Market Day attracts customers to downtown Quincy

Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald The owners of the Happy Puppy had a grand opening and a booth at Market Day in Quincy Saturday.

by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Staff Writer | July 29, 2018 9:17 PM

QUINCY — Good deals were available all up and down Central Avenue Saturday morning as the Quincy Business Association sponsored its fifth annual Market Day.

Two blocks of the business district were closed and turned over to businesses, old, new and independent. “We want to get people downtown, experience the city of Quincy and help it grow,” said Sue Smith, QBA president.

Some businesses had displays on the sidewalk as well as inside the store. Other not-downtown vendors had booths. So did vendors selling fresh produce, metal sculpture, homemade soaps and aromatics and other specialty items. The Quincy High School volleyball team had a booth, and so did Quincy Valley Pet Rescue. The pet rescue crew brought a puppy who was a big hit with kids of all ages.

Two new downtown businesses had grand openings Saturday afternoon. The Krazy Tree is a new home decor store. The owners of the Happy Puppy, Kayli Bauer, 16, and her sister Sydney, 14, also put up a booth for Market Day.

The sisters split their time between East Wenatchee and Quincy, so they’re operating the business in conjunction with their dad Jon. (Dad said he didn’t quite know how the got the night and weekend shifts, but he did.)

“We wanted to start a business,” Kayli said, to get a little more understanding of what happens after high school. “To prepare us for the future, mostly.”

Dogs and cats are the focus. In fact, “we just do dog and cat stuff,” dog and cat toys, dog and cat treats and food – but healthy food, that meets the proper dietary requirements. The sisters’ cat developed diabetes due to a bad diet, Kayli said. They did a lot of research to ensure the food and other merchandise in their store meets their standards.

“We are trying to get the best of the best, that people haven’t really heard a lot about.”

Jon Bauer is the owner of record, but it’s the sisters’ business. “The instant I turn 18, those (ownership) papers are handed over to me,” Kayli said.

And they do have a pet. “We have a dog. His name is Bucky,” Kayli said, and he’s the initial screen on her phone.