PORT TOWNSEND — Damian Wright was working delivery for Waterfront Pizza when he determined that people in the area deserved a wider delivery option than pizza and Chinese food.
He conceived the idea for Wright Away Delivery, a service that has partnered with a dozen local restaurants and a video store to deliver the goods to those who want to eat out without leaving the house.
“This is a great niche, and it has worked out well so far,” Wright said.
“I get to be outside and ride my scooter most of the time, and people are happy to see me because it’s natural for people to be happy when you bring them food.”
Customers log onto the website, www.wrightawaydelivery.com, and choose from the posted menus.
The order will arrive in fewer than two hours.
The participating restaurants are the Cellar Door, Khu Larb Thai, Ichikawa Japanese Cuisine, Sirens Pub, Fins Coastal Cuisine, Alchemy Bistro, Jordini’s Sandwiches, Elevated Ice Cream, Mean Bean Coffee, San Juan Taqueria, Metro Bagel and Perfect Dreams Cupcakes.
Wright also will pick up a movie from Vasu Video to go with dinner.
Those ordering pay a $5 delivery fee within the Port Townsend city limit — the green zone — with delivery available outside the city as far as Cape George for $7.50. That’s the yellow zone.
Minimum orders are $10 in the green zone and $20 in the yellow zone.
Tips are encouraged, according to the company’s website.
Depending on the restaurant and time of day, orders take up to an hour in the green zone and as long as 90 minutes in the yellow zone.
Orders are acknowledged upon receipt but are not refundable. Once your order is placed and paid for, there is no way to cancel the order.
As soon as an order is placed, the restaurant begins work on the meal.
In addition to the delivery fee, Wright also buys food from the restaurant for less than what is listed on the menu.
Customers range from people who don’t have the time to go out to those who want to send a gift meal to someone who, for example, just had a baby.
One of Wright’s clients is a woman from the East Coast who regularly sends meals to her mother in a Port Townsend care center.
And several parents send food to their kids if the parents can’t be home to cook.
The service operates from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, with the hours posted for each individual restaurant within those times.
Wright’s old employer, Waterfront Pizza, is not one of his clients because it has its own drivers.
Delivery is also available locally from Pizza Factory and the Shanghai restaurant.
Some local restaurants have declined to participate.
“Some of them don’t agree with the business model, but for those who have signed on, it’s been great,” Wright said.
For more information or to order, visit www.wrightawaydelivery.com or phone 360-385-2929.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
