Tracy Thompson
Individual businesses are also making plans to adjust to the Safe Start guidelines. Rachel Nagler who owns the Maple Counter on Alder Street with her husband Cory, said they removed their waffle truck, formerly located to the east of the restaurant to make way for more outdoor seating, and she has also been able to include more al fresco dining on their back patio area. Since moving to Phase 2, which dictates a 50 percent occupancy rate, she has spaced her tables six feet apart and has seen her business increase each week. "Since re-opening we're really pleased with how many people have come back out to eat. The customers do seem to be coming back, we had a lot of people from Seattle and the Tri-Cities this weekend (June 5-7) since their counties are still closed. Last weekend we were running a wait list," said Nagler. "We're only down about 20% from where we were last summer, and we were able to bring back most of our staff which we were happy to do," she continued. Nagler said she has been keeping up with the activities of the Downtown Foundation and has appreciated all the updates from the City as well as its donation of masks and hand sanitizer. Nagler also is in the process of opening up a new business, an ice cream shop to feature homemade ice cream, located next door to Graze Sandwich Shop on Colville. Although construction had to be paused in March for six weeks, they are once again underway with dry wall, paint and plumbing being added. She plans to add more tables in the shared patio space and is confident that the space can accommodate both businesses due to alternating peak times for each. Look for the ice cream shop to open in August.
