Business

Kent Downtown Partnership joins fight to save Main Street Program

The Kent Downtown Partnership is joining a growing opposition to a plan from the governor to remove funding for the Washington State Main Street Program as a way to help close the state's $2.6 billion budget gap.

One of the top Kent Chamber of Commerce's legislative priorities for the new year is ‘expedient repairs of the Howard Hanson Dam.’ Shown is Army Corps of Engineer Col. Anthony Wright at the control tower bridge during a tour in September of the Howard Hanson Dam.

Kent chamber announces its legislative priorities

With the 2010 legislative session under way in Olympia, the Kent Chamber of Commerce has released its priorities for this session. According to Executive Director Andrea Keikkala, the top priority for the chamber this session deal with the potential for flooding throughout the Green River Valley.

One of the top Kent Chamber of Commerce's legislative priorities for the new year is ‘expedient repairs of the Howard Hanson Dam.’ Shown is Army Corps of Engineer Col. Anthony Wright at the control tower bridge during a tour in September of the Howard Hanson Dam.

Legislative session begins: Know your legislator

The 2010 Washington State legislative session has begun. This year’s session is expected to once again be dominated by the state budget and attempts to fill a $2.6 billion budget gap created by falling state revenues due to the recession.

  • Jan 22, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
American Preparedness President Jeffrey Guite describes what goes into the Kent-based company's emergency kits Jan. 20. A batch of the company's kits are about to go to Haiti through the Red Cross. Behind him Warehouse Supervisor Tonya Duncan builds a set of the kits. The company's warehouse is located in SeaTac near the airport.

Kent company builds kits to help residents of earthquake-ravaged Haiti survive

As relief supplies from all around the world are pouring into the earthquake-ravaged Caribbean nation of Haiti, one Kent-based company is sure their product will begin to make a difference as soon as it arrives.

American Preparedness President Jeffrey Guite describes what goes into the Kent-based company's emergency kits Jan. 20. A batch of the company's kits are about to go to Haiti through the Red Cross. Behind him Warehouse Supervisor Tonya Duncan builds a set of the kits. The company's warehouse is located in SeaTac near the airport.
Tom Nugent

Kent-based company reaches for the stars – almost

Kent-based LaserMotive won the NASA-sponsored Space Elevator Laser Beaming Challenge in November and is gearing up for the next competition in May.

Tom Nugent
Wade Schwartz gets a hair cut from Stylist Shelby Miller at Downtown Kent's Blanc N Schwartz Salon Jan. 6. Schwartz is the owner of the Downtown Kent salon.

Seattle ex pat has big plans for Kent salon

Wade Schwartz, whose Seattle salon closed because of the monorail land purchases has opened a new shop in Kent and plans to expand even further.

Wade Schwartz gets a hair cut from Stylist Shelby Miller at Downtown Kent's Blanc N Schwartz Salon Jan. 6. Schwartz is the owner of the Downtown Kent salon.

Using threat of floods, Bremerton mayor working to entice Kent businesses west

Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent wants to bring flood-threatened businesses along the Green River to Bremerton, but some businesses threatened by floods said no thanks.

  • Jan 5, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
The 'Find It in Kent' campaign starts Jan. 18.

Scavenger hunt galore: ‘Find It in Kent’ campaign starts Jan. 18

Beginning Jan. 18, Find It In Kent will launch the Amazing Place scavenger hunt. This eight-week promotion encourages Kent residents to shop locally, learn more about local businesses and to educate all on the benefit of tax dollars to their community.

  • Jan 5, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
The 'Find It in Kent' campaign starts Jan. 18.

2009 a record-setting year for unemployment

The economic recession was one of the most prominent news stories of 2009, with good reason: more Washingtonians were unemployed, more received unemployment benefits, and more sought job-search assistance than ever before. Here are some figures regarding the recession's effects in Washington this year and the Employment Security Department's efforts to respond. A record-setting year:

  • Jan 5, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
Juan Murguia

Kent market bakes up King Cake, a holiday tradition for El Dia De Reyes, or the Epiphany

Christmas may celebrate the birth of Christ - and Santa sailing down the chimney with gifts - but in Mexico, there is a bigger, home-grown holiday acknowledging the birth of Christianity.

