The Kona Kai Coffee Co. of downtown Kent received the 2011 Restaurant Neighbor Award from the National Restaurant Association for its outstanding service efforts with helping the homeless.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s popular 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program guarantees loans of up to $5 million. Many small businesses in Kent, however, need much less than that for most business purposes, so the SBA has developed a program specifically to make smaller loans more easily available.
Stop by an open house from 4-8 p.m. Friday, April 15 at the Titusville Station, 202 W. Gowe St., in downtown Kent.
The Seattle office of the Washington State Department of Revenue is hosting a free workshop for new and small business owners from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 at 2101 4th Ave., Suite 1400, in Seattle.
Washington voters have made it more difficult for state lawmakers to hike taxes by requiring a two-thirds majority to do so.
The Legislature’s response? Increase fees, instead.
Since 2007, King County’s Best Workplaces for Recycling and Waste Reduction list has recognized the accomplishments of local small and large businesses in conserving natural resources, and in reducing the amount of trash that goes into the regional landfill.
As the program enters its fifth year, King County is announcing a new feature of the program – the Best Workplaces Honor Roll.
Roger Brooks, a leading specialist about community branding, development, marketing, and tourism, will lead two workshops from 8 a.m. to noon March 10 at the Kent Station AMC Theaters
Realtor® Marti Reeder of Kent recently received the 2010 President’s Award from John L. Scott for her real estate work last year. She and several other agents received awards last week in a ceremony hosted by J. Lennox Scott, Chairman and CEO of John L. Scott, in the company’s Kent office.
Black Dog Brat Haus and Creamery has opened for business in Kent. Featuring homemade bratwurst (think a variation of the hot dog here) and its own concoctions of frozen custard (like ice cream, but richer) as well as soups and Wi-Fi, the restaurant is located at 227 Washington Ave. N. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, call 253-850-1818.
State Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines) has stepped in to assist a Kent-based business from closing down. The Sidetrack Pub and Eatery has long had a card-room license, but Kent has a ban on card rooms within its city limits.
“This is a case where the business was located in an area recently annexed by the city,” Upthegrove said. “The owner wanted to be in compliance with the law, but doing so could have meant shutting down. I felt it was important, especially in this economy, to support our locally owned businesses and the people they employ.”
The Kent Chamber of Commerce's March membership luncheon March 2 will feature best-selling author Patrick Snow, also known as the "Dean of Destiny," for his inspiring look at how businesses - and the people who comprise them - can achieve their best.
The event runs 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Meridian Valley Country Club, 14830 136th Ave. S.E., Kent.
Snow found his calling as a coach and speaker after being laid off, following the economic downturn associated with 9/11; and then again in 2002, in the high-tech sales industry, when he decided to retire from corporate America on his own terms.
The Kent Chamber of Commerce Education Committee meets 2 p.m. March 1 at the chamber office, 524 W. Meeker St., Kent. One of the chamber's newest committees, the group seeks to strengthen the connection between the local business community and education, through development of partnerships between the two entities. The committee is in partnership with the Kent Community Foundation, a non-profit organization rooted in the chamber, and operating to engage community support as a way of enhancing learning for Kent and Covington children.
For more information about the education committee, contact chamber Executive Director Andrea Keikkala at 253-854-1770. To learn more about the Kent Community Foundation, visit www.kentcf.org.
Kona Kai Coffee Co. of Kent was one of three Washington restaurants recognized this month for excellence in community service. The downtown coffee house was a state winner of the 2011 Restaurant Neighbor Award and now in the running for national award.
Applebee’s Restaurant had a grand-opening ceremony Feb. 14, with festivities lasting through the week. The restaurant is located at 25442 104th Avenue S.E.. The opening event featured a ribbon-cutting with Mayor Suzette Cooke, with attendees from around the Kent business community.
Reds Wine Bar, one of Kent Station's newest businesses, is planning a grand opening celebration Feb. 4 and 5, including a ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. Feb. 4, followed by live music at 6 p.m.
The new wine bar is located across from the Sound Transit parking garage. Owned by husband and wife team Nick and Angela Xavier of Kent, Reds features a selection of regional wines along with artisan-crafted beers.
The Kent Downtown Partnership is having its next Downtown Breakfast Hour 7 a.m. Feb. 11 at the Kent ShoWare Center.
Called "Time to Rise and Thrive," the morning program will have several element, including the introduction of new Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas, updates on the city-owned ShoWare Center, the status of the city's part-way built parking garage, and Green River Community College's Kirk Davis, speaking about how local businesses can "rise and thrive" in the current economy.
Kent residents and business owners near the Green River will soon find out how new preliminary Federal Emergency Management Agency flood-insurance maps could impact them.
FEMA will present the new flood maps at an open house from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St.
For George Patterson, it was the sticker shock.
The former Army medic needed a tune-up for his Jeep Grand Cherokee, and learned it would cost the hefty sum of $600 at a repair shop. But if he did it himself, it would be only $200-$300.
To anyone who's ever considered owning a franchise store, an upcoming seminar in Kent could help point the way.
A 7-Eleven franchise seminar will run 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 27, at a Kent 7-Eleven office located at 20819 72nd Ave. S., Suite 800.
Pacific Network Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of support for SKYLINE software, Property Management Accounting Solutions, and Information Technology for real estate, earlier this month announced the opening of an office in Kent.
