With the drone of construction coming to a halt especially for the event, small businesses will open their doors for the annual Taste of Main on Saturday, Aug. 22, the last before major changes come to the area.
Main Street is currently in the midst multiple construction projects at the intersection of Main and Bellevue Way. Altogether, the buildings will bring a new face to the neighborhood about which business owners are trying to remain optimistic.
“We’re going to miss the old Old Bellevue,” said Kris Scott, manager of Wee Tot’s children’s store. “But with everything in life, there’s change, so we’re hopeful.”
Old Bellevue has long been know as a quieter, quaint shopping district nestled next to the Downtown Bellevue. Construction is currently underway on three projects on either side of Main Street, including two buildings that will be the visual pillars of the pedestrian shopping district.
The Main Street Gateway project at 10328 Main St. will be a mixed-use development made up of 350 residential units, associated community spaces, 14,600 square feet of retail space, 11,000 square feet of restaurant space and 592 parking spaces.
Adjoining the Main Street Gateway is a separate mixed-use development called Bellevue at Main. Located at 15 Bellevue Way, it will entail 256 apartments, 32,000 square feet of retail space, 301 parking stalls, a fitness center and a roof-top deck with outdoor barbecues.
The other half of the new pillars to the Main Street is construction on the Amcut offices at 10133 Main Street. The developers are in phase two of rebuilding the pre-existing 1,400 square foot building and adding a new 1,600 square foot, two-story office building.
None of the development companies responded to requests for comment.
“The construction companies are very nice, but it is a hinderance. But, I think in end its all for the good. I think it will bring a new hipness that wasn’t here before,” said Lorali Downes, owner of Lorali’s Optical.
Overall, many store owners said they were looking forward to increased foot traffic from the new residences, for which the construction is paving the way.
“If you look at the two projects right on Main Street, they will have wide sidewalks. We think it will create a customer friendly, kind of fun atmosphere,” said Don Booth, president of the Old Bellevue Merchants Association. Representatives from the three construction companies have been attending merchants association meetings, some before construction had begun, and members of the association did get to see images from the projects during the design phase, Booth added.
The association is also is looking for ways to maintain the charm and history of Main Street, including some work with the Eastside Heritage Center and events focused on the area, such as the Taste of Main.
“With all of the work going on, the merchants have been much more plugged in this year,” said Ahinsa Mansukhani, one of the Taste of Main organizers. “Once you get past the construction and everything, it is a highly unique street in Bellevue. Everything’s developed with skyscrapers and stuff all around it, but you walk into Old Bellevue and it feels like a different world.”
Taste of Main will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22. Fixed price “passports” for free drinks, food, and other specials can be purchased online at tasteofmainbellevue.com or at the event.
