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BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2012
Vol. 57, No. 23
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
A new day dawns for Vashon’s liquor store Some things change, some don’t, as the state’s sweeping new law goes into effect By NATALIE JOHNSON
Island group rallies to aid Vashon Theatre By LESLIE BROWN
Staff Writer
Last week liquor sales in Washington changed dramatically, with state-run stores closing their doors and most chain grocery stores stocking their shelves with hard alcohol. But on Vashon, Initiative 1183, which privatized liquor sales in the state, has not altered the Island’s retail landscape. Vashon’s two grocery stores have opted to stay out of the liquor business for now, and Vashon’s sole liquor store was closed for just a day before reopening Saturday as an independent shop. Those who frequent the retail outlet in town or dine at the restaurants that buy from it, however, will notice some changes. And some already have. On Monday many customers at Vashon Liquor were surprised to see that prices had gone up an average of 20 to 30 percent per bottle and even more for high-end labels. Owners Karen Lindskog and Cherry Morgan found themselves frequently explaining the added fees and taxes they now pay as a private seller, sometimes even printing out receipts that broke the bottle prices down. “I’m sorry,” Lindskog told one man who paid more than he wanted for a bottle of rum. “Not as sorry as I am,” he said with a sigh. Another man decided to put back his favorite bottle of vodka and chose a less expensive one.
75¢
Staff Writer
people who voted for that,” Clegg said. Most customers, however, seemed sympathetic to the shop owners, especially after learning that the deals advertised by stores such as Costco and Fred Meyer usually list prices before fees and taxes are tacked on.
Eileen Wolcott had been gearing up to take out yet another business loan to keep her small movie house on Vashon Island afloat, frustrated that she had to do so but realizing she had no choice. Because of sweeping changes in the industry that spell the demise of 35mm film prints as a presentation format, she needs to install an industry-approved digital projection system in the theater — a conversion that could cost close to $100,000. And she has to do it soon. Wolcott dreaded the idea of yet another investment — especially one “that doesn’t improve anything,” she said. “It’s been brutal just to think about.” Now, it appears, Wolcott might not have to turn to a bank. Island GreenTech, a small group of enterprising Islanders on the verge of getting their federal nonprofit tax status, has decided to spearhead a community-wide campaign on Vashon Theatre’s behalf.
SEE LIQUOR, 19
SEE THEATER, 16
Natalie Johnson/Staff Photo
Karen Lindskog, right, pulls out several different bottles of scotch in an effort to find a brand that Judy Clegg, left, said would fit her budget. “I love that stuff, but no,” he said. Judy Clegg, who also visited the shop Monday, was shocked to learn her favorite bottle of scotch now costs $18 more than it used to. Lindskog priced several other bottles, lining them up on the front counter to find one that was in Clegg’s price range. “I think people will be really surprised,
Janet McAlpin and David Godsey founded Open Space.
Open Space fills a niche, but still has room to grow, founders say By ELIZABETH SHEPHERD Arts Editor
Jeff Dunnicliff Photo
When Janet McAlpin and David Godsey walked into SBC Coffee Roasteries’ empty warehouse in 2004, they saw a world of possibilities. The cavernous building, tucked a few blocks off Vashon Highway on 103rd Avenue S.W., had more than 9,000 square feet of wide-open space and ceilings high enough to accommodate the trapezes, ropes and rigging essential to Godsey and McAlpin’s artistry as acrobats, aerialists and UMO Ensemble founding members. But beyond that, McAlpin and Godsey were also able to visualize the space as a home for
Vashon’s vibrant arts and nonprofit community. It seemed a place that could be retrofitted to serve as a site for classes and all sizes of community events, including auctions, celebrations, theatrical and musical presentations — the kind of place that simply didn’t exist on Vashon. “We couldn’t stop talking about it,” Godsey said, recalling the heady time immediately after they discovered the space. “That was it.” Now, eight years later, Open Space for Arts & Community has turned into much the kind of venue they imagined, a community anchor as well as a venue for arts events. Though far from SEE OPEN SPACE, 12