Let’s hear it for the ingenuity of our fellow business owners across the community for finding ways to adapt and lean in to these times of considerable uncertainty. With masks now required in the state of Washington we encourage anyone considering a visit to check out the Chamber of Commerce’s website for the latest Covid updates before making the trip out to the Peninsula. Here are some exciting updates and resources concerning what Jefferson County is doing to stay safe, protect its residents, cautiously welcome back tourism and continually re-evaluate and adhere to an ever-evolving list of requirements and restrictions. We are so glad to see so many of our friends on this list, rethinking their businesses and finding ways to make it work!
Photo by The Pine S Company
Finnriver Farm & Cidery is our very favorite little organic cidery and certified B Corp. Their mission - to celebrate the beauty and bounty of earth, to reconnect people to the land that sustains us and to grow community - is one dear to our heart. We are avid cider club members and long time Finnriver fans, and are so thrilled to see that they have slowly and cautiously reopened for limited weekend sit down service. As the virus spread and we learned to live in lockdown, one of our favorite indulgences was takeout from Finnriver and Dented Buoy pizza. Early on, they were able to develop a smooth and safe contactless online ordering system for food and cider for takeout, and as of late June have reopened the cider garden for limited weekend service. Learn more about precautionary measures and how to visit at finnriver.com/visit. Check out Dented Buoy’s stellar menu and more up to date hours at dentedbuoy.com*.
*Current favorite pairing suggestion: “The Sungold” - Local sungold tomatoes, thinly sliced zucchini, red onion with homemade roasted garlic and herb olive oil sauce. FreshBeecher’s cheese curd, mozzarella and shredded parmesan. Crust is a blend of organic flours some of which is locally grown and milled by Finnriver Grain Co. Pair it with a black currant cider with a splash of habanero cider for an extra kick!
Photo by Joshua Trujilo
With traditional movie theaters like our beloved independent Rose Theatre temporarily closed until further notice, it’s no surprise that drive-in movies are making a comeback, and where better to enjoy cult summer classics like Jaws, Indiana Jones, E.T. and Back to the Future than our very own resident outdoor theater - the Wheel-In Drive-In. It may be several weeks or possibly even months before Hollywood is releasing new films, so in the meantime, the Wheel-In is showcasing an array of “Greatest Hits” by reservation to fulfill your big screen cravings. Remember, no walk-ins are allowed so be sure to visit their website at ptwheelinmotormovie.com to check for timing, showings and to make your reservation ahead of time.
If the “hits” don’t necessarily appeal to your fondness for filmmaking, check out the aforementioned Rose Theatre’s new streaming service from the comfort of home. It’s a sweet way to support a very special small business and is currently offering an array of cool documentaries like Ella Fitzgerald: Just One Of Those Things, John Lewis: Good Trouble, The Wild and more! Learn more about how to stream and whats playing right now at rosetheatre.com.
*Life hack for people here on Saturdays: the Rose Theatre has just announced they will be offering their famous popcorn for sale on Saturdays between the hours of 3 - 6pm. There’s butter involved. People - REAL BUTTER. And an unparalleled spice shelf. I mean…we aren’t saying plan your trip around it but…
Photo by Peddler PT
Peddler Port Townsend is a brand new, eco-friendly, human powered bicycle delivery service distributing local goods to homes within Port Townsend’s City limits. As the coronavirus left businesses shuttered and much of the global community sheltering in place earlier this year, owners and cycling enthusiast Juri Jennings saw a need to protect our communities most vulnerable and shortly thereafter, Peddler PT was born. Peddler believes that having access to local, organic groceries shouldn’t be an indulgence and that good health starts with good food. They are currently partnering with the Food Co-op, the Jefferson County Farmers Market, Midori Farm & Space Twins Provisions to deliver fresh goods and food to your door. Find out more at peddlerpt.com.
Photo by Lawrence Street Provisions
And finally, perhaps the “best" thing to come out of this pandemic (gastronomically at least), is the new kid on the uptown block, Lawrence Street Provisions. The love child of local bakery gurus Sweet Lamb Baking Co. and darling (and delicious) restaurant Finistere, Lawrence Street Provisions quickly became a hub for picking up familiar favorites usually available at the weekly farmers market and happy hours. In light of stay at home orders, the owners didn’t miss a beat and encouraged guests to pick up items like homemade pastas and sauces, smoked salmon dip and buckwheat chips, freshly baked croissants, macarons and cinnamon rolls and recreate their meals at home! It was a massive success and the business will continue on even as restaurants reopen. With a new location coming soon, Lawrence Street Provisions is perhaps one of the most highly anticipated and accidentally successful business models to come out of Port Townsend’s time sheltering in place. We’re obsessed, ands we think you will be too. Check out the most recent menu here.
So we’ll leave you with this. Although the news can at times feels daunting, we are exhilarated and uplifted by the resilience and fortitude of the people in this community. And collectively, we look forward to the day when Covid is behind us. But until then, mask up, stay safe, and rock on.
