The Town Square, located at the corner of Sequim Avenue and Washington Street, soon will be renamed as the “Sequim Trading Co. Plaza.”      Sequim Gazette photo by Ashley Miller

The intersection at Washington Street and Sequim Avenue is arguably one of the busiest in Sequim.

That’s why Carol and Gary Zellmer, owners of the Town Square buildings, remodeled the outside of the Hurricane Coffee Company and the surrounding businesses last fall.

"It’s the most popular corner in town and a lot of people like to relax and people watch while they have their coffee," Carol Zellmer said.

"We wanted to make the building pleasant to look at as well."

The renovations are far from over.

In a matter of weeks, the Zellmers plans to change the complex’s name from the Town Square back to its original name. The new sign – which is being constructed now – will read "Sequim Trading Co. Plaza, Est. 1902."

"It’s a beautiful sign and we are looking forward to seeing it up," Zellmer said. "I like the idea of going back to the original name."

In effort to give the entire plaza a face-lift, the Zellmers are working with a contractor to replace the siding, paint and decorate the remaining buildings with brick, including the old Sequim Opera House.

Businesses inside the plaza include Heather Creek, Professional Real Estate, The Good Book, Hurricane Coffee Company, Botanical Touch, Bauer Interior Design, Christian Reading Room, Let’s Shop Boutique and Sequim Tax Service.

"Nobody needs to worry," Zellmer assured the community.

"We certainly don’t want to tear it down – the Opera House is the reason we bought the building in the first place and we want it to be around forever."

When the Opera House was built in 1906 it was one of the largest structures in town.

From its opening program in 1907, the hall was a popular venue for musical events, concerts, dances, public meetings and civic gatherings.

Now, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, an official list of the nation’s historical sites worthy of preservation.

"We want people to understand that we are trying to maintain the integrity of the buildings not make them new," Carol Zellmer said.

For more information, call 683-2548.