ONE STORY AT A TIME, DURING THE PANDEMIC OF 2020.
In a time when the world is collectively experiencing the same thing, It’s hard to hear each individual story. The purpose of this project is to share the story of individual business owners in downtown Astoria during the shutdown caused by the pandemic. The lights may be off; we may have locked doors and closed signs; however, there are still ways to help us during this time. We can do this together. Thank you to Kallie Linder, owner of Salon Boheme for writing the story of Purple Cow Toys
Katie Murray
Purple Cow Toys 1380 Commercial Street. Astoria, OR 97103
Purple Cow Toys opened their doors in June of 1995!
With the outbreak of Corona Virus, they have experienced a giant drop in sales.
Spring break is usually a good week financially with tourists in town that didn’t happen this year.
Purple Cow has been able to utilized Facebook and Instagram to sell toys, games, and puzzles. Puzzles have become very popular as well as learning toys and books!
Katie and her team have been taking telephone and email orders, having curbside pick up, making local deliveries and shipping. They are doing whatever they can to keep the lights on.
They have also taken this time to build a website for their store with the help of their two team members.
In addition to the website, they are also taking the time to complete some projects inside the store like spring cleaning and painting.
Purple Cow Toys is not only the livelihood of the owners but two employees which Katie describes as “great!”
In addition to the struggles, Corona Virus has brought Katie lost her husband and business partner to cancer just three weeks into quarantine.
A scan through Purple Cows social media shows Bill has a kind, funny, and gentleman who was always quick to show kids how to play a game, a trick with the finger trap, and letting kids help wrap the presents.
Katie said, “I am determined to keep the store opened and to grow with the changes that I am forced to make.”
These times aren’t without worry though.
Worry about people slacking off with the precautions and that this will drag on for a long time and that it will resurface in Autumn. Katie is worried about what our future lifestyle will look like. No hugs, no playing games in the store, no public gatherings.
This crisis has been devastating to our Downtown businesses, but the support for Purple Cow has been so helpful and they are grateful their community has supported them through these trying times.
SUPPORT THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES AT THIS TIME,
Stay connected to Purple Cow!
FACEBOOK
Coming soon – www.purplecowtoys.com
INSTAGRAM
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