One thing we love about Spokane is the variety of local businesses. We love supporting local businesses, especially in difficult times. Last week we highlighted local restaurants keeping their doors open with takeout. Now, we want to highlight other local businesses that are shifting their model to online sales in order to stay open.
With the mandatory shut down of all non-essential storefronts, many businesses are being forced to lay off employees and close their doors. Some local companies, however, are keeping their doors open with online sales. Businesses are still permitted to ship and deliver products. Because of this, many are shifting their focus to their website rather than their storefront.
Here is a list (we’ll continue to update it) of local companies that have moved to online sales.
Spokane Furniture Company
The first company we want to highlight is Spokane Furniture Company. This business was started in 2002, by our friend Zach Ziegler. When he leased the building he originally named his business “Ziegler’s Oak Furniture”. After discovering that the building had originally been home to the historic Spokane Furniture Company, founded in 1906. Zach decided to re-establish the historic company and bring back good old-fashioned customer service and quality furniture.
Due to current events, Spokane furniture has closed their storerooms. Instead, they are offering and encouraging online ordering options. The company is offering a 20% discount for web orders. They are also arranging curbside delivery options in order to maintain appropriate social distancing.
If you have any furniture needs, we highly recommend you check out their website. You can also take a look at their Facebook page for updates.
Revival Tea
Another local business we want to highlight is Revival Tea Co. The local tea house was recently started by former Keller Williams realtor Cerina Henry. The company offers a variety of fresh crafted tea. They use only the finest ingredients and100% natural spices. If you’re tired of bland box tea, we recommend you try some of their fresh loose-leaf tea. In addition to their loose-leaf bags, they are also offering boxes of bagged tea.
While Revival’s storefront has been able to keep its storefronts open, they are offering special deals for online purchases. They have extended their free shipping offer for all online orders; no matter where you are in the U.S. They are also offering by one get one 50% off for packages of tea.
LINC Foods
Like we mentioned in our post about local food trucks last week, some businesses are feeling the pinch because of event cancellations. Besides food trucks, some of the businesses affected by this are local farms. Small businesses that would have been selling their goods at local farmers’ markets in the coming months are needing to consider alternatives.
LINC foods is providing an option for these local farms that also benefits our community. The local farmers’ cooperative recently launched an online marketplace in order to support local farms. Right now community members can purchase LINC boxes, full of fresh produce, eggs, and meat online. You can pick up the locally sourced LINC boxes Tuesdays and Fridays at various Spokane Locations.
Treehouse Deliveries
The fourth local business we want to highlight is Tree House Deliveries. No, they won’t bring you a treehouse. But, they can bring you amazing local takeout food. This business is one that already operated primarily online. However, we wanted to highlight them because they are local.
In a time when most restaurants are offering only take-out, curbside pick-up, or delivery, we think it is more important than ever to shop local. Unlike Grub Hub or Uber Eats, Tree House deliveries is locally owned. They are also much faster and more affordable than other companies. Because of this, the food you receive on your doorstep tastes almost as good as it would have in the restaurant. It’s still hot when it arrives.
You can order food on their website, which is very user friendly. Personally, I found it to be easier than Uber Eats anyway. The company will send you email updates for your order. Another cool feature they offer is ordering ahead. For instance, last weekend I ordered delivery from my favorite food truck (Skewers). I placed my order the night before and picked what time I wanted my food to be delivered.
Do you know of other local businesses, considered non-essential, that are shifting to online sales? We’d love to hear about them. Let us know in the comments!
