Salud! Wine Bar wins economic vitality award

The Washington State Main Street Program has recognized a wine bar that hosts events and stores wine in downtown Camas.

The owners of Salud! Wine bar, Event Center & Wine Storage, Gerald and Yolanda Taylor and Tony and Raechill Dotson, accepted the Economic Vitality award during the program’s Excellence on Main ceremony, April 24, in Port Townsend, Washington.

The award is designed to recognize economic enhancement efforts within a downtown district.

“It was so exciting to attend this event and be recognized for something that is our passion,” Raechill Dotson said.

She added that she and the other Salud! owners enjoyed meeting the recipients of other awards and learning about what other small towns are doing to revitalize and improve their surroundings.

Salud! opened in August of 2017, at the former site of a Sears Hometown Store, 224 N.E. Third Ave. Craig and Colleen Cancilla opened the Sears Hometown Store, in 2010 and closed it in 2017.

Sarah Laughlin, with Fuel Medical, of downtown Camas, nominated Salud! for the Economic Vitality award.

Tony Dotson said he and the other Salud! owners wanted to create a space that not only has wine and food, but offers a relaxing environment that is not stuffy or pretentious.

“We wanted to be something different — something for both the beginning wine drinker and the wine lover that wants to just relax in our extended living room,” he said.

Kari DiPalma, of Washougal, describes Salud! as a comfortable place to hang out, meet neighbors, relax and enjoy great Washington wine and live music.

“There is no pretense, no pressure,” she said.

John DiPalma said he is thrilled to have a wine bar in town.

“Even though I can still picture where the hardware used to be in the prior Sears building, they have completely transformed their space into a wonderful meeting place and entertainment venue,” he said.