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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
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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.” ’
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Your local rides
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Family membership
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