Businesses that expanded during pandemic

Some of the world’s best-known businesses started in depressions, recessions and other hard economic times.

Three La Conner businesses followed their example last year, expanding their operations while many others were retrenching or folding.

When Sempre Italiano relocated from the corner of First and Morris streets to the O’Leary building two blocks south, Robyn Bradley’s landlord asked whether she knew someone who could take over the space.

“Without really thinking, I said ‘oh my gosh, me!’” she recalled.

The owner of handmade.la conner already leases 3,000 square feet on two floors, includi...