Travel

COLDWELL BANKER CASCADE REAL ESTATE SUPPORTS LOCAL FOOD BANKS & TOY DRIVES

Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate, the leading residential real estate firm in Central Washington, has continued their investment in community food banks this holiday season.

The firm made donations totaling $10,000 to local non-profit organizations this month, helping families provide necessities, food, and toys for the holiday season. Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate operates full-service real estate offices in Wenatchee, Chelan, and Winthrop and has served north central Washington residents for over 40 years.

Food bank Coldwell Banker Realty — Giving to local food banks

Coldwell Banker Cascade donated $4,000 to Serve Wenatchee’s Fresh Hope Market, a local community food bank that provides a variety of items a family may need to fill the gaps month to month, ranging from food to hygiene products.

“Our firm was happy to support the great work of Serve Wenatchee. The Fresh Hope Market allows families to choose the fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and other food items they want and need. It’s a great model,” said Adam Rynd, owner and designated broker of Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate. The donation was made in conjunction with a local REALTORS® campaign that raised over $22,000 from several real estate firms.

An additional $4,000 donation was sent to the Manger Mall operated by Chelan Valley Hope and a $2,000 donation was made to the Manger Mall operated by The Cove Methow Valley. Both Chelan and Methow Valley Manger Malls provide toys to children, ages infant to 18, who may otherwise not receive presents on Christmas.

“Our Lake Chelan office has supported Manger Mall with toy donations for several years,” said Rynd. “This year they were unable to collect toys. We felt it was especially important to help their efforts and expand our support to the Methow Valley. The cash donations provide gift certificates that local families can use in small businesses, helping both the recipients and businesses that are struggling due to the pandemic.”

The holiday season can be a difficult time of year for countless families who work hard to provide for their loved ones. This year has been particularly challenging for many families due to increased unemployment from pandemic-related business closures. These donations from Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate are aimed at easing financial and emotional pressure on families working hard to make ends meet.

As the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions continue – Coldwell Banker Cascade Real Estate felt it was important to partner with all three local non-profit organizations to support their community efforts.

About Coldwell Banker ® Cascade Real Estate

The COLDWELL BANKER CASCADE REAL ESTATE team is ready to help you find your home in this unique and enchanting place. As the #1 Real Estate Firm in North Central Washington, our friendly team of 75+ LOCAL real estate agents provides professional, world-class real estate services with integrity. We can help you realize your dream of owning a piece of North Central Washington, as we have for so many clients in our 40+ years!

Our firm includes brokerage offices in Wenatchee, Chelan, and Winthrop and we have specialists in all types of property: full- time residences, vacation homes and cabins, ranches, riverfront, vacant land, commercial properties, and off-grid getaways. Please browse our Property Search, with listing details on all properties for sale throughout North Central Washington. Learn how to plan for buying real estate or prepare to sell your property in the Buyer and Seller sections. Visit the Meet our Team page to get to know our local brokers ready to guide you in your search. When you are ready to learn more and work with the best real estate team in North Central Washington, give us a call or send an email. We truly love where we live, and we love what we do!

About Coldwell Banker ®

Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker ® organization has been a premier provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate. ColdwellBanker ® is the oldest national real estate brand in the United States and today has a network of more than 90,000 sales agents working inapproximately 3,100 offices in 50 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker brand is known for creating innovative consumer services as recently seen by being the first national real estate brand to create an iPad application and the first to fully harness the power of video in real estate listings, news and information through its Coldwell Banker On Location SM YouTube channel.

The Coldwell Banker system is a leader in specialty markets such as resort, new homes and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International ® marketing program. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. Coldwell Banker is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services.

HOW’S IT GOING OVER THERE? | COVID-19’s impact on a tiny tourist town

COVID-19 Impact

Living in a tiny town with one clinic, and a majority of our residents being retirees, we were set up for a very fearful situation at best, and a disaster at worst.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our mayor, Sally Ranzau, as well as commitment from local businesses, we have essentially kept COVID out of our remote town. (Knock on wood.) According to Okanogan County Health, at the time of writing this blog, there have been 11 confirmed cases in the Methow Valley and no deaths.

The Mayor, and the City Council put up posters, large wooden signs around town, encouraged businesses to follow the state guidelines, and provided free masks. We are grateful for local businesses, and visitors who continue to help contain the virus.

