Sandra White: Washington: Port Townsend: Downtown Port Townsend

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.

Water Street Creperie

 Most mornings I like to take a walk in the historic downtown area of Port Townsend and while the streets are empty and the sun is coming up you really notice if a store has gone out of business and something new has popped up for rent.  The past 12 months or so it seems we have had more closings than I have ever seen.

 This morning I saw a very positive and upbeat sign.  A new store called the Water Street Creperie that just opened 2 days ago.  What a lovely and delightful shop!  Tastefully decorated and beautifully furnished with tables, chairs, counters and imaginative art work.

There are outdoor tables and chairs, and a pass through counter for street side purchases.

 They feature crepes with breakfast ingredients, (eggs, cheese, etc.) or lunch type with turkey and ham, a vegetarian offering, plus wonderful desert crepes.  The two I would most like to try (as soon as I lose 20 pounds) are the Graham Cracker Crumble, and the Goat Cheese and Honey. YUMMMMM!

 I met one of the owners, (who else would be there at 7 am.?) a nice young man named Brandon Ellard, who told me he grew up in Port Townsend,  and his friendly employee Jackson.  I welcomed them and wished them luck.  Brandon's partner James Larson was out of town.  A couple of brave and daring young men, and the backbone of our country's economy.

Port Townsend's  beloved Rose Theater has added some new programs which bring a new dimension to the arts here in our little city of Port Townsend.

 This charming little theater opened in Downtown Port Townsend  in the 1930's and closed sometime in the 50's.  Re-opened in the early 1990's by Rocky Friedman, it is a delightful little theater with one small theater seating about 75 to 100, (I am guessing) with a balcony, and a tiny theater called the Rosebud seating about 35 to 50 people.  Charming 30's architecture and decor, intimate atmosphere and the best popcorn you ever tasted. 

School of Athens Passionate Minds Lecture Series , Nation, from the London National Theater in HD, and

La Danse, the Paris Opera Ballet.  Something for everyone with Avatar held over. 

My son says this is bigger than Christmas...well for some of us maybe.  I am glad to have the afternoon to snuggle up with my two Shit Zhu's for a little nap. 

This is a photo of Port Townsend at 8 am this morning, and a sign I saw in one of the windows.

Port Townsend's New Cafe. 

Don't tell the owner of the recently opened Undertown Coffee House in Port Townsend that things are slow.  He would not believe it.  He has taken an old underground basement downtown and turned it into our little towns newest hot spot. 

It is intriguing and inviting from the top of the stairs to back into the last room of the cafe.  You are instantly met with strong and luscious coffee aromas, small twinkling lights, and the sound of trickling water, all drawing you down the stairs to see what lurks beyond.  It reminds me of something in Paris in the late 50's.

These photos were taken at 8 am this morning and the place was humming.  It is equally busy in the evening hours with eccentric and quirky jazz groups (Last one I saw there was Hillbilly Jazz, and I liked it!)

In addition to coffee they sell wine, soups, muffins and other light fare.  They have art on the wall for sale, and wi-fi, with lots of sofas, easy chairs, and tables grouped into 4 or 5 rooms that flow from one another.  It is a great little spot and I wish them best.  This is a fun place to meet and greet and I am sure it has been discoverd by visitors and local alike.