Washington Main Street

05/18/2026

As we count down to our 2026 celebration this October, we’re looking back at the winners of our 2025 Excellence on Main Awards, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond!

Next up, we have the Leadership on Main Award, which recognizes an individual who has shown extraordinary dedication to their local Main Street over a significant period of time. Stevenson’s Andra and John Mobley were named the 2025 recipients for their contributions as community leaders, business owners, and Main Street supporters.

Andra and John Mobley have called Stevenson home for decades, raising their family there and embedding their love for the place into A & J Market, an independent grocery store where Andra manages financials and HR and John leads operations and logistics. A&J Market is a vital employer in Stevenson, often the first job for high school students. Twelve staff have served 10+ years, eight have for more than 20 years, and two staff members have been with the store since it opened in 1995. This loyalty is sustained by a staff retirement plan, a 20% employee family discount, and team celebrations. The Mobleys’ personal commitment goes even further—they’ve driven through snowstorms to ensure staff could arrive safely and the community never lost grocery access.

A&J Market is more than a grocery store—it’s a symbol of generosity, longevity, and community identity. Andra and John have cultivated a business rooted in personal relationships and local investment. Since 2014, A&J’s Coupon Donation Program has raised more than $350,000 for local youth, education, and nonprofit causes. Today, the store sponsors virtually every event in town, from sports teams to local fundraisers, and is known for its quiet but consistent giving. In 2021, A&J became the third retailer in Washington certified for online EBT—after Amazon and Walmart—providing rural families with dignified, safe grocery access. And during the pandemic, A&J shared inventory with neighboring stores to prevent shortages, setting aside competition for the greater good.

In addition to the significant role they play as business owners, John and Andra are also involved in community groups including the Stevenson Downtown Association, chamber of commerce, county fair board, and local education foundation. Their volunteerism runs the gamut, from chairing boards to stringing lights and leading student kayaking expeditions.

Learn more in our awards archive: https://preservewa.org/excellence-on-main-awards/andra-and-john-mobley/

The Washington State Main Street Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.



📷: Films by Rach

05/11/2026

As we count down to our 2026 celebration this October, we’re looking back at the winners of our 2025 Excellence on Main Awards, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond!

Next up, we have the Legacy on Main Award, which recognizes a small business that has stood the test of time and impacted generations of community members. Kelly’s Hardware of Chelan has been named the 2025 recipient not only for its longevity but for its many contributions to the community.

With roots dating back to 1925—when it was originally called Chelan Hardware and shared a building with Chelan State Bank—Kelly’s Hardware is woven into the fabric of downtown Chelan. In 1958, Wayne Kelly acquired the business, setting the stage for a remarkable family legacy that now spans three generations. Today, Kelly’s Hardware is the second-oldest multi-generational business in downtown Chelan, operated by Wayne’s son, Pat Kelly, who is now mentoring his own son, Brogan, to carry the business forward. This continuity speaks not only to the strength of the Kelly family but to their dedication to serving the needs of their community decade after decade.

More than just a hardware store, Kelly’s Hardware has become a trusted institution—a place where locals know they can find tools, parts, and trusted advice from people who know their names. For visitors, it offers a glimpse into the spirit of small-town hospitality. Its presence as a stable, enduring business has helped anchor downtown Chelan through periods of change and growth.

The Kelly family’s deep commitment to Chelan is perhaps most joyfully expressed through the Wayne Kelly Memorial Top Dog Parade, a beloved St. Patrick’s Day tradition held in honor of Pat’s late father, Wayne. The parade always draws crowds, fostering connections and highlighting the best of small-town life—a reflection of the same values the Kelly family brings to their store.

Learn more in our awards archive: https://preservewa.org/excellence-on-main-awards/kellys-hardware/

The Washington State Main Street Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

Historic Downtown Chelan
Kelly's Chelan Hardware Co.



📸 Films by Rach

05/04/2026

As we count down to our 2026 celebration this October, we’re looking back at the winners of our 2025 Excellence on Main Awards, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond!

