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Call or text (206)612-9234 or email - bptstuartsj@gmail.com.
The Boundary Pass Traders - Ezra and Loie Benson
29 Vista Place Stuart Island East Friday Harbor, WA 98250
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We, Ezra and Loie Benson, are the family who created the Stuart Island Treasure Chest concept and wares. Our honor system enterprise, The Boundary Pass Traders, began over 25 years ago while our three daughters attended the Stuart Island (K-8) School*. We used Ezra’s graphic-design and printing business to support our family from this island of quiet beauty. We hire gifted artistic friends to bring our ideas to life!
Encouraged by Stuart Island, Ezra purchased property in 1980 and built a cottage, even before Loie (who had been teaching high school in a bush village in Alaska) met him. We strongly believe that the remote situation (no public utilities) on Stuart Island promotes a strong sense of independence, self-reliance and community. This and Stuart Island’s natural beauty attract folks—including visitors—who value these ideals. We believe this is part of why our Honor System enterprise works here. Another reason it works is that some folk’s parents just raised ‘em right!! We don’t claim that every shirt that leaves our Treasure Chests is paid for, but overwhelmingly enough are that we can happily
continue to make your walk-up-the-hill-for-a-unique-shopping-in-the-woods-experience worth it! We really want to be a part of a choice memory of your visit to Stuart Island and the San Juans!
Many folks have appreciated the opportunity to pay online, and it has been good for our business. We thought, with encouragement from our children, an online introduction with a Home Page might provide a more personal insight. If you haven’t yet met us at the Treasure Chests when we are restocking we are grateful for your patronage! Wave as we drive by in our distinctive “island car;” it’s actually a 1969 Citroen (French) Mehari—not a VW “Thing.” Like us, it has spent more than half of its life here on Stuart Island!
Ahoy Mates!
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Shop Ahoy!
Ezra & Loie Benson
*The school is not open, as there are currently no full-time families with K-8 children. However, the San Juan School District would re-open it if enough families were able to live here and thus take advantage of this rare opportunity.