Archive for the ‘Gig Harbor Businesses’ Category
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May
10
Posted by Matt Thomson
Erin, one of the contributors to this blog, sent me these photos of the Gig Harbor area. Some are from land, others from boat. She mentioned something that I probably should have months ago…the boat she took these photos from was rented. Gig Harbor Rent-A-Boat, located right downtown between Anothony’s restaurant and The Waterfront Inn (Gig Harbor’s best bed and breakfast in my opinion), rents boats for a very reasonable price. My wife and I took her youngest sister out last summer. All the speed boats were rented, so we got the “Party Pontoon” boat…a big old thing that holds 16 people or there abouts. Pretty funny for the 3 of us, but as Erin mentioned in her email to me, worth every penny.
This is from the waters of the Puget Sound, with Tacoma’s Pt Defiance Park the land to the right, and Vashon Island the land in the background.
This is the lighthouse that welcomes boaters at the mouth of Gig Harbor Bay. You can access it from private homes at the mouth of the harbor, or by kayak (or other boat). I don’t know if it’s public or privately owned, however, so I’ve never stopped by.
Probably the most photographed shot in all of Gig Harbor, but I never grow tired of it. Pictures of Mount Rainier over Gig Harbor rarely look alike, as the mountain and sky are always changing.
I love what black and white can do to the same image. Mt Rainier, assuming it doesn’t blow anytime soon, is just a gorgeous mountain to look at.
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May
04
Posted by Matt Thomson
A friend of ours from church recently gave us some free smoothies at the new Gig Harbor Jamba Juice. He’s a manager there, so he can do stuff like that. 3 things stood out:
- Gig Harbor’s new Uptown Center has some good eatin’…Jamba Juice, Ben and Jerry’s, and Panera Bread are the places I’ve tried at the Uptown Center.
- Jamba Juice is good stuff, and they make it seem like it’s good for you with vitamin boosts or calcium boosts and healthy stuff like that.
- The large cups contain A LOT of smoothie. Neither my wife nor I could finish our fruit smoothies, and I’m usually pretty good at finishing food.
Give the new Jamba Juice a try next time you’re in Gig Harbor. Located in the Uptown Center right off of Pt Fosdick Drive.
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Apr
30
Posted by Matt Thomson
I think I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m not a super handy guy. I drive a big truck to try and make myself feel tough, but really I’m not. I own a few tools, some I even know their names, but I can’t use many of them correctly. My wife’s parent’s are selling their waterfront home here in Gig Harbor, and I tried to use my handy skills to give them easy access to the beach. It didn’t work too well.
That’s my father-in-law checking out my handy work. Lucky for me I gave him a cute granddaughter. So I called Gig Harbor excavator Tony Dulas, owner of Harbor Point Excavating to help out. I wrote about Tony once before, highlighting some of the excavating, landscaping, and rockery work he does around Gig Harbor. In only 3 days, Tony’s crew had this new path down to the beach! I still don’t know how they did it. I can make it from the beach up to the house in 35 seconds now, where as before it was inaccessible!
If you’re looking for a local Gig Harbor resident to do some landscaping for you, or you want to build a new water feature in your yard, or you need some drainage work or any other excavating work done, give Tony a call. Truly amazing!
If you want an incredible Gig Harbor waterfront home, with easy beach access and views that just won’t end, for only $750,000, give me a call! Truly amazing (the property, not necessarily me…though I’m pretty good).
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Apr
29
Posted by Matt Thomson
Sorry it’s last minute, but I didn’t hear about this until just recently. Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream shops across the nation are giving away free ice cream cones today, and asking for donations to help support the local Highway Patrol. Gig Harbor’s new Uptown Center is now home to Gig Harbor’s newest ice cream shop–Ben and Jerry’s. Today only, until 8pm, you can swing by the Uptown Center on Pt. Fosdick Drive and get your free ice cream cone and donate to the Washington Highway Patrol. My wife chose the cake batter and I got the Mint chocolate chunk…great stuff!
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Apr
19
Posted by Matt Thomson
Ready to look brilliant this spring? Swing by Gig Harbor Target for the Newest in Spring Make Up Looks! Bring a friend and get your make up done together! Our regional Make Up Artist, Kat Jacobson, will be joining Nancy Presser, your Gig Harbor Boots Beauty Adviser, Friday, April 25th from 12pm to 7pm. Appointments are recommended! Contact Nancy at nepresser@gmail.com to reserve your time
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Apr
12
Posted by Matt Thomson
There’s no question that Gig Harbor is a great place for runners, joggers, and walkers. Especially on days like today (it hit 76 degrees on our thermometer today!). Sunny days like today, the Gig Harbor waterfront is crawling with folks out for a walk. There are numerous places to run as well for those who like to pick up the pace a bit.