Next up, we have the Legacy on Main Award, which recognizes a small business that has stood the test of time and impacted generations of community members. Cle Elum’s Owens Meats has been named the 2025 recipient not only for its longevity but for its many contributions to the community.

For more than 130 years, Owens Meats has been serving meat to families in Cle Elum and beyond. Likely the oldest continuously operated family business in Kittitas County and perhaps one of the oldest in the state, Owens Meats was founded in 1887 to provide quality food for coal miners and their families. Founder Morgan Owens saw firsthand how hard-working families needed reliable access to meat, often extending credit during tough times. Over the decades, new needs emerged—from refrigeration and sanitation to changing consumer habits and rural economic shifts.

Each generation of the Owens family has responded to these needs by evolving the business. During the Great Depression and coal strikes, the family supported struggling customers. In the 1980s, recognizing a shift in shopping habits, Owens Meats transitioned from freezer sales to retail, making meat more accessible (not to mention the world’s first meat vending machine). The Owens family didn’t just witness these needs—they experienced them personally. Their business decisions reflect a deep understanding of and commitment to local families, agriculture, and economic resilience, shaped by more than 130 years of listening and responding.

Learn more in our awards archive: https://preservewa.org/excellence-on-main-awards/owens-meats/

The Washington State Main Street Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

Cle Elum Downtown Association



📸 Films by Rach

04/27/2026

As we count down to our 2026 celebration this October, we’re looking back at the winners of our 2025 Excellence on Main Awards, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond!

Next up, we have the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which recognizes the innovation, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit of our entrepreneurs and small businesses. Ellensburg’s Jeannie Bayles was named 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year for her hard work not only as a small business owner but in supporting her community.

After years of working in restaurants, including helping her mom open traditional Korean restaurants in Colorado, Jeannie Bayles recognized an opportunity to complement Ellensburg’s growing food scene with something uniquely her own—an experience that felt both creative and comforting, rooted in personal history and community connection.

That vision led to the opening of The Early Bird, a welcoming all-day brunch eatery that quickly became a local favorite. After opening on Water Street in 2018, The Early Bird quickly outgrew its space and moved to Main Street. The new building fueled Jeannie’s vision and entrepreneurial spirit, and looking to maximize her space with a complementary concept, Jeannie opened The Night Owl in an auxiliary space within the building in 2023. The second bird is moody, elevated, and designed for the evening crowd, featuring a handcrafted cocktail menu by Jeannie’s trusted general manager, Mike Wooldridge.

Jeannie’s two distinct businesses bookend the day in downtown Ellensburg—comforting brunches at The Early Bird and creative cocktails at The Night Owl. But what makes them special isn’t just the food or drink. It’s the way she invites her team into every part of the process. From cross-training to recipe contributions, her staff feel seen, valued, and heard. Her leadership has fostered a culture of mutual respect and shared investment in the downtown experience, which contributes to strong retention and a sense of ownership. Jeannie is building businesses that reflect the character of Ellensburg itself—collaborative, warm, creative, and proud of its people.

Learn more in our awards archive: preservewa.org/excellence-on-main-awards/jeannie-bayles

The Washington State Main Street Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.



📸 Films by Rach

04/20/2026

As we count down to our 2026 celebration this October, we’re looking back at the winners of our 2025 Excellence on Main Awards, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond!

Next up, we have the Community Partnership Award, which recognizes a Main Street organization and partner(s) who have demonstrated the highest and best degree of cooperation to benefit downtown revitalization efforts. The Roslyn Downtown Association was named the 2025 Community Partnership Award recipient for its Creator’s Law art piece, created in partnership with the Yakama Nation.

The city of Roslyn is situated within the Yakama Nation’s historic Treaty Territory. The history of Tribal stewardship of these lands spans thousands of years and continues to this day. In November 2020, the Roslyn Downtown Association entered into a partnership agreement with the Yakama Nation to develop educational materials, public displays, and experiential learning opportunities throughout the local area. The partnership emphasizes the Yakama Nation’s history, culture, and continuing land and resource stewardship efforts in Roslyn—an important early step toward expanding Main Street’s role in sharing the full and accurate history and culture of the region.

