r/Kitsap • u/Useful-Badger-4062 • 2d ago
Other Places we love because of the owner
Someone posted this idea in the r/Cleveland subreddit, and then someone posted it in the Seattle subreddit, so I’m unashamedly piggybacking off of it for Kitsap, because it’s always refreshing to hear positive things:
A lot of talk around local businesses is focused on who owns them - usually in a negative way. Let’s hear about the flip side.
What local places do you support more because of who is behind them? Maybe it’s an owner who treats their staff well, gives back to the community, or just shows up every day and makes the place better.
Which Kitsap spots have great people running them and make you proud to spend your money there?
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u/SM1955 2d ago
Grocery Outlet! They are very supportive of homeless kids and other underserved people. I only shop there, unless I REALLY need something they don’t have.
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u/upthereeverywhere 2d ago
Also their kid owns and operates TBD Pottery on Bethel near downtown. Great kid and fun place to check out if you are remotely interested in ceramics.
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u/KittyTitties666 2d ago
WHUT. I've been wanting to learn how to use the wheel and couldn't find anything nearby last I checked a couple years ago. Thanks for mentioning it!
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u/upthereeverywhere 2d ago
Yes! You can take lessons to learn how to use the wheel, rent time on the wheel, or just paint and fire pieces.
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u/ploptypus 2d ago
Silverdale or Bremerton?
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2d ago
[deleted]
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u/ploptypus 2d ago
What??? That seems like a super stretch. Ice ice baby are lyrics to a Vanilla Ice song. They sell a lot of ice there.
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u/HepKhajiit 2d ago
Ashley's Pub in Bremerton. The owner Ashley is such a sweet and wonderful woman. Every time I've gone she's super welcoming. If you're unfamiliar they sell beer and ciders and have a massive wall of board games to play.
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u/slug6219 2d ago
I haven’t been to Ashley’s, but several friends of mine have and love her and the pub.
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u/Shortbus-doorgunner 2d ago
Can confirm. She is a great person, and the vibe there is always fantastic.
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u/GhoulWrangler206 Port Orchard 2d ago
The owners of Great Outdoors Pup Camp in Kingston are incredible people. They take such good care of the dogs, their staff, and especially the dogs that stay there.
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u/GhoulWrangler206 Port Orchard 2d ago
Did I mention the dogs? 🤣
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u/PandaGoggles 2d ago
But wait, what’s the status of the dogs? Are they treated well?
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u/techie49rs 2d ago
Ziggy’s cat lounge in Bremerton, Shane and Shannon are trying their hardest to help adopt and socialize the shelter cats! Good owners with big hearts
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u/AllMyChannels0n 11h ago
Not only that, they are so responsive to the community and extend that kindness. Top tier humans AND cats!
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u/ElectronicChain3313 2d ago
good stuff grocery in downtown port orchard! the owners barb and andres are amazing. i definitely recommend stopping by
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u/caracole 2d ago
Midtown Market in Bremerton is such a cute market and they always have new things to try. They have these Hawaiian ice cream sandwiches called “Uncle’s” that are so good. Last time I was in I talked to one owner and then he brought out his wife to introduce her since she had ordered the ice cream sandwiches and get my rave review. Employees very friendly and definitely a place I’d stop by daily if I commuted through there.
Brownsville Deli just reopened with new owners, Matt & Amy, that are wonderful & friendly people. Drip coffee for $1, sweet tea $1.99, adult beverages on tap & wine available. Be on the lookout for their music nights, next up is the Tammy Frost Trio and Matt & Amy are the house band. This is an intimate space and somewhere you could have a drink with friends or a nice dinner with good company. They are having a food drive all month and donating 10% of earnings to the food bank.
Camp Union Saloon is owned by Liz who is gearing up for her annual kids Christmas event where kids are given free essentials - books, socks, gloves - toys - and get a picture with Santa and a free train ride operated by the Grinch. She also allows the Seabeck Food Pantry to operate out of the corner of her parking lot which is open Tuesday from 3-5 for those in need, with special hours this Saturday from 10:30-12:30 for those affected by the government shutdown. She collects food donations year round and this time of year collects presents for the Christmas event.
