Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) The Illinois Gaming Board has approved the construction of a temporary casino in Rockford.

However before the casino opens owner 815 Entertainment LLC must obtain the Gaming Boards permission to operate and receive approval of the casinos security and surveillance plans.

This is a huge accomplishment for our community, and it will bring hundreds of construction jobs to Rockford, Mayor Tom McNamara said in a written statement and noting it is the first of six new casino locations approved by a 2019 state gambling expansion to begin construction.

A 37,790-square-foot restaurant and banquet hall in Rockford will undergo an estimated $8.8 million renovation. When finished it is expected to feature 736 slot machines and two restaurants.

The temporary casino could operate for two years while the $311 million Hard Rock Casino Rockford is under construction. That project must pass several regulatory hurdles before construction can begin at Interstate 90 and East State Street in Rockford.

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Gaming board ok's construction of temporary Rockford casino - Associated Press

Shut for long stretches because of the pandemic, Mississippi River Distilling Co. in LeClaire, Iowa, has been counting on a summer rebound.

Crowds have come rushing back. But the distillery and events space cant find enough workers to serve its customers. And prices for spirits-making commodities, such as corn and glass, have spiraled. So have costs for lumber and construction, making a long-delayed plan to build a new party and wedding venue about 25% more expensive.

Whats at stake this summer is to try to build enough bank for the off months down the road, said co-owner Ryan Burchett. An outsider might see the patios packed and say, Everything is back. We made it. But we didnt yet.

Referring to the revenue lost to the pandemic, he said: Theres a hole. It cant be filled.

Summer looked like the on-ramp to a big recovery for the leisure and hospitality industry, hard hit by the pandemic and its lockdowns and propped up with billions in government aid. Instead, restaurants, theme parks, hotels and tourist attractions are finding themselves squeezed from multiple sides: rising costs, worker shortages, unpredictable supplies of some foods and, in some cases, demand so overwhelming its difficult to avoid leaving customers dissatisfied.

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Hotels and Restaurants Rebound Summer Held Back by Shortages of Everything - The Wall Street Journal

The Woodlands Mall is fully open after more than 15 months of various COVID-19 restrictions and mall officials have been busy, adding three new restaurants and several new retail stores.

Ted Harris, the senior general manager of The Woodlands Mall, said several new restaurants and retail stores are now open, have seen work begin or are in the process of final stages of construction at the mall.

We are open fully right now. All of our shops are open. There are still a few locations that have their own mask protocols, so just contact the store so you are not surprised, Harris said.

Among the new offerings are salad and veggie specialists Salata Salad Bar; Casper mattress store; a new Mediterranean-focused eatery, Tableyah Mediterranean Cuisine; golf store Travis Mathew; and teen girl and young adult women store, Miss A. A new Bigotes Street Tacos is also on tap.

A couple places that have opened are Casper, the mattress company, that is sitting across from Athleta. We also opened up about a month ago Travis Mathew, that is a mens golfing and athletic wear. Casper primarily used to be an internet mattress company and now theyre coming into the mall, to show (customers) what the mattresses can do, how they perform.

The newest thing is on the ring road, next to Torchys Tacos, is Salata, it recently opened up. And, in our food court, Bigotes Street Tacos should be opening sometime (in July), Harris said. They just started constructions on Tableyah Mediterranean. Two (new eateries) in the food court and one on the ring road.

Harris said the mall is trying to cater to the needs of shoppers, in The Woodlands, and he noted the staff is excited to be back to work and busy after months of pandemic disruptions.

Not only is the (mall) staff in good spirits about getting back to normal, but when I am talking to retailers, with a lot of the restrictions being removed, they are very happy to be moving back to normalcy, Harris added.

On HoustonChronicle.com: The Woodlands Mall adds courtyard, new amenities and stores

Another new store is called Miss A, which Harris described as a clothing, jewelry and make-up store for teen to young adult girls and women, is under construction and may be open in the fall, Harris noted.

