth, and more. TwispWorks has been named the 2025 Economic Opportunity Award recipient for its work creating affordable spaces, investment opportunities, and resources ranging from childcare to education for local artists, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits.

Built in 1932 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Twisp Ranger Station served the Methow Valley for decades. When the U.S. Forest Service decommissioned the station and put the property up for auction, the community banded together to continue the site’s legacy as a critical community and economic driver. That vision came to fruition and continues to evolve through TwispWorks. Located on the same 6.4-acre campus in downtown Twisp, TwispWorks spent its first few years focused on rehabilitating the old ranger station buildings, creating spaces for entrepreneurs, artists, and the community to come together. Today, TwispWorks supports more than 35 small businesses, artists, nonprofits, and educators by providing affordable commercial space, technical support, and access to values-driven capital.

Through ongoing dialogue and community participation, TwispWorks continues to evolve as a place-based solution. In 2017, TwispWorks launched the Methow Investment Network, which to date has facilitated more than $2.5 million in local business investments, and created space for Little Star, which offers affordable early childhood education on site. In 2023, in partnership with the Methow Valley School District, TwispWorks opened the Auto Tech Facility, which supports career and technical education opportunities for local youth. TwispWorks has seen new businesses launch, artists open studios, and students gain hands-on skills in trades. By preserving historic buildings for local use and fostering community-led development, they’ve built a platform where residents can pursue their passions and build lasting local wealth.

“A key lesson is that meaningful revitalization isn’t about one-time projects—it’s about sustained, community-rooted effort,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “TwispWorks teaches that access to space, visibility, and relationship-based funding are critical for rural business success and that economic development can (and should) celebrate culture, creativity, and equity.” Durham personally presented the Economic Opportunity Award to TwispWorks Communications Director Grant Eadie, who was in attendance at the awards ceremony.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Port Townsend Creative District

Awardee: Port Townsend Main Street Program

Award: Economic Opportunity

Year: 2024

City: Port Townsend

The Economic Opportunity Award is an award that recognizes enhancement efforts that have improved the economic vitality of the district including job creation and retention, sales growth, and more. The Port Townsend Main Street Program has been named the 2024 Economic Opportunity Award recipient for its work supporting local artists as part of its Creative District.

Established in 2020 through a partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), the Port Townsend Creative District is now managed by the Port Townsend Main Street Program. A dedicated team of nonprofits, city representatives, and Port Townsend Main Street staff and volunteers meet monthly as part of the Port Townsend Creative District subcommittee. The subcommittee’s efforts have already resulted in wayfinding, art markers, and a plaza lighting project, not to mention artist-centered events including the Soundcheck Music and Arts Festival.

In 2023, the subcommittee took things to the next level by conducting a widespread survey of the creative community, hiring AdvisArts to facilitate the creation of three- to five-year plan, and coordinating monthly artists’ working group meetings and two community convenings to help shape that plan. Those efforts resulted in: 1) an arts and culture plan, which established six goals to drive the Creative District and unify partners; 2) the development of a comprehensive cultural inventory tool to track Port Townsend’s many creative assets; and 3) the creation of an artist directory to help entrepreneurs establish an online presence, connect with fellow creatives, and promote events.

“In addition to being a model for community-led economic strategy, Port Townsend’s Creative District reminds us that placemaking, promotions—especially those that prioritize paying creatives—and partnership all create economic opportunity,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Steve Broman

Award: Leadership on Main

Year: 2024

City: Mount Vernon

The Leadership on Main Award is an award that recognizes an individual who has shown extraordinary dedication to his or her local Main Street over a significant period of time. Steve Broman has been named the 2024 Leadership on Main Award recipient for his contributions as a community leader, property owner, mentor, and Main Street supporter.

After moving to Mount Vernon in 1976, Steve purchased a gift store downtown. His focus quickly shifted to real estate, and he began a decades-long practice of buying empty buildings, finding a good mix of tenants, and remodeling to suit—a practice that has resulted in the restoration of seven historic buildings in Mount Vernon and benefited dozens of entrepreneurs, many of whom are now property owners themselves.

