Award recognizes innovation, dedication and creative transformation of previously unused space
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Kris and Kevin Smith, founders of Bivouac Cellars have been honored with the prestigious Excellence on Main Award at the Washington Main Street Program’s annual ceremony. The award recognizes the Smiths’ innovation, dedication, and creative transformation of an unused basement into a thriving wine tasting room, which has added a new dimension to Historic Downtown Chelan’s vibrant scene.
Operated by the nonprofit Washington Trust for Historic Preservation in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Washington State Main Street Program helps communities across the state revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown districts. Today, the Washington State Main Street Program encompasses a network of more than 70 towns and cities across Washington, including Chelan.
The Brick & Mortar Award is an award that recognizes building owners or projects that positively impact preservation efforts. Bivouac Cellars has been named the 2024 Brick & Mortar Award recipient for its outstanding preservation efforts and creative use of commercial space.
Breanne Durham, Program Coordinator for Washington Main Street presented the prestigious award describing Bivouac’s journey, “Kris and Kevin Smiths’ story began in Germany over 25 years ago as young Army lieutenants. Living in Europe for almost 15 years revealed to them the special place that wine shared with good company and beautiful spaces. Their dream developed during the time they spent deployed in faraway places, bivouacked under the stars.
Chelan’s significant wine industry and downtown’s lack of available square footage were a challenging pairing, but Kris and Kevin were determined to locate in the heart of downtown.
They worked closely with the owners of a downtown restaurant to lease and renovate the building’s basement and work through both the city permitting process and liquor control requirements. The entrance through the restaurant couldn’t be used, since the basement was to be a separate business serving alcohol, so Kris and Kevin pivoted to develop the alley entrance and lean into the “speakeasy” theme.
Former Lt. Kris Smith, USA, and Col. Kevin Smith, USA (Ret), opened Bivouac Cellars in downtown Chelan in 2022
The interior of the building preserved and made use of the basement’s historic features, namely the large wood beams that were left exposed and framing some of the space’s most unique features – the alcove seating, large enough for a group, but cozy enough for a date.
Bivouac Cellars has added a taste of Chelan’s wine industry in the heart of downtown, and it has also sparked possibility for other nooks and crannies – in Chelan and beyond – that could be activated to create more interest and viability in and through historic buildings.”
Durham further commended their efforts, stating, “While many communities would still refer to this low vacancy rate sarcastically as a ‘real tough problem,’ the reality is that many Main Street districts in Washington are grappling with how to encourage entrepreneurship when the street level vacancy rate is at zero and the turnover rate is similarly low. Tapping into possibilities above and even below street level takes the creativity, vision, and persistence that we love to celebrate through these awards.”
Photo courtesy of Bivouac Cellars
Aimee Sheridan, Executive Director for Historic Downtown Chelan Association which is a Washington Main Street Program says, “Bivouac Cellars Underground has not only deepened downtown Chelan’s wine tasting opportunities, but also sparked the imagination for other underutilized spaces. The award from Washington Main Street is a testament to Kris and Kevin’s ability to turn obstacles into opportunities while preserving Chelan’s historic downtown.”
In attendance to help honor the Smiths and Bivouac Cellars were Chelan Mayor Erin McCardle, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce Director and Washington State 12th District Representative Mike Steele, and Aimee Sheridan, Executive Director for Historic Downtown Chelan Association.
HDCA is thrilled for Kris and Kevin Smith and for Bivouac for winning Excellence on Main award from Washington Main Street.
“For Chelan’s downtown business district and beyond, Bivouac Cellars serves as an inspiring model for activating and revitalizing spaces in a way that enhances both the local economy and the unique offering that downtown districts offer their communities.” says Sheridan.
Photo by Diana Skisheva
The Washington State Main Street Program applauds this year’s award winners and the impacts they have made in their communities. For more photos of the award winners and of the PLACES Conference overall, visit preservewa.org/places2024-album.
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About the Washington State Main Street Program: Since 1984, the Washington State Main Street Program has been helping communities revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown commercial districts using the successful Main Street Approach®. For more information, visit the Washington Trust’s website at preservewa.org/mainstreet.
About Historic Downtown Chelan Association (HDCA): HDCA is committed to a welcoming, inclusive, clean, safe, and active downtown Chelan. Through their partnerships alongside downtown businesses and other local community organizations they strive to create beautiful and active space and promote shopping local for an economically vibrant downtown business district.
