We are seeing the impact of coronavirus on our economy and on Paint Away. For us, specifically, parties and private events are cancelling their reservations. Information and guidance regarding COVID-19 are rapidly changing day to day and we are struggling to keep up. We will continue to monitor the situation, but for now, we have made the following changes (updated 3/16/2020 based on new and current recommendations from the Governor and King County Officials):
· Extra Cleaning: To keep everyone safe, we are cleaning diligently and frequently all high-touch point areas such as doorknobs (for all entry and exit points, as well as bathroom and office doors), sink faucets, paint centers, counters, tables, and chairs. We are also encouraging everyone to wash their hands prior to painting and before leaving the store. Update: In addition, we will be making some tables unavailable for painting to ensure that there is 6 feet of distance from each group of customers. We will also be limiting our staff capacity, as well as customer capacity at any given time. We are trying to determine where our business falls within the King County guidelines. We are licensed as retail, but we also are a social establishment that is not a restaurant, bar, and/or recreational/entertainment facility. At this time, we ask for your patience.
· Pottery-To-Go: In addition, we have created a Pottery-To-Go program for individual painting projects. Typically, we have offered this program for at-home parties, as well as School Auction Projects. We are extending this program without a purchase minimum to individuals at this point to accommodate social distancing guidelines from Public Health officials. Update: We are highly encouraging everyone to take advantage of our Pottery-To-Go Program to be in keeping with social distancing.
· New: Art Kits: Carey and Katie are both working hard to create project ideas for our customers to work-on from home. We are working on both painting projects and glass project ideas. Please let us know if you have ideas you’d like us to consider by going to this link.
· Hours: Update: We will be open Monday - Friday from 10am - 5pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 11am-6pm through March 31st, subject to change depending on recommendations from our government.
· Cancellation Policy: For parties and reservations who are cancelling, please consider taking a store credit to use for future events instead of a refund. This will help our business, employees, and hopefully our vendors during these very insecure times. Update: All parties scheduled through March 31st are cancelled effective immediately. Those parties should receive an email from us.
We are so grateful to this community and we are extremely thankful for being part of it since 2004. We have always prided ourselves for supporting our community in many ways without having to market all our charitable giving which included: free summer camps to those who are economically challenged; party donations to non profit organizations; sponsorship to local schools, sport organizations, and nonprofits; participating in Lake Washington School District work training for special needs students; and accommodating special requests by our customers.
Today, we ask you to please continue to support independently-owned local businesses in our community during these trying and uncertain times.
With much gratitude,
Hazel Roos
Owner
