Business Stories - South King County

Auburn’s longtime family dealer Brewer bows out gracefully

A look at what's happening in the Auburn business world.

Vintage furniture store celebrates 20 years | Auburn Business Briefs

The boys are back. The popular produce stand along West Valley Highway – Fresh Finds: Fresh Fruit & Vegetables – is open with a larger inventory of fruits and vegetables. “The main reason we came back is the relationships we created. We had many people asking us to come back,” said Joe Brandt, one of the stand’s chief operators who introduced the business to Auburn-area customers last spring.

Auburn's Fresh Finds produce back on West Valley Highway

Covington Home Depot to feature mostly locals on staff

As the new Home Depot in Covington approaches its grand opening on Thursday, it’s obvious to store manager Bill Haytack that the community is excited. “I had to put signs up on the windows that said ‘Grand Opening June 26th’ because there are so many people coming by,” Haytack said. “I actually caught a couple people in here shopping not too long ago and I had to say, ‘Gosh, I’m sorry, we’re not open yet.’”

Entrepreneur’s love for cooking and people is a sweet recipe

It’s an intoxicating mixture of cooking, connecting with others and using her savvy that keeps Harpreet Gill motivated as a businesswoman.

Maple Valley city manager talks issues over eggs

Maple Valley city manager Anthony Hemstad hosted a breakfast meeting last Wednesday at Lake Wilderness Grill to hear from community members about about issues the city is facing. Topics ranged from sign code enforcement to eminent domain to the donut hole to the Four Corners sub-area plan to the recent recognition of Tahoma High School in Newsweek magazine’s annual Best of Education feature.

Builders keep baby boomers in mind

The baby boomer generation, whose members are now between ages 38 and 56, comprises almost one-third of the nation’s population.

More U.S. builders 'go green' | Commentary

According to a recent survey of consumers by a national building trade organization, almost 80 percent of the respondents listed environmentally friendly features as a concern when building or purchasing a home.

PSE merger will benefit customers | Andy Wappler

And I thought the weather got people riled up! Going from meteorology to the energy industry put me in stormy seas.

Challenge for Federal Way folks: Buy local

Recently, the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce completed its annual membership survey.

Officials break ground on newest addition to Kent Station

Officials broke ground Tuesday for the latest addition to Kent Station, an 80,500-square-foot building that will add retail space, office space and an extension of the Green River Community College Kent campus to the downtown urban village.

Big new store has local feel

As the new Home Depot in Covington approaches its grand opening on Thursday, it’s obvious to store manager Bill Haytack that the community is excited.

Entrepreneur brings Indian sweets to Covington

It’s an intoxicating mixture of cooking, connecting with others and using her savvy that keeps Harpreet Gill motivated as a businesswoman. “Honestly, I just love what I do,” said Gill, a 32-year-old Covington resident and owner of Punjab Sweets, a Kent business that serves up traditional Indian food. “I love to cook, and I love people. Getting to know them, having them enjoy a good meal and seeing a smile on their face - that’s what drives me to work every day.”

Maple Valley city manager talks issues over eggs

Opening time near for Covington Esplanade

Things are coming along at Covington Esplanade, as new businesses in the commercial project just east of Wax Road on Southeast 272nd Street begin to open.

Puget Sound hospital records go digital with MultiCare tech

Ten years ago, MultiCare Health System became the first health system in the south Puget Sound region to implement an electronic health record for patients at its outpatient clinics in Pierce and south King Counties, including the clinic in Covington.

Maple Valley heating oil dealer sees customers embracing bio-diesel

Steve Clark, the third-generation owner of Genesee Fuel and Heating in Seattle (www.geneseeheat.com), has been selling heating oil to Maple Valley and Covington residents since 1999. Two years ago, he purchased Terry Morris Fuel and Burner Services, a third-generation, family-owned business that’s located in Maple Valley at 26458 Maple Valley Hwy.

Renton hot yoga gym is torturous, but also invigorating

Yoga in an air-conditioned gym is hard enough for someone whose life goal is touching her toes. But yoga in a 105-to-110-degree room? I was expecting the worst.

Renton bank marks 85th anniversary

For 85 years, First Savings Bank of Renton has stayed close to its roots – the people of Renton who need a loan to buy a home. That is the traditional role of the “thrifts,” the savings and loans where people pool their money in their savings accounts and then it’s loaned out to others.

A Blossoming restaurant scene in downtown

Before you even taste anything on the menu at Renton’s newest restaurant, Blossom Asian Bistro, you are struck by how fresh and “pretty” everything sounds on the menu. There’s the Blossom roll, with papaya, sun-dried tomato and Japanese pesto wrapped in soy paper. Or, the bamboo princess roll — a combination of shrimp tempura, cucumber, avocado and daikon, also wrapped in soy paper. The selection of salads and sushimi is also equally fresh and tempting—noodle salads, fresh oysters, seaweed salad and marinated salmon served Japanese style.

Renton's Spotlight Dance Center hoards student experience

A recent ballet rehearsal at Spotlight Dance Center begins with grand plies, stretch plies and just plain plies, all which consist of bent knees and out-turned feet. Then it’s to the bar. This is the warm-up for the upper ballet class at Spotlight Dance Center in downtown Renton. Each of the four girls, ages 14 through 19, has been dancing for 10 or more years.

Renton Chamber of Commerce board member wins Chamber award

The Renton Chamber of Commerce presented its 2008 Business Excellence Awards on June 4, which included naming chamber board member Roxanne Hanson as its volunteer of the year.

Renton's Bob Bridge Toyota wins company award

Bob Bridge Toyota in Renton has won Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.’s President’s Award for outstanding sales and service – now for the sixth time.