The changes are among many that have been underway at the mall since 2019, including in spring 2020 the renovation of the new courtyard near the Barnes and Noble Bookstore that has lawn seating, grass and a large screen with a projector for films.

Also added last year were a new Shake Shack restaurant and multiple new stores inside the malls main shell including a JD Sports, which sells athletic shoes, as well as an Amazon 4-Star store and a new dessert joint, Creamistry.

jeff.forward@chron.com

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New eateries, stores on tap at The Woodlands Mall - Houston Chronicle

About two years ago, Gregorys Coffee decided to venture out of the city to open suburban locations. At that point, the small Manhattan-based chains shops were mostly among office buildings whose caffeine-craving business professionals were the bulk of the customers.

Opening its first Long Island coffee shops this year in Deer Park and Melville was eye opening, Gregorys Coffee founder Greg Zamfotis said.

Not only are sales at the Long Island stores 25% higher than projected but also the Melville shop is the bestselling of the chains 33 shops, due in part to many New York City customers who have not returned to working in their offices because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

"I think, on Long Island, people live and work there. And theres a much more robust residential community," said Zamfotis, who is in lease negotiations to open four more Gregorys Coffee shops on Long Island within the next 18 months.

Long Islands high taxes and rent are barriers to entry for many businesses, but its demographics high-income consumers willing to spend money at restaurants are boding well these days for both coffee shops and casual chicken restaurants, both of which are springing up in high numbers in the area, real estate and restaurant experts said.

"But typically, when retailers come into the market, their sales are very strong. So, theyre able to justify the higher rent and higher taxes," said Russel Helbling, a principal at Sabre Real Estate Advisors in Garden City who is the exclusive broker for Starbucks and PDQ chicken restaurants on Long Island.

Starbucks, Dunkin', Brownstones Coffee, Southdown Coffee, Druthers Coffee, PDQ, Chick-fil-A, Mad for Chicken and Hot Chicken Mama are among the chains that have opened new Long Island locations in the last year and/or plan to open new local spots by the end of 2021 that will number in the dozens.

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"Another chain starting to look in the market is Raising Canes [Chicken Fingers] from Louisiana and Id expect to see Zaxbys enter the market as well," said Steve Gillman, a partner in the White Plains office of an Atlanta-based real estate firm, The Shopping Center Group, who is the exclusive representative for Chick-fil-A on Long Island.

Here is a sampling of new coffee and chicken spots slated for Long Island:

Brownstones Coffee: The restaurant chain has four locations all on Long Island and soon will sign a lease to open a fifth eatery, in Commack, by the end of this year, said Christina Walberg, director of location development for the Amityville-based company. She declined to disclose the address.

Brownstones serves "all-day" breakfast, lunch and specialty coffees from 7:30 a.m. to closing time 3 p.m. Sundays and 3:30 p.m. all other days.

Seeking to put more focus on coffee, Brownstones has signed a lease to open Brownstones Coffee Roasting Co. at 55 Merrick Rd. in Amityville, beside its existing restaurant in the Amity Mall shopping center, in the next four months, Walberg said.

The new store will have an in-house roaster doing small-batch roasting of coffee beans to sell to other restaurants, and it will sell brewed coffee and roasted beans to retail customers, she said.

"We wanted to have more control over the coffee roasting, be able to create a blend that is special to our concept, and also to help other restaurants improve their offering of coffee, too," she said.

Brownstones has outgrown the 2,400-square-foot space its West Islip restaurant occupies, so that location will relocate to a space double the size, at 425 Union Blvd., before Thanksgiving, she said.

Chick-fil-A: The top-selling chicken chain in the country entered the Long Island market in 2015 with an eatery in Port Jefferson Station.

The Atlanta-based chain of more than 2,500 restaurants in North America now has seven Long Island locations, including one that opened in Smithtown in March, and it is planning more local eateries.

A Chick-fil-A under construction at 249-33 Rockaway Blvd., Rosedale, within the town of Hempstead, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2022, Gillman said.

The chicken chain also is awaiting town building approvals for two other planned Long Island eateries at 805 West Montauk Hwy. in West Babylon and 124 East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington, he said.

