The Cider Barrel opens downtown, but Finders Keepers Antique Mall won’t be back
Despite the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, new businesses such as The Cider Barrel continue to open.
The Cider Barrel opened June 13 at 168 W. Fourth Ave., owner Troy Kirby said. For now, it will be open 4-8 p.m. Saturdays, but Kirby intends to eventually expand to Thursdays through Sundays.
When a customer visits a typical bar, one tap might be devoted to cider, Kirby said. But at The Cider Barrel, the business will have a rotating selection of six Northwest ciders on tap. The business also sells wine, hard seltzers and non-alcoholic beverages. Customers can get tastings of the ciders, pints and growlers to go.
The business sells snacks only, so customers are encouraged to bring their own food, Kirby said.
Other business happenings
Finders Keepers Antique Mall, on Fourth Avenue East, won’t reopen after 15 years of business, the owner announced on Facebook.
“The challenge of reopening with many of our dealers in one or more risk categories for COVID-19, and the changes we would have to implement for staffing, keeping customers safe in the store, and an unstable economy, all weighed in to this difficult choice,” the post reads.
Capital Mall reopened earlier this month, but 24 Hour Fitness, Sprint and a store called Apricot Lane, did not, mall general manager Kevin Johnston said in an email.
“We have about 65 percent of our stores open, and we are hoping to be at or around 95 percent by the end of next week,” he said. “Traffic is building slowly and we are at about 60-70 percent of normal right now.”
Most of the stores that have reopened are seeing sales come back quickly, he said.
Olyphant Art & Media, one of the few art supplies stores in the region, is for sale, co-owner Nick Baldridge said. The Baldridge brothers, Nick and J.B., have owned the downtown business for 10 years. It started on Fifth Avenue, later moved to Washington Street, then downsized to 119 Fifth Ave. SE. Nick and his wife have opened a fine art gallery and cocktail bar in North Carolina, and J.B. is set to join them in August, he said.
The business has a new website and was profitable during the recent COVID-19-induced shutdown because it was considered “essential” as an office supply store, Nick said. Although the business is listed for sale at $250,000, the brothers are motivated to sell and are ready to consider all offers. If the business doesn’t sell, the plan is to liquidate its inventory, Nick said. The owners can be reached at olyphantartsupply@gmail.com.
Harbor Freight Tools is set to open a new store in Chehalis at 1349 NW Louisiana Ave. on July 4. The store will employ 35 and will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
