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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
September 3, 2020     Shelton Mason County Journal
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September 3, 2020
 
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Boxleitner A kbox/e/tner@masonoounty. com' The Washington Recreation and Conserva- tion Office reported at the end of June that people spend $26.5 billion annually on outdoor recreation in the state, but how has the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affected people’s outdoor activities and purchasing habits? The Shelton-Mason County Journal went to two suppliers of outdoor recreation equipment for their perspectives on what the coronavirus has done to people’s spending on, and participation in, outdoor excursions within Mason County. Mike Purvis, co-owner of the Hood Canal Out— fitters, Grocery and Ace Hardware in Hoodsport, reported seeing measurable increases, compared to the spring and summer of 2019, but he said other factors could be playing a part, and expressed a less optimistic View of the long-term. “When this pandemic started, our business must have been up 50% compared to last year,” Purvis said. “And even now, it’s still up 30%, but we’ve also gone through so many changes over the last two years that it’s hardly even the same store.” Among the business’ recently expanded services is its Ace Hardware, which opened in February, but Purvis also credited his increased customer traffic to programs such as the federal govern— ment’s weekly unemployment supplement, which ended in July. “A lot of people were making more money, and spending less time at work, so they wound up run- ning around, looking for something to do,” said Purvis, who’s seen several new camper trailers pass through Hoodsport since the start of the pan— demic, although he added it’s “mostly young people . who have been causing trouble here locally.” While Purvis says his grocery has benefited from less adventurous souls only venturing out of their houses to go grocery shopping, with restau- rants still being seen as “dangerous” by many, he noted he’s hardly been alOne in struggling to resup— ply his store. ”I work out here because they’ve got great equipment and there’s a real sense of community it’s family. ” Liz Hirst try us today and get your 360-4264 388 - 707 SOUTH 15T STREET - SHELTONATHLETICCLUB.COM Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020 - Shelton-Mason County Journal Page A—39 l“ Despite pandemic, outdoor recreation sales surge . “The state has issued literally a million new fish- ing licenses,” Purvis'said, “and people have called me from all around the state, trying to buy fishing tackle, because everywhere else is out. You can’t buy a pole to save your soul”. Purvis pointed out that suppliers of outdoor gear, groceries and hardware are routinely only able to ship about 50% to 60% of their orders. “The only thing that’s easier to get is gas, which is cheaper than it was last year,” said Purvis, whose business also includes a fueling station. Purvis expressed confidence the remainder of 2020 would yield the same level of business he’s seen since the pandemic started, even as he ex- pressed concerns about 2021, when he not only . expects his own business to take a hit, but also an— ticipates the economy to experience either double- digit inflation or a depression. Ron Adams, a member of the outdoor pro staff at Verle’s in Shelton, noted the store’s reOpening has seen new customers stopping by every day since its initial state-mandated closure. “Outdoor recreation is a pretty seasonal busi- ness, so normally, we’re pretty busy during the spring and summer,” Adams said. “Being closed early on this season, hurt quite a bit.” The one outdoor recreational activity which Ad— ams described as “still hurting” is razor clamming, not only because of the crowds it typically attracts to beaches, which is discouraged by social distanc— ing, but also because of the number of coastal towns that shut down to avoid drawing tourists from high—COVID urban areas. “Everything else has been throughthe roof,” Ad- ams said, “from fishing and crabbing gear to camp- ing and hunting equipment. We’re selling supplies in numbers that are off the chart.” Adams cited the continued “strong following” of Verle’s older and existing customer base, given the store’s presence in the community since 1948, but he also reported “a ton” of younger and newer customers, and with them, a run on stock ranging from rods and reels to boats and motors. “There’s been a huge demand for home personal protection,” Adams said, “along with all calibers of ammunition. Our staff has been working very hard to get in the hard—to—find products, keeping our shelves stocked. It’s been like Christmas around here, with all the freight that arrives each day.” Adams said he anticipates Verle’s could con- tinue to see heavy traffic through the winter, and perhaps even the spring and summer of next year. “Although my crystal ball is admittedly a bit hazy,” Adams said, “what’s clear right now is that people aren’t traveling far afield, or spending their money abroad, but are instead becoming active more locally, so let’s just say I’m approaching the future with optimistic caution.” ’ Reading Give Them 8 Greed~ Start in Life! Slidinnm‘mfinmmflmml ALLYN l Case Inlet DAiE Your local rides For the week of SEPTEMBER 3 through SEPTEMBER 9,2020 HlGll (FEET) MOON 10W (FEET) SUN DATE . AM PM smmmmm «mmmmmmmmmmmm smmmmmmmmmmmm smmmmmmmmmmmm imammmmmmmwm ammmmmmnmmmmm gnnnnnmnnnnnn SHELTON 1 Oakland Bay . l ‘ men (an ‘ it M 5’ mmmmwmm LOW (FEET) SUN MOON in“ 5mm 6mm Liz Hirst Family membership since 2019 WE lide tables have been transcribed and may contain errors. Not intended for navigational use. Tidal Information Courtesy US Harborstom R A“. ‘r‘ smmmmm mmmm m m vmmm smmmmmmmmmmmm ennnmnmnmnnnn UNION l Hood Canal non (FEET) AM we wmmmmm dammmmmmmnmmm smmmmmmmmmmmmv smmmmmmnmmmmm vmmmmmmmmmmmm ammnmmmmmnmmm smwmmnmmmmmmm Weekly Tide Tables Sponsored by 311‘s) s” mmmmmmm «manna mmmmmm nmmmmm m n m Wm mm .m m m :: m :z m m mm lOW (FEET) SUN MOON 53 {vi 5’ M WEE harm Complih Outdoor Recreation Stan 1548‘ (360) 426-0933 ‘VERLE’S‘