New retail opportunities open up ahead of the Daffodil Festival
Several downtown La Conner businesses have relocated or are in the process of doing so within easy walking distance of their prior storefronts.
CleverKathy downsizes
Popular La Conner specialty shop CleverKathy Designs is transitioning from its long-time home base in the Pier 7 Building to the Crossroads Building a block away at Second and Washington.
“We’re not closing,” said co-owner Kathy Felker, famed locally for her custom apparel and garment creations. The short move is simply downsizing for Kathy, now a youthful 74, and husband Al Felker.
“We’re going to have just under 300 square feet, about the size of my design studio,” Kathy said. “It’ll be okay. I’m still doing this because I like it and I do it for the locals. I’ll still do the custom work and be part of the community.”
Her customers will be able to order and purchase their favorite CleverKathy creations at the new store site, including an array of colorful 3-D gift items.
La Conner Chamber of Commerce Director Mark Hulst said the vacancy resulting from the CleverKathy move will provide a great sidewalk storefront opportunity for a new commercial venture in the weeks ahead.
La Conner Electric Company gets better exposure
Gaining a sidewalk storefront prompted La Conner Electric Company owner Mark Kulseth to move across First Street from the old Lighthouse Inn to what locals of a certain age refer to as the old La Conner Municipal Library building, sharing window space there with the Latitude-Longitude outlet.
“This move, as short as it is, is really worth it,” said Kulseth, a well-established lighting technician whose business specializes in creative designs, lamp rehabs and repairs, and a wide range of custom projects.
Kulseth said the layout at his new digs not only offers greater retail exposure to folks strolling First Street, but also provides studio and workroom space for him and assistant technician Steve Thein, a lifelong La Conner area resident, retired regional sales manager, and well-known mechanical whiz to do their magic.
B.U.tiful expands
The B.U.tiful boutique — renowned for its handmade home decor — will soon shift a couple blocks north from Pier 7 to a new, larger location in the former Nasty Jack’s Antiques annex behind Restless & Refurbished at First and Morris.
“We’re going to go from our 400 square-foot shop to a space with 1,800 square-feet,” said co-owner Andrea Wikstrom.
Wikstrom said the plan is for B.U.tiful to close out its present spot on Dec. 31 and re-open soon after on North First. The more spacious location already sports a new façade designed by Wikstrom’s husband, Matthew Wikstrom.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
