Thurston County retailers are reopening for business -- curbside, that is
After largely being closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus stay-home order, many retailers now are able to do business curbside, but not in store, after Gov. Jay Inslee announced new rules earlier this month.
Previously, restaurants were among the few businesses that could offer curbside service, but as of May 8 that has been extended to all retailers, including gift shops, book stores, bridal shops and others.
It’s a welcome development for businesses and the economy as a whole.
Courtney Foreman, owner of Olympia bridal shop Weddings With Joy, said she met just 10 percent of her sales goal in April.
“It was absolutely hard on the business,” she said.
But she completed a curbside pickup on Thursday and has developed a plan for her store before it can actually open its doors to customers, which could be as early as June 1 under the governor’s phased-in reopening plan.
Here’s how some local small businesses are approaching reopening in the time of COVID-19.
Drees
Ruthann Goularte, the longtime owner of Drees, a gift shop and home decor icon in downtown Olympia, said this week that she plans to pursue curbside pickup, but first she’s going to promote her store and inventory on social media and reach out to customers through a newsletter.
Her business at Washington Street and Legion Way turned 90 last year. Goularte is very aware that there is a road construction project taking place on Legion Way, or what the always-positive store owner calls a “beautification project.” But once the curbside pickup begins, she encourages customers to park on Franklin Street and walk one block to the store.
Browsers Bookshop
Owner Andrea Griffith already has a complete curbside pickup system in place for her bookstore on Capitol Way, between Fourth Avenue and State Avenue. A table blocks the front door, plexiglass separates customers from the employee, and there’s just enough space to slide a book through to the customer, she said.
“It’s completely contactless,” Griffith said. The service, though, is for pre-ordered books only, either purchased online or over the phone, she said.
After the store closed, the business has been able to sell online and make deliveries if the order is more than $50 and within five miles of the store, Griffith said.
Despite the pandemic, the business has been able to pay its bills, although it’s twice as much work for half as much revenue, she said.
“We’re making it work and Olympia is supporting us,” Griffith said.
Weddings With Joy
Owner Foreman closed her store on Pacific Avenue Southeast on March 20, then brainstormed some ideas with other bridal store owners and emerged with a new business plan that is executed over the phone and online, she said.
Either by text, email or phone, Foreman determines what the customer is looking for, then sends pictures of dresses they might like. After that she schedules a virtual appointment where the customer can see what the dress looks like on a mannequin. This is followed by an at-home try on, and if all goes well, the next step is a curbside pickup, Foreman said.
For the at-home try on, she charges a $100 deposit per dress, but if the customer decides to buy, the deposit charge goes toward the purchase price, she said. So far, she’s been able to help a few brides who have August and September wedding dates.
New Traditions Cafe and Fair Trade
New Traditions, the downtown Olympia destination for food, music and fair trade goods, closed after the outbreak emerged here.
But co-owner Stacy Muguet said last week that the business will offer food to go and curbside pickup beginning June 5.
Muguet, who co-owns the business with Jody Mackey, said they were slow to consider take out because so many of their customers want the ambiance of New Traditions.
“They want to be here,” Muguet said.
Muguet said customers should check the New Traditions website for shopping options. Right now customers can purchase gift certificates, but more purchase options are coming, she said.
The pandemic has been hard on all small businesses, including New Traditions. They had to lay off staff, but also held a week-long clinic to help them get unemployment benefits, Muguet said. The business also was vandalized, but the broken window has been boarded up, she said.
Still, Muguet said they have a “super cool” landlord and are grateful for the community support. “That is the most important thing!” she said in a text.
See who’s open
For a list of downtown Olympia businesses, check the Olympia Downtown Alliance website at https://downtownolympia.org/.
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