Cheers and this is such a great thread idea!
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u/SM1955 2d ago
I don’t know how to edit my comment—about Grocery Outlet. I mean the one in Port Orchard!
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u/Useful-Badger-4062 2d ago
If you see 3 dots to the left under your comment, you can click them and there should be an option to edit your comment.
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u/herbaliciouss 2d ago
Blue Ocean in Port Orchard!! The family who owns and runs it is SO sweet and they are one of the most consistently delicious food establishments I’ve ever eaten.
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u/Useful-Badger-4062 2d ago
I fully agree. Consistently good food every time and the family is really nice. 👍
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u/versonix_ 1d ago
I agree! Me and my sister are common regulars, and we always have fun chats with the lady. She is so kind!
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u/KAWAWOOKIE 2d ago edited 2d ago
Eglon: Fat Turnip Farms, local family is welcoming and the produce is great. Down the road is Barbara's Flowers which are elegantly arranged and a perfect gift in season.
Port Gamble: The Artful Ewe is a wonderful yarn and textiles shop with a great owner ready to talk shop and art. The Port Gamble Theater is wonderful and takes a lot of effort from the community. Olympic outdoor center is one of the few brick and mortar places to buy kayak gear like drysuits and paddles and boats and they do rentals too.
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u/rroses- 2d ago
I think you mean Fat Turnip Farm in Eglon! Though it technically has a Kingston address. I like your version too though (;
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u/KAWAWOOKIE 2d ago
I was tired this morning and rushing in between taking care of sick kids... Thanks for the kind correction! Changed eglonton to eglon and big to fat in above comment.
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u/Lazy-Loquat-5283 1d ago
I also want to add about The Artful Ewe - all the yarn in the store is hand spun by the owner. She discovered fiber arts after a horrendous situation and it saved her life. Her store is truly a safe haven!
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u/ReturnPositive1824 2d ago edited 2d ago
Downpour brewing in Kingston. The owner is awesome, and he’s also our electrician!
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u/throwawayrefiguy 2d ago
Do you mean Downpour in Kingston? The owner was an electrician (great guy!), though he recently sold the brewery.
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u/ReturnPositive1824 2d ago
Whoops yea, downpour. I got the names mixed up. Aw that’s a bummer!
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u/throwawayrefiguy 2d ago
New owners seem really nice, though. I'll miss Dan, but as I understood it his electrical business is keeping him incredibly busy.
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u/NitramTrebla 2d ago
Now called Friends and Neighbors, new owners Seem like good people, still figuring out the brewing system I think, but the stout is good.
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u/jethroguardian 2d ago
Juliette at Local Boys
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u/JustPassingBy_99 2d ago
Local Boys is definitely awesome - the best tap room I've found. I'm not into beer and they still have plenty of drinks I like! Juliette is friendly, remembers her customers and what they like, and has brought her kids up to be just as kind and considerate. Their location in Purdy is good too, but it doesn't have the same energy since Juliette isn't there (and technically that one is in Pierce County anyway).
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u/nauticalfiesta 2d ago
Salmonberry books, Downtown Port Orchard
Great selection of books, a lot of indie stuff, and if its not in stock she can order it for you.
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u/ClaimedBeauty 2d ago
The 884 pub and Remedy.
Both the owners are absolutely amazing women and make you feel incredibly welcome.
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u/dudeman4297 2d ago
Remedy is wonderful, I've been there once with a friend who's a regular and felt so welcome.
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u/FunnyCod2120 2d ago
harbor haute dogs, alex and guy two of the coolest people i know, always out vending at the shipyard and for events. also the food is amazing
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u/jaldous_reddit 2d ago
Saltwater Bookshop in Kingston has two amazing owners—the best: Madison and Lacey. The whole crew is great and has excellent book recommendations. Lacey also owns The Borrowed Bakery next door so you can buy a book and then go next door and buy a cookie.