One such project, a direct result of the partnership agreement between the Roslyn Downtown Association and the Yakama Nation, is the public art piece known as Creator’s Law. The sculpture installation, located in a downtown park, features artwork by Lin McJunkin and Milo White and was funded by the Roslyn Downtown Association. The sculpture symbolizes the Creator’s Law, illustrating how earth, water, air, and both natural and cultural resources influence our minds, bodies, and spirits. The design and message were shaped in collaboration with Yakama Nation Tribal Council Chairman Gerald Lewis, Tribal Councilmembers Terry Heemsah and Caseymac Wallaheee, and the Cultural Resource Committee, including cultural consultant and archaeologist Noah Oliver.

Oliver, who co-led the sculpture initiative with the Roslyn Downtown Association, emphasizes the meaning of the Sacred Acknowledgement of the Creator’s Law. Land (Mother Earth), Water (Giver of Life), Air (Our Sacred Breath), and all cultural resources are divine gifts from the Creator. These resources sustain life and nourish our spirits, requiring us to honor and protect them. This stewardship has been part of Yakama tradition for thousands of years. Today, many of these resources face threats, making it vital to uphold our shared responsibilities to safeguard them for future generations.

Learn more in our awards archive: https://preservewa.org/excellence-on-main-awards/creators-law/

The Washington State Main Street Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.



📸 Films by Rach

04/13/2026

As we count down to our 2026 celebration this October, we’re looking back at the winners of our 2025 Excellence on Main Awards, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond!

Next up, we have the Economic Opportunity Award, which recognizes enhancement efforts that have improved the economic vitality of a district, including job creation and retention, sales growth, and more. Twispworks was named the 2025 recipient for its work creating affordable spaces, investment opportunities, and resources ranging from childcare to education for local artists, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits.

Built in 1932 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Twisp Ranger Station served the Methow Valley for decades. When the U.S. Forest Service decommissioned the station and put the property up for auction, the community banded together to continue the site’s legacy as a critical community and economic driver. That vision came to fruition and continues to evolve through Twispworks. Located on the same 6.4-acre campus in downtown Twisp, TwispWorks spent its first few years focused on rehabilitating the old ranger station buildings, creating spaces for entrepreneurs, artists, and the community to come together. Today, TwispWorks supports more than 35 small businesses, artists, nonprofits, and educators by providing affordable commercial space, technical support, and access to values-driven capital.

Through ongoing dialogue and community participation, TwispWorks continues to evolve as a place-based solution. In 2017, TwispWorks launched the Methow Investment Network, which to date has facilitated more than $2.5 million in local business investments, and created space for Little Star, which offers affordable early childhood education on site. In 2023, in partnership with the Methow Valley School District, TwispWorks opened the Auto Tech Facility, which supports career and technical education opportunities for local youth. TwispWorks has seen new businesses launch, artists open studios, and students gain hands-on skills in trades. By preserving historic buildings for local use and fostering community-led development, they’ve built a platform where residents can pursue their passions and build lasting local wealth.

Learn more in our awards archive: https://preservewa.org/excellence-on-main-awards/twispworks/

The Washington State Main Street Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

04/08/2026

📣 Last Call for PLACES 2026 Session Proposals!

We’re putting out one final call for session proposals for PLACES 2026, happening October 6–8 in beautiful Ellensburg! If you have a story, strategy, project, or perspective that can spark conversation and strengthen preservation work across Washington, we want to hear from you.

This is your chance to help shape this year’s conference programming — from hands‑on workshops to community‑centered discussions and everything in between.

Submit your proposal by 11:59 PM on April 13 and be part of PLACES 2026:

About the Conference PLACES is Washington’s annual statewide conference focused on the continued care of place through historic preservation, placemaking, and economic development, brought to you by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preserv...

04/06/2026

As we count down to our 2026 celebration this October, we’re looking back at the winners of our 2025 Excellence on Main Awards, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond!