Steve’s responsiveness to his tenants’ goals, not to mention to the ideas and connections pitched by Mount Vernon Downtown Association’s over the years, has been a hallmark of his impact in Mount Vernon. There are many examples of tenants whom Steve has supported and gently coached from upper-story single-room start-ups, to street-level employers of multiple people, to on their own way to building ownership.

“Steve is someone who prioritizes relationships in every aspect of his life, to the benefit of his business endeavors as well as his community,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “Tonight, we celebrate Steve Broman as an economic engine, a cultivator of future property owners, a steward of historic buildings—and, most of all, as a leader on his Main Street.”

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Startin’s Repair

Award: Excellence on Main Award

Year: 2024

City: LaCrosse

The Excellence on Main Award is an award that recognizes outstanding projects and people that reflect an attitude of perseverance and dedication to community revitalization in Washington. Startin’s Repair has been named the 2024 Excellence on Main Award recipient not only for the importance of their business to LaCrosse but for their many contributions to the community over the decades.

Startin’s Repair opened in 1965, when Gayle and Nancy Startin saw the need for a one-stop shop that could meet all the demands of both farmers and townspeople. In 1978, they moved to their current location on Main Street and soon after added well repair to their offerings and their son Eric and daughter-in-law Lois to the payroll. Eric and Lois bought out the business in 1997 when Gayle and Nancy retired, and their own son Buggy and daughter-in-law Chelsey joined the team.

Startin’s Repair has evolved to respond to the needs of the community. In the early 2000s, when the local hardware store was demolished by a fire, Startin’s modified their building to include hardware sales. Today, without Startin’s, you’d have to travel to Colfax, 35 miles away, for hardware supplies; to Pullman, 50 miles away, for lumber, sheetrock, and insulation; and equally as far for auto repairs.

Through their business and as individuals, the Startin family has been fully invested in LaCrosse for generations. They are active board members for many community groups, chairpersons and sponsors for LaCrosse events, and the visionaries that added lights over Main Street. On top of all that, Eric and Buggy are active members of the local volunteer fire department.

“With a population of just over 300, LaCrosse is the nation’s third smallest Main Street community. Their story is one of grit and determination,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “The Startin family and their always-evolving business both embody LaCrosse’s inspiring story and have been at the heart of it the entire time.”

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Raman Arora

Award: Entrepreneur of the Year

Year: 2024

City: Kent

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is an annual award that recognizes the innovation, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit of our state’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. Kent’s Raman Arora was named 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year for her hard work not only as a small business owner but in supporting her community.

Growing up in the Punjab region of India, Raman Arora knew early on that her passion and drive would lead her toward someday owning her own business. After high school, Raman left her family in India to pursue her ambitions in London. When London proved too expensive, Raman set out again, this time to Washington. Raman was specifically drawn to Kent because of its small town community spirit and historic downtown. She worked at Dairy Queen and then for many years at downtown Kent’s Wild Wheat Bakery & Café, saving her earnings and working toward her dream of owning her own restaurant.

On April 1, 2024, Raman took ownership of Maggie’s on Meeker, a Kent institution with a legacy of female ownership. Since taking the helm, Raman has been dedicated to making Maggie’s a community gathering place, and in return, the community has rallied around her. Many customers have assisted with repairs and painting and have become her biggest champions.

“Raman embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship through her determination, dedication to excellence, and commitment to her employees and her community,” said Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “The Kent community and all of Washington State celebrate your accomplishment and thank you for your courage.”

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Heritage Court

Awardee: Colville Together

Award: Places for People

Year: 2024

City: Colville

The Places for People Award is an award that recognizes projects that create inclusive spaces and invite community engagement year-round. Colville Together has been named the 2024 Places for People Award recipient for its recent efforts to reinvigorate Heritage Court as a community hub.

Located in the heart of downtown Colville, Heritage Court had seen various improvements over the years but remained underutilized. Colville Together joined forces with the City of Colville, Tri County Economic Development District, and the Colville Chamber of Commerce to change that. They programmed the space with local artists, music, and businesses on Fourth Fridays during the summer months. In addition to inviting the community to spend time downtown, these events centered local food and art entrepreneurs, as well as brick-and-mortar businesses nearby.

