After the Puget Sound region — which includes King County — moved into Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery Plan this month, many businesses have been allowed to reopen indoors at a limited capacity.
Jeremy Hardy, co-owner of Mioposto pizzeria on Mercer Island, said his team appreciates Inslee’s thoughtful, science-based approach to the pandemic.
Mioposto, along with other restaurants and bars that serve food, have returned to indoor service at 25% capacity through 11 p.m. daily. Also back at 25% capacity are indoor fitness centers, gyms, theaters, museums and more.
It’s been a tough go during COVID-19 times for Mioposto’s employees, its bottom line and the community, Hardy said. Hardy and his employees are grateful to Islanders for supporting the restaurant and helping to keep its doors open.
“We have invested heavily on ways to stay relevant on technology, tents, heaters, umbrella hats, etc. and are thrilled to see people back in the restaurant dining,” he added. “We continue to take the temperatures of each employee prior to every shift, every day to help provide a safe space for our employees and community. We also pay employees for all sick days to encourage those who may be feeling nervous to stay home without impacting their paychecks.”
During her report at the Feb. 2 city council meeting, City Manager Jessi Bon said she was pleased to see a host of Island restaurants reopening for indoor dining. She added: “This is just a reminder to keep doing all of the good things that you are doing to stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID.”
Over at Clarke & Clarke Art + Artifacts, Ginny Clarke said after being required to close in mid-March of 2020 for three months, the gallery has been open at 25% capacity for the last nine months. Since COVID hit, she added that they’ve been forced to get creative by devising online resources and advertising to connect with local customers and continue to educate them along the way. Bringing new customers on board has been crucial as well.
“We are very fortunate to be part of a small community with services, great support from our resilient independent neighboring business owners and a city government that has created and provided education, encouragement and promotions to Islanders that we are ‘Open for Business’ albeit with serious limitations,” said Clarke, who added that their landlord at The Boyd Collection has been supportive and understanding while helping to keep businesses afloat during challenging times.
Sarah Bluvas, the city’s business liaison and economic development coordinator during the pandemic, said that while it’s been a constant struggle for businesses, she’s been trying to find positives to help brighten the scenario.
Since last March, she’s been “activating our central business district and Town Center as well as the business district on the south end of the Island. (Finding) ways to get community members out and engaging in Town Center,” she said.
With arts and culture on her mind, Bluvas noted that the Illuminate MI holiday light installation made an impact, and the city’s upcoming community art project Island Lanterns is designed to bring people downtown as well. The lantern project — put together by the city, Mercer Island Visual Arts League and Cadet Troop #44295 — will open on Feb. 12.
For more information, visit https://letstalk.mercergov.org/coronavirus_business.
