Nestled about three hours outside Seattle, the snowy town of Leavenworth, Washington is one of the most beautiful villages in the Cascade Mountains. The population in 1977 was less than 1,500. The buildings along main street were of Bavarian style, simulating a small German town. With lovely locally owned shops and restaurants, Leavenworth was a sought-out destination.
Just across the street from Mallory’s Bistro, the Kincaid Clock Company boasts the prettiest of Christmas décor. Perry Kincaid’s family business of clock making opened in 1890. Perry’s grandfather, Conrad, was raised in Kent, Washington and began his trade as a Clocksmith at a young age in Seattle.
A mountain lover, Conrad would become one of the few shop owners on main street. Conrad bore a son named Alfred, Perry’s father. The dream of passing the shop down generation to generation stopped with Perry.
Injured in an auto accident in his teenage years, Perry never married. After the death of his father and grandfather he became one of few clockmakers in the Pacific Northwest. Maintaining the shop on Main Street seemed to be Perry’s sole purpose in life. Even though he knew he would one day sell the shop and retire, he wanted to keep the family name alive as long as possible.
Christmas in Leavenworth proved to be the best time of year for the clock business.
Although Perry filled orders for custom clocks all year, he learned from his father to stock the store with as many beautiful creations as possible for the holidays.
Year after year, Perry designed and built beautiful structures equipped with advanced time-keeping apparatuses. It was his passion. As an only child of two deceased parents at the age of 35, Perry kept to himself when not working. He kept a small cottage two streets over that belonged to his maternal grandmother.
Christmas in 1977 in Leavenworth lived up to its reputation as a snowy paradise. The deep snow caused limited travel and as the days leading up to Christmas passed, Perry saw fewer shoppers roaming the beautiful streets. On Christmas Eve, Perry decided to close the shop early and enjoy a quiet evening at his home in front of the fireplace.
Just as he was locking up the front door, he noticed a woman and a young boy trekking through the snow and waving their arms. The two strangers approached Perry and requested his help. Vera, and her young son Mason, were stranded. They explained to Perry that their automobile, a 1972 blue Chevy Nova, stalled on the main road up above the small village. They had walked for 45 minutes in the snow to reach the main street where they could see lights and shops.
Perry invited Vera and Mason into the shop to get warm and have some hot chocolate. While twelve-year-old Mason wondered through the shop mesmerized by the beautiful clocks, Vera explained to Perry how they were traveling deep into the Cascades for a Christmas visit with relatives. She told Perry the two of them had a very difficult year. Her husband quit his job in Seattle and divorced Vera for another woman and moved back East.
The split had devastated their hearts and their finances.
Perry shared his family story with Vera and the two realized they had been talking for almost two hours when Mason interrupted and asked Perry if he could see the back of the shop where the clocks were made. Perry obliged and gave the young impressionable boy a tour. Mason asked Perry “Do you have to be really smart to build clocks like this.” Perry simply replied, “You just have to have a certain twinkle in your eye,” as he winked at Vera.
Vera was grateful for the hospitality and asked if Perry knew of an Inn nearby where they could spend the evening. Perry said the closest accommodations were more than three miles up the road and given the weather it would be difficult to make it by foot. Perry offered his home to Vera and Mason for the night. He would stay at the shop in order for them to feel safe and secure at his home. Vera was moved to tears, knowing God had placed Perry in their path this Christmas.
It took three days for the weather to subside and Vera’s car to be repaired. She was grateful to Perry for his concern for her young son. She promised to come back and purchase a beautiful clock for Mason as soon as possible.
Forty-seven years later the population of Leavenworth jumped to nearly 3,000 and boasted of 32 shops along the main street, which became one of the favorite destinations of would-be skiers and vacationers in nearby towns. The Kincaid Clock Company expanded to three storefronts, had the most visited website of any clock company in Washington, and shipped its products all over the world.
The shop’s new owner was a single man in his early thirties. With a large staff working tirelessly, the 2024 season was proving to be the best in the Kincaid Clock Company history. A PR firm hired to promote the illustrious cabins, skiing, dining, and shopping attractions in Leavenworth produced a magazine featuring the clock store and many other businesses. The store drew the interest of producers of a show on the Travel Network.
Amanda, an associate producer traveled to Leavenworth to interview the owners about a possible upcoming episode.
The weather was treacherous and travel to and from Seattle was difficult. Still, as one of her first assignments, Amanda was determined to complete the interview and make it home for Christmas. Almost a day late for the interview, Amanda finally made her way to the front entrance. The owner, Matthew, was just closing up shop. He had already sent all team members home and was preparing to head home himself. Amanda pleaded that he still give her a quick tour and allow her to come back tomorrow for a longer interview. Matthew agreed even though he wanted to make the 131-mile trip to Seattle to be with his friends for the holidays.
Matthew and Amanda talked for hours over hot chocolate and biscotti from a shop down the street. They told stories of their college days at the University of Washington and were surprised they had never met. They talked of loves lost, hard knocks in life, and the pursuit of dreams.
Matthew began receiving alerts on his phone about road closings. He advised Amanda that she may need to book a room at one of the hotels or vacation rentals in the area. Quickly heeding his advice, Amanda began searching. For over an hour she called and emailed hotels and vacation homeowners in the area. Due to the holidays the area was booked solid, and nothing was available on such short notice.
Amanda was visibly distressed, so Matthew had an idea. His family still owned a small home a couple of streets off Main Street, and he offered the keys to her for the night. Amanda accepted the offer graciously and followed Matthew toward what would be her shelter for the evening.
Amanda was amazed at the beauty of the little cottage. The lovely furniture and décor was exactly what she imagined for a small cottage in Leavenworth. The walls were lined with photos of beautiful clocks made by the Kincaid Clock Company. A story card was posted under each photo. Amanda soaked in the history and then pointed to photos on the wall of men and women. “Are those photos of the Kincaid family,” she asked. Matthew walked over to the photos pointing to each as he recounted his knowledge of the Kincaid family.
One final photo pictured a man, woman, and young boy. Amanda stopped at that photo. “Is that you?” she asked. Matthew explained, the young boy in the photo was his father, Mason. The couple were his grandparents, Perry and Vera Kincaid. He recounted the story of their initial meeting on a snowy Christmas Eve in 1977. Charmed by the love story, Amanda asked if she could include the story in the interview for the show. “Sure,” replied Matthew, “They fell in love and built their life together right here in this cottage.”
Amanda smiled and looked at Matthew. There was a certain twinkle in his eye
JustRobby 