Artist Chris Bovey was commissioned to create a Colville postcard mural on the main wall of the gathering space, creatively depicting aspects of Colville’s culture and heritage in each letter. To make Heritage Court inviting year-round, shade umbrellas were installed to combat heat and propane heaters to extend comfort into the cooler months. Free wi-fi made the space digital-friendly, appealing to all generations. Elementary students created ornaments to adorn Heritage Court’s new holiday tree. Throughout the transformation of the space, resources—funding, partners, and volunteers—were sought, including a successful $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant which made many of the physical improvements possible.

“With their continuous, incremental touch on Heritage Court, Colville didn’t just activate an underutilized space—they brought their community together by creating a vibrant, inclusive community hub,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Canton Café

Award: Legacy on Main

Year: 2024

City: Aberdeen

The Legacy on Main Award is an award that recognizes a small business that has stood the test of time and impacted generations of community members. The Canton Café has been named the 2024 Legacy on Main Award recipient not only for its longevity but for its many contributions to the community.

The Canton Café was established in 1920 by Benny Lock, whose family still runs the restaurant. His son, Sing Lee, succeeded him, and Sing Lee’s son, Gar See Lee, succeeded him. Today, Gar See, his wife Angela, and their son Lenny manage the restaurant together. Many other family members have been part of the café’s story over the years, as have countless neighbors who have found employment, company, or a warm meal under its roof.

Over the century of its existence, numerous changes have swirled around the café, including global events like world wars and economic crises, as well as more localized uncertainty as Aberdeen and the surrounding area adjusted painfully to the declining timber industry. Through all those changes, the Canton Café has been a constant—to some, a beacon. It is a Grays Harbor family favorite, a late-night stop for Aberdeen’s still-rocking music scene, and today, the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in Washington State.

“We need places that ground us, places that feel familiar and house our memories, places we can count on,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “Tonight, we celebrate Benny Lock’s legacy and the Lee family’s ongoing gift to Grey’s Harbor—because that’s what a legacy business can be, a gift to its community.”

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Walawála Plaza

Awardee: Downtown Walla Walla Foundation and the City of Walla Walla

Year: 2023

City: Walla Walla

The Excellence on Main Award—the top award at each year’s ceremony—is an annual accolade that recognizes outstanding projects and people that reflect an attitude of perseverance and dedication to community revitalization in Washington. Walawála Plaza was named the 2023 recipient of the Excellence on Main Award for the need it addressed, the stakeholders it brought together, and the overall impact it has had upon the downtown Walla Walla community.

When the pandemic closed businesses and made the outdoors the only safe place to socialize in the spring of 2020, Walla Walla was one of the fastest small towns in Washington, if not the nation, to adapt to the need for an outdoor gathering place that would also support suffering restaurants. In only 90 days, the City of Walla Walla and Downtown Walla Walla Foundation came together to close one block of First Avenue in order to create a visually appealing and functional plaza in the heart of downtown. This plaza kept commerce alive and people connected during those difficult days.

Even after businesses reopened, the plaza remained the liveliest block in Walla Walla, becoming the place to meet, host potlucks, conduct business meetings, and play board games. When City Council was deciding whether or not to make the plaza a permanent public fixture, they received 297 public comments—294 of them in favor of keeping the plaza.

With such clear support, the City set out to make the plaza permanent. They convened a group of stakeholders to design the plaza, including Main Street, local architects and business owners, and significant input from the local Tribes. Suggestions from the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute incorporated elements representing the site’s history as a gathering spot of the Cayuse and Walla Walla people. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation provided technical assistance and guidance on how to design the space to honor their people. The permanent space, completed in May 2023, is called Walawála Plaza, meaning “many small streams” in the indigenous Sahaptin language.

This project is so many things. It is a beautifully designed public space, a boon to businesses throughout the district, not to mention a visionary use of ARPA funds. But above all it is a testament to how much we humans need each other. This exact site has been a gathering place since immemorial. And now it is, once again, a place for people to gather.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Tabatha Wiggins

Award: Entrepreneur of the Year

Year: 2023

City: Stevenson

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is an annual award that recognizes the innovation, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit of our state’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. Stevenson’s Tabatha Wiggins was named 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year for her hard work not only as a small business owner but in activating her community.

