By Debra Smith Herald Writer
EVERETT — The Port of Everett has secured two new tenants for the Waterfront Center: a luxury boat outfitter and a distillery.
Even with the new tenants, about half of the center’s leasable space remains empty after being open a little more than a year. The center’s coffee shop, Cafe @ Marina, went out of business a few weeks ago. Four more small retail spaces and one large one remain vacant.
ArrowCat Marine, an Everett company which specializes in luxury motor catamarans, signed a five-year lease for a 2,240-square-foot space, said port spokeswoman Lisa Lefeber.
A nearby travel lift will allow ArrowCat to haul big boats in and out of the water. The company coordinates the manufacturing of spacious, luxury catamarans. The boats are built in China, but they receive final outfitting here.
Bluewater Distillery signed a five-year lease for 2,592 square feet. The distillery plans to produce organic vodka initially, followed by a floral gin and seasonal fruit liqueurs. The products will be sold on site at a retail store.
The businesses join The Scuttlebutt Brewing Co. on the center’s main floor and a small professional office upstairs.
Both new businesses plan to be open in July.
The find tenants with help from Coast Sperry Van Ness of Everett.
In this economy, the port didn’t expect that the entire building would fill quickly, Lefeber said. The port wanted to fill the space with businesses that support the boating community, such as marine retail.
“It’s going to take some time to fully lease the space and we budgeted accordingly,” she said.
Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com
