Lina and Clint Estes (left), and Matt and Angelia Smith are developing plans for property at the intersection of Glover Street and Highway 20 in Twisp.
Retail space, coffee shop among possibilities
By Ann McCreary
A prominent piece of Twisp real estate — a wedge-shaped parcel between Highway 20 and the south end of Glover Street — has new owners who are considering plans for future development.
The property was purchased recently from Hank and Judy Konrad by Clint and Lina Estes and Matt Smith. The Estes and Smith own and operate Quality Lube and Repair on the same wedge of land, on property purchased from the Konrads in 2003. Lina Estes owns PIC, a boutique on Highway 20 in Twisp.
The property currently has a vacant, industrial looking building that was a gas station in the 1960s and more recently housed Mitch’s Automotive and Methow Power Sports. At the corner near Highway 20 is a large metal sculpture created by the late artist Bernard Hosey to designate the entrance to downtown Twisp.
Plans for the development of the property are “really conceptual” at this point, Clint Estes said. The new owners have asked local designer Doug Potter to draft ideas for renovating or expanding the existing building to create a retail space and coffee shop, Estes said. He said they have talked with Dan and Meg Donohue of Blue Star Coffee Roasters about supplying coffee for the shop.
Estes said future development will include new landscaping and a design that is compatible with architecture and ambience of Twisp.
“It’s a wonderfully visible location. It needs to look good and be warm and welcoming,” Estes said. He said he envisions a “cool patio” in front of the building where people can sit outdoors and enjoy coffee and a snack.
The property purchase will allow Quality Lube to expand its building to add two more vehicle bays on the Highway 20 side. Four large fuel tanks next to the car repair shop were removed in December. Estes said he and Smith plan to remove outdoor clutter and provide more organized parking around Quality Lube.
Development will probably wait until next year, Estes said. “Whatever we do, we’re going to take our time and do something everybody likes,” he said.
