Town OKs moving Chamber of Commerce to Maple Hall

Moving is often a business decision.

That’s even true for an organization whose focus is to promote and protect the interests of those in business.

Faced with COVID-related financial stress, the La Conner Chamber of Commerce was granted Town Council approval last week to temporarily move its office from Morris Street to the Fireside Room at Maple Hall later this month.

“The Chamber is taking a double-whammy,” Mayor Ramon Hayes explained during the Council’s tele-conferenced April 28 meeting. “They’re taking hits on their renewals and in terms of hotel-motel (tax) revenue.”

Hayes said the Chamber is looking to trim expenses – much as the Town is – in response to an economy hard hit by business closures and restrictions related to efforts designed to stem spread of the coronavirus.

“A big expense for the Chamber is location,” Hayes told Council members.

Relocating to Maple Hall for a few months would lighten that burden.

Town Administrator Scott Thomas is in the process of developing a contract allowing the Chamber to occupy the Fireside Room for a nominal fee, Hayes said.

“The Town is here to support the Chamber and business as much as possible,” said Hayes.

Chamber Director Heather Carter said the Fireside Room, which can be locked and secured, will provide adequate space on a temporary basis.

“We don’t need a lot of space,” she said, “just room for the office and storage.”

The Chamber hopes to re-open its Visitors Center on Morris Street in 2021, said Carter, whose hours have been cut in half due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We’re seeing crisis-related numbers with the Chamber,” Carter said.

She lamented the cancellation of favorite summer events in La Conner, much as the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival was scrapped last month.

Even if COVID-19 sanctions are lifted between now and August, lining up sponsor support for annual events like the La Conner Classic Boat & Car Show and Pioneer Picnic – both of which have been cancelled – would likely have proved difficult, Carter and others noted recently.

In related notes:

• Following Gov. Jay Inslee’s release on Friday of a detailed four-phased plan for the gradual re-opening of the state’s economy, the Town again altered its signage near the roundabout for weekend traffic.

  The message on the digital reader-board was shortened to say: “Six-foot social distancing required.” There was no reference on the rented sign to limiting visitors or encouraging them to stay home and stay healthy.

  “If we feel the need,” Hayes told the Weekly News on Saturday, “we’ll modify again.

  I don’t think there’s a great risk of overcrowding today or tomorrow because of the weather.

  Mother’s Day may be another issue.”

• Hayes said “98 per cent of our businesses have been tremendous” in terms of accepting increased social distancing signage around town and use of striped boxes marked six feet apart for customers to stand in while waiting for their orders.

  “The new signage has been effective,” Hayes said.

  “People are getting it.

  It’s a way of reminding people (to use social distancing).” Hayes, however, did share with Council members that “a couple businesses have been extremely challenging to work with.”

• Council member Mary Wohleb said she had received positive responses from town residents regarding the “limited access” and “stay home, stay safe” signage.

  “I’ve gotten feedback from locals who say they feel safer,” she said.

  Later in the meeting, Wohleb said Town officials are striving to protect public health.

  Hayes likened the present situation to a delicate balancing act.

  “We want to support our businesses,” said Hayes, who owns a First Street jewelry gallery, “but we can’t do that at the risk of our residents.

  I, for one, can’t wait until we don’t need these (social distancing) measures anymore.”

The link to participate in the May 12 Council meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81666205548?pwd=UXdWbVV3Sy96ZUVFdUlLQW1yTmV3QT09. Meeting ID: 816 6620 5548. Password: 9nLZfC. Phone: 1 253 215 8782. Meeting ID: 816 6620 5548. Password: 216422.