Sandra White: Washington: Port Townsend: Downtown Port Townsend

17 entries this year, and the krazies are all out in their finest outfits.  The prize for  this race goes to  the most mediocre, and that means coming in 9th this year.  The entries have to have at least one wheel, traverse on land, sea and in the mud bogs. There can be a one man entry or a team of up to a dozen people.  

Always fun and full of imgaination and crazy antics and fun to experience.  This is the perfect place for this event. 

12th Annual!  The town is packed and enjoying wonderful summer weather at last.  The center of the action is the Rose Theater, our beloved and beautiful 1930's theater.  Located on a side street in the historic downtown area, it is a  joy to visit anytime, with two small theaters, and the world's best popcorn. 

Last night was the free open air showing of 1944's National Velvet, with a very young Elizabeth Taylor.  What fun to sit on haybales, under the stars and enjoy a vintage movie.  Tonight's free movie will be Back to the Future, and on Sunday evening the free movie will be one of my favorites, Moonstruck starring Cher. 

You can buy a pass or individual tickets for around $10. 

There will be 6 dozen short, feature and documentary films to choose from, in six different venues.  There are many film makers available at screenings for discussion afterward, a free shuttle bus to take you to the theater of your choice, and a wonderful outdoor beergarden with light sandwich and pizza fare. 

Coming up next Sat. April, 30th.  here in Port Townsend, Wa.  10:00 to 4:00.  Price of ticket in advance is $14.00.  One very wonderful kitchen on the tour is in the old Cracker Factory building in the historic downtown area.  Current owners  have done a major remodel on this wonderful old building that still has the original oven in the brick walls.  This is worth the price of the ticket.

Port Townsend is one of three Historic Seaport Villages on the US National Registry.  Owning and operating a business here makes you a  part of that history.  There are some wonderful buildings for sale downtown and plenty of opportunity for creating your own small business. 

There is a downtown organization with lots of ideas for attracting business and tourists, already lots of foot traffic from weekend and holiday visitors, and ferry and small boat passengers.  It is hoped that there will be a passenger ferry from Port Townsend to Seattle in the future.

There are a couple of commercial condos in an historic building that start in the low $400's.  Great for office, retail, or art studio. 

A very popular store with a good business, buidling and business both for sale for under $800,000; several historical mixed use buildings combining retail, office and residential ranging in price from $995,000 to $2,500,000.  Ave. price per sq. ft is $170.

These buildings are  good values for future equity, cap rate,  and pride of ownership.  You will love living in Port Townsend too!

Port Townsend's one time Customs House is on the waterfront on Water Street, and is now home to The Lighouse Cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch.  I have never eaten there, so no comment on the food, but it is a very interesting building which is in great shape for it's age. 

When visiting Port Townsend, WA do not miss this fun and happy eatery.  A blast from the past, you will think you are back in high school (if you are from my generation) or you will experience what your parents did after school. 

There is a a long counter with stools topped with red vinyl, individual juke box players, wonderful black and white checkered flooring, and of course hamburgers, malts, shakes and French fries.   Just one of so many fun places to check out when you are strolling down Water Street in Port Townsend, WA

The Leader Building

Located in downtown Port Townsend, The Leader Building has an interesting background dating back to 1874. 

 Early settler Enoch Fowler was a sailor who moved to Port Townsend  in the 1850's when his ship dropped off the first white settlers.   In 1874 Fowler constructed Port Townsend's first substantial stone building which is thought to be the oldest multistory masonry building in Washington.  Built of large sandstone blocks from a quarry near Indian Island, it is still in extremely good repair and a sturdy building. 

In its early days the "Fowler Building" was used as the County Courthouse, until 1892 when the new courthouse was built.  Sometime around the time of Port Townsend's first big recession, in the late 1890's it became  empty was not used again until 1916 when the Port Townsend Leader Newspaper  took over the main floor, and the upstairs was converted to  apartments.

The Port Townsend and Leader has been printed ever since, recently celebrating it's 120^th anniversary, still in the location in the orignal townsite in downtown Port Townsend at 226 Adams Street. 

We have been experiencing Spring for a month now, with buds on all the trees and little flowers popping up everywhere.  This is in one of the windows of my very favorite stores in Port Townsend called "The Perfect Season" which has the most wonderful and unusal items for home and garden.  You must stop in when visiting Port Townsend. 

This wonderful Victorian Building has sweet memories for Port Townsend residents.  Owned by 2 sisters who moved here from San Francisco and started a business selling gifts, antiques, great greeting cards, and wonderful and whimsy pet supplies.  It was called April Fool and Penny Too.  As I recall reading, that was about 25 years ago.  It was always the first place I would head for when needing a gift, as it seems all my friends and family are pet lovers.  Some of the items were a bit pricey, like the antique childs dish I bought to feed my little Shih Zhu Lulu in, or the pet pillows shaped like a dog lying on the floor, complete with little feet that stick out.  But if you wanted a bargain the upper room called the "attic" had some great buys. At one time it housed a bank and there was a small room filled with gift paper that had once been a vault. There was always a big fat cat in the pet accessories room just lying in a big soft bed, and a large lab type mix dog wandering around in the main room.   

It is now closed and sorely missed, as one of the owners passed away last year and the whole building is for sale. 

 Price is around $2,500,000 for a waterfront building with retail street level, upper level 2000 sq. ft. apt. and an extra parking lot on Water St. in Port Townsend.  (This is not my listing).

View from this building.

                                                                                                          This may be the smallest commercial rental you have ever seen.  It is located in Downtown Port Townsend right on the main street, Water Street.

This little space has an interesting history, and at one time was the home of our wonderful ice cream store, still know as the Elevated.  The Elevated got it's name from the small elevator shown in the photo where the ice cream was sold out of the small window. 

Today, the Elevated Ice Cream store is located across the street and has grown to a large shop with tables and chairs, a small candy store, and long lines of customers during the warmer season.   The ice cream is still home made and hand packed, and is the best!  There are usually over 35 flavors using fresh fruits grown locally, and Italian ices. 

Can you think of a smart new business to locate in the old elevator?  The rent should be affordable.