||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS by EDEE KULPER |||
In all these months of construction along Prune Alley Road, I think the hardest business hit may be Sequel. I’m not speaking on behalf of them, in fact I hope owner Keri Lago is okay with my saying so.
I think it all the time. It hasn’t been easy to get there, and I’m sure that over these summer months no tourist has just “happened upon” Sequel. You’ve got to know it exists, decide you’re willing to figure out how to navigate the changing pedestrian patterns set by the road crew, and make the effort.
No offense to the road crew, by the way. They’ve been really nice, and their work looks very good. And I’m sure that when all of the road planning was done, no one quite knew what this summer would look like after two years of ongoing COVID quietness.
But suddenly this summer brought with it the hope of revival and normalcy. When I think of what these months must have been like for Sequel, when other businesses just one street over have been as full as they’ve ever been, I can’t imagine how Sequel is making it.
I’m a big Sequel fan. Always have been. I love buying used clothing. Environmentally and monetarily, it just makes sense. And you never know what you’re gonna find – it’s fun. (Here’s a previous post I did that highlights them.) I have found my way around cones and heavy equipment to get there a few times this summer. But I may be in a minority.
Anyone reading this – if you have a great idea that will help this business, please step up.
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How about pledges.. let’s say one pledges $100 for them, how many would follow.
This shouldn’t be a public visual situation.. someone start it I’ll seed it first. Not a go fund me bailout, but a quiet community movement helping each other.
I will have my gal go and just give at the store. Thanks Edee
“My gal!!” Really, Clyde??
Couldn’t agree more. Met a woman last week who’d climbed over a mound of construction dirt to get there — and found a really cute pair of kids’ sandals. Sequel is good for Orcas.
A Go Fund Me is not a bailout in the case of Sequel – it’s a good idea – it’s still neighbors helping neighbors, and I bet tourists who know about Sequel would chip in. There are probably rent monies needed for the space – that would be another good way to pledge some help. Not only can people not go there, consignees have to figure out how to walk a bag of clothes there and park a long way away. We need Sequel; it serves people of all ages.
Perhaps the Economic Development Council will put its money where its mouth is and help our struggling businesses on Prune Alley. Surely, there must be some good grant writers in the County. Isn’t that how we ended up with Prune Alley Road project – through grant funding? I can’t help but think of the other businesses too…Waterfront Gallery and Frame Shop, Portofino/Skillet, The Lower Tavern, Mijita’s, the Coop; They’re all feeling it too -and those of us who are hit with the costs of the extra gas it takes all of us to drive the long way around to get to town – with gas prices at an all time high.
Seems like a no-brainer that the north intersection should have been reopened months ago. Will that happen in time for the start of school, just several short weeks away?
One nice thing that happened a few weeks back is that I met Mitch Carlson at the north intersection of North Beach Rd – He was very kind and accommodating when I told him I was trying to get to Sequel. You can get there by walking up North Beach Rd to the intersection and explaining the situation and where you want to go. I love Sequel. Thanks for writing this, Edee.
Yes Lynn.
Thank you for writing this, Edie. I also love Sequel. I’ve bought some great things there over the last several years and have sold some items there as well. I did try to get there earlier in the summer. It was completely inaccessible. And then when I was able to walk over there, it was closed, I believe due to the construction work. I haven’t tried again, but have been meaning to. I miss being able to just go there. And I’m also concerned about the impact the construction has had on their business.