PORT TOWNSEND — After a sparse showing the first night of liberty, sailors from the USS John C. Stennis filled bars and restaurants in Port Townsend several nights last week, giving downtown merchants an unexpected midwinter boost.
“It’s been great for business,” said Paul Rice, who owns Middletown Dreams on Taylor Street.
“I can see how it might not have been so good for retail, but bars and drinking establishments, it’s done really well.”
The Stennis, which is based in Bremerton, docked at Naval Magazine Indian Island on Monday afternoon and loaded about 6 million pounds of ammunition before leaving for San Diego on Friday morning.
Each evening, sailors were allowed shore leave from late afternoon to midnight Monday through Wednesday and until 9 p.m. Thursday.
They were transported into town from the ship, which can carry more than 6,000, by three continuously operating shuttle buses.
Monday night had the fewest going to shore, with 250 leaving the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, according to spokesman Lt. j.g. Joshua Kelsey.
Five hundred came to town Tuesday, and Wednesday night, merchants welcomed 700 sailors.
Thursday, an early night for sailors, saw 400 come into town.
Most of the sailors were dressed in casual clothes, jeans and hoodies.
A uniformed duty section of about 10 sailors was in town as a “command patrol” assigned to help the sailors if needed and to visit the community, Kelsey said.
Kris Nelson, who owns Alchemy Bistro on Washington Street and Sirens Pub on Water Street, said most of the sailors in Alchemy were in uniform and ordered multicourse meals while the younger sailors filled up Sirens.
Nelson said the sailors were well-behaved, “and because they had their own ride, we didn’t have to stress about how they were going to get home.”
Despite a request form Port Townsend Main Street that stores keep late hours during the week, few shops stayed open late, but two, Quimper Mercantile Co. and Sport Townsend, both on Water Street, saw an increase in business during regular business hours.
Quimper, which normally stays open until 7 p.m., reported a significant increase from the same time last year, taking in $1,521 as opposed to $380 in 2014.
Sport Townsend, which stays open until 8 p.m., also did brisk business, according to store manager Gary Lockwood.
Both stores reported that the sailors bought a lot of hats, gloves and warm coats.
“It was great for them to be in town,” Lockwood said.
“I think that people should see the faces of who they are sending to war.”
Teresa Verraes, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce executive director, said the visit brought some “good new energy” but added that the town could have done a better job marketing itself to let the sailors know what was available.
“Sailors know what to do when they are in other towns, but we are an unusual town,” Verraes said.
“There is a lot to see and do here, but it isn’t always clear when you are walking up and down the street.”
Even so, the publicity by the chamber and Port Townsend Main Street largely was dictated by the Navy, which set parameters for the visit and said it was not interested in trips to Port Hadlock or other parts of Jefferson County, Verraes said.
“It’s a plus to have extra customers in town in January, and we are glad members of the Stennis crew could experience Port Townsend,” said Mari Mullen, Main Street executive director.
In addition to downtown establishments, sailors made their way to the Uptown Pub on Lawrence Street and the Pourhouse south of town on Washington Street in smaller numbers.
The sailors did not add significantly to business, according to Pourhouse owner Ned Herbert.
Port Townsend Mayor David King said he was happy the sailors visited town.
“It’s no secret that a lot of people in Port Townsend have issues with the Navy, but that has nothing to do with the servicemen,” King said.
“They deserve our gratitude and care under any circumstances.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