In 2014, Tabatha became co-owner of Walking Man Brewing, transitioning from crucial employee to co-owner when founder Bob Craig retired. Under Tabatha’s leadership, Walking Man built upon its foundation of award-winning beers and blossomed into one of Stevenson’s favorite gathering spots and a key employer in the community. But while the lower floor of the brewery building was bustling with activity, the upper floor—which is actually street level—was papered over, used as storage for forgotten equipment and dry goods.

Tabatha began cleaning up the space and hosting brewers’ dinners, pop-up events, and even weddings there, all while building out the framework for her dream retail shop with friend and business partner Robyn Legun. In 2022, Tabatha and Robyn opened Traverse PNW Market in the beautifully renovated upper floor, which represents their vision of a neighborhood mercantile in downtown Stevenson. Throughout her work with Walking Man Brewing and Traverse PNW Market, Tabatha has also served for six years on the Stevenson Downtown Association board of directors, including her current service as board president.

Tabatha is an exemplary Main Street leader who raises the bar while appreciating and celebrating that a little goes a long way.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Rico’s Public House

Award: Legacy on Main

Year: 2023

City: Pullman

The Legacy on Main Award is an annual award that recognizes a small business that has stood the test of time and impacted generations of community members. Rico’s Public House in Pullman is the 2023 recipient of the award not only because of its longevity but also because of its unique place in the downtown community.

Originally opened in 1909, Rico’s Public House is the oldest retail business in Pullman. Over its 114-year history, Rico’s has been a consistent presence in downtown Pullman amidst not only changes in ownership but also waves of local and national change. What started as a men’s only club survived Prohibition and the Great Depression by selling milkshakes by the thousands before ultimately securing Pullman’s first beer and wine license in the 1930s. In 1947, Tony Talerico—whose regulars called him “Rico”—bought the club with a vision to turn it into a true public house. He added a women’s restroom and hired international graduate students’ wives to his staff, hoping to encourage the transition to an establishment that welcomed the whole community.

In 1980, Roger Johnson acquired the pub and changed the name to “Rico’s” to honor Tony. Roger continued to evolve the business in several ways, serving the first microbrews in Pullman and lobbying the city to allow outdoor seating in the early 2000s. Roger and his daughter, Tawny Szumlas, who now owns Rico’s, have embraced the entrepreneurial ethic of change and adaptation. They have also used the establishment to reinforce the friendliness of Pullman and its unique college town atmosphere.

“I think of Rico’s Smokehouse as the ‘Cheers’ of the Palouse,” noted Washington Main Street Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “There is no limit to how long you can hang out at Rico’s. Professors, graduate students, families, and children—everyone gathers here.”

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Lido Collective

Awardee: Mount Vernon Downtown Association

Award: Economic Opportunity

Year: 2023

City: Mount Vernon

The Economic Vitality Award is an annual award that recognizes enhancement efforts that have improved the economic vitality of the district including job creation and retention, sales growth, and more. The Mount Vernon Downtown Association received the 2023 Economic Vitality Award in recognition of their work creating the Lido Collective retail space downtown to support local artists.

With the Tulip Festival Street Fair as their longstanding signature event and a five-year strategy centered around the arts, the Mount Vernon Downtown Association (MVDA) has close connections to the region’s artist community. They were acutely aware of how this economic sector was impacted by the pandemic and how dependent on seasonal events creative entrepreneurs are in the region. The MVDA believed they could serve both their arts entrepreneurs and their downtown retail environment by offering a brick-and-mortar outlet to expand artists’ revenue opportunities. When a prime retail space opened, MVDA executive director Ellen Gamson moved quickly, pitching the idea to her board, applying for a Nonprofit Community Recovery Grant, hastily persuading the building owner to support the idea.

After remodeling the space using grant funds and their own revenue, as well as key contributions from donors and volunteers, the MVDA opened the Lido Collective for business in April 2022, with 47 local artists’ works available for sale. Their consignment model enables artists to keep 60% of their sales, pay no fees for space, and have no staffing requirements (since the MVDA staffs the retail space). After 18 months in operation, the Lido Collective has created three jobs, prompted the opening of two new businesses nearby, and led to revenue generation for 60 local artists.

