While Washougal is enthused about bustling development, the city’s street-improvement project has proven difficult for existing downtown businesses. Traffic has been rerouted, streets are often closed and parking is not easy to come by.
Developer Wes Hickey acknowledged the strain on businesses but said he hopes they have the perspective that when the work is done, it will change how people view their city and the direction it is headed.
Heidi and Bruce Kramer own Salvage Safari, which sits kitty-corner to Washougal Town Square. On a personal level, the Kramers said they love the redevelopment and believe it will do wonders for the town.
But as business owners, they’re worried.
Since construction on city streets began last winter, business has dropped 40 percent.
"The new sidewalks are wonderful, but we had no idea how much it would keep our customers away," said Heidi Kramer. "It’s been much harder than we expected."
Whether the cut in customers will be worth it in the end remains to be seen, the couple said. They’re wondering whether their customers will return and whether their type of business fits into the city’s new vision.
"We don’t know if that kind of customer will shop here," said Bruce Kramer. "We’re wondering what our role is in the town. The personality is changing and we’re a salvage store. We don’t know if we need to try and morph into a nicer store – we don’t want to be the slum next door. There are a lot of unknowns."
Down the street at True Value Hardware, owner/operators Dawn and Bill Lavin also said times have been difficult but are improving. In the beginning, the store saw a decrease in as many as 400 customers a month.
The couple learned what it meant to tighten their belts, said Dawn Lavin.
But with the advent of spring – a hardware store’s Christmas – came customers.
"We definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel," she said.
Earlier in the construction process, the Lavins addressed the City Council about lack of access to downtown businesses. The city responded with increased signage and advertisements in local newspapers stating that downtown businesses are still open.
In the last few months, City Administrator Nabiel Shawa has personally visited the store to ensure operations are going better, Dawn Lavin said.
But for Chris Taylor and Bob Wynner, who own Chrissy’s Signs and Graphics, which sits right on the edge of the downtown street project, the construction has been a blessing.
The rerouted traffic passes right in front of the shop, which has brought in new customers who previously were unaware of it. And new businesses and growth in town means more work for a sign shop.
"We’re lucky we’re at the other end of the stick," Wynner said.
Taylor said it will be nice to get a rush of new business in town for a change.
"People don’t want to go into town anymore for things they can get right here," she said. "They need to realize this is town now."
