This month, we’re thrilled to share another group of innovative, determined, and generous small businesses from our Main Street communities throughout the state! Each month, Main Street organizations in Washington are invited to nominate one of their small businesses that is brightening their community and persevering despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll be sharing these bright spots here and on social media so that you can celebrate, support, and draw inspiration from these Washington entrepreneurs. Missed May’s round up? Check them out here!

Each Main Street Community and Affiliate is invited to nominate one small business per month.

Animarum, Gig Harbor

Owner: Gabriela Olivia

“Animarum, a small fine dining restaurant in Gig Harbor, offers a lovely atmosphere and delectable menu, as well as a nice selection of wine and drinks. When the Governor’s Stay Home order was issued in March, the owner and staff quickly reorganized to offer a menu of comfort food for carry-out and curbside pickup. Even more importantly, their wonderful menu was also offered in their “Seniors Eat Free” program, and they provided over 400 plates with they help of guests who have helped pay it forward. The owners, humbled by the words of appreciation sent to them by the recipients of the meals said: “To our grateful Seniors who dropped off countless cards and notes – It feeds us just as much as the food they have graciously received!” This is a fantastic restaurant that despite difficult times, found a way to give back to their community.” –Mary DesMarais, Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance

Find them in person: 4107 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor

Find them online: https://www.animarum253.com/

How you can support locally: Order yourself a comforting meal to-go! Curbside take-out is available Wednesday through Saturday, 2pm-6pm. Check out the menu on their website and call 253-858-2114 to order.

Kaleidoscope School of Music, Issaquah

Owner/Director: Charles McCrone

“A founding partner of the Historic Downtown Issaquah Artwalk, Kaleidoscope has demonstrated resilience by quickly and robustly shifting to online lessons facilitating music as a critical and enriching part of every student’s life. Issaquah’s Comprehensive Music School, offers private lessons on 20+ instruments and 30 instructors in all styles, classical to contemporary with a unique Pre-K program and a rock ensemble program for ages 9 to adult closely pairing students by age and skill level. Lead instructor Charles has been teaching on Front Street since 1998, and opened Kaleidoscope to expand his vision of lesson quality and teacher longevity in 2005. Many of Kaleidoscope’s instructors have been part of the team for 7-10 years or more. Kaleidoscope’s goal is to serve students with excellent, client-centered instruction.” –Christina Bruning, Downtown Issaquah Association

Find them in person: 195 Front Street N., Suite G, Issaquah

Find them online: https://kaleidoscopeschoolofmusic.com

How you can support locally or from afar: Sign up for an online music lesson! Kaleidoscope’s teachers are offering video lessons on over 20 instruments via Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, and more. Find the right teacher for you and connect with them here. If you’re feeling less musically inclined, you can also make a donation to the scholarship fund to help students continue who have experienced financial hardship recently, using PayPal or Zelle at director@nullissaquahlessons.com or www.issaquahlessons.com/charles-mccrone.

MnE Boutique, Prosser

Owner: Alma Ayala

“At the beginning of March, Alma was making a move to a larger location and has yet to be able to celebrate this milestone. However, she has not let this pandemic slow her down! She bolstered her online presence and started offering curbside pickup and shipping right away. Instead of sitting back and waiting, she worked with another local business, In Stitches, to design and sell t shirts specific to the need. One such is her “essential” shirt. She takes a portion of the profit from each sold, to purchase downtown gift cards to give to essential workers to show support for all they do. Alma also extends a hand to other businesses by offering help with social media and partnering on promotions. She truly is a hardworking business owner with a heart for community! Her energy and positive outlook is contagious.” –Jesalyn Cole, Historic Downtown Prosser

Find them in person: 705 6th Street, Prosser

Find them online: https://mne27.commentsold.com/store

How you can support locally and from afar: A truly unique and personal shopping experience awaits you at MnE Boutiqute. Browse MnE’s online store to order some cute and comfy new duds for delivery or, if you’re in the Prosser area, local pickup.

Mom and Pops Cakery, Everett

Owners: Colleen Dunn and Chris Boone

“Colleen and Chris have been working hard for more than a year to restore the historic downtown storefront where they will be opening Mom and Pops Cakery. They were nearing completion of the remodel when Stay Home orders were announced and their opening was delayed. Colleen decided to use this time to make an impact on her community. She and Chris put their remodeling efforts on hold to focus on sewing masks, which were sold to raise funds for the local Volunteers of America food bank in Everett. Seven hundred masks (plus some cake pops) later, Mom and Pops donated $6,000 to the food bank. Mom and Pops Cakery is the quintessential Main Street business and we feel so lucky to have them in our community.” –Madison Vasquez, Downtown Everett Association

Find them in person: 1407 Hewitt Ave, Everett

Find them online: https://www.facebook.com/momandpopscakery/

How you can support locally and from afar: Celebrating a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or other special occasion? Order a custom-made cake or cake pops from Mom and Pops for your socially distant celebration! Message Colleen an Chris on Facebook @momandpopscakery or @dunnrightpops for details. Colleen is also creating custom-made face masks.

