Long-awaited Wenatchee Avenue storefront opening shows legendary staircase in time for Apple Blossom

WENATCHEE — Al and Sheri Rookard have been working on this building for a long time. The spaces at 21 and 23 North Wenatchee Avenue have been behind plywood for years, and the documentation that was posted has changed many times in estimation of its completion date.

Today, the plywood came down, revealing what will be commercial space available for lease soon, and the upgrades and renovations are readily apparent, despite the fact that the Rookards were able to preserve so much of the historic Wiester Building.

Growing up, depending on your age, you knew these two stores as the Fashion Shop and Buster Brown Shoes. But the Fashion Shop has been gone since the mid-80s and Buster Brown became Caleres, which is more commonly known as Famous Footwear — which Wenatchee also has, but not at this location now.

The town has been speculating about what shops might go in. But only the street level is actually commercial space. In fact, like much of old downtown Wenatchee, there are now apartments above what will be the commercial space, also the brainchild of the Rookards. They’ve built 1–, 2– and 3–bedroom units above the spaces, one of which they plan to stay in. They’ve installed an elevator and preserved much of the old building in the construction of those units as well, utilizing old signage, historic timbers, and even some fire escapes both decoratively and functionally.

But right now, it’s Apple Blossom, and regarding this building, this article’s most important part is the fact that the Rookards were able to save the staircase. The giant sweeping staircase that you’ve seen in so many portraits of Apple Blossom Royalty over the years is located inside the space at 23 North, and it’s back and still beautiful. It could be that with permission from whoever occupies the commercial space when the dust settles, pictures might be taken there again, reimagining a part of Wenatchee’s history that many of us grew up with.

The feeling at the site today is relaxed, and Al is helping where he can. He’s been a businessman in Wenatchee for years and years, and is currently enjoying life playing in a couple of local bands you’ve probably already seen once or twice, Given to Fly and Side Hustle. He holds up a beam that’s just been cut by the workers onsite, and through the sawdust, he says “I’m just glad it’s Friday.”

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