PORT ANGELES — For the first time, downtown Port Angeles will entice people behind the scenes of several sense-pleasing businesses.
The free guided “Business in the Making” tour, held in conjunction with this weekend’s Arts in Action festival, departs at 11 a.m. Saturday from the peace bell in the City Pier parking lot.
Among its stops is Northwest Fudge & Confections, where candy-makers Bob and Lindi Lumens will be tempering and shaping chocolates — and of course offering visitors a taste.
This business is sweet, Lindi Lumens said, and not just because of the confections.
“We make a lot of people happy,” she said, adding that it’s perfectly OK to swoon a bit when you walk in.
Also on the “Business in the Making” tour are the Cabled Fiber Studio at 106 N. Laurel St., where artisans will be spinning soft yarns, and Aglazing Art at 207 W. First St., another art studio where children, teens and adults shape and paint ceramics and glass.
The two-hour tour then brings visitors to LaBrie Glass and RBS Studio, 110 E. Railroad Ave. — Paul LaBrie’s and Bob Stokes’ lair, where glass is blown and bronze sculptures take shape.
Then there’s Captain T’s at 114 E. Front St., with T-shirt printing demonstrations; Black Diamond Bridal at 109 E. First St., where tour participants will see how Belva Bodey designs, drapes and sews wedding gowns; and Mark’d Body Art at 118 W. First St., where Marcus Tanner will demonstrate the art of tattoo painting.
Products made on site
“We were talking about how many stores we have downtown that actually make the products they sell,” said Richard Stephens, a member of the Port Angeles Downtown Association board, which is sponsoring Saturday’s tour.
“We thought that many people would enjoy a glimpse into the process, to see some of the techniques by which these products are made.
“We think of it as a magician drawing the curtain back,” added Stephens, also a costume designer, theater director, actor and Peninsula Daily News account executive.
At Captain T’s, tour attendees will have a chance to purchase a $10 commemorative shirt bearing the image of the Laurel Street mural of the MV Kalakala ferry.
Proceeds will go toward the Rotary Club’s mural-maintenance fund. After the tour, the shirts will be available in the store for $18.95, of which $2 will go to the Rotary mural fund.
Stephens encouraged tour participants to bring their cameras, their children and their curiosity.
“Come get a fresh appreciation,” he added, “for the wide diversity of talent in the downtown business core.”
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
