Are you a fan of Bigfoot aka Sasquatch? If you have driven down Forks Avenue, you may have noticed a new store in town Sasquatch The Legend. Recently two very special artists, Tom Sewid and Peggy Seaview created native-inspired paintings on the outside of the building.

The new store has been opened by Laurie and Ken Hamilton. Laurie said they looked around for a place to open a new location and the choice was between Port Angeles and Forks and they chose Forks. The Hamiltons work with Tom who creates their artwork for the store and the T-shirts that they sell. Which they print on site.

Tom is an artist, ecotourism guide, and an expert in everything Sasquatch-related. He is a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl) Tribe from northeastern Vancouver Island, British Columbia and is also half Cree Native from central Canada. He lives part-time in Kent, WA with his partner Peggy and they conduct Sasquatch/Bigfoot tours and expeditions with www.sasquatchisland.com.

Tom also operates the Facebook group Sasquatch Island to share native perspectives about the Sasquatch with all. Tom is also the host of the podcast series Sasquatch Island on www.monsterxradio.com.

Last Wednesday Tom joined the Forks Chamber meeting via Zoom to share his vision for Big Foot tourism in Forks. Tom shared that he met Ken and Laurie at a Sasquatch conference and that is how they teamed up. “They saw my designs and we formed a business agreement and it has taken off,” Tom said.

“I can see this area has potential to offer more off-season tourism, to offer eco-cultural tourism.”

Tom shared that he has been on the cutting edge of that type of tourism; starting the first Orca watching and Grizzly bear tours on Vancouver Island back in the early 1980s.

He shared that the potential is huge for activities such as Sasquatch Days, carving contests, and the like; the resources are here. Tom said that partnering with the local native communities could also be of benefit when creating this new type of tourism.

In 2014 Tom became a Sasquatch guide and investigator, doing daytime searches for tracks and nighttime investigations. He said the tours are an authentic experience, with meals and happy clients. Tom also said we are close to proving that Sasquatch does exist.

Tom said now is the time to diversify communities as the economy changes and Forks has everything to make that change.

The Hoh Tribe owns the building that the new store occupies and it has been beautifully remodeled …stop by and check it out.