Several North Bend business owners are forming a merchants

association to protect their interests and participate in government matters,

according to Terry Hill, of Maguire & Hill Real Estate.

Hill explained that the need for an association stems from the

number of new businesses in the city, the merchants’ desire for a revitalized

downtown and the new design standards about to be adopted by the city.

“Hopefully this is an association that we can get off the ground so

that we have a voice not only in this [design standard] issue, but the next

issue that comes up,” he said.

Although the Upper Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce is

the entity that officially represents North Bend merchant interests, Hill

said the new association would work underneath the chamber and be more

like a focus group.

Chamber Director Susan Hankins is in full support of the association.

“I think the merchants association is a wonderful idea and I think it

is extremely valuable for them to have a voice of unity,” she said. “The

chamber offers an umbrella for the businesses for support, but the

merchants have a vested interest in ownership and their own issues to work on.”

Hill and Iron Age owners Barb and Steve Margolis have

“spearheaded” the association, which has had three meetings so far. They are

encouraging all North Bend business owners to join, especially those south of

the South Fork River.

The association is in the process of creating a newsletter and will

elect temporary board members at their next meeting on Wednesday, May 10,

at 6 p.m. at the North Bend Bar and Grill.

For more information, contact Hill at Maguire & Hill Real Estate

at (425) 888-1300, or Barb or Steve Margolis at Iron Age, (425) 888-4882.