Papermaker Pride, Camas

Owners: Karen Gibson, Sheryl Obegi and Kaiwi Crabb

“Papermaker Pride is a shop in Downtown Camas that offers Camas and PNW themed clothing. They give back to our schools with each purchase. When everything closed because of COVID, they wanted to unite our community and also learned that more than 1,000 children in Camas get subsidized nutrition during the week in our schools. They wanted to support the Weekend Backpack Program and the district’s resource center that helps support our vulnerable kids and families so families wouldn’t go hungry. On March 22nd they launched the #camasunites campaign where people could buy t-shirts, sweatshirts, #camasunites flags or donate–with 100% of the proceeds going to the above programs. The flags are hanging in merchant windows throughout town uniting us. Papermaker Pride has been able to donate over $10,000 to the programs through a united Camas.” –Carrie Schulstad, Downtown Camas Association

Find them in person: 417 NE 4th Ave, Camas

Find them online: https://papermakerpride.com/

How you can support locally: purchase a Camas Unites flag, sticker, shirt, or sweatshirt for curbside pickup on their website.100% of the profits of #CamasUnites merchandise will go directly to the Camas School District Community Family Resource Center and Weekend Backpack program

How you can support from afar: Make a donation to #camasunites or order some new clothing on their website—Papermaker Pride ships statewide!

Pioneer Coffee and Roasting Co, Cle Elum

Owners: Christopher Madsen and DeAnna Haverfield

“Pioneer Coffee and Roasting Company is a central meeting space, one that draws both the local community and visitors together under one roof. Providing great coffee and food, their spirit and support brings our downtown together. Pioneer Coffee believes in being a strong leader in our community. DeAnna who as a Board and Promotions member for CEDA is also President of the Lion’s club and leading the development of a new dog-park. During our major events, her family are dressed for fun! As a makeup artist for Boulet Theatre and having an incredibly talented son/actor, our Downtown has been visited by the Grinch, Sasquatch, and other fine characters. Recently, during this hard time, Pioneer Coffee launched a campaign during Giving Tuesday to support the Downtown Association by giving back 25% of their sales to our organization.” — Debbie Bogart, Cle Elum Downtown Association

Find them in person: 121 N Pennsylvania, Cle Elum

Find them online: https://pioneercoffeeco.com/

How you can support locally: Pioneer Coffee offers a variety of retail options; locally roasted coffee, coffee products, wine from local vineyards, travel games and gifts for kids, as well as a variety of food are all available at their locations in Cle Elum and North Bend. Stop by for a cup of joe or bottle of wine!

How you can support from afar: Order their freshly roasted coffee, specialty teas, and other merchandise to your home from their online shop. We recommend the chocolate covered espresso beans for a perfect afternoon energy bump.

Pixel Parlour LLC, Kent

Owner: Abby Laguidao

“Pixel Parlour Owner and Creative Director Abby Laguidao amplifies the definition of a community partner; it’s always been evident, but even more so during Covid 19. This crisis left us dazed and confused. A savvy influencer, it didn’t take long for Abby to shift gears to figure how she could help by doing what she knows best: social media. She quickly launched a series of free ‘Let’s Get Social’ workshops to help others learn to leverage social media to enhance their business, which is more important now than ever. As weeks progressed, she followed the students and provided exceptional feedback and coaching. The businesses implemented Abby’s recommendations and, as a result, have a better understanding of social media mechanics as well as increased following and engagement. [Pixel Parlour] demonstrates what it means to lead by example.” – Gaila Gutierrez, Kent Downtown Partnership

Find them in person: 207 1st Ave S, Kent

Find them online: https://www.pixelparlour.space/

How you can support locally and from afar: Learn how to leverage your business on social media by joining the Let’s Get Social Facebook group and browsing Abby’s video tutorials on Pixel Parlour’s Facebook, Are you looking for graduation pictures, family shots, or new head shots? Pixel Parlour also offers photography and videography services.

Check out this video to hear from Abby about her story and work to support fellow business owners in the face of COVID-19.