Continued from Page 16 Cordelia Cochran, visiting the penin- sula from Tacoma while preparing for an upcoming doctoral internship at a local clinic, stopped by before heading out of town. Cochran said that she looks forward to doing homework at the new bakery. “It’s really a great place,” she said. An Ilwaco resident of four years, Per- kins decided to recruit community mem- bers to help her in revitalizing Ilwaco’s center. She soon realized that the success of her business hinged on daily foot traffi c. Perkins now heads the Downtown Ilwaco Revitalization Committee, a new fi ve-member volunteer task force affi li- ated with the city’s planning commission. One of the group’s goals is for Ilwaco to become a member of the Washington State Main Street program, a decades long state initiative managed by the Trust for Historic Preservation that helps communities revi- talize their downtowns. “We have a wonderful downtown with sidewalks and many historic buildings that are just sitting vacant,” Perkins said. “We really need storefronts to bring people into our community and when we can do that it serves all of our businesses and people who live here,” she added. Susan Yirku, executive director of the Pacifi c County Economic Development Council, welcomed the bakery. “Every- body is extremely excited,” Yirku said. “It’s a great addition to the area,” she added. Ilwaco is undergoing a period of transi- tion, according to Yirku. “Historically the peninsula just didn’t change much, which was actually part of its charm, but we’re offi cially discovered now,” she said, point- ing to population growth. “The bakery is a harbinger of things to come.” Photos by Peter Korchnak ABOVE: Ilwaco Bakery opened on the Long Beach Peninsula in early July. BELOW: A customer smiles with a pastry outside of the new peninsula bakery. YOUR #1 PREMIER CANNABIS RETAILER LARGEST SELECTION FRIENDLY & KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF ELITE PRODUCTS –– For Washington Residents –– Ilwaco Cathlamet (8am - 10pm) 360-261-7200 133 Howerton Ave (8am - 10pm) 360-849-4504 327 WA-4 Kelso Longview (8am - 12am) (8am - 12am) 360-636-0420 360-703-3229 820A West Side Hwy 971 14th Ave WARNING: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with the consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and over. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022 // 17