Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Cathlamet’s Main Street has a new addition this week, with the opening of Sirendipity, a thrift shop run by Heather Smith-Gillson and her sister Rhonda Nash. After moving to Cathlamet in August, Heather sought to bring something new to the town, focusing on second-hand clothing—a niche she felt was missing from the community.
“I looked all over Cathlamet to try and find what y’all didn’t already have here, and that seemed to be a thrift clothing store,” said Heather. With a space previously in an antique mall in Vancouver, the sisters are no strangers to the business. But this move was driven by more than commerce.
After experiencing “far too much live gunfire” near her home in Vancouver, Heather started searching for a quieter place. “I saw there was a shop front on Main Street in this little town I’d never heard of,” she shared. A quick call to the grocery store confirmed the spot was available, and Heather wasted no time in following her instincts.
Her introduction to the town was equally serendipitous. Upon arriving, she met Laura Retheford selling pies at the Tsuga Art Gallery with the Cathlamet Women's Club, who Heather described as “an amazing ambassador” for Cathlamet. “She was so warm and friendly. Everyone here is. People say hi to you, which is crazy!”
Heather’s energy mirrors the warmth she found in the community. Her excitement for the shop shines through her vision for Sirendipity. “It’s kind of fun... When you have a little shop and people are buying clothes, it’s like a girlfriend party all the time. Imagine four or five of us in there, going ‘What do you think? Does this look good?’ It’s fun!”
The shop’s wall mural, painted by Heather’s soon-to-be daughter-in-law, Taylor, features all of Heather’s favorite things, and she plans to turn it into a scavenger hunt for children while parents shop. “I want women to come in, shop the clothes, and tell each other how cute they’d look — like a bunch of girlfriends.”
Heather’s love for Cathlamet is evident. “Every day I look outside and feel lucky. I can’t really believe I live in a place so beautiful.” With her positive outlook and unique offerings, Sirendipity is sure to be a welcome addition to Cathlamet’s vibrant Main Street.
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