Waves of Harm to a Lopez Island Business: Restaurant Co-owner Speaks of Frustration Due to Ferry Cancelations

A CNL2 VIDEO IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

We get used to the drumbeat of canceled sailings and extremely late arrivals. The memory of the previous days’ failings fades, especially if we go a few days of normal service. But each day of failed service did some damage to San Juan County businesses. And that damage can pile-up. This is one story of one business whose owners are struggling with the accrued damage of waves of cancelations and extremely late arrivals.

Nova Askue is co-owner of the Ursa Minor restaurant in Lopez Village. Nick Coffey, her husband, is co-owner and an award-winning head chef.

Coffey is a respected chef among Seattle foodies. Within a year of opening Ursa Minor in Lopez Village, the New York Times came to review it. Ursa Minor is focused on “hyper local” food sources. Ursa Minor is a gem of the San Juans.

Our interview begins with Nova reading aloud an email she sent to the San Juan County Council sharing her “profound concern and frustration.”

She wrote, “the most devastating threat to the livelihood of our business is the crippling ferry system.”

“Due to the relentless unreliability of the ferry system, we’ve been compelled to overhaul our business model time and time again. We’re losing hope. Our frustration is spewing over. We need to push back.”

She said her County Council representative Jane Fuller has been very responsive to the owners.

“It was refreshing to have our voices heard. I feel like it has lit a fire. Hopefully something comes of it.”

She said other Lopez businesses are struggling. “My story’s not unique. We’re all struggling.”

(11:30) The conversation turns to the history of eight-year-old Ursa Minor. She said they employ 15 people whose families depend on those jobs. By all accounts, it is an excellent restaurant that Lopez cannot afford to lose.

“Every single night people come to me and gush about how grateful they are that we’re on Lopez. I had a woman last night dining on the patio that was almost to tears just how much she was enjoying the food and her dining experience. It’s powerful. It’s a special thing. And to think that a ferry system could wash that away is unfortunate and frustrating.”

We end on the happy stuff: Ursa Minor’s most popular seasonal entree, and the signature house dessert!

This CNL2 video is approximately 20 minutes in duration.