The Bainbridge Island Downtown Association has good news to report in the wake of 2012. For starters vacant shop spaces are down to a “normal low rate.”

“‘For Rent’ signs rarely appear in Winslow storefronts these days,” said Andrea Mackin, executive director of the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association.

New businesses to downtown Winslow exceeded exiting shops. A total of 13 merchants set up shop in Winslow, while eight were lost; including the 122 that burned down in July.

The downtown association also took on some new partners in 2012 such as Puget Sound Energy, Morgan Partners, Morris Piha Real Estate and Wildernest. The partners contributed to the association’s economic development, joining Kitsap Bank, Town & Country Market, Elmquist Real Estate Services, Ace Hardware, Dana’s Showhouse, HEART, The Traveler, MRJ Constructors and Carney Cargill Insurance.