Visit Fiesta en Jalisco at 400 West Main Street for the best Mexican food in town. Manager Oscar Guitron and his crew have spent time during the downturn to refresh the inside of the restaurant with new paint, brickwork, and tile. Guitron will display replicas of historic livestock brands in the restaurant bar in the next couple of weeks.

Fiesta en Jalisco is open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. every day, with daily lunch, dinner, and drink specials. Call for carryout orders at (509) 382-0606.

Do you need your lawnmower blade or chain saw chains sharpened? Or do you need the help of a small engine mechanic? Look no further than Pioneer West Tractor and Farm Equipment, located at 206 West Main Street.

Pioneer West Tractor and Farm Equipment carries many of the products found at larger farm and garden stores, including a full line of Carhart clothing for men and women, Muck boots, all Banjo sprayer parts, livestock feed, cat and dog food, hand tools, toys, and Cub Cadet lawn equipment, including mowers, both riding and walk behind, along with string trimmers and edgers.

Store manager John Alleman said lawn care equipment is currently hard to get because of manufacturing delays. He said if customers find them, they should probably buy them.

Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Dingles of Dayton – True Value Hardware at 179 E. Main Street hasn’t seen any business downturn during the pandemic. Mindy Beltzer said because people are staying home, they are more inclined to shop locally, which has had a positive effect on her business.

Garden soil, garden seed, and pots are just arriving, and Beltzer is looking forward to strong spring sales.

Look for five cheese stuffed manicotti on the menu at My Dad’s Place restaurant at 127 East Main Street. This is a recommendation from owner Terry Bartlett.

Pizza has been flying out the door, and home deliveries and carryout sales have been brisk. Right now, eleven people can be seated inside the restaurant. Tables outside will be available during the spring and summer months and into fall.

My Dad’s Place is open every day at 11 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m., except for Saturday and Sunday when the restaurant closes at 10 p.m.

Since September of last year, mother and daughter duo Laura and Paige Auckerman have been in business at Paige’s Floral and Gifts. Paige said the community has been kind and supportive of them, and they are looking forward to spring sales and continued floral sales.

Easter décor, wind chimes, candles, and lighted art décor are just a few of the fun things carried at Paige’s Floral and Gifts located at 207 East Main Street. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Locally Nourished, at 217 E. Main Street, has inside dining and outdoor dining at tables in front of the café and on the patio in the back of the café. An expanded menu is in process, said proprietor Alicia Walker. For now, the café is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. during the weekdays, and from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on weekends.

Locally Nourished opened its doors in May when Columbia County was in Phase 2, so being in Phase 2 is nothing different, she said. Growth was slow and steady until the cafe had to close its doors from mid-November until mid-January.

“We feel pretty hopeful,” she said. “We are really happy for the community support that we have had and look forward to seeing more people as they feel like coming out.”

At the Wenaha Gallery, 219 East Main Street, the focus is on art, goodness, and truth of art, said Carolyn Henderson, who is the advertising manager.

The gallery currently features soaps, shaving kits, candles, pet soap, and other items from artist Meredith Bretz of Biker B’s Bathworks, along with beautiful hardwood boxes made by Ron Jackson in Walla Walla.

This week Henderson is hanging Kennewick artist Steph Bucci’s stylized watercolor paintings of cats.

The Wenaha Gallery is open on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Sev Jones and Christina Dingman acquired the Weinhard Hotel and opened Jacob’s Public House at 235 East Main Street just before the pandemic struck. Dingman said sales have been somewhat lower, but she feels lucky that people around the region are comfortable enough to stay in the hotel and eat in the restaurant. She is following a strict regimen for social distancing, masking, and sanitizing.

The restaurant has both inside and outdoor seating and is open for breakfast and lunch, closing at 1:30 p.m. on weekdays and closing at 8 p.m. on weekends.

Dingman and Jones have been offering 20% off on Ski (at Bluewood Ski Resort) and Stay packages.

Lorraine Ortega, owner of the Purple Sage Salon and Spa at 109 North Second Street, said the Port of Columbia and the county health department had been lifesavers for her, keeping her in good stead with masks and hand sanitizer during the pandemic. She wants to thank them for their support in keeping the community safe.

Services offered are haircuts, highlights, waterless pedicures, waxing, facials, manicures, and skincare treatments.

She is currently offering perms at 1970s prices. Clients can get a haircut, perm, and finish for only $60. She is also offering 25% off on all waxing services.

Purple Sage Salon and Spa is open by appointment for one-on-one service by phone at (928) 451-5858.

