The COVID-19 crisis has taken its toll on La Conner businesses – including the nonprofits that rely on volunteer workers.

The Friends of the Library and Soroptimists International Vintage La Conner thrift stores were deemed non-essential and forced to close this spring as part of statewide measures to curb spread of the coronavirus.

But La Conner residents have long known the two stores are plenty essential.

Proceeds from Vintage La Conner go to help women and girls here as well as in the community at large. Sales at the Friends of the Library store have been paying the mortgage on th...