November 2025

Behind the scenes, small business life

 

Our Halloween Downtown Trick or Treat went off swimmingly despite the atmospheric river that hammered us with rain. Thanks to all of your donations, we had plenty of candy. We’re already thinking about how we can continue this event as a community effort for years to come. Big thanks to the MVDA Promotions Committee for their help networking candy donations, to MVPD for the glow bracelets and crowd work, MV Parks for helping with advice, MV Mayors Office for encouragement, to all the shop owners for donating their energy & time. A special thanks to every individual donation that came through. We had donations large and small and they all helped immensely. It was a great reminder to me that a small group of engaged citizens can make a huge impact.

 

There was a little shy of $200 left from the Halloween candy fundraiser and I turned that into food for the elementary school food pantry and donations for the MVHS Migrant Leaders Club food drive. We’re continuing that effort to keep people fed as we head into the holidays and the political landscape continues to be unsteady. I’m at $300 raised so far and will head out shopping again soon. If you want to donate you can drop non perishable food by the shop or send a cash donation.

 

We voted and hope you did too! The nationwide and local results were buoying and hopeful. Locally, we had some really interesting races and surprising outcomes. I’m excited to see the youth vote show up and some new, younger faces in the mix.

 

Custom work continues to flow out of our shop. We loved the opportunity to print for Mount Vernon Education Association (if you have an order with this group, they are ready for pick up at elSage through end of day Saturday. On Sunday we will pass them off to your union president). We also donated design work to League of Women Voters Skagit, printed a special request for our PNW Sailboat design, and a sweet ode to a favorite kitty.

 

Last week we were surprised by water pouring through the ceiling of the shop! A plumbing issue upstairs meant we spent a day on damage control and clean up. Thanks to the quick action of Paige we escaped with under $150 in damaged product (could have been so much worse)! Here’s hoping that’s our hiccup for the holiday season (there’s always one).

 

Looking ahead, we kick off Valley Made Market in the new location at Hillcrest Park on Saturday and Sunday November 15-16. We are super excited to see you all. Each holiday market has a varied line up, so if you can join us for all 3 you’ll see something different at each one. After the Saturday market I will head to elSage Shop to stay open late for Ladies Night Out. A ticketed wine walk in Downtown Mount Vernon. Although elSage is not on the official map we will be open late with cookies from Skagit Valley Larder and a hydration station to keep you going!

 

Thanks for reading, and being a delightful part of our community. We are grateful for you and everything you bring to elSage.

 

With Gratitude,

Phoebe

 

Coming up:

Small Business Saturday Nov 29