Next up, we have the Purposeful Promo Award, which recognizes creative, effective promotional campaigns that celebrate and attract visitors and residents alike to the downtown or neighborhood commercial district. The Downtown Aberdeen Association was named the 2025 recipient for their Make Music Day event, which began only two years ago.

The Fête de la Musique is a world music day that takes place annually on the summer solstice in countries all over the world. Given its musical roots as the home of Nirvana, Aberdeen decided to participate in 2023. From pulling together 40 local musicians in 2023, to more than 150 (including some notable headliners) in 2024, to a two-day festival with 28 performance stages and more than 1,500 volunteer hours in 2025, Make Music Day Aberdeen has exploded and gained national media attention.

The 2025 event included kids’ activities, instrument-making workshops, gallery tours, 28 businesses working in collaboration, partnerships with First Nations and Tribal representatives, the grand reopening of the historic theater, flying in a Native rock band to promote their record label, and Aberdeen’s busiest weekend, both in terms of tourism and commerce, of the year. It’s even being called “the festival that’s changing everything” by local media.

Learn more in our awards archive: https://preservewa.org/excellence-on-main-awards/make-music-day/

The Washington State Main Street Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.



📸 Films by Rach

03/30/2026

As we count down to our 2026 celebration this October, we’re looking back at the winners of our 2025 Excellence on Main Awards, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond!

Next up, we have the Places for People Award, which recognizes projects that create inclusive spaces and invite community engagement year-round. The Downtown Pullman Association was named the 2025 recipient for their Movable Furniture Project.

Community feedback consistently reported that downtown Pullman lacked accessible, inclusive, and pet-friendly spaces where people could sit, relax, eat, read, and connect. In fact, the community was very clearly asking for more “third places”—free, welcoming spaces beyond home or work that can support social interaction and belonging. Recognizing the potential of underused public plazas, Bobbie Ryder and Gigi Skrzycka of the Downtown Pullman Association proposed adding movable tables, chairs, and umbrellas to transform these areas into vibrant, flexible social hubs. With a successful application to T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant in 2023, the Downtown Pullman Association’s Movable Furniture Project was underway.

Over the last two years, as furniture was gradually distributed throughout downtown, volunteers helped unbox, assemble, and maintain it. Initial placements like High Street Plaza quickly became part of daily life downtown, appreciated by residents, students, and visitors. The project also supported the local economy during a major construction project in 2024, maintaining activity and a sense of vibrancy downtown, which supported small businesses and strengthened community resilience in a challenging time.

Learn more in our awards archive: https://preservewa.org/excellence-on-main-awards/movable-furniture-project/

The Washington State Main Street Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.



📸 Films by Rach

03/23/2026

As we count down to our 2026 celebration this October, we’re looking back at the winners of our 2025 Excellence on Main Awards, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond!

Next up, we have the Outstanding Special Project Award, which recognizes great one-time projects or activities that affect a downtown or neighborhood commercial district's revitalization efforts. The Port Townsend Main Street Program was named the 2025 recipient for their Mobile Greeters Program initiative.

When Port Townsend’s Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce closed abruptly, there was a major gap in the community’s tourism-focused economy. Always creative and solution-oriented, the Port Townsend Main Street Program began the Mobile Greeter Program. As part of the program, mobile greeters park their electric bike and engage with folks wandering by, offering information about local businesses, tips about getting around, and even stories of Port Townsend’s unique history. The bike travels around to different locations each day, drawing people to different areas of the commercial district, and considers events where there might be more foot traffic so the greeters can meet the most people.

While working, mobile greeters are also collecting valuable data. Zip codes, overnight stays, activities, and more help inform business owners as well as marketing campaigns and tourism strategies. The success of the Mobile Greeter Program over its first two summers has been recognized by the local Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and by business owners, who drop off information for the bike volunteers to share out.

Learn more in our awards archive: https://preservewa.org/excellence-on-main-awards/mobile-greeter-program/

The Washington State Main Street Program is a program of the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, managed by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.



📸Films by Rach