OLYMPIA, Wash. — First, businesses in downtown Olympia boarded up their storefronts because of COVID-19 shutdowns. The plywood stayed up after violent demonstrations in the late spring and summer.
Now business owners plan to leave the plywood in place at least through Election Day.
Tonya Bergum, owner of the Olympia Pinball Museum, said she’s afraid of civil unrest following Tuesday’s election.
Building owner Susan Christian hopes to remove the boards from the front of her Capitol Way building soon, but not until she’s sure the election won’t prompt more vandalism.
"I don't like it that people want to break stuff. I know people are frustrated,” said Christian.
The manager of Compass Rose, a downtown Olympia gift shop, said management decided early against boarding up windows.
Kae Stair said the store has had to be cautious about demonstrations, but she felt boarding up the business sends the wrong message.
"We're a store of people who live and work and love Olympia,” said Stair. “We want our business and doors to stay open so anybody who feels that way can come here, too."
Stair said dozens of President Trump supporters drove around downtown Olympia on Sunday, honking and yelling “for hours.”
"A lot of customers felt unsure and anxious,” said Stair. “I helped some people to their cars because they didn't want to go outside.”
She's concerned the rally could be a sign of things to come.
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On Tuesday, Nov. 3, watch NBC coverage of the 2020 election on KING 5 from 4-11 p.m. to follow national election results and analysis.
Tune in to western Washington election coverage from 8-11 p.m. on KONG and 11 p.m. to midnight on KING 5. Local coverage will also stream live on king5.com and the KING 5 app.