At this time, we all hope to be able to contain the Coronavirus, a.k.a. COVID-19, and to lose no more lives to this terrible, insidious illness. To that end, Fremont businesses are doing their best to keep customers and employees safe – while still making enough for them to survive.
“Keeping your distance is good for public health, but tough for small businesses,” states the Pipe & Row e-newsletter.
Some of our stores, like Show Pony, have expanded their on-line offerings. Show Pony also offers free shipping on all domestic orders – on-line or by phone at 206/706-4188. Visit the Show Pony website (click here,) to see the new items in the Spring line, and for every order placed by March 31st, customers will be entered to win $250 in merchandise.
Pipe & Row is also closed this week, and will be able to offer free shipping on on-line purchases over $50. This small, independent clothing and accessory boutique has also recommended other ways to make conscious consuming a priority:
- Purchase toilet paper, and other necessities, from earth-friendly, independent distributors
- Shop on-line direct from small, local businesses, rather than through a large clearing house
- Choose to purchase gift cards & certificates from favorite restaurants and bars
Some restaurants are selling gift cards, for future dining, that they can mail or provide by pick-up. Le Coin is even adding 20% onto the card total for purchases of $75 or greater – contact them through info@lecoinseattle.com
Another way to help Fremont area restaurants and bars is to order food, delivered or for curb-side pick-up. Esters Enoteca has several specials available, in family platter sizes, available for order by text. They’ve also got, for curbside pick-up, a selection of fine wines available at discount prices. Check out Esters Enoteca on their website (click here.)
Both Shawn O’Donnell’s and the new Aslan Brewing taproom in Fremont have beer available, in growlers or cans, for pick-up/take out. Take-out meals can be found from El Camino, Kwanjai Thai, Norm’s Eatery, Palmi Korean Cuisine & Teriyaki, Flying Apron, Roxy’s Diner, and Jai Thai, although El Camino’s owner pointed out that they will have to modify their menu, or even shut it down, if supplies become scarce.
Theo Chocolate is continuing to sell its fine, organic chocolate during this difficult and stressful time. They’ve instituted curbside pick-up or delivery, of not only the products available all the time on the Theo website (click here,) but also of the specialty items that can only be found and purchased in the Fremont factory store. For entertainment and activity purposes, Theo has also created a selection of YouTube videos, the ‘Into The Pod’ series, to give an educational and enlightening view on everything you wanted to know about chocolate. They’ve also filled their Instagram feed (click here,) with recipes and projects using chocolate.
Of course, anyone who is pregnant, elderly, and/or with an underlying medical condition – or anyone who cares/lives with anyone in this situation – should stay home and self-quarantine. Anyone who is ill, or possibly ill, should also self-quarantine.
Those outside these groups can still walk around Fremont, and enjoy a few days of pretty days and fresh air – and safe spaces. A few Fremont businesses have, with extreme caution, chosen to stay open with precautions in place.
Outsider Comics & Geek Boutique is attempting to stay open during this time, although several members of the staff fall into high-risk groups. Those who are safe to work will be in the store, working restricted hours, and these will be posted on the Outsider Comics’ Facebook page (click here,) and Instagram account (click here.) They have also removed the need for signatures on credit card purchases, and are instituting a curbside pick-up process. Call the store, at 206/535-8886, for the purchasing process, and to find out when your favorite new graphic novel titles are in stock.
Other businesses in Fremont that are also open include:
- B. Fuller’s Mortar & Pestle Artisanal Modern Apothecary
- Frame Up Studios
- Peace Love & Happiness Club
- Steepologie
- Down Under Gallery (a.k.a. Fremocentrist.com headquarters)
- The Uncommon Cottage
All of these businesses are taking steps to protect the owners and staff working, as well as customers or simply neighbors who want to stop by and get out of their houses and off the sofa.
While it is vastly important that everyone stay safe and healthy through the COVID-19 pandemic, we wish the very best to the entirety of the Fremont community, including our small businesses and employees, and a quick resolution to this dire situation.