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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almanac 2021 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

Erica Hart opened the 3,000-squarefoot House of Hart Boutique at 118 East Fourth Ave.

N. Main St. to serve authentic Indian food to Ellensburg.

Clean Cut the Men’s Shop at 415 N. Pine St was a nice addition to a downtown street looking for its own identity, just one block east of Pearl Street.

“I’m invested in GG’s over on Main, but this is my first business on my own,” said owner Crystal Gansereit. “This space is the perfect size for what we’re doing. I feel like the timing is right and we need something like this.

“Our community’s growing and there’s a need for a full-service barber shop. The other thing is that I like the potential of Pine Street. Pine Street is great place for new businesses and we’re seeing quite a bit of foot traffic so far.”

Devine Wellness and Relaxation relocated from its previous location on North Dolarway Road to 200 E. Fourth Ave., which is another addition to historical downtown. It offers a multitude of services in the way of massage (both Swedish and deep tissue), BodyTalk, Reiki, cranial sacral therapy, myofascial release, pregnancy massage, nutrition consultations, reflexology, yoga and hypnotherapy.

Designer Erica Har opened the 3,000-square-foot House of Hart Boutique at 118 East Fourth Ave. She set up shop on Fourth Avenue with anything from jewelry to handbags, clothing and candles. Her boutique, which opened four weeks ago, features handmade items and home décor.

“I’m a designer. I design anything from jewelry to clothing to accessories. I’m a creator. I like to make things,” said Hart, who graduated with a degree in Apparel Design from Seattle Pacific University. “It’s been a life-long dream to be able to design my own pieces and bring them to your front door.”

TOUGH QUARTER

Building owner Ross Anderson owns four buildings in town, including the Democratic Headquarters (409 N Pine St ), Early Bird Café (412 N. Main St.), Mattress Firm (400 N. Main St.) and the New York Café building (116 W. Third Avenue). He is currently looking for a tenant for the retail portion of the New York Café building, but other than that, he has 100% occupancy.

“It’s probably been a $20,000 hit during the pandemic so far,” the Seattle-based architect said. “It’s been a tough quarter, but I think it’s going to get better in 2021. It’s still been better than what others have gone through.

“The business climate before the COVID-19 was good. Then it hit and I was worried because I was just getting my building (at Third and Main) done and I was worried about getting tenants for the apartments upstairs. But it’s been better than I thought it would be.”

Ano Delivery opened for business in April of 2019. The delivery service took off during the pandemic, serving a need as people stayed at home. It will celebrate its second anniversary in a month and business has been so good co-owners Dante Palmisano and Juan Zamorano have taken time off from their studies at Central Washington University to focus on the business plan.

It has been a trying business climate for the past 15 months. Some have struggled, some have flourished, but the reality of it is, most have adapted to the new normal under the safety protocols. v

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