Main Street revival?

Owners of downtown Washougal businesses are optimistic that residents of the new Main Street Village — a 99-unit apartment complex — will spend some of their dollars near where they live.

Main Street Village is located on the 2300 block of Main Street, within walking distance of several locally owned, independent businesses, including Lulu’s Boutique, 3rd Heart Tattoo and Glo Beauty Lounge.

“You can eat, shop and exercise within a block (of where you live),” Lulu Suchinda, owner of Lulu’s, said.

Suchinda expects the amount of foot traffic to her women’s clothing and accessories shop will increase, particularly in the summer, because of the close proximity of her business to the apartments.

“If they drive to work, they’re going to want to stay close to home (on the weekends) to save time and support local businesses in the area,” she said of the future Main Street Village residents.

Darlynn Taylor, the manager of Glo Beauty Lounge, located on the 1800 block of Main Street, has visited Main Street Village, to promote the business that provides hair, nails and waxing services, along with microblading and lash extensions.

Taylor recently left coupons for new Glo clients in the complex’s lobby.

“The apartments should definitely bring more foot traffic to Main Street,” she said. “There will be more vibrancy downtown.”

Eryn Rowe, a tattoo artist at 3rd Heart Tattoo, also is looking forward to the addition of new residents to the area.

“It will be awesome, getting more people (downtown),” she said.

The complex could have a positive influence on Camas businesses, too.

Rene Dequa, assistant community manager of Main Street Village, recently moved from Eugene, Oregon. She said she has enjoyed eating huckleberry pancakes at OurBar, a farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Washougal, but also stopped into Camas Antiques in downtown Camas to buy home decor for the new model unit at the apartment complex.

People started moving into the complex in November. Each of the market-rate apartments has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a washer and dryer, walk-in closet and single-car garage. Rents start at $1,495.

Some of the apartments have handicapped-accessible features, including lower countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms and wider doorways. So far, 10 of the 99 units are occupied. Some are still under construction.