The shops at Gilman Village are known for offering boutique quality items and now more people are finding that out.
This summer the Downtown Issaquah Association (DIA) added Gilman Village to the monthly ArtWalks, which features local musicians and artisans in the evenings of the Friday of the month. The idea is to promote locals and visitors checking out Issaquah shopping venues while hearing and learning about local artists and events.
Keith Watts, the president of the DIA said the group’s goal has long been to get the different sectors of Issaquah involved, connecting downtown with Gilman Village and the Highlands.
“We want to create an economic vitality within all the different districts of Issaquah,” Watts said. “If we get working together it’s better for the economy.”
So far through this summer’s two ArtWalks, Watts said the response at Gilman Village has been very good.
“They have had great sales and a lot of visitors,” he said. “It’s demonstrating how when we work together, how strong it can be. It’s really created a nice union.”
For the various stores at Gilman Village the ArtWalk has given people a really good excuse to peruse the stores and discover the speciality shops.
Co-owner of Grimaldi’s Coffee House, Stefano Gaudiano, said he expected the influx to take a little while, but that they started seeing more people coming in on Friday evenings right away. The coffee stop sponsors live bands and artists during the ArtWalks, helping to draw people in.
Tomorrow night at Grimaldi’s the music group Jazz in the Corner will perform and local painter Angie Masterson’s work will be showcased. Gaudiano said her pieces are inspired by surrealism, done in a modern way.
While Gaudiano said the cafe gets a pretty eclectic smattering of customers to begin with, during ArtWalks it is only intensified as people wander by to check out the featured events. It’s a partnership they are excited to continue in the future.
Michael Johnson, the events director for the DIA, said when he started the ArtWalks program eight years ago there was only one gallery, which makes a traditional artwalk difficult, but after talking with merchants the idea has continued to grow. He said this summer they were hoping the Issaquah Trolley would be able to ferry people from downtown to Gilman Village, but the trolley line wasn’t completed in time so University House in Issaquah donated the use of their bus to shuttle people back and forth.
“They’ve just been really helpful. It’s a tremendous event, even more than anticipated,” said Johnson.
Gaudiano said once the trolley connection between downtown and Gilman Village is complete, most likely in time for next summer, it will only help strengthen the ties between the two areas.
“It’s really taken off,” said Gaudiano.
Overall, Johnson said while people wander through to see the various artists they go into the various stores and then discover the businesses.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said, connecting people with local businesses through art.
Last month Johnson said stores in Gilman Village reported some of their best days ever, and parking lots were full. Another great location during the event, he said, is the Meadow Creek Church at 65 Front Street South, which joined for the first time in June.
“It was an unbelievably gorgeous display,” said Johnson. “They really did it up nice. It was a special arrangement and I was really just blown away.”
Connecting people to local businesses has always been the DIA’s goal, and adding another sector to the list has proved to make the event a success for locals as well as businesses.
“The Downtown Issaquah Association has been very proud to be able to partner with Gilman Village and demonstrate how effective we can be,” said Watts.
This evening the July ArtWalk kicks off at 5 p.m. Maps of artist locations for the event are available at the Issaquah branch of the King County Library, as well as at any participating business. ArtWalks are held the first Friday of the month through September.