Gillman said there are other planned Chick-fil-A locations under lease negotiations on Long Island that he could not disclose.

Chick-fil-A did not respond to requests for comment.

PDQ: The fast-casual chicken chain, which has about 60 restaurants, opened its first New York restaurant, in Farmingdale, in July 2019. The Tampa, Florida-based company plans to open another Long Island restaurant, on Old Country Road in Westbury Plaza.

PDQ did not respond to a request for comment.

Starbucks: The worlds largest coffee chain, with nearly 33,000 stores globally, has been expanding aggressively on Long Island, where it has 91 stores. The Seattle-based chain plans at least seven more in the area, according to Helbling or town officials.

Starbucks has three new Long Island stores under construction at an apartment building at 199 2nd St. in Mineola, at 201 Sunrise Hwy. in Bellmore and at 305 West Jericho Tpke. in Huntington, Helbling said. Also, the chain will soon break ground on a free-standing store at 159 W. Main St. in Patchogue, he said.

In addition, town representatives on Long Island said building-related applications are awaiting approvals for three proposed Starbucks stores at 2799 Rte. 112 in Medford (Brookhaven), 1675B Sunrise Hwy. in Bay Shore (Islip) and 90 Montauk Hwy. in Sayville (Islip).

Starbucks did not respond to requests for comment.

Top 5 Coffee Chains by U.S. Sales in 2020

Starbucks $18.5 billion

Dunkin $8.8 billion

Dutch Bros Coffee $584 million

Tim Hortons $511 million

Peets Coffee $269 million

Top 5 Chicken Chains by U.S. Sales in 2020

Chick-fil-A $13.7 billion

KFC $4.7 billion

Popeyes $4.6 billion

Zaxbys $2 billion

Wingstop $1.8 billion

Source: Technomic

Tory N. Parrish covers retail and small business for Newsday. She has worked at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Observer-Dispatch in Utica, N.Y.

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Wings and lattes: Chicken spots and coffee chains booming on LI - Newsday

Business to be located at site of old Crossroads; no timeline set as construction materials are in short supplyIt would appear that Paul and Darlene Hood have enough to keep them busy. As owners of Hoods Service Center, Inc. on I-44 near Bois DArc, they run the Cenex convenience store, a Phillips 66 gas station, a restaurant and a motel. On top of that, they also own two other corporations: Hoods Oil Company, Inc., and Hoods Propane Company. However, the Hoods plan to expand their operation even further by building a new convenience store at the intersection of Highways 39 and 96, at the site of the old Crossroads convenience store outside of Miller.Darlene Hood said they chose to start the new enterprise for several reasons.It fits in with what we do, she said. Weve always thought it was a very good location. Theres a lot of traffic on Highway 96, (and) theres no place to buy fuel between Halltown and Carthage, if youre staying on 96. We (also) have a farm six miles from there, so we know the area very well. We just saw that the need was there, and it was the logical move for us because we (also) own the adjoining property.Hood said their new venture will supply many things travelers on Highway 96 need.(We will sell) gasoline, diesel, and we will also have off-road diesel, she said. It will be a convenience store. Weve had a lot of demand for a restaurant, (but) we do not plan to have a full-service sit-down restaurant, mainly because it is very difficult to staff it, with the one we already have. And we hope it will get better and think it will, but it is very difficult.Additional plans include a deli where fresh sandwiches will be made, and walk-in coolers where customers will be able to serve themselves.Dont expect to see the new convenience store anytime soon, though. Hood said the building wont be completed for quite some time.It wont be soon, she said. Right now, were just preparing the land. Theres leveling that has to be done, and theres a lot of preparation before you can start to build.There are also other factors delaying construction.It would be wonderful if we could (start right away), Hood said, but it just doesnt work that way, and its very difficult right now even to get materials. There will be all new piping, new dispensers; everything will be new. Were not using any of the existing equipment. And right now, a lot of things are backordered. That works against us, too.However, Hood said, many people are happy to know they will bring a new convenience store to the area.Its been unbelievable, the positive feedback weve had, she said. People would love to have a restaurant, but theyre very glad to see a C-store go in where you can buy fuel and the other things you sell. We have been really surprised at the warm feelings that have been expressed towards us. They obviously know about this place and know that we should know what were doing.

