New Year, Refreshed You

The fireworks have come and gone and a new year is officially upon us. Whether you’re spending more time at the gym or still hunting for the perfect gift you didn’t find under your holiday tree, Downtown Edmonds boasts several ways to start your year refreshed and ready for what’s to come. 

So, bookmark this page to return when you need an idea of where your next Edmonds adventure will take you. 

Let’s get into it!

Say Hello To The Newest Kids on The Block

Just a few weeks ago, Sunlight Gallery + Studio opened in the former Pelindaba Lavender space right by Cline Jewelers. A collaboration between fine artist Laura Burkart and photographer Devin Larson, the light-filled space is a marriage between two creatives who find inspiration from the beauty—and landscapes—of the Pacific Northwest. Not only do they display (and sell) their art from the gallery, but they also use it as a studio. This new creative community hub hosts paint and sip events (did you resolve to tap into your creative side this year?) and art experience mini sessions, too, where you can make a beautiful mess with Laura and your favorite people, all while Devin captures it on camera. Pretty cool, huh? 

We asked Laura and Devin how it feels to have a gallery space in Edmonds after years of dreaming about and working toward it. This is what they told us: “We grew up in the Puget Sound and spent most of our lives and careers immersed in the nature of the Pacific Northwest, so Edmonds has always been a special place to us both. It’s a breathtaking portal to the mountains and the sea, an endless source of inspiration for us both, and the most charming town we could ever imagine. Opening Sunlight Gallery + Studio in the heart of downtown has truly been a dream come true and the warm welcome and support of the incredible community here is simply unmatched. We could not be more thrilled and grateful to be a part of it!”  

This space was built for connection, so don’t be a stranger. Stop by and introduce yourself next time you’re on 5th. Plus, if adding to your collection with inspirational art is a way you’d like to refresh your space this year, Sunlight will check that box as soon as you walk through the door. 

Local Jewelers Make Moves

Remember how we mentioned Cline earlier? If you haven’t popped into their gorgeous expanded space, add it to your list ASAP. The accent lighting alone will find you drooling on Cline’s display cases, so try to have a sleeve available if you’re on the verge of a sensory spillover. If the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, we suggest making the line between “daily dose of sparkle” and you as short as possible with pretty new gems. 

Maintain your momentum and head down the block to Comstock, which is under new ownership—in the same family, of course. As Harry Winston famously said, “People will stare. Make it worth their while.” This is the year you welcome the stares, especially because Comstock and Cline offer worth their while in spades. 

Face The New Year With Fresh Skincare

If you were nosy like we were (and we’re not sorry about it. It’s a job perk, mmmkay?), you probably wondered what business would be going into the cute, cute, cute historic brick building on 4th, right across the street from SanKai and ChurchKey. 

Over the past several months, Mackenzie Murphy has been methodically outfitting her new medical spa and expanding her business, Kenzthetics, which formerly operated out of the Mosaic Salon Group suites a few blocks up Main. 

Mackenzie and her team specialize in ethical skincare, bringing luxury, relaxation, and results to Downtown Edmonds. Whether you’re looking for support with acne, hyperpigmentation, scarring, or anti-aging, they will help you regain confidence and put your best face forward this year. Not only are their personalized facials soothing and science-driven, but the Kenzthetics team sends you home with great products and explains the pros and cons of lasers to you. What’s even more impressive is Mackenzie made her big move into that cute brick building while pregnant with her third child. Capri—her newest intern—joined the team just before Christmas. Edmonds business owners are something special, aren’t they? 

A Few Other Ways to Refresh Downtown

• Stock up on sketchpads and supplies from ARTspot
• Swap out your wardrobe at one of our consignment stores (Pear Tree takes men’s, too)
• Drop off that load (including rugs!) you’ve been meaning to bring to the dry cleaner’s
• Fill your space with fresh florals from FIELD (if no one’s told you lately, you’re worth it)
• People watch on a sunny day while you sip a rotating craft beverage from Leftcraft 
• Listen to a new album on vinyl at Musicology Co. 
• Find an activity or try a Parks & Recreation class at the Frances Anderson Center 

Show Us How You Refresh

With all of our ideas in your back pocket, you have a few itineraries to start working through. Take us along! Tag @edmondsdowntown in your social media posts and we’ll cheer you on with major heart eyes. Where are you headed first? 

It’s gonna be a great year Downtown Edmonds! 

By Whitney Popa, photos by Matt Hulbert