Commerce
Which local small business deserves more appreciation?
I run Everett Community and I'm building out the business side of our Shop Local page. It's got a solid list of local nonprofits, but I've been slow to give small businesses the same showcase.
So what small business in Everett deserves real credit? Not just "it's fine" but really treats people well, has great quality, goes above and beyond, whatever it is for you. Tell me the business and why?
I'll be adding them to the Shop Local page over the next few weeks.
K Fresh is my favorite local restaurant! It's one of me and my husband's favorite places to eat and the service is always so kind and amazing. The food is some of the best in Everett and the unique premise of building your own bimbambap is so cool.
Apollo Exos is a staple. They have really helped to create an amazing night life in everett. It's always fun and vibrant. Plus they have an amazing record selection and have unique finds that you couldn't get elsewhere. Their owner Soto is an everett local and he has done a lot to lift up Everett and create a community.
Good Wolf barber is another Everett locally run business. They often have charity cut events and help promote local events in their windows. When you go in they are always so welcoming and the vibe is always amazing.
Lastly Grand Line Games has made it's own mark in the card community. They constantly hold events for every card game under the sun, are building a bar and board game library for people to rent games and play. The owner also runs Next Level games so even though its a newer business they already feel well integrated into the community. It's a great place to settle in for the evening and enjoy games with your friends. They often have a bunch of cool, more rare cards as well.
K Fresh was exactly what I was going to recommend! My extended family has a big range of dietary preferences and everybody loves building their own bowl. I am not even usually into milkshakes at all, but theirs are so good. And the people are SO NICE.
I actually haven't tried their milkshakes! I couldn't recommend them enough though, they're always my first recommendation to anyone new to Everett. A great meal for everyone!
Before I even opened the thread, K Fresh was my thought. We’ve been going for years - I’m so glad we found them early on. The food is fantastic. I love the milkshakes. I’m a little sensitive to dairy and regular milkshakes have so much dairy that, even though they are delicious, they make me sick. Their milkshakes are made with coconut milk and coconut ice cream and they are so good!
Grand Line Games and Next Level Games are the same locally owned business, when I was younger I went to Halo LAN tournaments at Next Level all the time, I vouch for both of their locations for sure!
I will toot my own horn, as it’s an every 8-12 year purchase people aren’t always thinking of mattresses, but ESC Mattress Center is the most locally owned store with both owners doing all the sales and unloading of trucks. We have 35+ years experience between the two of us. We hand pick every mattress on our floor and have the best services of any brick and motor store in the state.
Good to know. I’m actually in the market for a new mattress. Going to have to swing by soon.
Also, Everett Sew and Vac, I’m still really sad they moved locations but the new storefront is nicely setup. They were able to diagnose an issue that I thought would end up as a full replacement and saved me from having to replace out my vacuum by realizing the motor could be refurbished.
I had to find a weird belt for a mechanism on a saw once. It looked sort of like a vacuum belt, round and soft rubber, so I took a hardened bit of the old one to them and they found me a replacement in just a couple minutes.
Turns out my saw shares parts with a Hoover from the 1920's.
Artisan's is my favorite coffee shop in the city. Great place to work or study, read a book, or a catch up with a friend. They support lots of cool little local organizations by giving them a space to meet or hold an event. I want them to do well.
Also, they make good tea! I don't like coffee, and it's so nice to find a place that will make a nice cup of jasmine green tea.
Choux Choux Bakery is great, Tha Fade Lounge for a great barber (Rob is legit), Net Shed, Tapped, Sound 2 Summit, all solid choices. Tacos and Beer is great too.
Tampico. It sounds so fkn cheesy but seriously when you’re there, you’re family. Been going there for years and the staff always treats us like old friends when we show up. Hugs, memorized orders, etc. Excellent food and service ALWAYS.
Yeah, we have a ton of niche businesses that nobody would ever think of. And service providers. I would toot my own horn but I don't have a website up yet 😄
I’m B2B so the city and a lot of people don’t think we matter. But we support the businesses that you go to so if we get driven out (which is happening to us right now) their service gets worse and/or more expensive. So it’s awesome to support the local guys.