Until recently, there wasn’t a place in Gig Harbor for the fitness folks to outfit themselves. That has now changed. Route 16 Running and Walking has recently opened on Kimball Drive. If you are looking for running shoes, rain gear, or warm weather running clothes, Route 16 has you covered. Even those looking for racing spikes for their track and field season can find an assortment of racing shoes here.
Perhaps the greatest service Route 16 will provide is the resource for runners and walkers. Many folks visiting Gig Harbor may be looking for a running group. Route 16 can help. Or maybe you want to know the best places to walk. Route 16 can help. Have aches and pains from running and need a doctor referral? Route 16 can help.
Whether you’re a high school track star looking for track spikes, a weekend warrior looking for new running shoes, or a casual walker looking for a new walking outfit, check out Route 16 and see what they have in store. Look for Route 16 to be sponsoring local running races in Gig Harbor as well. This is a fitness based community, and Route 16 will fill a need for many of our residents and visitors.
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Apr
11
Posted by Matt Thomson
More than once I’ve shared my preference for supporting small, locally owned businesses in favor of large chains. I try to do my best to feature local businesses on this site to draw more attention to them. Gig Harbor resident Jonn Moomaw posted this great article on his blog today. This story from his family in Spokane puts to words my desires and gives a great blue print for how to support local businesses and why it’s important.
Here’s a quick list of some of my favorite Gig Harbor restaurants that we enjoy visiting:
- El Pueblito–Gig Harbor’s best Mexican food and best service overall
- Kimball’s Espresso–Great place to sit and chat, view their art gallery, and enjoy a yogucinno
- Harbor Greens–GREAT sandwiches, fruit that’s better than any store’s you’ve ever tried, lots of good, healthy foods
- Australian Bite Cafe–Fun new foods, great location, friendly owners
Those are just a few of my favorite places to eat in Gig Harbor. There are plenty more, I’m sure, and plenty of other small businesses (book stores, pet stores, etc) that are well worth visiting.
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Apr
09
Posted by Matt Thomson
Green Cottage Pet Store recently moved to a new Gig Harbor location…about 50ft from their old location! Located right downtown, the Green Cottage complex is undergoing a major transformation. This move was just one step in that process.
My love for dogs isn’t any secret, and Green Cottage Pets is the store of choice for me, and has been since we moved to Gig Harbor. Owned and managed by Gig Harbor resident Tom Moodie, Green Cottage carries an extensive supply of holistic foods, supplements, and treats for your canine and feline friends. There are other pet stores in Gig Harbor, but Washington is known for our health nuts and friendliness, so Green Cottage stands out.
Tom and his staff research–extensively–the products that they sell. Their website is loaded with information about nutrition, training, grooming, and local pet events. When I was there today, the staff and another customer were commenting that Green Cottage stands out from other Gig Harbor pet stores in that it is a place pet owners can go for information, not just supplies. I’d never thought of that before, but it’s certainly true.
When I adopted Sebastian nearly 8 years ago (he was about 1 at the time), I read some horror stories in the Whole Dog Journal about some name brand dog foods. A dog trainer friend of mine recommended I either feed them a raw diet or take the advice from the Whole Dog Journal and get a more premium food. I have fed Seb Canidae his entire life, and he seems to thrive on it. Green Cottage Pets is one of the few places I’ve found in the Gig Harbor/Tacoma area that carries Canidae pet foods.
I was given a free “Healthy Hips” dog treat today to pass on to Seb, and like everything else I’ve brought home from Green Cottage, he loves it! If you are looking for food, supplements, dog treats, toys, collars, whatever, they have it or they’ll get it. There’s tons of cat supplies there as well, but Seb doesn’t want me talking about that. Best of all, stop by Green Cottage for advice on how to care for your pet. In addition to having the best supplies, they are friendly and extremely knowledgeable about what they carry and what else is on the market. They also have a store in Fircrest, Wa, just across the bridge from Gig Harbor. Click here for a map of their Gig Harbor location.
I love my dog, but he does have a drooling problem. His duck meat “Healthy Hip” dog treat didn’t help that!
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Mar
29
Posted by Matt Thomson
Make your way to the Gig Harbor Target Store for an exploration of the scent-ual pleasure of the Amazon Forest. An exclusive event from Boots, Britain’s Health & Beauty Expert. Free Hand Treatments and Massages with our newest organic body butters and scrubs. Plus Self Tanning Tips and Demos. Sunday, March 30 from 11am - 4pm.
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Mar
20
Posted by Matt Thomson
For more than 20 years now, the Haven of Rest funeral home on HWY 16 in Gig Harbor will be holding an Easter Sunrise service beginning at 7am. Haven of Rest has a gorgeous view of Gig Harbor Bay and Mt. Rainier. The service features staff from many different Gig Harbor churches combining together, and offers a great place to go for those who may have recently lost a family member or friend. Everybody is welcome. Dress warmly, as it can be cool and wet!