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New Hood's convenience store in the works on Highway 96 - Lawrencecountyrecord

If youre planning a home improvement project this year, money expert Clark Howard has one thing he wants you to keep in mind.

He says theres only one reason you should make a renovation to your home.

Clark says the only reason to renovate your home is for your own enjoyment.

The reason you do an improvement to your home is cause you want to. Because you end up losing money when you do a home improvement; you dont make money.

Its almost unheard of that any improvement to your home will pay you more in later resale value than what it cost you to do it. In fact, its typical that when you do a home improvement, youre going to get about 50 cents back on the dollar in value when you sell your home.

Clark says the exceptions are repairs or updates, such as painting or landscaping, that youd usually do before you put your home on the market.

Remodeling Magazine's 2021 Cost vs. Value Report looked at the costs and return on investment (ROI) of home renovation projects in 150 housing markets across the United States.

The report concludes that the majority of projects return less than 75% of their costs upon resale. It found only two projects that returned more than that: garage door replacement (93.8% ROI) and adding manufactured stone veneer (92.1% ROI).

It appears that more is less when it comes to kitchen remodeling. The report puts the ROI at 72.2% for a minor kitchen renovation but only 60.1% for a midrange kitchen redo. And for an upscale kitchen remodeling project, the report says the ROI would be only about 54%.

Lets say you spend $50,000 on a kitchen remodel. Youre going to lose somewhere close to $25,000 of that, says Clark. Because when you sell the place, you might get $25,000 more in value, but youve spent $50,000 to get there.

Improvements made to the outside of your home are generally better moneywise than interior renovations: According to the 2021 Cost vs. Value Report, 11 out of the top 12 projects yielding the greatest return on investment were exterior improvements.

Deck additions yield an average 63-66% return on investment according to the report, which also finds that replacing your vinyl siding could get you a 68% ROI.

Before starting any home improvement project, make sure youre doing it for the right person. Clark says you should do it for yourself, not the homes next owner:

Please remember the real reason that you do a home improvement project, a home upgrade, a renovation, says Clark. You do it for your pleasure, not for your wallet.

To hear Clarks full take on this topic, listen to this segment from his podcast:

[This article was originally published on Clark.com]

The post The Only Reason You Should Make an Improvement to Your Home appeared first on Clark Howard.

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The Only Reason You Should Make an Improvement to Your Home - KOKI FOX 23

Kitchen renovations can get expensive. But how does the cost of a full kitchen renovation differ around the world? According to recent data collected from Compare the Market, Denmark spend the most on kitchen renovations an average of $42,993 USD. That number represents around 84 percent of the average annual income in the U.S.!

Meanwhile, here in the States, the average kitchen renovation is around $25,000 (36.38 percent of the average annual income). Of the countries studied, Hong Kong ranked the lowest, with the cost of renovation around $3,747 USD (approx. 13.30 percent of the average US annual income). To get these numbers, Compare the Market collected data from a number of sources, including government agencies, construction associations, and renovation experts. But the one thing they all agreed on? Kitchen remodeling costs differ, no matter where you are.

But what about the worlds most lavish, luxurious kitchens? Where are they, and how much did they cost?

Inspired by Compare the Markets report, we scoured the internet to find some of the worlds most expensive kitchen renovations:

The million-dollar

Touted as the worlds most expensive kitchen, this London kitchen cost over 1 million ($1.6 million USD). Designed by Claudio Celiberti, the renovation took over a year to complete. Using only the highest-quality materials, including the worlds best crystal Crystal of Murano, the luxe kitchen includes other super swanky features like solid copper-lined cabinets, a crystal island, and a stone worktop. The crystal island alone cost 36,850 higher than the average total kitchen renovation cost in the U.S. But the pice de rsistance of this space is undoubtedly the chandelier (also designed by Celiberti). Made of Swarovski crystal and cristallo di Murano, this beauty cost approximately 26,400 to create. Of course, this is still a functioning kitchen, and any kitchen needs appliances. Boasting 24,000 worth of Gaggenau handcrafted products, including a 5,000 fridge and a 1,714 espresso machine, this kitchen is truly one of a kind.

