A note from Scott Sluis and the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce… I, well we (The SJ Chamber of Commerce), want to say a sincere thank you and also congratulations to Susan Doyle and her husband Michael from Susie’s Mopeds, as of July 1, 2020 the business has been sold and Susie and Michael will start  Continue Reading

The Scent Keeper & House Lessons: Renovating a Life Many of you enjoyed Erica Bauermeister’s first visit to San Juan Island for her debut novel, The School Of Essential Ingredients, that went on to become a New York Times bestseller. July 22, at 7:00 p.m. – via Zoom – she is returning to the San  Continue Reading

By Louise Dustrude Two living spaces intended as vacation rentals have become year-round residences instead because of Covid 19, and two others have become commercial spaces, according to Lynn Danaher, the owner. Ryan Bennett, Lynn’s son and co-owner, has been remodeling and upgrading the four units at the corner of Argyle Avenue and Web Street,  Continue Reading

Micro-loans available for local farmers In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FARM Fund is partnering with the San Juan Island Community Foundation (SJICF) and the Orcas Food Co-op to meet essential food needs of San Juan County residents. The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild’s FARM Fund will offer $15,000 in zero percent interest loans  Continue Reading

As the islands enter the 6th month of the COVID crisis, the likelihood of local families, individuals, and businesses being connected to someone with a confirmed positive test result continues to increase. We created this FAQ to highlight answers to likely questions in the event of a positive test result in either an employee, or  Continue Reading

As I’m sure you all know we have a few new cases on the island. We had an exceptionally busy day Monday with testing. Our focus this week will be with the following priority: symptomatic patients contacts of known cases asymptomatic essential workers Opening businesses via testing has obviously dropped in priority in light of  Continue Reading

On Monday July 6 ,2020, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) announced the release of detailed loan-level data regarding the loans made under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  This program was launched as a way to retain workers by providing funding to businesses impacted by the Covid-19 downturn.  Our local banks, the EDC and other entities worked  Continue Reading

In the mailbag this morning we have a note from Helen Machin-Smith of Island Stage Left… Hello from Island Stage Left, Apparently a rumor has been circulating that Island Stage Left has ceased operations. This is news to us! The rumor is untrue. At this point we have no idea what the future holds (nor  Continue Reading

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) announces that the Back-To-Business Grant Fund has been funded in the amount of $300,000, in order to support San Juan Island businesses. This fund was created to address our business owners’ need to cover essential business expenses as they work to survive the economic downturn caused by  Continue Reading

The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau resumed its regional advertising campaign when County officials anticipated that we would be moving to Phase 3 within a day or two. Many were surprised when the County Health officer postponed the original application to Phase 3, and then when the Governor paused all requests for phase changes, including  Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson checks in with a Second Quarter Real Estate summary… The second quarter results, which complete the first half of the year, in San Juan County were extremely good when considering the virus impact.   Per the NWMLS, the dollar volume in San Juan County was $118,381,567 with a total of 201 transactions. The  Continue Reading

Free Home Kits Now Available for Those Who Qualify Dr. Gulla and Living Medical Arts PLLC wants the community to know that Labcorp is now offering testing that you can do in the comfort of your own home, without needing a doctors orders. All you have to do is go online to this link and  Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson has a new entry in her San Juan Island Lifestyle Video series. This one is about San Juan Island Real Estate and COVID

The last day to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is June 30th, 2020. As of today, June 26th, there is plenty of money in the program, and restrictions which may have deterred some businesses have been loosened. To apply for this program, contact your banker. If your bank is no longer offering these  Continue Reading

A note from the Visitors Bureau… Friday Harbor, WA – Summer is here, and that normally means an increase in visitors to our Islands. While 2020 is redefining what ‘normal’ is, there are steps the tourism industry is taking to safely welcome visitors back to the Islands. One of our most important goals is to  Continue Reading

June 24, 2020: Following a recommendation from San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James, both the County Board of Health and the San Juan County Council approved submitting an application to the WA State Secretary of Health to enter a modified version of Phase 3 of the Governor’s four-phased Safe Start Washington plan. The timing  Continue Reading