Brenda and Art Hall are the owners of Azure Mountain Botanicals at 309 East Main Street, selling over 65 varieties of artisan soap, bath bombs, body butter, massage oils, candles, handcrafted jewelry, and gifts.

“Soap is essential, and throughout the pandemic, production has continued. While in-person visits have been less, customers have taken advantage of curbside pickup and online ordering,” said Brenda Hall.

Bath bombs usually are priced at $4.50 each are now 3 for $12.

Hours of operation are Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and by appointment by phone at (425) 478-3902.

Brad Hatfield at City Lumber and Coal Yard would like to thank everybody for their business, especially during the pandemic year. He said it had been a fairly busy year with people staying at home and working on home projects.

Right now, the push is on for spring, so stocking the yard with landscape material and everything the homeowner needs for spring beautification projects is a priority.

City Lumber and Coal Yard is located at 200 North Third Street.

Business at the Best Western Plus Dayton Hotel and Suites at 507 East Main Street has been up and down during the pandemic year. Jeannie Smith said workers on various local projects had been the hotel’s mainstays.

The hotel has been offering Stay and Play packages, which include 15% off at the hotel bar and a 20% discount off the lift ticket at Bluewood Ski Resort.

Smith said that there were many wedding cancellations because of the pandemic, but this year promises to be a “big” wedding year, as weddings are on again.

Creative Designs Salon and Boutique is a full-service salon at 408 East Main Street, owned by Vicki Lewis.

“I do everything. The list goes on and on,” Lewis said.

Lewis is offering an Easter special on jewelry, buy one get one for half price, as well as tanning specials. Get $5 off any unlimited package deal or when you buy a package of five or ten sessions.

Hours of operation are Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling (509) 382-4182.

Christine Delp wants people to know Jen is back at work after an eight-year absence at the Main Street Salon and Spa at 440 East Main Street.

There are three hairstylists and one massage therapist working in the salon. The shop sells retail hair and nail products. Delp said with spring coming, she is offering 20% off on OBI nail polish.

The salon is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, with Saturday hours available. Make an appointment by phone at (509) 382-2060.

Carolyn Suffield is working up to reopening Carolyn’s Café at 362 East Main Street. Work is the key word. Suffield makes and freezes batches of cookie dough, breakfast mainstays, and other items to be used as needed. After reopening in October, the Café was closed when the county was moved back to Phase 1.

During that time, many items in the freezers became freezer burned and unusable. Carolyn is in the process of sorting and discarding items and cleaning the café so she can reopen, perhaps in a month.

In the meantime, she is taking carry-out orders for her delicious peach pie, cinnamon rolls and other delights. Phone Carolyn at (509) 520-0614.

By the way, Suffield Furniture has a freezer for sale, along with several other appliances. Freezers were a scarce commodity during the past year.

Moose Creek Café and Bakery at 330 East Main Street is a local business serving baked goods and breakfast and lunch with a changing daily menu posted on Facebook. A fun selection of kitchen décor, toys and gifts for sale are a highlight at the café.

“Business has been slow, but we are optimistic. We’re super grateful for the local support,” said Manager Aimee McGuire.

Watch for information about an upcoming Spring open house. Hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Shane Laib, owner of the Mainstreet Marketplace located at 262 East Main Street, could be a poster boy for Dayton boosterism.

“Dayton is a fantastic community, in which to do business and has many avenues for locals and visitors to eat, play, shop, and stay,” he said.

He said December sales at the marketplace were “fantastic.”

The shop is currently closed for renovations, and when it opens in mid-March, shoppers will find antiques and vintage items, house and garden plants, handmade items, artwork, and many other eclectic items.

Hours will be Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Sunday appointments are available. Laib also offers consignment and estate sale and downsizing services. He can be reached at (509) 629-8888.

For information and appointments, Embee Hair Space at 242 East Main Street (509) 386-0937.

Ann and Mike Spring, owners of Chief Spring’s Fire and Irons Brew Pub located at 134 East Main Street, have been named the 2020 Business of the Year by the Dayton Chamber.

They have remained open for business despite all the pandemic restrictions and a fire before Labor Day, which destroyed the pizza ovens, shorted two ovens and ruined the grill.

The restaurant is now open to 25% capacity for indoor dining. The pellet stove in the brewpub is on “all the time.” The Springs have expanded their heated patio. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Reuban pizzas, calzones, and sandwiches are 10% off the normal price.

“Thank you so much for the support over the past year,” Ann Spring said. “It has been challenging for everyone,” she said about staying in business during the pandemic year.

Dayton hasn’t stopped supporting local business, and it will now be easier as pandemic restrictions are being lifted.