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The $450,000

Once dubbed the worlds most expensive fitted kitchen, this $450,000 limited edition kitchen pairs classic elegance with futuristic accents to create an aesthetic fit for modern luxury. A product of Marazzi Design, the reflective, shiny surfaces are accentuated by Swarovski crystal lights. Other opulent touches include crocodile embossed leather, Venetian ink-stained gold glass, and 24-carat gold leafing. The appliances are equally as impressive (all state-of-the-art and worth approximately $85,000 themselves), with the highlight being a Zaha Hadid tap with a price tag of $12,000. With its combination of dynamic shapes and colors, luxe materials, and modern kitchen gadgetry, its no wonder this London kitchen is so highly coveted and admired.

Penthouse Kitchen inside NYC's luxe South Tower at Time Warner Center

This kitchen makes the list simply by being included in one of the priciest apartments in New York City. The penthouse suite is 8,500 square feet of pure luxury, and the kitchen is no exception. Dubbed a professional chefs kitchen, the space is fit with all the best appliances and is leant an air of elegance with Alba Chiara marble countertops and sycamore cabinetry custom-designed by Poliform. Another amazing feature of this kitchen is its view, replete with a breakfast area abutting a media room that has glorious views of the Hudson River. Imagine sipping your morning latte (made with a top-of-the-line espresso machine, of course!) while you bask in the most breathtaking city views. Now thats luxury.

The The Electrolux Grand Cuisine Professional Kitchen.

Everyone knows that Electrolux appliances are some of the best out there, so it only makes sense that theyd form the centerpiece of this kitchen with a hefty price tag of $322,000. Showcasing Electroluxs Grand Cuisine Range, this kitchen has been described not only as revolutionary but also as the preferred kitchen of Michelin-starred chefs everywhere. But the appliances arent the only things that make this kitchen shine. With its reflective glass surfaces, the appliances seem to disappear and themselves become part of the natural surroundings. Though its built with only the best materials, the kitchen is still meant to be functional albeit virtually effortless. Imagine having appliances built into your kitchen that are not only mostly automated, but also work better when used simultaneously for ultimate cooking ease and precision. While not the most expensive kitchen on our list, it is certainly the one that best combines luxury and functionality into a space anyone would be happy to cook in.

Disney Worlds Carousel of Progress imagined futuristic kitchen spaces long before they actually existed.

While most of us will not have the opportunity to cook in a six or seven-figure kitchen any time soon, these spaces still give us a fun way to reimagine the traditional cookspace. Kitchens have long held the distinction of being rooms that can easily be transformed into visions of the future; one only has to visit Disney Worlds Carousel of Progress to experience how visionaries such as Walt Disney imagined technology would continue to change and shape our everyday lives, starting in the kitchen. And these kitchens are no exception. Through their lavish designs, sophisticated appliances, and evolving modern interpretations of a more traditional space, we continue our quest for the quintessential kitchen.

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Fantastic and Functional: A Look at the Worlds Most Expensive Kitchen Renovations - Yahoo News

Dont know where to start with your renovation plans? Here are some practical ideas for home renovations that add value to your property and help you maximize profit as the homeowner.

(Newswire.net -- June 30, 2021) -- Has your home staged a sit-in on the housing market? Have outdated kitchens and wallpapered bathrooms installed a buyer-proof forcefield around your property? If so, it may be time for a family home overhaul.

If youre eager to sell your home or make it more presentable to prospective buyers, rolling up your sleeves and kicking your renovation project into overdrive is an excellent solution to add value to your property. Depending on your budget, your local home improvement store will be your playground, complete with an array of paint swatches, flooring options, and the safety equipment youll need to execute an extreme home makeover.

