By Luke Putvin | Lynnwood Times Staff

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there are individuals who have come up with creative solutions to still maintain contact with others while socially distancing. One of those individuals is Michael Harris in Lynnwood.

Harris has set up the “Henny Penny Beer Trading Post.” This all started years ago when, in an effort for everyone in the neighborhood to get to know each other, neighbors would walk around and trade beers with one another while sharing some friendly conversations. Of course, that approach won’t work now with the social distancing requirements in order, so Harris had an idea.

“It’s like a ‘take-a-penny-leave-a-penny’ jar at a convenient store,” Harris said. “Whenever I’m out in the yard and can make sure that kids aren’t getting beers and it’s adults only, it’s take-a-beer, leave-a-beer.”

He made it more formal than it has been in the past, but makes sure anyone that comes by is maintaining social distancing. Neighbors leave a beer in the antique bottle holder and take one from the cooler. Harris sanitizes all the bottles that are left in the bottle holder before they go into the cooler.

Harris has said that he has noticed his neighbors walking around with a beer in their bag that they’re carrying just in case the trading post is open when they walk by. In fact, in just a few days’ time, Harris said that he had over 50 trades.

“I hope everyone walks away with a smile because they just had a fun interaction,” Harris said. Additionally, he sees this as a bit of an escape from everything that is going on right now as well as a way to connect with others in a creative way.