THE SHOP
Nestled among the storefronts of La Conner’s quaint downtown, ERTH is a quiet and calming oasis brimming with natural clothing and goods. Owner Stephanie Banaszak opened ERTH in 2023, and the shop represents an opportunity for connection—with the items, with each other, and with the world.
“My whole ethos is to be eco-friendly,” she says. “My goal is to carry as much value in natural products as possible.”
Banaszak prioritizes materials that are “biodegradable, renewable, and thoughtfully sourced. Each piece reflects a commitment to style that’s kind to the planet.” Natural fibers abound in luxurious knit and woven items, while handcrafted jewelry and seasonal gifts dot the store.
Photograph courtesy of ERTH
THE ATMOSPHERE
Spacious and airy, ERTH invites visitors to linger. The shop’s earthy color palette soothes the senses.
Natural light streams in from the large windows, framing a picture-perfect image of the downtown street outside. The quiet is calming and encourages slow conversation.
“It becomes a practice of communicating,” Banaszak says. “People come in and they’re practicing, maybe unconsciously, a way of taking a break from all the noise. Communication is a real link to peace of mind, health, getting away, taking a break. It all is conducive to really connecting.”
Photograph courtesy of ERTH
THE PEOPLE
Banaszak is the warm and welcoming force behind ERTH. She has a lifetime of retail experience on both sides of the field, sales and sourcing. For a brief time, Banaszak opened her own marketing business, but she couldn’t resist the pull back to a physical storefront.
“This space is really where I get to pull all my skills together: my retail, my marketing, my visual merchandising, my travel experience,” she says. “Working by yourself in marketing is pretty lonely, and I wanted to reconnect to the community, which I have here.”
And whether they’re locals or tourists visiting during La Conner’s bustling busy season, Banaszak connects with each person who walks through the door. Point to any item in the store, and she shares the story behind it, of who made it and where it comes from.
Photograph courtesy of ERTH
WHAT YOU’LL FIND
Like the natural world, ERTH changes with the seasons. As winter melts into spring, ERTH’s offerings are inspired by the awakening farmland of the Skagit Valley, especially the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. As an official supporter of the festival, ERTH is the only shop in La Conner carrying official t-shirts and sweatshirts.
Banaszak also says to look out for custom tulip-themed totes designed by Wild Hemlock in Anacortes, glass poppy garden stakes, and kitchen towels created in collaboration with Mount Vernon’s KLT:works.
Photograph courtesy of ERTH
FAVORITES
Banaszak strives to source products with a story behind them. One of ERTH’s best-selling items is a fair-trade, organic cotton scarf that comes in a variety of colors from deep blue to sage green. The scarves are handwoven by women in Thailand, and every purchase supports female artisans. As a bonus, they look beautiful on everyone.
“There’s something that you can’t see in the fiber,” she says. “Maybe it’s a woman-owned business, or it’s a patented sustainable product, or it’s made locally by a small cottage industry artist.” 105 S. 1st Street, La Conner, 360.399.1126, laconnererth.com
Photograph courtesy of ERTH
