Local commerce very limited

By M.L. LYKE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The only industry on Shaw is Northwest Marine Technology, a high-tech company that manufactures fish tags used by biologists worldwide. The only store is The Little Portion Store, run by the same Franciscan nuns who work the docks, wearing glaring yellow and orange safety vests over plain brown habits.

Their peaceful routine has been upset by the frequent shuttles coming over from Orcas in the wake of the September ferry crash at Orcas Landing. Locals laugh about one stranger who disembarked, walked up to an islander and demanded to know where the shopping center was on Shaw. "He kept arguing with her," says resident Betty Gilson. "He was sure she was unwilling to tell him where it was."

The Franciscan store, red-roofed and hanging out over the water on pilings, is named after an Italian church named Portuncula, meaning "little portion of earth." With fine wine and biscotti, glue guns and frozen peas, it serves both yachters who gas up at the landing's small marina and locals in need of staples -- although a few refuse to step foot in it because of past feuds with island nuns.

Next door is the post office, and on the bench outside islanders leave files and manila envelopes or bags full of apples for friends coming and going on the ferry. A community bulletin board above it has postings for services rendered, items lost and property wanted. Next to a plea for the return of red-handled bolt cutters and a Zodiac named "Pooka II" is a handwritten note that reads: "I am looking for a piece of property on the water on Shaw."

It could stay there a long time.