By Rolf Boone

The Olympian

Downtown Olympia has seen hard times before. The Nisqually earthquake, the Great Recession and winter weather so bad it seemed like the rain and snow would never end. Yet downtown has always found its way back.

But the COVID-19 pandemic might be downtown Olympia’s biggest challenge yet. As city of Olympia economic development director Mike Reid put it: “Nobody had this in their playbook.”

The governor ordered businesses to close to slow the spread of the coronavirus in March and now those that have reopened operate under strict health guidelines. Loans and grants were made available to businesses, and cities, nonprofits and others have rallied to offer their support. Still, the downturn in the economy was and remains dramatic.

The Olympia Downtown Alliance, an organizer and booster of downtown merchants and events, recently surveyed business owners and customers, and the results show the extent of the challenge.

Nearly 40 percent of business owners indicated their business is in jeopardy of closing within the next year, and 22 percent said it could happen in the next six months.

Just as stark: About half of the customers said they won’t dine or shop downtown until the state is either in Phase 4 of the governor’s phased reopening of the economy, or there is a COVID-19 vaccine.

“The survey results are troublesome and signal continued rough waters for our small businesses downtown,” ODA executive Todd Cutts said. “We know our community is passionate about our downtown and hope they continue to support our businesses by whatever method they feel comfortable and safe during the pandemic.”

To help, Cutts recently convened a gathering of business owners online to share their best practices and recommendations for doing business in this unprecedented time. Some of those owners also spoke to The Olympian.

Encore Chocolates and Teas co-owner Dean Jones urged more people to come downtown because businesses are operating in a safe way. He said his landlord installed an ultraviolet air-scrubbing system to kill bacteria and allergens, plus Encore requires customers to wear masks and use either gloves or hand sanitizer.

And if customers still aren’t comfortable, they can order over the phone or through the website, he said. Internet sales now account for about 30 percent of Encore’s business.

“We’re back to where we were a year ago,” he said about the overall state of business.

Encore sells 400-plus teas and more than 500 chocolates, Jones said.

Well 80 owner Chris Knudson said he had no idea that on the two-year anniversary of his brew pub and restaurant he’d largely be serving takeout meals.

One steady order has really helped Well 80’s bottom line, he said. Every Tuesday the business delivers 200-250 meals to the state Department of Health. The business is also selling its beer in cans at some area stores, including Spud’s and Ralph’s Thriftway.

His advice to business owners: Be hospitable and friendly and don’t be afraid to try new things.

“I think we’re going to be OK,” he said.

Sophia Landis, owner of the downtown gelato business, Sofie’s Scoops, has decided to invest in a food truck to use in the new Tumwater Craft District. The business also has learned to adapt to the seasons: You can get a scoop of gelato in spring and summer, but it’s pints by delivery in fall and winter, she said.

Andrea Griffith, owner of Browsers Bookshop, has done a little of everything over the last few months: online sales, curbside pickup and even home delivery, discovering “Olympia neighborhoods I didn’t know existed.”

And even though Browsers is open for browsing again, the home delivery, curbside pickup and online business hasn’t slowed, she said.

One challenge is what effect the pandemic will have on the holidays, typically the busiest time of the year for a retailer — and the most important for its bottom line.

“I’m trying to imagine what the holidays are going to look like and I’m not sure what to do,” Griffith said.

Although the Olympia Downtown Alliance survey data suggests a number of businesses might close, some new businesses have opened during the pandemic.

Uptown Grill opened on Capitol Way. Lark, a women’s boutique, opened on Fifth Avenue. Koko’s Lounge has opened on Fourth Avenue.

When Jones, his wife and son opened Encore Chocolates in 2013, they had just one location in mind.

“Downtown Olympia is where we wanted to be,” he said.