It’s a new year, and an appropriate time to talk about new things going on in the ever-changing Beaumont Village.
Ins, Outs, & Location Swaps
Two valued advertisers in the Beaumont-Wilshire newsletter have made location moves. Tax consulting firm Sand’s Solutions moved from offices adjacent to the Dutch Village Building to a building on NE Sandy Blvd. Sand’s Solutions owners Kurt and Donnette Sand purchased the property there and have already made the move. Kurt Sand, however, is quick to note the move had nothing to do with Beaumont Village, but instead was about the desire to own property.
“We were renting space, and the ownership changed, leaving some uncertainties,” Sand said. “Owning our own building became our priority, and there was nothing available to meet our needs in Beaumont Village.”
Don’t be surprised, however, if you experience a Sand siting. “I still eat lunch in the village many days a week – people will continue to see us here.”
So, if you need the advice of these professionals, visit Sands on Sandy!
In a Fremont to Fremont shift, valued advertiser Frazier Wealth Management moved its offices to the east side of 42nd Avenue into the former Albina Bank office space at 4020-B NE Fremont Street. Principal Andrew (Andy) Frazier said the move was motivated by several things, including the ability to offer off-street parking to customers and to enjoy more natural light in the space. But knowing the financial services firm has a place to call home for an extended period was the clincher.
“We were able to secure a longer-term lease, which gives us stability. We like knowing we have longevity in this great neighborhood,” Frazier said.
Red Sauce Pizza, formerly on 42nd Avenue and known for an iconic upside-down pizza sign that pre-dated Red Sauce, recently moved to 4641 NE Fremont Street. This location had previously been home to Alameda Cafe, then Thrive Bowl, and most recently, Anchor End Bakery.
Dutch Village Building Updates
At the Beaumont-Wilshire November board meeting, Darren Stowell, new owner of the Dutch Village building at the intersection of Fremont and 42nd Avenue, (featured on the front page of the November-December 2019 newsletter) was the guest speaker. He revealed to attendees his plans to restore and modernize the Dutch Village building on the inside, while preserving and enhancing its iconic architectural facade on the outside. In a more recent conversation, Stowell said four upstairs apartments original to the building that were lightly used as offices over the last 20 years are under renovation, with an early 2020 completion anticipated. While making modern updates to the kitchens and baths, Stowell is bent on saving the vintage elements in the apartments.
“These units have charming period features still intact,” Stowell said. “They include the windows, trim molding, and wood floors that turned out beautifully after refinishing.”
On the ground floor, Stowell is seeking to secure new tenants for three empty spaces, two of which pre-date his ownership. His interest is in finding businesses that will be synergistic with the existing businesses, and ones that he hopes will bring more people to the corner over more hours of the day.
“The right kind of business can help drive traffic to this corner,” Stowell said. “My aim is to bring new energy here.”
Stowell does hope to draw a new yoga business to a space in an adjacent building on 42nd Avenue, just behind the Dutch Village building. The space was previously leased to this type of enterprise.
“The space is set up for it, and I think a yoga studio brings a community element here,” he said. “It also brings more people to the corner throughout the day.”
While he’s in conversations with around seven interested parties for the Fremont-facing spaces, finding the right businesses to move in is important to Stowell.
“I’m interested in hearing what residents and business owners feel would be important additions to the district,” he said. “What would fill a need?”
Do you have ideas for Darren Stowell? He welcomes suggestions via e-mail (darren@ts5properties.com).