Dont know where to start with your renovation plans? Here are some practical ideas for home renovations that add value to your property and help you maximize profit as the homeowner.

Remodeling your kitchen with new countertops and appliances is one way to transform your kitchen space into a prospective buyers paradise. For example, adding a dual fuel range like this can make a drastic difference in your eating area. With fast preheating features and improved heat distribution, potential buyers will be able to envision whipping up an after-school snack or a home-cooked meal.

Ready to crank up the heat on your kitchen remodel? Kitchen countertops made with natural stone, such as granite or marble, can also give your kitchen a natural or elegant look buyers are in the market for.

Whatever your renovation of choice, remember that the kitchen serves as a snack hub for commuters on the go, hungry little ones inquiring about the menu of the day, and houseguests eyeing your hors d'oeuvres. With these high stakes in mind, dont turn a blind eye to stained countertops and 80s-exclusive honey oak cabinets.

Your home's value is more likely to drop if it has a drafty attic. Adding attic insulation allows you to lower your energy or heating bills, prevent heat and moisture damage to your roof, and keep outdoor pollutants from entering your home.

Some popular attic insulation materials include fiberglass, cotton, wood wool, and mineral wool. Although some homeowners opt for DIY renovations when it comes to their insulation, consider the energy-efficient benefits of handing this project over to the professionals.

Set your home apart from other properties on the market by installing automated technology or smart devices. At the peak of the Digital Age, most homeowners will buy into the high-tech conveniences. For example, the ability to adjust their home's temperature settings and security device settings from their mobile devices may be enough to win a prospective buyer over.

Although this type of renovation might be expensive on some budgets, it's an excellent option for homeowners striving towards energy efficiency, optimal security, and high-tech luxuries. If smart locks dont manage sway touring buyers, automatic heat lamps may do the trick. With an automatic heat lamp installed, you can warm up the bathroom space instantaneouslyperfect for mid-winter showers.

Giving your home a fresh coat of paint is one way to grab the attention of potential buyers. The most popular colors that add value include blues, warm earth tones, or greige for the outside, and soft blues, greens, and neutral colors for the inside.

Before choosing your homes paint colors, consider channeling your inner artist and swatching each shade. That way, you can test how your accent color will reflect light when applied to your walls.

Adding a deck to your home introduces additional outdoor space, ideal for backyard dining or leisure. With a deck installed, you can incorporate benches and plants to complement its cedar or redwood finish. Depending on your budget, you can also add a covered pergola to block out sunlight and rain. That way, youll be able to squeeze every drop of fun out of your deck arearain or shine.

When it comes to home renovations, nothing lights up a room quite like outdoor lighting. Practically speaking, string lights and lanterns ensure homeowners can walk freely about their backyards without bumping into obstacles.

Because of this projects affordability and time efficiency, its one of the most common home renovations executed by homeowners hoping for a quick sale. Aside from affordability, outdoor lighting can also strategically spotlight specific areas of your property, such as your patio, garden, or deck.

When narrowing down potential home renovations that add value to your property, it's best to analyze these home improvement projects on practicality and style alike. After youve nailed down your must-complete projects, its time to bask in the glory of a sold sign.

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Underestimating the Power of an Overhaul? 6 Home Renovations That Add Major Value - Newswire

Editors note: A version of this story first published in 2021 Methow Home produced by Methow Valley News.

Pick a window, any window, at Joan Wellman and Tom Robinsons Mazama home, and youll find a stunning view.

That was their plan when they worked with architects Ray and Mary Johnston to remodel the mid-1990s home, focusing on letting in abundant natural light and showing off views in every direction.

We do a lot of fairly compact house design, and what weve learned to do and really like is to include the outside as part of the experience of the interior of the site, Ray Johnston said. Joan and Toms house when I first saw it was the total opposite of that. It was designed during an energy crisis and it really turned its back on its surroundings. Small windows. Small panes in small windows.