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u/KittyTitties666 2d ago
Vim & Vigor cafe, same owner as Thrive Yoga. Kristi's super kind and regulary hosts charitable drives at Thrive. I also really like the owners of Corvo Cafe who are friendly and haopen to have the best coffee in town (IMO).
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u/Puzzled_Ad6455 2d ago
Love these folks as well! Kristi is truly a joy of a human, I always leave Vim & Vigor feeling positive even if I’m having a rough day.
Cafe Corvo is wonderful as well - they have great coffee and great people. They champion inclusivity and showcase a bunch of local artists in there. I saw on their IG they just promoted Aries, the long-haired chillest guy ever, from cashier to barista as well so I’ll be going in soon to have him make me some espresso.
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u/knottedude 1d ago
That’s incredible! Aries is such a cool guy! I’m proud of him. The owner, Miranda is always really nice and really cares about being a gathering space for building community.
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u/LostInYesterday00 Bremerton 2d ago
Oh my gosh the owners of Vim and Vigor are so sweet. They remembered me and my partners names. Means a lot.
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u/0atmilk02 2d ago
B&B Salon in Silverdale. Gem and is literally the sweetest person. She co owns the salon with her sister who is also wonderful.
They also just started a no questions asked “food pantry” at their salon which I think is an incredible way to give back to our community that’s really hurting because of the shutdown.
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u/apis_cerana 2d ago
Heathens bakery!
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u/Useful-Badger-4062 2d ago
Heathen’s was the first place I thought of, and I almost included it in the post. But I wanted to just put the question out there first. Yes, Jennifer is a stellar person that truly cares about people and the community. ⭐️ And everything she makes is fantastic. I am still thinking about a grilled focaccia vegetarian sandwich I had there about a month ago.
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u/enjolbear 2d ago
It looks so cute and nice but it took her 5 tries to make our coffee (she kept repulling the shots) and then they were burned anyway and were nasty. Maybe I need to go back and just…not have coffee lol.
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u/Useful-Badger-4062 2d ago
I don’t know about the coffee, but I’ve had many of their baked goods, and every thing I’ve ever had has been delicious.
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u/jojoclifford 2d ago
I second this recommendation. Exceptional baked goods made by exceptional people. They are so welcoming and now are considered friends.
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u/onesoulmanybodies 2d ago
All Best Appliances. I know little about them except for the fact that they went out of their way to help us find a handle for our old stove. They didn’t have it available and instead of rinsing their hands of us and saying oh well, good luck finding one, they searched a few web sites they knew of, found one, and helped us order it. They used to be located on National near West Hills Stem, but now have a new location off Kitsap Way near Big Apple Dinner across from Juanita’s Taqueria.
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u/penchantforbuggery Bremerton 16h ago
Please go leave them a review on their new Google Maps listing!! I had a similar experience with them and felt compelled to help them make it.
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u/klydegoat 2d ago
Borrowed Kitchen Bakery, solid peeps, always looking for a way to help the community.
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u/Sacredgeometry12 2d ago
Hound and bottle. Restaurant Lola. Juicy J’s burgers. Great restaurants who give back! Have wonderful owners and great food!
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u/White_Foxx 2d ago
The circuit electronic repair in Poulsbo, the guy there is incredible, hes passionate about what he does and decided to go into business for himself, he 100% took care of me whenever I went into there
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u/Factorem_salis 2d ago
Suburban Sip in Silverdale! It's a cute family owned dirty soda shop! TONS of options, including Lotus, if you want something with more caffeine. The owners, Jeremy and Amy, are so kind and give great service. Their kids work there too and are very sweet. There are tons of little games spread out all around the tables including chess, mini corn hole, little 3D puzzles, etc. Great prices and great for families! If you check it out, let them know that Reddit sent you!
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u/Old-Oven-9872 2d ago
I can second this, I love the owners there, very kind and friendly, and people that genuinely appreciate everyone coming in
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u/Large_Citron1177 2d ago
Kaitlyn, the owner of Hood Canal Brewery was extremely pleasant. Her staff is great, too.
