Jan Noyes, left, and Kristie Burrill have initiated a monthly First Friday promotion on the boardwalk at Track 29 in downtown Yakima, inviting artists and musicians to help encourage shoppers to visit.  Staff photo

By RICHARD BURGER

Two Yakima entrepreneurs have taken the initiative to build customer traffic and gain exposure for the Track 29 boardwalk.

Jan Noyes, proprietor of De Tails, a home-décor emporium, and Kristie Burrill, who operates Kristie Burrill Designs women’s fashions have begun a monthly First Friday promotion they hope will attract artists and music performers to the boardwalk.

“The boardwalk is known as an art zone,” Noyes said. 

She and Burrill want to encourage local artists to bring their work to the boardwalk and make it available for sale.

To help create a festive atmosphere, they are also encouraging musicians to show up to play for the enjoyment of visitors.

Noyes said musicians who play acoustically or who use a small PA system would be best suited to the boardwalk setting.

She said she believed the boardwalk would accommodate as many as 30 artists, but there are “no limits right now” on the number of artists who would like to participate.

The initial First Friday event was held Aug. 6, and Noyes said the plan was to continue the event each month “until the weather shuts us down.”

Hours of the First Friday are from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and artists and musicians are welcome to begin set up early enough to accommodate the opening time.

Noyes said she and Burrill decided to take the initiative to promote Track 29 because they felt “kind of forgotten” as Yakima’s downtown revitalization efforts unfolded.

“The problem has been that (Track 29) is kind of empty,” Noyes said. “Nobody is promoting it.”

She said she has operated here shop there for about two years.

Occupancy at the train-themed shopping area has increased, Noyes said, but she would like to see growth there enhanced.

“A of tourists end up down here,” she said of the downtown area. 

She said property owner Del Matthews has been supportive of the effort.

“Del is very encouraging,” Noyes said.

Other occupants also support the First Friday idea, Noyes said, and may join her and Burrill to offer some special merchandise promotions in connection with the monthly event.

“It takes a group effort,” said Noyes.

She and Burrill decided to take on a leadership role to get the promotion moving, she said.

Artists or musicians who are interested in participating in First Friday can contact Noyes, at (509) 965-3582, or Burrill at (206) 356-6727.

Track 29 is at 1 West Yakima Ave.