Lynden businesses have grins, greetings in full supply as reopening continues

This is one in a series looking at Whatcom County business districts as they reopen in Phase 2 of the new coronavirus Safe Start program.

Anytime Fitness owner Leslie Hoefer seems unlikely to forget 6 p.m. March 16 and 8 a.m. June 6.

She noted those are the exact times she closed and reopened her Lynden workout center after being closed for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were closed for 80 days,” she said, speaking Wednesday, June 10, the Lynden center’s third anniversary.

“We were getting close to being unsure (if the center would be financially capable of reopening),” she added, as clients walked in with grins and greetings. That would have been so hard; she expresses great pride in being part of “4,500 (Anytime Fitness centers) on all seven continents.”

Hoefer is among dozens of small business owners who could not be more grateful to be back in action.

That much was more than obvious Wednesday, June 10, by the hundreds of cars parked along a long stretch of Front Street, from Fairway Center to First Street.

“It was so exciting to see (several) members ready to enter right when we reopened.”

It was also more than obvious by the hundreds of signs of all types on business entrances.

There were signs of joy, of encouragement, of love and affection, and for directions to help customers shop safely during a coronavirus pandemic that customers knew was far from over.

The most profound sign on Front Street, though, consisted of one word on the message board on the lawn of the Second Christian Reformed Church: “Pray.”

Many business owners saw their prayers answered and could not have been more grateful.

Not every customer wore a face covering, although many did, but it seemed as though a large majority of the unrelated customers were socially distancing.

‘Business has been steady’

Lynlee Willett, an employee of Connections Christian Store, expressed gratitude for the thankfulness of customers at her store, which sells everything for the faithful.

“People have been very gracious, very excited and understanding,” she said. “Business has been steady.”

Dave’s Sport Shop, which stayed open and was deemed essential because of its gun sales, nonetheless made the most of the enthusiasm of shoppers. They had several sales going for 75 percent and 50 percent off, which must have thrilled anglers who in May could finally return to fishing after Washington State lifted the only no-fishing rule in the nation.

Lynden Barber Shop, a classic barbershop at Front and Ninth Street in use since 1944 by various owners, had all the business that owner Ron Allison could want.

“It was crazy here Tuesday,” said Allison, who will celebrate his fifth anniversary at the store in August. “We were closed 11 weeks.”

‘Wash your mitts’

The Dutch Village Mall welcomed customers with that message, reminding everyone what an important role hand-washing can play in fighting the spread of COVID-19.

Nearby, the welcoming environment of The Mill Bistro and Lounge did good business for the lunch and dinner crowd.

Andy and Becky Jewell, owners of the Lynden Farmers Insurance branch, conducted business in various remote ways during the lockdown.

“We even opened a drive-thru window for people who wanted to drop things off and do quick signings and so on,” Becky Jewell said. “This was something different. I’ve never heard of drive-thru at an insurance office.”

“It’s been good to actually see some of our customers again,” said Andy Jewell, who has been in business for 15 years in Lynden.

Nearby, Avenue Bread offered the pleasant sight of outdoor dining on a cloudy but dry day. Close by, colorful hearts with inspiring messages decorated the entrance to the Lynden branch of Village Books and Paper Dreams.

At Cheeks Designer Jeans, a women’s boutique, one of the managers, Amy Thies, noted with great enthusiasm that “we had customers instantly” for the reopening Monday, June 8. “We felt really happy. It just felt so good. People had a lot of pent-up energy to shop.”

Thies praised the way Lynden’s populace persevered.

“When you would see a closed sign it hurts your heart. But I know there’s so much spirit and commitment to small businesses in this town,” she said.

Antique, book browsers thrilled

Connie Holdaas, manager of More Than Antiques, a large full-service mall with 23 dealers, noted that “we were really busy” when the mall reopened June 6 after being closed since March 15.

“We have a lot of regular customers,” she said. “It’s such a good feeling being back at work helping them.”

The good buys at antique malls come and go quickly in normal times and customers love the thrill of the hunt, so few shoppers miss a store more than an antique mall.

The same applies to used-book stores, such as Katz Coffee and Books across Front Street.

“We reopened Tuesday (June 9) and everyone was so excited, so thankful, so positive,” said co-owner Sherri Stap.

Colorful Calico Country

Now that customers can again walk into the remarkably colorful environment of the quilt store Calico Country at Fairway Center, the owner-operator is truly back in her element while continuing to provide something new — cloth for face coverings.

Mary Elenbaas has been in business locally for 37 years and loves helping people find the right “hand-picked bolts of fabric,” she said. “It’s 100 percent quality cotton fabric. I hand-pick each piece (for sale).”

She also sells and services sewing machines.

“I’ve gotten lots of new customers, people from all over the county,” she said.

Business hours may still change, so it’s best to call ahead at 360-354-4832.

Museum up next

The Lynden Museum apparently must wait until July, along with libraries for shelf browsers, to reopen in Phase 3, but longtime director Troy Luginbill hasn’t stopped working.

“Our next exhibit (the museum is famed for its historical exhibitions) will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Peoples Bank in 1921. Peoples was the first (non-branch) bank founded in Lynden.”

Luginbill, director of the museum for 25 years, has vented his frustration on the museum’s Facebook page over being forced to reopen so late.

“The best way to help support the museum would be to become a member,” he said. “You can also support us at our fireworks sale June 28 to July 4 at Lynden Town Plaza.”