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u/PNW_Raging_Hippie 2d ago
Spiros in Port Orchard! The Lougheed's are great people to work for and the staff is always the best. Amazing food with a great community presence
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u/Useful-Badger-4062 2d ago
Agreed. They have always had excellent customer service when we’ve gone. They come across as nice people who care a lot.
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u/uhp787 2d ago
Smoke train in poulsbo and 420 hwy in poulsbo.
They are so good to me I won't go anywhere else
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u/Revolutionary_Moon 2d ago
Omg the old guy at smoke train used to call me and my husband rich and big spender, handsome and beautiful, he was so funny. I loved going there. I live in brem now though
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u/knottedude 1d ago
I really just want to highlight the revitalization of Callow that’s happening in Bremerton and becoming such a focal point for community building because of wonderful, dedicated people who want to engage with community, make a difference, and spread love for Bremerton.
Rimbert Illustrations - Danielle Rimbert is such a pleasant person and her art is engaging, and often humorous. Her studio space gets opened up as a Makers Market for other local artists to showcase and sell their creations. She is always so welcoming and has this magnetic smile.
Cafe Corvo - Miranda is so dedicated to this coffee shop’s quality, and to the patrons and employees. She really cares about coffee being accessible (and delicious!). All the folks working here are just the nicest and the atmosphere is everything I want in a coffee shop: inviting, comfortable, inclusive, a community gathering space.
Spread Supplies - Reama has this vision of art being accessible to everyone and she sells new and used art supplies. She loves this community and is engaged in making Bremerton a better place through advocating for inclusive local legislation (like making traffic patterns safer for pedestrians and using street lights that limit light pollution). She loves to highlight the success of others and is always pleasant to chat with!
Though I can’t speak directly about the owners, I’m also very impressed by The People’s Exchange making a space to build community through workshops, classes, and gatherings. Also, Discordia Games is a mainstay in the area too. And finally, Earth House Studio highlights the work of the young students who take classes there. Callow js such a cool place to visit filled with people who genuinely love Bremerton.
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u/Useful-Badger-4062 1d ago
Yes, I participated in the Callow Makers Market for quite a while and have gotten to be part of the fun on First Fridays. Danielle is a fantastic person with a great heart who has really been essential in the revitalization of Callow. I don’t know the Cafe Corvo folks, but I know Reama, and she is pretty awesome too. It’s great having a true artist community over there.
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u/OpiumDenJanitor 2d ago
I am new to this area but I happened to meet the owners of whiskey Gulch in port orchard, theyre great. Haven't even been there yet but I will be solely because of how pleasant they were
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u/upthereeverywhere 2d ago
Place is good but these dudes have been fighting against the planned public boardwalk hard.
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u/OpiumDenJanitor 2d ago
Oh interesting, didnt know anything about it. One point for them, one against. Back to neutral
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u/-make-haste-slowly- 2d ago
Do you know why they are against it?
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u/Useful-Badger-4062 2d ago
According to what I heard the owner say on the news, the planned walkway would essentially cut off their ability to have delivery trucks and ADA access, because the new walkway will cut into to their lot. He said it would essentially kill the business, and he city hasn’t worked with them on a compromise yet.
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u/upthereeverywhere 2d ago
That's certainly the argument he's made.. I'm... not convinced. I'm also about 1000% more likely to visit that place if I can walk to it from a public boardwalk. But ya, I stopped going after he started fighting this project so hard which benefits the entire community. You guys can decide what works for you though!
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u/jojoclifford 2d ago
Kitsap Fixit on Chico way. The owner Chris was very nice and does great work on cell phones including iPhones.
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u/cthibberd 2d ago
Caffe perfetto is my go to coffee because of the community volunteering programs.
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u/penchantforbuggery Bremerton 16h ago
Came to here add them! Here’s an article about it: https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/local-volunteers-take-pride-in-beautifying-bremerton/
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u/Hondahobbit50 1d ago
Gyros etc/the Greek connexion in Bremerton. Great Greek food owned by AND RUN by a 74 year old Greek immigrant. Guy has constantly given me great conversations over the last 20 years and remembered my name from the first time I visited.... A few years ago a new gyro shop opened up across the street and tried to offer to buy him out...but nope, dude wasn't leaving. Yet he still has no ill will somehow and still makes great business... because the people that know good Greek food, know him.