Local nonprofit, TwispWorks, is helping businesses navigate the protocols and is providing small business grants to offset the challenges.

Horseback Riding in Winthrop, horseback riding in Winthrop wa lakes in Winthrop wa Methow xc skiing Methow Valley Camping

Businesses are Resilient

Some of our local businesses have reported an increase in revenue while others have struggled. The sit-down restaurants have been hit hard in particular. Several successful businesses have changed hands since March including Kind Grinds, The Cascades Outdoor Store and Winthrop Mountain Sports. Riverside Grill which has been closed for about four years has been purchased and is being renovated.

Our local, independent movie theater, the Barnyard Cinema, and the Shafer Museum have not officially opened their doors as of yet. We have lost Kittie’s Old Time Photo Parlor for good. One retail location is available next to The French Quail. One more retail location will be coming available as soon as construction on the new Winthrop Library is complete.

Considering the numbers of businesses permanently closing in other communities, we count ourselves fortunate. We are aware of the fact that local businesses depend on the revenue from our busy touristy summers to make it though the less busy months. (Fall, winter, and spring are a great time to visit in an authentic, socially-distancing way.)

covid-19 impact smoke in the mountains hike in winthrop wa

Up in Smoke

The wild fires across the west coast in September impacted the ability of locals and visitors to enjoy the last weeks of summer in the valley, but locals knew better than to complain.

The smoke has covered us in summers past and many of us have lost our homes to its hungry flames. Winthrop residents wanted to help when fires broke out on the eastern side of Okanogan County. Locals offered those in need clothing, essentials, and even hay for the livestock of those displaced. Okanogan Wildfire Relief Fund

Horseback Riding in Winthrop, horseback riding in winthrop wa lakes in winthrop wa methow xc skiing

Winter Sports

We are looking forward to a strong winter season with our alpine ski hill, Loup Loup Ski Bowl, offering twice as much indoor space after a successful construction project.

Our world-famous cross-country trails, Methow Trails, will boast of more miles of groomed trails than ever! They will also offer online passes so you can enjoy nature without the need to go into a shop for the purchase.

Although organized sports are on a hiatus across the state. However, our outdoor ice rink, The Winthrop Rink, has worked closely with the Governor’s office to allow for open skate, skate lessons, and skate rentals. They might be able to organize some adult tournaments later in the winter if further approval allows.

Winter sports like snowshoeing, fat biking, snowmobiling and other similar sports shouldn’t be effected.

covid-19 impact fall in the methow valley hiking in washington

Other Impacts

Another huge impact of this worldwide pandemic has been our housing market. Vacant land and homes have been selling like hotcakes around here. Locals who rent have been particularly hit hard by this trend. The Methow Housing Trust works to increase the valley’s affordable housing.

I heard a rumor that the local school is seeing an increase of enrollment from families who have moved into their second homes here. I don’t have any evidence or data to show if this is true. The local school district is offering in-person instruction two days a week for all of the pupils, K-12. They are going above and beyond by offering students free breakfast, lunch, and transportation, as well a school-sponsored outdoor social learning pods.

hiking in Winthrop Washington — MOUNTAIN BIKING

Overall, the business owners, residents of Winthrop and the entire Methow Valley are among some of the most optimistic and resilient people you’ll ever meet. Our outdoor recreation continues to be worth the short drive from anywhere in the state of Washington.

When this pandemic is over, we hope you’ll think of us when you need a getaway. We are thinking of you and hope you’re well too.

How has 2020 impacted your town?

-Anne Young
Winthrop Marketing Director

Back to School Quiz Time | WHAT TYPE OF VACATIONER ARE YOU?

Take this fun quiz to learn about what type of vacationer you are. Receive a custom itinerary when you complete the quiz.

Outlaws Only | Visit Winthrop, WA

wear a mask in winthrop washing covid coronavirus safe start washington outlaws only

Do you and your friends feel like outlaws donning masks to run errands around town? You’d fit right in here.

While many counties in the state of Washington enter phase 2 of the Safe Start COVID order, Okanogan County is still in Phase 1. The county is asking those with the itch to travel to stay close to home.

Our state and national parks are open for day use, but not for overnight camping. The visitor information centers will remain closed until phase 3 of the state reopening.

For those who find themselves in our community, we are grateful for so many who are helping protect our vulnerable population by following medical advice. We are a mask wearing community- we welcome outlaws.