Colleen Cockrell, Hospitality Supervisor

Recently, I was looking at some of our historical Waterfall photos and came across this one of the General Store during the Waterfall Cannery Days. Looking at those items in the photo made me realize how different our store is today. During the Cannery days, our store was primarily the place where the workers bought necessary and very utilitarian supplies. Food, basic clothing, medicine and whatever was needed for the working summer at the Cannery were available. There were no designer labels or logos on the shelves. How different our current store is! Today, our store is stocked with necessities, logos and fun items for guests, their family and friends. A few weeks ago, I was reminded that our guests enjoy the Resort merchandise so much, they often call us to reorder a favorite item.
I received a call from Rodney, a former guest, now living in Florida. He wanted to replace his worn out, red hooded Waterfall rain jacket so he would have something warm to wear on his return trip to Waterfall in 2010. Rodney said, “You know, that red one with the hood you sell?” I told him we didn’t have one with that description in our inventory, then asked him how long it had been since he had visited Waterfall. Rodney said, “I was there in 2001. I guess that was a long time ago! I can’t wait to come back, bring my son and maybe even a small group with me!” To help Rodney with his request, we emailed him some pictures of our two best selling jackets and some tee shirts. Rodney responded by purchasing not one, but two jackets and a tee shirt!

We often get requests from individuals like Rodney who have special memories of their trip to Waterfall from previous years. Ordering a piece of clothing or bit of Waterfall memorabilia seems to add to the excitement of another upcoming fishing adventure. Group leaders and corporate officials also call in with requests to purchase gifts for friends and co-workers. Often times, it’s as simple as asking us to put a nice bottle of wine in a guest’s room with a welcoming message or purchasing a Gift Certificate to be used in the General Store during their stay. Other requests are for merchandise sent from the Store to a guest prior to their arrival, a prepaid massage or a “special order” in the form of a jacket or hat for an entire group to be distributed to the guest’s room upon arrival.

Other requests we receive are for specific types of liquor that might not be in stock in the Lagoon Saloon, or for specialty food items available for purchase during the guest’s stay. Whatever the occasion, the Store hosts can easily fulfill a request with some advance notice.

We want to hear from you. So, if you decide to surprise a guest, need ideas for your group, want to purchase a gift certificate or order an item for yourself, just send an email to colleen@waterfallresort.com or contact me directly at 360-450-8560.

Also, for your convenience, you may order on-line for logo merchandise, or favorite photos by our staff photographer. Go to: http://www.waterfallresort.com/store to see what’s new for 2010 at Waterfall’s on-line store!

General Store During the Cannery Days

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