At East Wenatchee Trades District, new businesses open as Port fills vacancies and preps next phase

EAST WENATCHEE — The Trades District near Pangborn Memorial Airport continues to build momentum as one of the region’s newest small-business hubs, with new tenants opening their doors, construction improvements wrapping up, and a steady stream of entrepreneurs looking to move in.

At the Chelan–Douglas Regional Port Authority meeting on Nov. 12, staff reported that the gravel parking lot serving the Trades District is now complete, with new striping and directional signage added to improve circulation. The upgrade was designed to relieve crowding inside the complex and make access easier for customers visiting multiple businesses on site.

The Port also confirmed its latest tenant addition: Aspen Scientific, a medical-device company specializing in implantable technologies. The firm has signed a lease for Building D, filling one of the development’s remaining spaces.

Meanwhile, one of the Trades District’s earlier incoming businesses, Ruah Shirt Company, is pausing operations due to personal reasons and will not be taking occupancy. But according to the Port, interest in that unit has already been strong, and several prospective tenants have approached staff about the newly available space.

The most immediate addition is Viva Creative Studio, which held its grand opening Nov. 12 with Port commissioners and staff invited. Viva offers creative-services work, including photography, videography, and branding — a complementary fit for the collection of small businesses already on site.

Another upcoming business, Lilies of the Valley, is scheduled to host its grand opening on Nov. 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., adding another retail destination to a district that has steadily diversified since its construction.

Brooke Lammert, the Port’s Economic Development Specialist, said she has been documenting the growth visually, preparing new videos and social content to highlight the district’s development. A short promotional video showcasing the completed parking area and renovated surroundings premiered during the meeting.

The Trades District was built to support a range of small manufacturers, artisans, and creative startups — businesses that often need workspace larger than a storefront but smaller than a traditional warehouse. Each structure in the district is modular, allowing the Port to lease to a mix of tenants whose needs may evolve over time.

The district sits within a broader airport-adjacent business zone that includes aviation firms, medical-device production, food processing, and other light-industrial uses. Several commissioners remarked during the meeting that the Trades District appears to be functioning as intended: Quickly leasable space for emerging businesses in Chelan and Douglas counties.

The addition of the gravel lot marks the most significant physical improvement to the district since the first tenants arrived. Businesses and customers had previously reported parking congestion, particularly during overlapping events, workshops, or grand-opening weekends.

The new lot provides overflow capacity and establishes one-way circulation inside the district, reducing choke points at building entrances.

Port staff said the lot is now fully usable and will continue to evolve with additional signage and wayfinding as new businesses settle in.

While the district is nearing full occupancy, commissioners noted that the pipeline of inquiries has not slowed. The Port expects future availability as tenants expand, relocate, or outgrow their units, and the continuing level of interest is shaping early discussions about whether similar construction may be warranted elsewhere in the future.

For now, the focus remains on maintaining momentum, supporting the newest businesses as they ramp up operations, and ensuring the Trades District stays visible to the public as a destination for local makers and small firms.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media