In a cautious and careful manner, the State of Washington and the neighborhood of Fremont, are opening up after COVID-19 shutdowns. While more and more of the restaurants are finding ways to do take-out and delivery, safely, the retail stores are preparing for curbside service, once State directives on how to safely sell are issued.
While many Fremont retailers have been doing on-line sales, most cannot do this efficiently or effectively. As small businesses, selling unique, creative and artisanal items, two-dimensional pictures and even the best descriptions, don’t do justice to the products they carry.
Check out these businesses, and contact them directly for more information on curbside plans:
- Urban Earth Nursery – Their primordial love of flora drives this little shop, and its small staff, into producing plentiful bounties of plant beauty. While they cannot offer browsing of the garden or houseplants at this time, their entire inventory is available, and much of it can be seen on-line. They will offer curbside pick-up on Thursdays – Sundays, from 11a – 5p, and local delivery (not same day) on Saturdays.
- Portage Bay Goods – The procrastinator’s gift shop sells items for dozens of small manufacturers and artists. Check out the Portage Bay website (click here,) to see their inventory – and check out their Facebook Page (click here,) to see which days they are open for curbside pick-up.
- The Uncommon Cottage – Another of our creative gift shops, this one has a window full of interesting items – and plans to open curbside just as soon as allowed. In the meantime, contact The Uncommon Cottage for information on hours and inventory – at 206/483-7949 or through the website (click here.)
- Jive Time Records – This collector’s dream of a record shop has thousands of new and used titles of rock, punk, indie, hip hop, electronic, soul, jazz, blues, country, folk and much more. Contact Jive Time at 206/632-5483 or jivetimecrew@gmail.com with requests, and do curbside pick-up from Noon to 5p (purchases with credit cards only.) Find out more on JiveTimeRecords.com
- Ophelia’s Books – Our used bookstore has what you need to keep your mind active over what could be a long, slow summer. Contact Ophelia’s at 206/632-3759 or visit the website (click here,) to get the reading material that’ll get you through the rest of the pandemic. Curbside pick-up will be Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, from 11a to 4p.
- Down Under Gallery – The art gallery is ready to re-open as soon as the Governor declares it safe, and the State requirements can be met. In addition to original art by Rosalind Namara, Sarah Weathers, Rodman Gilder Miller, Jose Benevides, and curator Adrian Laney, the Gallery has also laid in a supply of sanitizer from Fremont Mischief Distillery, and a garden covered area for curbside displays and purchases. Find out more, including hours, on the Gallery webpage, and the Facebook Page.
- Peace Love And Happiness Club – Find gifts, apothecary, plants, pottery and supplies on-line (click here) – and then do pick-up, delivery or shipping. Peace Love And Happiness reminds us all that small businesses are the lifeblood of communities.
Even those who may not need the precious items sold in Fremont’s amazing small shops and boutiques can support our small, independent restaurants and eateries, such as:
- Vif Wine|Coffee – Starting next week, this coffee and wine shop will be open four days a week – Wednesdays to Saturdays, from Noon to 5p – for pick-up of on-line orders. They cannot offer individual pastries for sale, but packs are available. The Vif menu changes, so check out the shop page (click here,) for information on the selection of meals – and wines -for sale.
- Le Coin – As one of the many fine restaurants in Upper Fremont, they’ve been doing select, creative, French cuisine for take-out and delivery for the last weeks. Those unable to pick-up their delicious food can find Le Coin on Postmates, Caviar, UberEats and DoorDash. As the menus change daily, check out the Le Coin website (click here) for the daily offerings, Wednesdays to Sundays, from 4p to 8p, and brunch on Sundays.
- Starbucks – While neither small nor independent, Fremont’s most central caffine supplier has re-opened for providing. Starbucks has an app, that allows customers to order and pay ahead, then ask to pick-up an order at the Fremont shop. Learn more at starbucks.com/orderahead
This week has also seen re-openings, for take-out, at Nuna Ramen, and LTD Bar + Grill, plus The Nickerson Street Saloon is doing special Friday menus – find out on their Facebook Page. Also, sources at Fremocentrist.com have heard that Fremont Coffee will be re-opening, for take-out, in two weeks.
The magic of Fremont lies in part with the nature of its business district – its majority of owner-operated, single-location shops and restaurants. These businesses will be hardest hit by the extended shut-down, but they can also spring back quickly with the support and patronage of our community.
Please shop local, and share your favorite restaurants and boutiques with friends and family.