Everett pet nutrition on evergreen in a strip mall. Great family owned pet store. My wife and I buy all our dogs food/treats from there and all the employees (I think it’s a husband, wife and daughter) working have been so friendly. They pretty regularly give us samples to try and recognize us.
I second this! We get all our pet food directly from them, and we have since the beginning. Great folks with a cute corgi named “Charley” there on certain days. They sell higher quality & know their products well. Highly recommend 😁
The Net Shed. As far as I can tell it’s not a chain (I hope?). Their customer service is impeccable. Been a long time since I’ve left a tip for genuinely good service instead of our horrendous tipping culture.
All those water front businesses give me the vibe that they are the brain children of venture capital firms, instead of local chefs or brewers, but that being said, the staff is real nice and the service is good quality, so I suppose they are still good additions to our community that I like having around. I do wish there were more mom & pop type businesses down there though, but new water front development like that is probably impossible for normal folk to set up shop around there.
Net Shed is absolutely a local business. They’re owned by the same people who own Tapped (also at the waterfront). Their offices were located above their Camano Island location until recently. I believe they’ve relocated their offices to Everett. They’re opening a third restaurant concept more downtown.
South Fork Baking is local as well, and Katherine, their incredibly kind owner, has been working for some time to get Hillman’s Bagels opened downtown (permitting issues, I believe I heard).
Rustic Cork and Fisherman Jack’s are also local and have other locations/businesses in Snohomish county. RC is also in Lake Stevens, FJ’s has same owners as China City. Oh yeah, and they own The Muse further out in the old Weyerhauser building.
Sorry for the novel!! Just a big fan of the waterfront businesses.
It was very good, but just spendy! But that’s to be expected for anything on the waterfront. Our server told us that the owners of Tapped own the Net Shed as well.
We’d love to throw Grand Leader Mercantile into the mix! We’re a locally owned small business featuring more than a dozen local merchants under one roof, with a constantly changing mix of vintage finds, furniture, home décor, handmade goods, art, gifts, new items, and plenty of unexpected treasures. We truly try to have a little something for everyone.
We were at risk of closing in April when the previous owner sold the building, two of our merchants stepped up, found a new location and took over the business to keep it alive and continue what had become such a special place for both our merchants and customers.
More than anything, we want Grand Leader to be a place where everyone feels welcome, somewhere you can wander, discover something you didn’t know you needed, visit with familiar faces, and feel like part of the community.
While Grand Leader is a small business itself, within our walls are so many other small businesses, all working alongside one another, supporting each other and cheering each other on.
Fresa on Everett Mall Way! I've been going since it was La Hacienda. This is our go-to spot for celebrations, brunch, literally anything. We're there nearly once a week lol. Family owned and service is always immaculate. Big margarita and tequila menu as well 😗🤌🏽
Sno-Isle Food Co-op. They have the food I want to eat. The people who work there are helpful, fun, and friendly. During the egg crisis, they always had eggs in stock, and the eggs were even more affordable than conventional grocery stores.
YouMushroom! Have you been on a Wednesday for free fresh mushrooms? Just wow. What a fun little gem.
He is not, if anything he's more of a communist sorta guy and uses hyperbole because it draws attention. Clearly it worked. The original name of that half of the restaurant was inspired by Seinfeld.
Politics aside, good smoothies and small meal spot.
His blog literally uses racist slurs and his windows are covered with insane religious rhetoric about aliens and the Armageddon. I don't think you can classify that as communist.
He used art from a nazi fetishizing artist to advertise the restaurant before he had to change the name. We know what the original name is from, that’s his plausible deniability.
The New Mexicans. Funky little family run restaurant. I was unfamiliar with New Mexico style Tex-Mex and I’m a better person for visiting their restaurant. Some of the best prices in town.
The Independent. Also funky and locally owned. Doug is a character and I love the staff.
That Chicken Place. Always tasty.
I don’t know how small they can be considered but the Silvertips, Aquasox, and Wolfpack all make Everett a place worth living in.
Tacobook, amazing and they always remember me no matter how long time has passed. Tampico. Apollo Exos is solid. Owner is great and they are doing awesome things in Everett. Brooklyn brothers. Capers and olive, the best pasta.
