Northwest Gold Coast

It seems that there are coffee shops on just about every corner in the Seattle area.  We Northwesterns love our java, but there is one locally owned coffee shop that stands out from all the others.

Mike’s Community Cup, a newer addition to the SeaTac community, is more than just your daily dose of caffeine. This locally owned, family operated business has a personal touch and gives back to the community. 10 cents from every beverage purchased goes back to organizations serving the SeaTac community including McMicken Heights Elementary School, SeaTac’s Back to School Resource Fair, Young Life, Des Moines Food Bank and local fire victims.

Mike Condon opened the shop in January 2009 across from Safeway on Military Road in SeaTac. Mike is a personable guy with a connection with his customers. Punch cards are held at the counter so customers don’t have to worry about carrying them around or losing them. Photography from local artists hangs on the wall for purchase.

The relaxed atmosphere has a draw for a wide audience with daily specials, a drive through, free wi-fi, a 42 inch Plasma tv, comfortable leather couches and a kids playing area. Sports fans are welcome to come in on weekends for some football and great drink specials.

The menu includes premium coffee beverages, hot, iced and blended, as well as Italian sodas, granitas and 8 flavors of delicious smoothies. Sizes of cup range from 8 ounces to 24 ounces. Along with the beverages, Mike’s also offers breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pastries and cookies. Breakfast sandwiches are a hot item because of their portion size, price and selection.

This is a great place to meet people in the neighborhood, have some truly great coffee, and help give back to the community.

For more info and map and location, visit their website at www.mikescommunitycup.com.

Tags: Dining by Risa Miller
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Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington contest is here again.  Each year, King 5 and Evening Magazine ask viewers and fans to nominate and cast votes for their favorite businesses around the Puget Sound, such as restaurants, coffee shops, salons, fitness centers, shops, boutiques and much more.   There are 178 categories to choose from with over 5800 nominees.

Making nominations and voting is easy.  Simply go online to http://best.king5.com and sign in, or create an account for free if you do not have one.  Browse the different categories to find your favorites, or even nominate one that has not been suggested.  And yes, you can and should nominate your own company and it is okay to campaign for votes.

All votes will be tallied and the winners of The Best of Western Washington will be announced in an upcoming episode of Evening Magazine.   The top five companies in each category are recognized.  The contest is widely recognized and it’s great exposure for the effort.  One voter says, “I know when I walk into a shop or restaurant with the sign ‘Best of the Northwest 2008′ I already have an assumed trust that it will be a good experience.”  And one candidate says, “Ask your clients to vote for you at point of sale and let them know how meaningful it is to the success of your business.”

Some of our favorites that have already been nominated are Smart Service Independent Subaru Expert, www.smart-service.com in the auto repair category, Poggi Bonsi & Cucina, www.poggibonsigifts.com in the housewares category,  and C’est la Vie, www.clvcatalog.com for best gift shop.

This contest ends October 11^th, so get online and vote for your favorites today.

Tags: Community Involvement by Michelle Leonard
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Is your business improving?

While some business owners look to their financials to determine whether their business is doing better, many small business owners also look to the following indicators.  They know business is better when:

1. Management isn’t panicked when some high maintenance customers go elsewhere.
2. Management begins to test new services and markets.
3. Pay raises and/or year-end bonuses are extended to staff.
4. More staff is hired.
5. Equipment and facilities are upgraded.
6. Logo, business cards, website and other marketing materials are updated.
7. The business supports a fundraising event.
8. The business sponsors a youth sports team.
9. The owner takes a vacation for the first time in years.
10. Some tasks are done “just for fun”.

Furthermore, the truly wise business owner will engage in the above activities even before business is really better.  This is because the wise business owner knows from experience that acting on the belief that something is better actually helps things move in the direction of getting better, just as priming a pump helps the water to flow more quickly and steadily.

Tags: Business Advice by Elizabeth Paulsen
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After the recent presidential election, people eagerly hoped to see the nation’s economy recover quickly.  People are reluctant to invest money in the stock market, and are wary of big government and corporations.

My hometown, Federal Way, is actively promoting the idea of shopping locally. The Federal Way Chamber of Commerce hopes to stabilize and strengthen the city’s economy by encouraging residents and businesses to buy locally.

Spending money in our community results in more sales taxes to city government.  It also helps local businesses sustain and create more jobs.

Before searching for a product or service on the internet, it makes sense to consider our hometown businesses first.  We may pay a few pennies more, but in so doing, we re-energize the whole idea of community and local prosperity.

While mobility was supposed to make the world smaller, it can isolate us from our neighbors.  If we drive 30 miles or order online from a company half a continent away, simply to save a percentage point or two, we miss the opportunity to connect in our hometown.   Local coffee shops, the nearby dairy, and the grocery that touts “locally grown” are places where we can rediscover our community and regain our humanity.

I am choosing to shop my hometown first.  Whether you are in Kent, Shoreline or Tukwila—why not make your next purchase in your hometown?

Tags: Community Involvement by Oksu Ellis
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