The news these days is scary and it’s time to summon all our empathy and compassion for everyone affected by the pandemic.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID guidelines are designed to stop …
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The news these days is scary and it’s time to summon all our empathy and compassion for everyone affected by the pandemic.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID guidelines are designed to stop the spread of the virus to save lives, and businesses are feeling the impact of the restrictions. Experts note that slowing the virus and economic recovery are intertwined.
There is positive news on the horizon about effective vaccines. Our immediate present and future is in our hands. We can decide to support our business community by keeping our dollars local. It’s a familiar ask from the Main Street Program, but it is truly more important than ever this year. Show your love for Port Townsend.
The Port Townsend Main Street Program was recently awarded an economic development grant from the First Federal Community Foundation for $65,000 for a year-long Historic Districts Marketing Campaign developed to help the historic districts during this challenging time. Designed with COVID-19 impacts in mind and sensitive to the phases, the marketing program will promote Port Townsend by reaching out to Jefferson County residents to support our local economy this quarter.
This grant shows solid support for the historic districts, local jobs, and the need to develop inventive ways to keep our economy sustainable.
The campaign will expand to include local and regional marketing, small-scale events, niche experiences, and tours to attract people and spending to town.
There will also be virtual marketing training sessions offered to businesses to help them develop their own marketing strategy.
People say with genuine care and pride that they have been shopping in town, supporting restaurants by dining out or ordering takeout meals once a week—that’s a fantastic way to help.
When you come into to town to shop, take a break and grab a bite to go. Buy a gift certificate for a friend or loved one, for a coffee, tasty treat or lovely meal.
Resist online shopping, and support local businesses. Explore Uptown and Downtown to find gifts that are hard to find elsewhere.
Our merchants are passionate about what they carry. Interact with sales personnel who genuinely want to help you find the perfect gift, select the right wine, track down that book title, or discover a work of art.
There are local online buying options, too. You are investing in entrepreneurship and the character of Port Townsend.
To implement COVID guidelines, Port Townsend businesses have heightened safety protocols, and are adapting their businesses to respond to changing conditions. Many retailers and restaurants are offering curbside pickup options (visit ptmainstreet.org or Jeffcochamber.org to find a list).
For example, Finistere in Uptown has added Lawrence Street Provisions next door, in the former Petals Flowers space. It’s stocked with specialty goods, pastries, soups, espresso, cookbooks and more.
Other restaurants have been busy installing air filtration systems and adding heaters, twinkling lights and tents to their street eateries. The Port Townsend Athletic Club has completely renovated their space in anticipation of Phase 3, making major investments with social distance protocols by re-doing the layout, painting everywhere, spacing out equipment, new technology to sanitize equipment and space, and reinventing their operation—it’s an amazing transformation.
The creativity and ingenuity businesses are showing and the investments they are making is impressive and they deserve our support.
Please support our local businesses here in Port Townsend today, so they can survive and be here tomorrow. Make a difference by showing your local love here this season!
The Port Townsend Main Street Program is working with Homer Smith Insurance, The Port Townsend Leader, and KPTZ 91.9 FM to make it merry in town over the Holidays. Our crew has been busy hanging winter lights, thanks to funding from The City of Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. For more about the holiday campaign, visit ptmainstreet.org or follow us on social media.
How are we going to get through this next phase of COVID restrictions? Together. Thank you for nurturing our community through a difficult time, and investing in Port Townsend, a special place we are fortunate to call home.
(Mari F. Mullen is the executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program, a nonprofit organization. Main Street works with businesses and our community to achieve its mission: to preserve, promote and enhance the historic business districts — Uptown and Downtown. The Port Townsend Main Street Program is an accredited Main Street Program, and is one of 34 Main Street Programs across Washington state.)
