Do you need a lift? There’s a new option for those living on Vashon. A decade-plus employee of Washington State has recently left his job and moved onto Vashon to help his ailing mother. Meet Jonathan, who’s decided to also start a business providing taxi-type services to Islanders. The cost? On-Island trips are between $15…
By Rich Osborne My name is Rich Osborne. My company is All Things Rich. I sell olive oil, vinegars, sauces, spices, salts, rubs, and local raw honeys. Also dragons. I was a vendor at the Vashon Farmers Market on Saturdays for five years. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, my retail sales opportunities were closed down….
By Kavi Rana It feels impossible to create or run a business or just survive when the world is crumbling around us. I know everyone is going through it right now. Our paths and future are as uncertain as ever. I am grasping on to hope for humanity and for our planet as we navigate…
By Jane Valencia Vashon was once known for its strawberry farms, and our Strawberry Festival was named in celebration of these berries. But, as has been the case for several decades, strawberries – much less Island-grown – are a rare and precious occurrence. Off-Island attendees of the Festival often find themselves bewildered: “Where are the…
By Andy Valencia What happens when a place to digitally detox meets a museum? That would be a great description of the Den of Pin, the latest Vashon hangout. Pay a small cover charge, then step away from the relentless world of 5G, AI, and social media. In their place, enjoy playing vintage pinball machines….
By Caitlin Rothermel Since 2001, the Northwest School for Animal Massage, run by Lola Michelin and her husband, David Cota-Robles, has trained students in the art and science of animal bodywork. In 2011, the school relocated to a scenic 12-acre property north of Vashon town, and now welcomes between 80 and 120 students each year….
By Andy Valencia It’s been 25 years since sisters Tina and Leslie first opened Cafe Luna. Turtle Island Restaurant, which had shuttered for the final time a year before, provided the location. The ladies asked various Island old-timers about the possibility of an “internet cafe” and, having been assured it would never work, went ahead…
By Caitlin Rothermel Walking into Giraffe, located in the heart of town, always gives me that peaceful feeling of entering a special place. Every corner is so carefully arranged. The store’s warm tones are so inviting, making me feel both restful and attentive. When I visited most recently, soft yet peppy Malian music was playing in…
by Andy Valencia As Amazon eats the world, it’s an interesting exercise to walk the town of Vashon and see what sorts of businesses remain. Most have something to do with eating or drinking, and Vashon Bikes makes a fine exception to the rule. Next door to Cafe Luna, they offer a range of new…
By Caitlin Rothermel An interview with Tracy Chait, owner of “Refill Vashon” and “Golden Afternoon” Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to start Refill? It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing – it’s been a journey of many threads coming together. As a teenager, I was part of an Eco club…