New Spokane area businesses hope to ride out the COVID-19 storm

When Julie Markquart opened Hammer and Stain in Spokane Valley in September, business boomed immediately.

The franchise features do-it-yourself projects and crafts. A variety of items – from personalized welcome mats to porch signsand farmhouse trays – can be crafted at the studio. All you need to bring is your creativity.

“We provide the supplies and instruction,” Markquart said. “We cut out the stencils and have the wood prepared.”

After 20 years of running a family furniture business, Markquart was ready for a new challenge when she saw an online ad for Hammer and Stain franchises.

“I’ve always been creative,” she said. “My son said, ‘This is the best business for you.’ ”

And crafters flocked to the Sullivan Road shop.

“We were really busy through the holiday season,” Markquart said. “I was working like crazy – 80 hours a week.”

Then came the Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order.

“We haven’t even had our grand opening yet,” she said.

Likewise, the order caught Analisa Martin amid a business transition/re-opening.

Martin had operated Aura Boutique in Millwood for 18 months. The boutique featured things like vintage clothing, gem stones and skin care products. But her store didn’t get much foot traffic and Find Your Glow, Martin’s facial and skin care business, was getting busier.

The licensed esthetician moved the boutique online, and had just found a new place for her skin care studio when the stay-home order took effect.

“I had mixed emotions,” she said. “It’s nice to have extra time to put into the move, but not having income coming in made me slow down on purchasing things for the new place.”

Still, she’s delighted with her new South Hill location and is eager to resume serving her clientele.

“My most popular facials are gem stone facials,” Martin said. “It’s very meditative and focused on crystal-based healing energy. It’s pretty magical.”

Ideally, she’d like to open May 5, and is currently operating off a waitlist because her books are so full.

“All the items in my online boutique are available for local pick up or shipping,” she said.

Martin is also offering online skin care consultations.

“It’s challenging to be a small business owner,” she said. “It’s hard to stay optimistic with everything up in the air.”

Markquart agreed.

She enjoys the community of home decor and do-it-yourself enthusiasts her fledgling business has created.

“I miss my regular customers,” she said.

When she knew the stay-home order was imminent, she and her employee created “grab-and-go” kits.

“A lot of them were geared toward kids,” Markquart said. “We had small signs, stencils and little cups of paints and brushes.”

Those kits might be available again as the restrictions gradually loosen.

“We’re waiting to see what our new normal will be,” she said.

When Hammer and Stain’s doors do open again, crafters may want to create some personalized memories of this time.

“We have ‘Unwelcome’ mats and porch signs that says, ‘Like a good neighbor, stay over there,’” Markquart said.