The Mount Vernon Downtown Association is truly leading the way in fostering a stronger and more resilient creative economy on Main Street.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Chesed Farms

Award: Entrepreneur of the Year

Year: 2022

City: Walla Walla

Chesed Farms is a farmers market vendor out of the Walla Walla who, in the three years they’ve been in business, has grown significantly while supporting the development and growth of other vendors. Their slogan is “Persistent Local Food”, which describes their attitude and mission perfectly.

When Sundown Hazen and Jonathan Garrett started Chesed Farms, they only grew mushrooms. They’ve since expanded their operation significantly, from a 110 square foot operation in a garage to a 4,000 square foot greenhouse. Beginning with the two founders, they now employ 13 people.

In addition to being successful entrepreneurs themselves, Sundown and Jonathan uplift other entrepreneurs. They partner with passionate and talented entrepreneurs ready to bring their products or services to market by providing support, mentorship, and infrastructure for these entrepreneurs to bring their dreams to life.

Chesed Farms’ impact is felt by everyone they touch. They take good care of their people, paying a living wage to their employees. They take good care of our planet, minimizing the travel distance for local, healthy food and focusing on sustainability in all they do. They support other entrepreneurs, both in big ways through their mentorship program and in small ways, when they help other vendors unload every week.

Within their “triple bottom line” approach to their work, Chesed Farms highlights something that will strike a chord for everyone who strives to build community: “We learn the names and life stories of our customers and build meaningful relationships…”

Chesed means loving kindness, and this value infuses every aspect of the work that Sundown, Jonathan, and their whole team do. They’re smart and talented entrepreneurs who believe in expanding responsibly, taking care of their staff and customers lovingly, and bringing love and kindness to everyone they interact with.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Moonraker Books

Award: Legacy on Main

Year: 2022

City: Langley

Everyone can probably point to that most special place in their community—the place that you go back to when you visit your hometown, the place that some of your core memories are attached to, the place that feels like it is the downtown. A small business can be our sharpest connection to a place, especially when it has stood the test of time and embraced generations of community members. When its impact reaches outside its four walls.

Josh and Glenn Hauser opened Moonraker Books—which is named after the top square sail on a boat—on a shoestring budget in 1972. They fixed up a former thrift store on First Street in downtown Langley, and Glenn converted the upstairs loft into a second floor to accommodate twice as many books. Moonraker is a booklover’s dream shop. And, as any local would tell you, from the moment they opened their doors in that turquoise building, Langley was never the same.

It is clear just how much affection the community of Langley has for this magical business and—probably especially—for Josh herself. Just one example: Langley mayor and the city council declared June 2022 to be Josh Hauser Appreciation Month.

Josh is known as the welcome wagon, a small business mentor, a person of joy who doesn’t take things too seriously. She has built spontaneous social groups to work alongside other merchants, for the purpose of welcoming new people to town, and probably also just for fun. In so many ways, Josh lives up to her reputation of being “The Heart of Langley.”

A business can contribute to the economy, activate a storefront, and provide jobs for people. But a beautiful business—one that leaves a legacy—does those things while also serving as a launching off point, and a warm environment, for building community.

Excellence on Main Award

[click image to view larger]

Pandemic Economic Recovery Effort

Awardee: Olympia Downtown Alliance

Award: Economic Opportunity

Year: 2022

City: Olympia

The Olympia Downtown Alliance and City of Olympia began working together in the early days of the pandemic. The partnership itself is noteworthy and marked a major step in strengthening the trust and shared goals between the City and the Alliance. The two groups worked together to craft a wide-ranging scope of work to support the downtown district–both the small businesses and the community at large, which relies on downtown as its gathering place. The City contracted with the Alliance to the tune of $625,000 to execute the multi-pronged approach, which included:

– Physical improvement grants to businesses to accommodate COVID-related activities

– Support for a business recruitment and retention strategy and a Creative Districts strategic plan formation

– Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design lighting projects

– Noteworthy placemaking initiatives, including a “Celebrating our Diverse Leaders” banner project in which 20 diverse leaders past and present were celebrated throughout downtown

– Marketing campaigns, including the “Why I Go Downtown” visitor guide that highlighted downtown’s unique businesses

– And a new outdoor street festival called “Love Oly Summer Fest” that attracted thousands of downtown customers in a safe outdoor environment

This suite of services helped struggling businesses pivot to new models, improved safety in the district, and created an environment where the Olympia community felt safe coming together.