Arts on the Plateau: A Familiar Face Hanging Out in an Unfamiliar Place - Paula Nordby

One of the first persons I met in Enumclaw was Paula Nordby. I was checking out historic downtown having just moved here from Florida. I knew no one.

Paula was working behind the counter at Arts Alive! Center for the Arts on Cole Street, and she greeted me with her contagious smile and a warm greeting. I came to know her as one of the faithful, committed volunteers who mans the store 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday greeting tourists and shoppers, assisting local artists and doing whatever else is needed to keep the doors open that day at the art center. Paula is not a visual artist herself, but she is an enthusiastic advocate for the arts. 

Recall The Village Shoppe?

Paula is a familiar face on the Plateau. The owner of The Village Shoppe for 24 years, Paula retired in 2011. Occupying about two-thirds of the Cole Street building where the Mercantile is now; hers was the popular store selling kitchen ware, whole coffee beans and featured an old fashioned candy counter.  “I retired and look where I am, working again!” says Paula.

But, not everyone knows where she is hanging out nowadays. When peoplewalk into the arts center on Saturdays she is recognized instantly by so many long term residents, as well her constant companion of six years, her Pekingese mix named Gizmo.  “Part of the fun being down here, is people saying “Here you are!” she says with a giggle.

Paula started volunteering at Arts Alive right after recovering from hip replacement two years ago, rarely missing a Saturday. She says she couldn’t sit home, she needs contact with people.  “I wanted to do something for the community and I have always enjoyed art and artists. And, she says with ardor “I could bring my dog!”  Even at The Village Shoppe her dog greeted customers. She says Gizmo loves the people contact, too.

Paula's Skills Are Assets

President of the Arts Alive! Board, Lorrie Maras, says she is grateful for all the faithful volunteers. “Paula has a background in business and has so many retail skills and assets that we have really benefited from her assistance.”

Paula has served the Plateau community with unassuming devotion in other ways as well. She moved to Enumclaw in 1988. She had a Masters Degree in Social Work and worked in adoption and foster care. She eventually adopted four children herself, and never married, raised the kids as a single parent.She loves acting (“My art is performance arts!”) and she was on stage and involved for years with the Rainier Stage Company. She currently plays the English Handbells at Calvary Presbyterian Church and is the Handbells Director at Peace Lutheran in Puyallup.

You Can Also Find Paula on Facebook

Not only can Paula be found at Arts Alive!, she has continued to maintain her stores’ Facebook presence and she invites friends to “like” her page! Just enter The Village Shoppe and be sure to choose the page with Enumclaw on it.

It is friendly people like Paula that make Enumclaw a such great place to live. I was lucky to find that out the very first day I was checking out my new home town.