During Trying Times, Small Businesses Depend on your Support

Hi folks,

I’m sure you’ve all had it up to here with COVID 19 Coronavirus messages, but I would like to put in my two cents about it as it relates to the small local businesses that depend on our support.

First of all it is of the UTMOST importance, for us here at LIND PEST CONTROL, to be sure that our clients are safe as well as our technicians and staff.  We are practicing all of the responsible steps of social distancing, hygiene, and the use of common sense, as I’m sure other local small businesses are doing.  We didn’t get where we are by not using our heads and having a plan for whatever may come our way, although we couldn’t have predicted anything like this.  Our industry, by nature, has always been one of safety.  We use PPE (personal protective equipment) each and every day.  Respirators, nitrile and neoprene gloves, etc. have always been the norm for protection, and we will continue to practice these habits.

The bulk of our services revolves around treatment of the exterior of your home, eliminating the need for social contact what so ever.  Specialized treatments, that require interior treatment, can be arranged prior to our service.  Our respirator, gloves, and other PPE eliminates any exposure to you and our technicians.

We are a small business that absolutely depends on all of you for your support.

We understand that small businesses are what this country was made of and we are bound and determined to keep it that way!!  My wife and I are personally supporting all of the businesses we are accustomed to supporting and more.  This weekend we went up to the mountain.  On the way home, we stopped at the “Copper Creek Inn” restaurant.  We had brought a picnic lunch along, but felt we should stop in there, instead, to help support them.  They have been in business for as long as I remember.

The first time I went there, I was about 16.  I worked on the trails of Mt. Rainier all summer for the Youth Conservation Corps.  At the end of the season, our trail leader took our crew there for dinner as a reward for the hard work we put in all summer.  Anyway, while we were there, we saw another couple come in.  They said they lived in Eatonville, which is a ways away, but they came in just to support their business.  I realize times have changed quite a bit since last weekend. We are continuing to transition to a different way of going about living our lives safely. We’re doing this while still doing our part to keep the circle of life and commerce revolving.

Some things we are doing, and encourage others to do, to help small businesses and people who depend on our support to make ends meet:

Order to go from your local restaurants

One of our favorite local establishments in Gig Harbor is JP’s HY IU HEE HEE.  It’s a great place, with great folks and great food.  JP, the owner, has done such a fabulous job re-inventing the place since he took it over from the previous owner a few years ago.  He has worked so hard to “rebuild” it.  He’s completely changed the menu and brought the establishment to be “the place to go in our community”.  They are currently open for food pick up 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are working on possible delivery.  There is a link on the website.  I’m sure he could use our help more than ever right now.  I’d hate to see this place “change” or even go away and not be able to go back to it, as we know it, once this thing is over with.  Now is the time to support it any way and any time we can!

Don’t forgo important appointments

I went to my regular cleaning last week.  In the back of my mind, I thought about canceling it.  But then I thought better of it.  Is there a cleaner, more sterile place than the dentist?  I think not.  That’s where the common sense comes in.

Order a movie

I saw on the news today, as theaters are closing down, we can order some movies that were previously slated to play in the theaters.  I think I heard they’re running about $20.00 for rental.   I’m certain more and more will be added to the list as long as the theaters are closed.  I know the movie going experience is fun, but watching a movie at home can be the next best thing.  I also know there are cheaper options for home movies, but why not spend a few extra bucks to keep the movie thing keep revolving without missing much of a beat.

Go to the mountain

It’s a big place with a lot of room!  You can have a lot of fun and you can easily practice your “social distancing” skills.  It costs $30.00 per carload for the day.  This helps the national parks revenue and helps preserve our mountain from the many natural challenges that continually threaten it.

Support your local shops and small businesses

We can’t be so caught up in this thing that we shut our lives down.  Most places I see are aware of the virus and are taking measures to protect us and themselves.  It seems a bit odd to see all of these signs, cones, directions, etc. advising us where to stand and how to go about things, but it is an effective way to remind us to use more caution and common sense than we are accustomed to.  These folks depend on us and need the commerce to stay afloat.

A final thought

These are only a few observations, suggestions, recommendations.  I feel so bad for the small businesses being affected, and the folks that work for them. I wanted to give a shout out and remind us all that even though it has changed (temporarily) we can transition it to a working formula where people don’t have to lose out and sacrifice their very essence.  With everyone’s help, we can hold on to our lives, as we know them, until this tumultuous time is over.  Our business has not experienced too much of a drop off during this ordeal, so far.  If you are one of our regular clients, thank you for your continued support.  We hope your life and working situation is stable as a result of people helping people, so you can continue to support us while keeping your home and family pest free.

For those of you who don’t know us and are experiencing pest problems, but are on the fence about receiving professional help right now, I ask for your support.  I assure you that our company highly regards your safety and the safety of our employees and will not, and has never, sacrificed the importance of it.  We always have, and will continue to, practice safety by using proper PPE to keep everyone from harm’s way.  Our impeccable record through 21 years of business speaks for itself.  As a reminder, much of our effective treatments are, or can be, limited to the exterior and substructure crawl space of your home.

Randy Lind