business backgrounder | innovation
Agriculture is also feeling the
impact, with direct-to-consumer sales
experiencing strong demand, especially
for beef and pork. The Thurston
Conservation District’s Farmer’s Basket
is one buyer’s guide that offers direct
connections to produce, meat, dairy and
egg producers, for example.
Mobile money services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Venmo are gaining popularity as people are more cautious about
handling cash.
Nonprofits are scrambling too. The Storehouse food bank in Covington has gone from serving 100 families a week to 250.
“A lot of people have either lost their jobs or are working less hours but still have to pay rent, so they need that extra assistance,”
Assistant Director Cassie Laney said.
People used to come in and shop for items. After the epidemic, the groceries are distributed in a drive-up format, Laney said.
Donations from the community are strong.
“We’re so successful because of local business,” Laney said. “We have great partnerships with a lot of local Covington businesses
that want to see their community thrive though this crazy pandemic.”
Martin, the owner of Ristretto’s Coffee and Wine, has also worked to create stronger community connections over the last
several months.
She and her daughter Makenna have a
background in catering and weddings —
but the wedding business quickly dried
up this year.
After the shutdown, she and her
daughter quickly created to go meals
that could feed six people — beef
stroganoff, sausage cacciatore, French
dip sandwiches, wine and cocktails to go
featuring Heritage Distilling’s Batch No.
12 blended whiskey.
Martin connected with local vineyards
and Mama D’s bakery to offer fresh wines
and baked goods.
STRONG COMMUNITIES
ARE BUILT ON COMMITMENT
At Phillips Burgess, our highly-skilled team of legal professionals is passionate
about what we do and the communities and clients we serve. We are committed
to being here for the long-term to help rebuild and restore our community.
ANNOUNCING OUR NEW OLYMPIA OFFICE ADDRESS AS OF AUGUST 1:
McCleary Mansion: 111 21st Ave SW
WWW.PHILLIPSBURGESSLAW.COM
724 COLUMBIA ST. NW, SUITE 320 • OLYMPIA • 360.742.3500
915 SOUTH I STREET • TACOMA • 253.292.6640
“Overall we really just didn’t need the physical office
space. We measured the visitors and reasons for
dropping by and it wasn’t enough to justify continuing
to pay rent, utilities and other expenses.”
— Jennifer Liggett, executive director, Covington Chamber of Commerce
She made a deal with local businesses
— for every dinner they bought for people
in need, she would match it. Norton
Home Remodeling, Showcase Carpentry/
Design and Kyler’s Auto Detail were
among those who jumped in to help.
“I think that I found more connection
to my community, and more loyalty to
my community than I ever have,” Martin
said. “The outpouring was phenomenal.”
The economic impact of the coronavirus
will likely play out for years to
come. And the innovations of Washington
employers will lead the recovery.
26 association of washington business