Juan Murguia
Tony Dalzell

Disgusting grease is liquid gold for biofuel company out of Kent

To most people, the barrels of old cooking oil sitting out near the dumpsters of their favorite restaurant are waste, filled to the brim with the disgusting remnant of hundreds of meals.

  • Jan 5, 2010
  • BY Wire Service
Tony Dalzell
Smith Brothers Farms Driver Terry Gillihan places a box at the home of a new customer along his route. Gillihan said he delivers to approximately 200 homes everyday.

Have yourself a dairy little Christmas: Smith Brothers of Kent delivers

With the holiday season upon us, many homes around the region are anxiously awaiting a visit from a man loaded down with goodies to make the yuletide bright. Not, not that visitor, but close.

Smith Brothers Farms Driver Terry Gillihan places a box at the home of a new customer along his route. Gillihan said he delivers to approximately 200 homes everyday.
Danny Kakuk is the owner of Little David's Sub Shop and the creator of “FloodShirts.com.”  Kakuk poses in his shop where the flood shirts are for sale on Dec. 3.

Kent Valley flood worries commemorated on custom t-shirts

For businesses and residents living the Green River Valley, watching the odds of a flood this fall go from 1 in 3 to 1 in 32 has been something of a yo-yo and even if the waters don't come, Danny Kakuk of Little David's Sub Shop in Kent said this has already been "history." "We have been living this thing," he said. "It's already history."

Danny Kakuk is the owner of Little David's Sub Shop and the creator of “FloodShirts.com.”  Kakuk poses in his shop where the flood shirts are for sale on Dec. 3.
Island Park Residents Brenda Aumick

Apartment company offers flood insurance to residents at its Kent complex

In response to concerns voiced by residents about the recently elevated risk of flooding in the Green River Valley, Weidner Apartment Homes is offering to purchase a flood insurance policy for all residents at its Island Park Apartments in Kent who want flood insurance.

Island Park Residents Brenda Aumick

Kent business community sees new faces

There are some new faces in the local business community as of late, including a new membership director at the Kent Chamber of Commerce.Shannon Collins… Continue reading

Brian Raynes

Christmas tree lot looks to Make A Difference for the homeless

For the fourth year in a row, the Make a Difference Christmas Tree Lot is setting up shop in Kent, this year right in the… Continue reading

Brian Raynes
Target employee David Snodgrass restocks an empty end cap at Kent's Target.  Snodgrass restocked this shelf nearly 10 times by 1 p.m. on Black Friday.

Black Friday in Kent: Merchants get a good feeling, but no firm figures yet

As Black Friday dawned across Kent, the blue skies seemed to herald two things retailers had been hoping for: shoppers and optimism for a good holiday season. "It feels better than last year's," said Nick Samas, store manager at the Kent Station Game Stop.

Target employee David Snodgrass restocks an empty end cap at Kent's Target.  Snodgrass restocked this shelf nearly 10 times by 1 p.m. on Black Friday.

ESP, Kent printshop owned by the late David Cooke, purchased by McCallum of Seattle

A Seattle-based printing company has bought the print shop that former belonged to David Cooke, the late husband of Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke.

Kent Chamber Holiday party is Dec. 5

The Kent Chamber of Commerce is hosting it December Business After Hours and Holiday party Dec. 5 at Valley Bank.

  • Nov 25, 2009
  • BY Wire Service
Kent Station General Manager John Hinds paints Santa’s Workshop Friday to prepare for the holiday season at Kent Station.

Kent merchants hope Black Friday equals Green Dreams

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means only one thing for retailers: Black Friday is nearly upon us. Named for the day when store owners traditionally see their books go from the red to the black (indicating profits for the year), the day after Thanksgiving has become the biggest shopping day of the year and retailers all around the country - and in Kent - are getting ready.

Kent Station General Manager John Hinds paints Santa’s Workshop Friday to prepare for the holiday season at Kent Station.