ARLINGTON — The entry into historic downtown has been all spruced up, thanks to a major remodel of the Stillaguamish Square, a.k.a Arlington Pharmacy.
“We launched the remodel on Labor Day exactly 28 years from the beginning of the new construction,” said the founder and retired pharmacist, Dale Duskin.
“The remodel look two months longer than the new construction.”
Planning of the remodel started during the Olympic Avenue reconstruction, said Cory Duskin, manager of the family business.
“Our 30-year roof was due, so we decided to overhaul the entire look,” Cory added.
The pharmacy and other tenants of the fancy new building at the intersection of SR 530 and SR 9 will celebrate its new look with a big party on Super Saturday this weekend, Saturday, June 6.
One of Arlington’s first malls built in 1980 at 540 West Ave., the new Stillaguamish Square compliments two other new buildings at the intersection, the All Seasons Spa & Stove, and the homey Oosterwyk’s Chiropractor office.
They all combine to create a much improved first impression of historic downtown, according to the city’s economic development manager, Vic Ericson, who was charged with improving the gateways into Arlington.
“We are very excited about how it all came together,” Ericson said.
“It’s a great investment in our city that the Duskins have made,” he added.
The upscale, contemporary look combines wood and metal with brick work and a collection of coordinated signage for all the occupants of the building.
Thse Duskins recognized they had a key location at the entry into town and wanted to make an impressive statement.
“Cory picked the right team to make it happen,” Dale Duskin said.
“Cory wanted to create a look that fit in Arlington, so we looked at the colors proposed by the University of Washington student’s design guidelines,” Ericson said.
“We recognized that we are at a key location, at the intersection of two major highways,” Dale Duskin said. “We felt the responsibility to represent well the commercial district of Arlington, since it’s the first thing people see when they arrive in town.”
Cory said they selected Olympic General Contractors because they had experience remodeling businesses while remaining open to the public.
“They recommended Cornerstone as the architect,” Cory Duskin said.
“The contractors did a great job at keeping our doors open throughout the remodel,” said Karen Watson, owner of the Stilly Coffee House, which benefitted from the remodel with a nice patio where tables are located outside for sipping coffee beverages in the sun.
“I’m going to miss all those all those guys,” she added.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at noon, with fun activities, contests, and prizes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 6, on Super Saturday.
Activities include a fire truck, bouncy house, face painting, balloon artist and contests with lots of great prizes, said the coordinator of the celebration, Kerry Munnich.
Tenants:
n La Hacienda Family Mexican Restaurant
n Grandura Barber Shop
n Arlington Pharmacy
n Fine Gifts by Arlington Pharmacy
n 10 Minute Walk-In Clinic
n Stilly Coffee House
n Arlington Copy, Mail & More!
n Cheepers Food and Things
n Radio Shack
n Arlington Chiropractic Center
More new stuff around town
Along with the big party at the Stillaguamish Square, Action Sports will be celebrating its 25th anniversary as well as regular Super Saturday events, including 20 percent off at Arlington Hardware, and several new businesses:
n Three Peas in a Pod, at 318 N. Olympic Ave., where some good cooking is going on, with sandwiches, soup, an original dinner special every night of the week, and no fried food, open 11 a.m. to
9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Service is great provided by youth from Vision Quest and L.K.I. Family services.
n The Book Shelf offers second hand books for sale to benefit foster children services, at 102 E. Division.
n Brody’s Fashion Edge, offers young fashions for men and women, at 233 N. Olympic Ave.