Rather than buy new, Joan Wellman and Tom Robinson decided to buy a mid-1990s home and remodel it to their liking, with the help of architects Ray and mary Johnston.

Johnston said his goal was to peel open the living spaces of the house, bringing it and its surroundings together.

(The former owners) were art collectors, so they had wanted to maximize the wall space in the house, so they had plenty of space to hang art. (W)hen we came to see the house, we loved the layout and we loved the site, but they hadnt really optimized the views, Wellman said.

Now, the home is all about its 360-degree views. Despite not being on high ground, the roughly 2,500 square-foot home is anything but in shadow, with sunlight and vistas in every direction. The master bedroom opens on Lucky Jim Bluff.

Wellman and Robinson worked with the Johnstons to reimagine the house, while keeping a very similar floor plan. They also credited contractor Rick Mills for his work on the house.

The home's master bathroom is spa-like.

Love, but not at first sight

Wellman and Robinson knew what they were looking for when they started house hunting.

And this house wasnt it, Wellman said. When we first looked at it, I just said no.

While their first impression of the house wasnt great, the spacious house on 30 acres started to grow on them.

And then we came back and looked at it again and I said, maybe, she said.

Owners Joan Wellman and Tom Robinson lived in Seattle before deciding on the Methow Valley as the place they want to retire.

The 2,500-square-foot home near Mazama underwent an extensive remodel to fit the wants of new owners Joan Wellman and Tom Robinson.

The site, adjacent to Lucky Jim Bluff on the valley floor, and the all-day natural lighting eventually won them over, along with helpful ideas from Johnston Architects.

That started getting us more excited. And were really delighted with the outcome. We couldnt be any happier, Wellman said.

The open-plan living room and kitchen was once split in two by a solid white wall, with a door to one side. Now, the kitchen/dining/living area is open, bright and inviting, separated only by a fireplace.

Once solid walls now house large windows that let in light all day long even in the dead of winter. In the summer, electronic blinds help keep the space comfortable.

A bench and hooks are situated near the doorway.

The house stays amazingly cool we hardly used our air conditioning at all, Wellman said.

The house includes a spa-like master bath, a sauna, walk-in master closet, an office known these days as the Zoom room, along with two upstairs guest rooms. The house has the feel of a cabin, with natural wood finishes and some industrial metal elements, including the stair rails to upstairs rooms. Most of the materials were sourced locally, Robinson said.

Its really locally resourced, he said. All the blinds are from Winthrop, appliances are from Omak or Wenatchee. We didnt make a Seattle house. This is an Eastern Washington house.

Wellman and Robinson lived in the Seattle area before their retirements, and vacationed at a Methow cabin since 2007. Now they have a small condo in the Seattle area but spend most of their time in the valley.

It used to be that our vacation home was here, and now its the opposite, Wellman said.

Robinson retired first and began a new career as a rolfer similar to a massage therapist. When Wellman retired in 2017, the couple started spending all of their time at their Methow cabin.

We came up here and spent all our time in our cabin, and after about a year of that we went, uh, this isnt working this is not enough space, Wellman said.

We had no garage or anything, Robinson added.

They decided early to buy an existing home and remodel rather than build a new house. The timeline was considerably shorter, they noted, with new construction in the Methow projected to take three years. They bought the home in December 2018 and moved in full time in February 2020.

Johnston noted remodels generally cost less than construction of a new house.

We really retained most of the rooms; we just altered their walls, so we werent really changing the shape of the house or moving substantial walls around, he said. When you start doing that, the costs (versus new construction) start to equal.

Johnston said his business in the past has only received a request to do a remodel every few years. In the past year, theyve had three new requests.

However, thats how their business was sustained when it was formed 30 years ago.

In the valley, where a lot of our residential work is, there just arent that many remodels going on, Johnston said. Most of our work for the first year was remodeling little bungalows in our neighborhood. Our roots are in that kind of transformational effort that a remodel is; we dont do as many now but we always have a few.

Thirty years after starting their business and being introduced to the Methow Valley, Ray and Mary Johnston also moved from Seattle to the Methow full time this year.

