Chelan business wins Washington State Main Street award
- Nic Scott
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
At the Washington State Main Street Program’s annual Excellence on Main awards ceremony, Kelly’s Hardware in downtown Chelan was honored with the Legacy on Main Award.
The Legacy on Main Award is an award that recognizes a small business that has stood the test of time and impacted generations of community members. Kelly’s Hardware has been named the 2025 Legacy on Main Award recipient not only for its longevity but for its many contributions to the community.
With roots dating back to 1925—when it was originally called Chelan Hardware and shared a building with Chelan State Bank—Kelly’s Hardware is woven into the fabric of downtown Chelan. In 1958, Wayne Kelly acquired the business, setting the stage for a remarkable family legacy that now spans three generations. Today, Kelly’s Hardware is the second oldest multi-generational business in downtown Chelan, operated by Wayne’s son, Pat Kelly, who is now mentoring his own son, Brogan, to carry the business forward. This continuity speaks not only to the strength of the Kelly family, but to their dedication to serving the needs of their community decade after decade.
More than just a hardware store, Kelly’s Hardware has become a trusted institution—a place where locals know they can find tools, parts, and trusted advice from people who know their names. For visitors, it offers a glimpse into the spirit of small-town hospitality. Its presence as a stable, enduring business has helped anchor downtown Chelan through periods of change and growth.
The Kelly family’s deep commitment to Chelan is perhaps most joyfully expressed through the Wayne Kelly Memorial Top Dog Parade, a beloved St. Patrick’s Day tradition held in honor of Pat’s late father Wayne. The parade always draws crowds, fostering connections and highlighting the best of small-town life—a reflection of the same values the Kelly family brings to their store.
“Multi-generational small businesses like Kelly’s Hardware play a critical role in sustaining vibrant downtowns. Kelly’s Hardware serves as an anchor of trust, consistency, and personal connection, all of which help build loyalty among customers and stability in the local economy,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. “Through three generations, the Kelly family has built more than a business—they’ve built trust, tradition, and a lasting presence that continues to shape the identity of downtown Chelan.” Durham presented the Legacy on Main Award to Pat Kelly, who was in attendance at the awards ceremony.
Operated by the nonprofit Washington Trust for Historic Preservation under contract to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Washington State Main Street Program helps communities across the state revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown districts. Today, the Washington State Main Street Program encompasses a network of nearly 80 towns and cities across Washington, including Chelan.
Every year, as a cornerstone event of the annual PLACES Conference, the Washington State Main Street Program hosts the Excellence on Main awards ceremony, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond. This year’s 2025 Excellence on Main award winners were announced on Thursday, October 9, at the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma, during the PLACES Conference held October 8-10 in Gig Harbor.
The Washington State Main Street Program applauds this year’s award winners and the impacts they have made in their communities. For more photos of the award winners and of the PLACES Conference overall, visit preservewa.org/places2025-album.
Since 1984, the Washington State Main Street Program has been helping communities revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown commercial districts using the successful Main Street Approach®. Historic Downtown Chelan Association is a community program in the Washington Main Street network and works to promote downtown Chelan as a welcoming, inclusive, clean, safe, and active downtown destination for locals and visitors to the Lake Chelan Valley.