Business

East Hill meeting seeks to give businesses a voice

Harpreet Gill of Punjab Sweets knows that if the businesses on the East Hill would just work together, they could promote the area better as a shopping destination.

Brian Raynes

‘We are our brother’s keeper’: Local merchant aids homeless in Kent

Nearly 50 homeless people arrived for a free hot meal of ham and mashed potatoes on a rainy Thursday night at a business parking lot along Railroad Avenue South in downtown Kent.

Brian Raynes

More than clowning around: Kent outfit makes fun its business

From the outside, it looks like any other warehouse in Kent's industrial area, north of downtown (well, except for the climbing walls and train caboose out back). But inside, the shelves are stocked with colorful bags, filled with giant inflatable toys and labeled like a kid's dream.

Mark Burns

Networking opportunity

Mark Burns, with Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors of Tacoma, talks Sept. 16 with Shannon Sommers, a security consultant with Sonitrol of Bellevue.

  • Oct 3, 2008
  • BY Wire Service
Mark Burns
These hungry little fish

No more fish pedicures, state tells Kent salon owner

The State of Washington Thursday shut down the region's only fish pedicure procedure after determining it did not meet state codes requiring all pedicure implements to be sanitized or disposed of after use.

These hungry little fish

New York bank purchases troubled Washington Mutual

After more than 100 years in business and as part of the local landscape, Washington Mutual filed for bankruptcy Sept. 25 and was acquired for $1.9 billion last week by JPMorgan Chase.

These hungry little fish

Local salon dives into new pedicure fad swimmingly

There’s something fishy going on down at the Peridot Nail Salon. Inspired by a report on NBC’s “Today” show she saw several months ago, Peridot owner Tuyet “Tweety” Bui has imported to Washington the newest fad in the health and beauty industry: Fish pedicures.

These hungry little fish

Sprouts with salmonella linked to Kent company

Alfalfa sprouts distributed by a Kent-based company are to believed to be the source of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 13 people.

  • Sep 16, 2008
  • BY Wire Service
Rite Aid pharmacy on Meeker and Washington celebrated its grand opening Thursday.  Regional Pharmacy Vice President Germain Robottom

At long last, Kent Rite Aid pharmacy opens

After a year of construction and nearly a year of sitting unused, the Rite Aid at the corner of Meeker Street and Washington Avenue finally opened Sept. 11.

Rite Aid pharmacy on Meeker and Washington celebrated its grand opening Thursday.  Regional Pharmacy Vice President Germain Robottom

Kent Chamber offers insurance to membership

The Kent Chamber of Commerce is rolling out a new program to allow members to join together to offer health insurance for their employees at a reduced rate.

Kent Web site sees many upgrades

Anyone who has logged onto www.kentreporter.com recently will have noticed a few changes.

  • Sep 3, 2008
  • BY Wire Service
Steve Ahlbeck

Banking to bullion: Gourmet Steve makes his way

Stevan Ahlbeck, the owner and founder of Gourmet Steve’s in downtown Kent, was good at his job in the banking industry, but something was missing.

Steve Ahlbeck

King County Council sees green; passes eco-friendly job motion

The Metropolitan King County Council moved Aug. 5 to ensure that the region is in position to take advantage of the economic benefits of addressing the global climate crisis. The Council unanimously passed a motion sponsored by Councilmember Larry Phillips encouraging the formation and investment in green collar jobs.

  • Aug 22, 2008
  • BY Wire Service

Briefly

Chamber plans events

  • Aug 21, 2008
  • BY Wire Service

Fitness facility has open house

Curves of Downtown Kent recently relocated to 710 W. Meeker in the historic district, and while the business may have changed locations, their mission hasn’t changed.

  • Aug 21, 2008
  • BY Wire Service
Kent-based Alaska Distributors Co. plans to cut upward of 600 jobs in the fall

Kent-based Alaska Distributors to cut 600 jobs in sell-off; officials hope most will be rehired

Kent-based Alaska Distributors Co. will cut approximately 600 jobs this fall as the company prepares to sell portions of its operations to CoHo Distributing, according to Steve Loeb, president and chief executive officer of the Alaska Distributors.

Kent-based Alaska Distributors Co. plans to cut upward of 600 jobs in the fall

Kent Hot 100 designed to help local businesses grow Chamber, college partner in program

For a new business, surviving the first five years is the hardest part.

  • Aug 19, 2008
  • BY Wire Service

Web site sees upgrade

Anyone who has logged onto www.kentreporter.com recently will have noticed a few changes.

  • Aug 19, 2008
  • BY Wire Service
Steve Saint Louis points to the new awning at his shop. The awning was purchased in part with matching grant money received from the Kent Downtown Partnership.

Kent Downtown Partnership’s grant program adds to downtown ‘curb appeal’

Steve Saint Louis had wanted to make some minor enhancements to the outside of his shop, Earthworks Gem Design Studio. Simple things, really. Just something to make his business stand out a bit more.

  • Aug 13, 2008
  • BY Wire Service
Steve Saint Louis points to the new awning at his shop. The awning was purchased in part with matching grant money received from the Kent Downtown Partnership.
Three generations of Pugerudes include

Pugerudes’ drapes and curtains has long history in Kent Valley

With all the changes in home design and styles over the past half century, one thing has stayed the same for many of the windows that look out onto the Kent Valley: Pugerudes’ drapes and curtains.

  • Aug 9, 2008
  • BY Wire Service
Three generations of Pugerudes include