By Danica Johnson
Since opening its doors in 1999, Compass Rose has created its own special place in the heart of downtown Olympia. From the store’s energetic and friendly staff to the myriad, high quality products featured, it is an establishment that encompasses the attitude of the Pacific Northwest.
This growing retail enterprise, which now boasts a second location in Tacoma, is a pioneer in maintaining sustainable business practices, including locally sourcing products when possible, recycling, composting, and investing in renewable energy. Alana Carr, store manager, is happy to call sustainable industry practices the “backbone of the business” at Compass Rose.
The Compass Rose staff ensures that all incoming boxes and most packing materials are recycled, and that customers receive reusable gift bags and 100% recycled gift boxes for their purchases. Furthermore, fully renewable energy generated by Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power Program provides Compass Rose with the energy it needs to run on a daily basis.
Defined by so many innovative sustainable practices, it is no wonder that eco-conscious Olympians flock to this culture-filled and environment-friendly shop.
Being ecologically-minded is only one of the store’s many winning features. According to Carr, Compass Rose is both “community supported and hoping to support the community.” These ideas are substantiated by the fact that, depending on the purchasing methods used and the products purchased, as much as 45% to 95% of the money that customers spend at Compass Rose stays locally in the community.
Compass Rose boasts a wide variety of products, ranging from eco-friendly baby accessories to brightly colored kitchenware and artisan crafted jewelry. Wax candles, greeting cards, cookbooks, and various fair trade products adorn every corner and shelf. Even the layout of the shop itself is a visual treat, bursting with color and life. The dedicated staff members rearrange the store displays on a continual basis, meaning that you will be greeted by a new and inviting presentation on every visit.
In further efforts to support the community, Compass Rose goes out of its way to feature local artists and vendors. An entire section in the front of the store features products made by renowned Olympian heroine and self-taught artist Nikki McClure, whose elaborate paper-cuts, books, posters, and cards can be found in boutiques nationwide.
Compass Rose also offers amazing linoleum block art by local printmaker and third grade teacher Mimi Williams, whose work has been exhibited widely across the West Coast. Every unique print is handmade in Williams’ local studio.
Looking for something that you can wear? Check out Olympia jewelry maker Carissa Rose, owner of C. Rose Designs. Her delicate accessories, expertly fashioned from various metals, crystals, and stones, can be found at Compass Rose and other high-end shops across the country.
On top of everything, Compass Rose fosters charitable giving to local aid organizations and nonprofits. The company donates 10% of its annual income to groups like the Red Cross, Oxfam America, and SafePlace Olympia: Freedom from Violence, with donation recipients changing each year. Last year, one major recipient was GRuB: Growing Healthy Food, People, and Communities, a local nonprofit that promotes positive personal and community transformation by uniting people around food and agriculture.
But there’s something else about this one-of-a-kind business that one can’t help but notice upon entering the store – the vibrant, compassionate, and approachable staff.
“Why are they so happy?” One might ask. Beyond working in an environment that promotes an eco-friendly business model and fosters community development, the employees of Compass Rose are very well-paid by industry standards. Full-time staff members are even offered access to healthcare, paid sick leave, and an optional retirement plan. If that’s not something to smile about in the current retail job market, I don’t know what is.
When asked to describe working at the shop, assistant manager Emily Hennig is happy to speak in praise of her job. Compass Rose “just feels like home,” she says. “We just care so much about what happens in the store.”
Hennig is equally glowing in description of her boss, shop owner Paul Shepherd. “He is so generous with us, and we just want to give back to him every day, and to the community.” Shepherd, a wanderer at heart, is content to leave his employees in charge when he periodically travels south to work at his café in Oaxaca, Mexico.
From helping protect the environment to enriching and supporting our community, Compass Rose is a local treasure that is truly a leader in enviable business practices – which makes it no surprise that they continue to flourish and grow. Just like their slogan, Compass Rose truly is “fresh, local, and always in season.”
Connect with Compass Rose via their website, Facebook page or Instagram at compass rose_olympia.
Olympia Location
416 Capitol Way South
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: 360-236-0788
Tacoma Location
3815 North 26th Street
Tacoma, WA 98407
Phone: 253-759-0077
