RESILIENT AND CREATIVE Businesses find ways to survive during pandemic
By RODNEY HARWOOD staff writer It might not ever be business as usual again with the economic havoc and financial burden the coronavirus pandemic has placed on American business owners. But Ellensburg business community responded with new and creative ways to operate since Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” directive during 2020. The healthcare restrictions led to a number of closures, re-openings, changes and fallbacks since March 17, 2020. According to a news release from the state Employment Security Department, Kittitas County’s leisure and hospitality industry was hit especially hard. Over the course of 2020, the county’s unemployment rate spiked. Between
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March and April of last year, the rate jumped from 5.5% to 15.9%. Over the spring and summer, the rate gradually declined to a low of 5.5% before climbing again at the end of the year as restrictions were once again tightened, the report stated. The county rate climbed to 8.5% in December, up from 6.4% in November. The year-to-year increase was ever more dramatic. In December of 2019, the county’s unemployment rate was 5.2%. Even with all of that, local businesses found a way to stay afloat, Ellensburg Downtown Association director Karin Green said. “From what I’ve seen, people are really resilient,” she said. “Businesses have been extremely creative whether it’s the downtown Streeteries or putting up décor in their storefront windows to create an interest. “It’s nice to see, from my perspective, to see business owners being creative and trying new ideas in their business approach to stay afloat.” Despite changing regulations in the restaurant industry, open to a 25% capacity, closed back down to carryout, open air indoor dining, the Early Bird Café moved from its long-time location on Water Street to the old Iron Horse taproom on
Early Bird Cafe owner Jeannie Bayless moved her business from South Water into the old Iron Horse Brewery taproom on Main Street.
Main Street. The Iron Horse Brewery, on the other hand, is setting up shop at 201 N. Pearl St. with the idea of moving its taproom into the 60 x 120, 3,600-square foot building in the heart of the historical downtown district. “We intended to move out of the Main Street building two years ago, but there was a shift in the craft beer market. We decided to wait a little longer, then along came the COVID-19 pandemic,” Iron Horse managing partner Greg Parker said. “So, it was a lucky thing for us. Now we’re ready to move forward and we’re really excited.” Local restaurants and businesses created outside dining by setting up in the parking space in front or other available space. These “Streeteries” for lack of a better term, started popping up all over town. The outside dining or drinking areas opens up more seating, gives customers a chance to kick back
in the Central Washington sunshine or evening, while meeting the stay safe health regulations. “Right now, we might add an extra server on high-volume nights. So far, it’s been great,” Pearl Bar & Grill owner Blake Collins said. “We’re already seeing a 20% increase in revenue. “In seeing the response, I’m surprised that it’s taken this long to do something like this, honestly. Cities all over the Northwest have been doing it for over a month now. Bend, Walla Walla, Leavenworth have been doing it on their main drag for a while now.” OPENING DURING A PANDEMIC Even in the midst of the pandemic and difficult business climate, there were several new businesses cropping up. Seng Tong Thai Cuisine opened up at 1713 S. Canyon Road. SV’s Curry Masala opened its doors at 303
