I noticed, and other staff members commented, that a long-standing business in Gorst, Toys Topless, has its windows taped and sealed and it appears a layer of white primer has been applied. In its easily two decades in business, the entertainment establishment has sported an array of interesting color schemes. Most recently, if memory serves (I only drive by there twice each work day) the building was painted a vivid lime green. Obviously Gorst is way too far from downtown Port Orchard to be infected with Paint the Town fever. But after all, summer is painting season, and its about time for Toys to get a make-over.
Here’s some evidence as to how long Toys has been operating. My oldest son, who is turning 25, started to read when he was about 5 or 6. For many years, he recently told me, he thought Toys Topless was an actual toy store, and he wondered why we never stopped there.
Speaking of Gorst, Gardener and I were talking about town mottos (since the Port Orchard City Council will hear on Tuesday about the PO Chamber’s branding campaign). I suggested Bremerton’s should be, “Gateway to Gorst.” Gardner suggested that honor should go to Port Orchard. And back and forth it went.
Which reminds me, Kitsap Sun blogger Travis Baker wrote about the Gorst Quarry earlier this month, where some extensive excavation is taking place. According to Baker, the owner first joked that it was “the new eight-lane highway between Gorst and Bremerton, plus a marina out in front.”Then he said there is still considerable material worth excavating. Also they are landscaping in order to do some hysroseeding, which, I guess, will make the quarry look nicer.
I am also reminded of the graffiti on the railroad tressle, which, until recently said, “Love is a disease. Runs before it kills you.” Ah, those ever upbeat Gorstians. I had a hard time reading what the new graffiti, scrawled over the old message says. I will try to pay better attention on my commute tomorrow.
Gorstians unite, who is there to defend your honor? Do you consider yourselves part of Bremerton (which you technically are), or Port Orchard/South Kitsap?
How come your previous article left out the more negative comments from business owners about paint the town? There’s a lot of angry people downtown.
Hey Chris,
Kitsap Muffler was also getting a new paint job this weekend. But since they are directly across the highway from Toys, it appears that very few have noticed.
Visitors once commented that they thought Toys Topless must be the place to buy a convertible.
Dave – I thought I addressed the fact that the merchants were concerned with the blog post referencing:
“issues raised last week at a meeting of the Port Orchard Bay Street Merchant’s Association.”
including: “liability, quality control and environmental concerns”as well the overall paint scheme.
Here’s the link if you missed it
http://pugetsoundblogs.com/south-kitsap/2009/07/24/delilahs-paint-the-town-a-reality-check/
You may have also missed this comment:
“I don’t like it when people come in and say our town is ‘butt ugly,’” said (barber Ernie) Moreno, who characterized Delilah as a “queen bee” bent on pressing her own agenda.
Chris Henry, reporter