PORT ANGELES — There were days, Tracie Hedin of the Alley Cat Boutique recalls, when “I would come home and bawl.”
Downtown was dreary and the recession deep in late 2009. Nearby stores, Weisfield’s Jewelers among them, were closing up shop.
Yet Hedin, a Port Angeles native, chose to hang in there, to wait for a light at the end of the tunnel.
Breezeway tunnel
She and her neighbors got more than that: The tunnel, aka the breezeway beside Alley Cat at 123 W. First St., is decked with lights in time for Novemberfest, this Saturday’s party hosted by 41 downtown spots.
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., shops, cafes and restaurants from the waterfront to Front, First, Lincoln and Laurel streets will offer giveaways, discounts and refreshments plus drawings for more than $3,500 worth of gift certificates.
Sales next door
“We use the term ‘shop-hop.’ We tell people about sales going on next door,” said Hayley Croxford, owner of the 3-year-old Moss boutique, a kind of younger sister to Alley Cat.
“The goal [of Novemberfest] is to unite businesses,” including newcomers AVAILfit, Stage Right Vintage Outfitters, Strait Slice pizza and the Bada Bean Northwest cafe, as well as Iron Apparel, which has just moved to 121 W. First St. for a grand reopening today.
Yes, there are still the people who come in and say to Hedin, “Look at all the empty storefronts.”
From her perspective, downtown is in better shape than ever.
‘New blood’
“There’s new blood,” she said, adding that the city of Port Angeles has been cooperative, approving things like the added lights in the breezeway.
“To me, [Port Angeles] is this little gem of a secret,” said Hedin, who this winter will mark her 19th year of owning the Alley Cat.
The other day, she had a family from Minnesota stop in.
“We’ve always wanted to come to the Northwest,” they told her.
This corner of the Northwest — downtown Port Angeles — will be on display Saturday during Novemberfest.
Special offers
Among Alley Cat’s First Street neighbors with special offers, free activities and refreshments are Anime Kat, Angeles Brewing Supply, AVAILfit, Baby Grand, Bada Bean Northwest, Bay Variety, Brocante, Cabled Fiber & Yarn, Bliss Salon Co. and Country Aire Natural Foods.
Also, EZ Pawn, Fiddleheads, First Street Haven, InSpired, Iron Apparel, Le Plume Boutique, Port Book and News, Michael’s Fresh Northwest, Moss, Mystery, Next Door Gastropub and Annex, the Port Angeles Antique Mall, Sassy Kat Salon & Boutique and Skincare Suites Spa.
Participants with free offerings or discounts on Front Street include Poser Yoga, Odyssey Bookshop, Olympic Stationers, Brown’s Outdoor, Waters West Flyfishing Outfitters and Sound Bikes & Kayaks, while Railroad Avenue includes Wine on the Waterfront in The Landing mall, Necessities & Temptations and Barhop Brewing.
Also included
The Red Lion Hotel and Restaurant on Lincoln Street and Stage Right Vintage Outfitters, Olympic Stained Glass and the Moxie boutique on Laurel Street are also part of the event.
Easy Street Coffee and Tea and the Next Door Gastropub, both on First Street, plan live music Saturday evening.
“We wanted a new vibe,” Hedin said. She added, with pleasure, “we didn’t realize it would turn out as big as it did.”
For more about Novemberfest, look for the posters downtown or find the event’s page on Facebook.
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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.