About 30 years ago we were introduced to the Methow Valley, and we loved it instantly, and started going there then and it was the beginning of a long love affair weve had with the place, Johnston said.

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It's all about the views at this Mazama remodel - wenatcheeworld.com

In todays daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.

These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding whats going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.

In todays edition Wednesday, June 30 - details on how to register for VaxMillions are announced, the YWCA reveals the results of its year-long renovations, the DPW extends bulk-drop off hours and changes pricing structure, Movies on the Lot returns for two showings this summer in downtown Worcester and a Hanover Insurance survey finds consumers have serious blind spots on ensuring effective coverage.

The Massachusetts State Lottery announced registration details for the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway, which will begin on July 1. Massachusetts residents ages 12 and over, and fully vaccinated prior to each drawing, are eligible to enter the giveaway.

Residents ages 18 and over, and fully vaccinated prior to each drawing, can enter to win one of five, $1 million cash prizes.

Residents between 12-17 years of age, and fully vaccinated prior to each drawing may enter for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.

Eligible residents can enter the giveaway at VaxMillionsGiveaway.com.Residents who do not have access to the internet or require assistance can dial 211 during the following hours:

Live call center workers will be available in English and Spanish, and 100 additional languages will be available through translators.

VaxMillions Giveaway Drawings are once a week for five weeks beginning Monday, July 26 and continuing every Monday through August 23. The first drawing for the giveaway will occur on Monday, July 26, with registration for that weeks drawing closing on Thursday, July 22. Winners will be announced later in the week following each drawing.

YWCA Central Massachusetts announced the completion of a of its $24 million renovation of its Salem Square facility in Worcester with a ceremony on Wednesday, June 23. The ceremony included a tribute to YWCA executive director Linda Covaioli, who is retiring after 29 years, and a presentation of Worcester Key to the City by Mayor Joe Petty.

YWCAs renovation project included signing the City of Worcesters first Community Benefits Agreement. The agreement promised an all women led construction management team, living wage jobs with benefits, and an emphasis on diversity by employing union contractors, local women and people of color.

YWCA exceeded their targeted goals set in the CBA:

After a yearlong renovation, without one day of service lost, the building now features STEM-aware childcare learning and play areas, additional transitional housing space, secure mentoring spaces, updated heating and cooling systems, and improved security throughout the building.

The YWCA Central Massachusetts mission is to eliminateracism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen our community.

The Worcester Department of Public Works and Parks [DPW] announced that starting on Thursday, July 1, hours for bulk-waste drop off will extend one day per week and the fee for each bulk waste item disposal will change.

Starting in July, the residential bulk waste drop-off site at 1065 Millbury St will now be open for appointments each Wednesday from 8:30 AM to 7 PM. The extended Wednesday hours also apply to leaf and yard waste drop-off.

The current availability for appointments ends at 2:30 PM.

Also starting July 1, the bulk waste drop-off site will charge a flat fee of $5 per item. Currently, the fee per item ranges from $3 to $12, depending on the item.

Residents must make an appointment to drop off items and provide a list of eligible items when scheduling.

Residents can schedule an appointment by calling (508) 929-1300 or visiting the DPW website.

The Worcester Public Library announced that "Movies on the Lot" will have two screenings at the library's McGrath Lot this summer.

Movies on the Lot screenings will take place on July 22 and August 26.

More details will be released in the near future.

The Hanover Insurance Company commissioned a survey that analysed how the pandemic has changed Americans personal lives and whether they have made the adjustments necessary to maintain effective insurance protection.

The key findings from the survey:

Many consumers started a home improvement project during the pandemic. Some of the top projects cited, such as remodeling a kitchen or bath (29%), adding a work-from-home space (21%) or having a roof or siding replaced (15%), often can have direct insurance implications.

However, 63% of respondents said they were not aware home insurance policies may need to be reviewed and updated when renovations or updates are made to a property.

Image courtesy: YWCA of Central Massachusetts

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5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester - June 30 - This Week In Worcester