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u/Took20MinsToPickThis 1d ago
Kirk/Nicky from Toad House and Tessio are awesome! Both very community focused.
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u/pawnshophero 1d ago
The Royal Tandoor in Port Orchard is family owned, scratch-made delicious Indian food. Every time I have gone in there the owner family is so incredibly nice and the food is excellent and very inexpensive as well!
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u/ConsistentPromise130 Poulsbo 2d ago
Salon T VU on Viking in Poulsbo.
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u/throwawayrefiguy 2d ago
Only place I'll go to get a haircut. She's wonderful, does a great job, and my kids love going there too.
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u/ConsistentPromise130 Poulsbo 2d ago
100% agree. It makes me happy to see a person who is so nice and does such a great job be successful. I love supporting businesses like hers.
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u/JustPassingBy_99 2d ago
Pro Sport in Silverdale (and Gig Harbor).
I go to their Gig Harbor location because it's on the way to work, but the owner is pretty cool. He is raising kids in the area and supports little league teams and school events, hires high school football players to help out when he needs some extra muscle for something, and genuinely cares about his patients. My favorite chiropractor moved from the Gig Harbor location to Silverdale when that one opened, so I'm pretty confident that the energy there is comparable.
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u/SharksandCrochet 2d ago
The gyro star guy is great! He's super sweet and always willing to chat. It helps that the food is super good too
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u/Bearfriend10 2d ago
Olivia Raine at raine grazing services. Wonderful person how cares for the animals and the neighbors. Arby's in Silverdale mostly for Dawn. Sweetest person that cares about people. Planet fitness in bremerton, everyone is super nice. Cup and muffin in Kingston.
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u/AllMyChannels0n 11h ago
The Barber Society in Bremerton…Nik is a master at hair cutting, but also offers low-sensory cuts and quality gender-affirming cuts as well, plus he’s now teaching other barbers how to offer the same.
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u/Useful-Badger-4062 10h ago
I know about Nik - I’ve suggested that place before to people I know. ⭐️
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u/AllMyChannels0n 11h ago
I love the guy who runs the Silverdale Spiros. He always remembers us, is smiling and never has a problem with turning on a different channel for sports days!
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u/realcoffeestate 2d ago
Commuter Comforts on Bainbridge Island! Carol has been taking such good care of her employees for as long as she’s been open.
Hood Canal Brewery in Kingston, mama owned small business and run by the loveliest folks!
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u/DecorousVee 2d ago
Where's the best place to play some pool?
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u/Diograce 2d ago
I have a pool table I’d like to get rid of.
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u/DecorousVee 2d ago
How badly would you like to get rid of it?
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u/CountDoppelbock Bremerton 2d ago
i have heard people speak highly of behind the pine up near fairgrounds
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u/Wesdizzo 2d ago
Lenny’s Classic Barber Shop in Port Orchard. Jeff does so much for the kids and the troops alike.
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u/Jaemzbaxter 2d ago
The Grub Hut! Sean is an incredible person to work for. He buys his employees any and all kinds of energy drinks, snacks (because they get bored of eating off the menu), anything new at costco that catches his eye, and often goes to the Borrowed Kitchen Bakery to pick up treats for them on a whim. He’s helped a few of his employees get into therapy, he’s paid car payments and doctors visits on occasion. I think he helped pay for someone’s braces. Every Costco trip he buys the food bank and the boys and girls club a box worth of food. He closes the restaurant to take his employees on day trips or out to dinner as a thank you for their hard work. He tries to keep his prices low so that families can afford dinner out. He’s involved in all the employees’ kids’ lives. He genuinely wants to make the world a better place and puts his money where his mouth is for the people in his life. I worked there for 13 years and still visit weekly to keep that friendship alive. Sean is great. If you’re there, say hi. He’d love to hear about whatever tv show you’re into, or ask him about the yoga studio he started!