An End to Beige? Downtown Edmonds Businesses Sporting New Colors

Have you seen the new, vibrant color of in downtown Edmonds?

Other businesses downtown may soon be sporting different colors as well, thanks to an effort to brighten the city by City of Edmonds. It's led by City of Edmonds Community Services and Economic Development director Stephen Clifton and City of Edmonds Cultural Services manager Frances Chapin, both of whom have met with property owners about improving the facades of their buildings.

Says Clifton: "An appealing downtown atmosphere, created through attention to the physical appearance and design of public and private buildings, signage, storefronts, public spaces, street furniture, pubic art, landscaping, window displays, etc., conveys a positive message about the commercial district and what it has to offer."

It also looks better.

"Enhancing downtown's physical appearance through the rehabilitation of historic buildings, new paint and design quality helps improve the overall appearance of a commercial district," Clifton said.

It was during a recent Downtown Edmonds Merchants Association meeting that Clifton first asked if businesses if they and/or their building owners would be interested in improving their facades within the downtown area, some of which would take place by simply applying new paint.

Clifton suggested that something other than beige—beige is big in Edmonds— or a richer shade of beige, brown or tan could work.

In addition to The Wooden Spoon, those with new colors include Housewares, The Edmonds Bookshop and the Bill The Butcher and Red Petal Cakes building.

Clifton said The Savvy Traveler is expected to sport a new color soon, and Old Milltown is now making façade improvements.

The north side of the half block between Fourth Avenue and the alley between Fourth and Fifth avenues are other good examples, said Clifton, as the colors are rich and vibrant.

"Use of any garish colors should be avoided as they could significantly diminish a building’s character," he said. "Special care should also be taken for any buildings that are historical in character, as any change is color needs to be carefully chosen to complement and enhance architectural treatments and embellishments."