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A Touch of Class spruces up storefront, others to soon follow? (photos)

By on August 7, 2010 in Archived, Business, Featured Slideshow, Headlines

If you happened to be on a morning walk in downtown last Wednesday, you might have seen some folks cleaning the storefront of A Touch of Class Barber Shop (111 Lake Street South). Perri Delaney and Keith Brush gathered together with a crew from Sternoff Development to power wash the sidewalk and spiff up the building. Perhaps this is a rebirth of an old downtown tradition – merchants, landowners and volunteers helping to restore, clean and take pride in the appearance of their storefronts and sidewalks. One thing is certain: government isn’t going to do it us.

Courtesy photos



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About Rob Butcher

		Editor and Scribbler of Kirkland Views.				

			
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                Burton Smith
            
        
    
        
    
            
    I am happy that the government is not cleaning the front of a private building.  
    

    As for the sidewalk, I am happy the government is working on more important things.
    

    
        
    
    
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                Maureen Kelly
            
        
    
        
    
            
    As residents we sometimes have blinders on when it comes to our own neighborhoods.  This was brought to my attention in an unexpected way last week by a Mercer Island couple viewing one of my Kirkland listings.  I was taken aback when they commented on their surprise that Kirkland was “so dirty”, citing cigarette butts and other litter on the sidewalks and in the street – this on a Saturday afternoon.  We think of our town as a little jewel but it requires  attention and care from everyone, residential and business alike.  I was reminded of the home and business owners grooming their  building fronts and hosing down the cobblestone streets every morning in cities such as Venice and smaller Italian towns.  The impact of City budget cuts is noticable all around our town (street cleaning, landscaping, roads, seasonal decorations and the like).  Kirkland will survive the economic downturn and thrive again…it is already starting.   Wouldn't it be lovely if  downtown business owners and residents adopted daily routine of exterior spiffing?  Thank you Sternoff Development, I hope this article ignites an important trend.
    

    
        
    
    
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http://kirklandviews.com                Rob Butcher
            
        
    
        
    
            
    Hi Maureen,
    I couldn't agree with you more. The pride shown by small town Italian shopkeepers when they clean the sidewalks and storefronts is something to commend and hopefully emulate. I would not pretend to know what is best for Kirkland shopkeepers as I am not one, however, as a person who spends time downtown most days of the week, I can say the general ethos has not taken hold here. Some exceptional shopkeepers in town do more than their share of cleaning up, giving back and trying to improve our downtown core. Unfortunately, there are bad apples in every bunch and in this case, a few shops not pulling their weight can tarnish the whole.
    

    I have participated in several of the annual springtime Clean Sweep events to clean up downtown and I am always pleased to see the participation of the wonderful merchants we have in town. What we need as a downtown is to find a way to encourage ongoing participation by those shopkeepers who's inaction or lack of awareness on this issue negatively impacts Kirkland as a whole.
    Who could blame a visitor to Kirkland for not returning if they had to see the filth that sometimes fills our sidewalks? During the halcyon days when our city government spent money more freely, perhaps individual responsibility of taking care of our own front door was forgotten by some. I hope these leaner times can help remind us that our own actions, not those of the government, are most relevant in our own wellbeing, happiness and prosperity.
    Thank you for your comments.
    

    
        
    
    
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                JohnGilday
            
        
    
        
    
            
    We have a 3500psi pressure washer available – just buy the gas.
    

    
        
    
    
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                Maureen Kelly
            
        
    
        
    
            
    I was remiss in not mentioning the many Kirkland business owners and volunteers who work tirelessly, year after year, to keep this City  a special place. I could certainly do more.  I am not a downtown business owner either, but I work very hard to keep my property and frontage in tip top condition rather than an eyesore.  From my perspective, your article was timely and appropriate.
    

    
        
    
    
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                Bea Nahon
            
        
    
        
    
            
    Maureen makes great points. It all adds up and the more that is done, the better. Many landlords and business owners spend time and money keeping up their properties and the surroundings. I noticed one of the Starbucks employees outside on Park Lane this AM sweeping up.  The condominium associations also spend time and money to keep the area clean and livable – including regular sweeping, grounds and planter upkeep, pressure washing, facade maintenance etc. 
    

    There are some who don't pitch in and some people drop litter no matter what. I'd like to think those are the minority. More important, thank you to all of the landlords, business owners and residents who show pride and take care of the area all of the time.
    

    
        
    
    
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                Jim Hitter
            
        
    
        
    
            
    When Mr. Sternoff runs for re-election to the Kirkland City Council I will be sure to remember that he cares enough about his downtown to join a hands on cleanup effort. Personally I'd like to see property owners and business operators make the first and last order of business be to spend a few moments (say, 5 minutes) “patrolling” their perimeters and picking up the day's detritus and pulling the odd weed.  Is that asking too much?
    

    
        
    
    
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                Maureen Kelly
            
        
    
        
    
            
    Well said.
    

    
        
    
    
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