Island businesses take stock amidst pandemic
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 8, 2020
By Paul Rowley and Janice Randall
As islanders hunker down to prevent community spread of the coronavirus, many local retail spots continue to search for new ways to stay afloat.
Businesses deemed non-essential by order of Gov. Jay Inslee have since increased their social media presence, or are now offering shipping or curbside service.
Some offer gift cards that may be used later, and several Vashon retailers have advertised that islanders wishing to pay it forward may purchase gift certificates that support local shops in time for upcoming holidays and ceremonies including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations and weddings.
The Vashon-Maury Island Chamber of Commerce office is closed, but online, the chamber’s website — vashonchamber.com — provides a full list of island retail spots, and offers information to businesses about available resources.
“We’re trying to make sure that we are keeping the community informed,” said Chamber President, Cheryl Lubbert. She added that the pandemic may impact some local businesses more than others — those who are sole proprietors, or who belong to the island’s arts community, or who cannot perform their services in the midst of a shelter in place order such as massage therapists. Lubbert, who noted that the chamber is now volunteer-led and run, said staff is thinking of creative ways to help the island’s business community come out of the pandemic stronger than before.
“I think as a community, we can help our businesses recover faster if we all come together and we think of unique creative solutions to help things get going,” she said. “We rely on a lot of events, but I think we can think about our events in a different fashion, and I think there are ways we can do our cool, fun creative things to help businesses get up on their feet.”
On that note, the chamber has begun hosting a series of webinars online to provide more information for business owners and will offer a presentation on Thursday about how to set up an online store.
But there are significant hurdles ahead that small business owners on the island and across the nation will have to face.
Sam Williams, who leads the business support branch of the Vashon Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said it will be a tall order for employers to navigate the Payment Protection Program and obtain assistance that is meant to support small businesses with forgivable loans under the new federal CARES Act. The EOC, in partnership with the chamber, is trying to demystify the application process and help small, qualifying island retailers compensate their employees in the coming months. But many employers are facing difficult questions and tremendous uncertainty, from unemployment to accessing and using funds and paying rent on their storefronts.
“It’s a lot to do,” he said. “First, there’s the shock, and trying to deal with it becomes very difficult, and I think for some small businesses it’s going to be difficult to restart and some may not be able to. And we’re just trying to say, ‘Okay, what can we do as VashonBePrepared to help the chamber and help get the word out, and see if we at least can’t get conversations going and realize the focus as best we can on trying to find solutions.’”
For more information, visit VashonBePrepared online at vashonbeprepared.org/COVID-Resources/For-Businesses.
Many island businesses deemed “essential” have remained open to the public throughout the crisis. Those include Vashon Pharmacy, IGA, Thriftway, Harbor Mercantile, Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie/Minglement grocery store, Mom’s Deli, Chevron and Engels Gas Station.
Liquor and pot shops are also still open, so islanders can still go to Vashon Liquor Store, Vashon Euphorium and Kush 21.
Ace Hardware, Island Lumber and Vashon Floor Store are open, as are the hardware aisles at Harbor Mercantile.
Agricultural businesses including Kathy’s Corner and The Country Store & Farm are open, as are many island farm stands.
Pandora’s Box is deemed essential and offers curbside service. The store currently enforces a limit of three people being in the store at one time. Wet Whiskers, a dog grooming service, is closed.
Check online to confirm hours of operation, phone numbers and whether businesses that remain open offer delivery or curbside pickup.
Other local retail spots may be closed to the public but still offer service online or over the phone.
Windermere Real Estate is offering virtual tours of island properties for sale in addition to limited tours, and realtors at John L. Scott are showing properties on a limited basis in light of a recent clarification from the governor’s office around home listings.
Gather, a shop that features the work of local artists, is physically closed but reachable by email at gathervashon.com. According to the shop’s Facebook page, purchases can be made from both Gather and its adjacent Margaret in the Hallway Gallery by emailing customercare@gather.com. The shop will send photos, deliver or schedule a time to meet at the shop.
Giraffe is closed, but owner Priscilla Schleigh adds new items weekly to the store’s website, giraffehome.com, for online purchase with free shipping over $60 and free island delivery. Each purchase includes a complimentary face mask, made by Schleigh. Follow updates on Instagram @giraffehome and Facebook @giraffevashon. Shopping with Schleigh via Facetime is also possible To find out more, email giraffevashon@gmail.com.
Granny’s Attic is closed.
Herban Bloom is closed, but islanders can contact the shop to send beautiful virtual flowers, with a message now and a real bouquet later. Learn more at herbanbloomflowers.com, or follow the shop on Facebook.
Hinge Gallery can be reached at Info@hingegallery.com or by calling 206-659-9243. Any outstanding projects will be delivered.
Island Paper Chase, an origami art gallery, is closed. Call owner Alice Larson at 206-463-9000 to make arrangements for appointments for your origami needs.
Island Quilter is closed to in-person shopping but fabric orders can be made by calling 206-713-6000, and the store offers curbside pickup. Visit islandquilter.com for mask making instructions, inventory and more information.
Kronos, a gift shop, is closed. Follow updates on Instagram @kronosboutiqueandgallery.
Luna Bella’s and Rock It! Consignment clothing stores are both closed.
Northwest Sports’ doors are closed but the store’s inventory is available online at nwsvashon.com. Shoppers can call the store owners at 206.463.5906, or email northwestsports@mac.com to place orders. Items can be picked up at the store by prior arrangement.
Raven’s Nest is closed, but owner Sue Shotridge said the business was still operating online at ravensnestvashon.com. The store, which offers high-quality gifts and art created by Northwest Native artists, can also be found on Facebook and Instagram at Shotridgestudios. Call 206-567-5826 for curbside service for any purchase.
SAW (Starving Artist Works), a shop that sells works by local artisans and artists, is closed. Owner Heather Brynn told The Beachcomber that she is currently developing an online store and is also happy to meet customers at the store for purchases of her inventory. She also offers delivery. Call her at 206-979-4192.
Spiceberry Home, located in Burton, is closed. Online shopping with shipping is available at spiceberry.com.
Purchases or service appointments at Spider’s Ski & Sports may be made by phone for either curbside or free home pick up and delivery. Email spidermacleod@gmail.com or call 206-408-7474 for more information.
Treasure Island is closed but offering free fabric for face masks. Message Marci Christopher on Facebook @TreasureIslandVashon.
Valise, an art gallery, is closed. The Kitchen Sink show remains on display, and those who are interested in purchasing art are encouraged to visit online at valisegallery.com. “Our most critical concern is the health of our community,” artist Jiji Saunders said. “We are in the midst of developing a new plan to interact with the community in a meaningful way.”
Vashon Bookshop’s doors are closed, but according to owner Nancy Katica, the bookshop is now able to offer direct shipments to customers through its supplier. To order a book, call 206-463-2616 or email vashonbookshop@gmail.com. Katica advised that it may take 24 hours for messages and emails to get a response. All orders must be prepaid, and books will arrive via USPS four to five days from the time of order.
Vashon Bike Shop rental is closed. Bicycle sales and repairs are available curbside. Text the shop at 206-999-1551 or email vashonbikes@gmail.com.
Vashon Estate Sales venue is closed, but owner Mike Urban has opened a full-service online store at vashonestatesales.com, with new items added daily. Online purchase and checkout are built into the site, and credit cards are accepted. Curbside pickup is available at 20312 Vashon Highway S.W.
Vashon General Store, also known as Vashon Auto Parts (NAPA), is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
If you know of a business that is missing from the list, please contact prowley@vashonbeachcomber.com for inclusion in the online version of this article.
