Standby for the stampede of tourists.
Sunset, arguably the nation's premier travel magazine, devoted a full page to the city of Bingen in its September issue, which has just hit the newsstands.
The article, titled "Basking in Bingen, Washington," informs readers that travelers can find "fresh food, parks, and quiet near the Columbia River Gorge."
Sunset, which bills itself as "The Magazine of Western Living," has a circulation of approximately 1.5 million.
"Let Oregon's Hood River have all the glory -- and the crowds -- while you explore the tiny town of Bingen, Washington, on the other side of the Columbia River Gorge," reads an excerpt from the new article, which was written by Janet Filips. "Here, tasting rooms and farm-to-table restaurants have sprung up alongside antiques shops and fruit stands. The result feels lively and authentic -- like you're discovering Bingen before the boom. Late summer is the perfect time to pack a picnic with bounty from nearby farms and relax at the water's edge."
Several local businesses are prominently featured: Dickey's Fresh Produce, Antiques & Oddities, Viento, Solstice Wood Fire Cafe, and North Shore Wine Cellars.
Steve Wolford, owner of Antiques & Oddities in downtown Bingen, was gratified to hear of the feature.
"It's great," he said. "I think it's tremendous exposure. You can't go wrong being in Sunset."
There are several color photos included in the feature, including one of a lamb dish from Viento.
"Dishes like Imperial Stock Ranch lamb shank in coconut curry -- with pineapple chutney -- may be sophisticated, but Viento is exceedingly laid-back," reads the caption showing a dish from Viento.
"Those are my lamb shanks!" said Viento owner/chef Kathy Watson, who was proud to see her restaurant among the handful of businesses featured in the article.
Watson pointed out that Sunset has a stellar reputation.
"I've been reading Sunset since I was a kid," Watson explained. "It's really the magazine for living, food, and travel in the West. So it just feels really good to be recognized there."
The Gorge Heritage Museum also is spotlighted: "An old church chock-full of artifacts and tales of the area's Klickitat tribe," is how the landmark museum is described.
Bingen Mayor Brian Prigel said he couldn't recall any similar cases of Bingen getting national recognition.
"We've had mentions in a few windsurfing magazines," Prigel said. "And in the late 1980s, we had Peter Jennings live in front of the old Mount Adams Inn, when they were doing a feature on the impact of windsurfing on the area. But I can't think of anything quite like this."
Prigel added that he believes the article will be good for the community's tourism-related businesses.
"It'll certainly help tourism," Prigel said. "As far as the town-based businesses, it has to have some kind of positive impact."
Wolford said he believes major improvement projects developed by the city in recent years have been the deciding factor in getting positive coverage.
"Hats off to Mayor Brian Prigel for the downtown revitalization and for his leadership," Wolford said. "I don't think 10 years ago you'd see Sunset doing a feature on downtown Bingen. It's a new and exciting time."
Commented