Island Quilter is now gone. Anya and Paul ended their fine run on Vashon with a fabulous party to celebrate their many accomplishments in the quilting world.

The shop is closed for business now, and the owners, with a swarm of volunteer helpers, packed up. As a quilter, I will miss the opportunity to pop in for inspiration and beauty and chance conversations with textile artists from Alaska or Montana or Port Townsend who made a trip to Vashon a destination and an event. And who no doubt spent money at other island businesses as well. I will miss Gallery Cruise nights where the work of renowned quilt-ers was on display for us to admire and learn from.

What saddens me most is that the island business community seems to have been absent. Where was Rotary? Did the chamber of commerce step up? What about Vashon Allied Arts? Quilting is an art form that has enriched this island for years.

Did the real estate agents attempt to dissuade the buyers from evicting a thriving magnet business? Did the sellers? Did a professional offer to mediate so that a win-win solution could be identified?

I’ve always thought Vashon was different, that we value our community and seek the common good. We support our schools, our seniors, our library, our lighthouse, our disadvantaged, our teens, our lost pets, our wild places and so much more. Could no one prevent an island gem from eviction? It was all perfectly legal and “just business,” but where was the heart? Without a focus on the greater good, we all lose.

— Andrea Avni