Originally published Saturday, July 26, 1997

By CECELIA GOODNOW
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

No matter where they live, everyone eventually crosses paths in Winslow, the island's economic and social heart. Winslow Way, near the ferry terminal, is lined with bookstores, restaurants, antique and gift shops, and the venerable Town & Country Market, a locally owned grocery where the elite meet to shop and swap gossip.

Small neighborhood shopping areas also are located throughout the island at Rolling Bay, Lynwood Center and Island Center, with additional shopping at Island Village shopping center about a mile north of Winslow Way.

The Winslow area is home to about a quarter of the island's population -- and is earmarked for half the future growth. Winslow residents tend to be older, less educated and less affluent than the island as a whole. And they have a unique, village lifestyle that planners hope to expand on to keep the rest of the island green.

The proposed Winslow Master Plan would transform the village into a pedestrian-friendly mecca with more walking trails, sidewalks, curbside trees, slow-paced auto traffic and a transit loop.

Already a magnet for apartment and condo living, Winslow would generate more affordable housing for residents who can't hack the cost of an island dream home, which now averages $303,453.

"Not everybody that comes to Bainbridge Island wants to live on an acre of land," said Andy Mueller, president of Mueller Construction. "From an affordability standpoint, Winslow is just about your only option on Bainbridge Island."

Cultural life should get a boost next spring with construction of The Pavilion, a Winslow development that will feature a five-screen movie theater, office space and a teen soda shop with a "Happy Days" ambience.

The Pavilion is the dream child of Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Brein, who was a press consultant to the Reagan White House, and former mayor Sam Granato, who 15 years ago renovated the vintage 1936 movie theater at the south island neighborhood of Lynwood Center.

Their plans call for state-of-the-art equipment, first-run movies, art films, film festivals and special screenings for seniors. Even the snacks will be upscale. Instead of Milk Duds, look for Toblerone chocolate.

"Not that we're going to build a snob palace," Brein added.

The project should also jump-start island night life.

"If you come into Winslow right now after 7 o'clock," Brein said, "the place is dead. There are some restaurants open, but the place is basically deserted."