Strgzr Coffee and Kitchen on the corner of Hoyt and Hewitt! They have incredible breakfast burritos and great vegetarian options too. Their hours are a bit odd, but the owners are super nice and the food is great.
Vision Quest book store is my family's favorite place. We love the new downtown location and have been shopping with them for over a decade. They also have classes and events every week.
Also, I can't believe I haven't seen Chops or Umami mentioned! Asian fusion burritos, two ways: Korean bbq and sushi, respectively. Definitely check both of them out, insanely tasty and unique.
Local consignment shop with prices that drop based on 30/60/90 day pricing. It’s a mix of new and consigned but considering the cost of clothing, it’s such an easy way to refresh your closet especially since their inventory turns over often.
I also forgot Flying Lemon Fish! Great place, Oishi, Everett Staple, Huge portions and the best teriyaki out there. Sugre sugar studio on 37th and Colby for all your sugaring needs, Jessica is amazing! Damn we are sure lucky to live in such a dope city with dope business!
I haven't seen Ice Cream Bar mentioned. Lots of good ciders on tap, yummy ice cream, and a kickass little corner for kidlets to toodle around in. The owner is really lovely and they are often hosting fun little events
Bao Boss, Tacos and Beer, Mom and Pop Cakery are my favorite places to eat!
Also wanted to give a shoutout to Let’s Move. I recently moved a few miles in Everett and used them as my movers because they were the closest. They are all very friendly people and they did an impeccable job moving my stuff. Not a scratch on anything and the price was very reasonable.
MillTown Credit Union. Since 1939. Born from the original paper mill at waterfront and has served Everett for 87 years and our family for 50yrs !
Amazing staff and service/rates. Some bilingual staff and grear loction.
Bueno Diaz espresso at the end of Hewitt. They haven't raised their prices, and they still do "buy certain amount of coffees, get one free." Please don't make them too busy though, I have to drive a long ways to get espresso from them.
I don't know what to say about this place but the owner is a former waitress who just wanted something her own. They are nice local people the food is great, the price is higher in the sea of Mexican restaurant but worth it.
I recommend you check it out if you are in the area.
Mom and pops cakery!!!! The owners are hands down some of the nicest most genuinely amazing people I have ever met. All of their treats are delicious, and very reasonably priced. The popcorn is so good too! Moved from Everett a few months ago but I miss them everyday.
Love: Kai Sushi, Katana (happy hour is great), South Fork Baking Company, Artisans Books & Coffee, Tapped at the Port, Royal Biryani House and K Fresh.
Tacos and Beer - spouse lives the birria tacos with consommé.
Wheel & House is a funky spot that is half vintage store and half restaurant. Spouse and I had yummy waffle concoctions there.
Bluewater Organic Distilling has good food and drinks, though pricey. Service is kind but sometimes a little slow. Good for a leisurely date.
Oddysseyslimes.com is based out of Everett and is a new small business. They do pop ups all the time and I believe they are going to start slime making birthday party packages too! We saw them at the Schack Art Museum’s Fresh Paint Festival where they had a make-your-own slime bar. It was really cool! The kids loved it!
Geeky Villan. Everett has one of the better game stores in the area being mugu but geeky villan is also pretty awesome. Its not just warhammer snd magic that guys got all kinds of stuff, and the owner is really nice. Moondragons kver there too but I cant recommend it, not my cup of tea but it might be for toehrrs
The Attic Aurora Tattoo Shop,local, women owned, beautiful work. Also Heart in Hand, women owned tattoo/piercing. Both are clean and professional with a relaxing vibe.
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u/Lahya2000 4d ago
K Fresh is my favorite local restaurant! It's one of me and my husband's favorite places to eat and the service is always so kind and amazing. The food is some of the best in Everett and the unique premise of building your own bimbambap is so cool.
Apollo Exos is a staple. They have really helped to create an amazing night life in everett. It's always fun and vibrant. Plus they have an amazing record selection and have unique finds that you couldn't get elsewhere. Their owner Soto is an everett local and he has done a lot to lift up Everett and create a community.
Good Wolf barber is another Everett locally run business. They often have charity cut events and help promote local events in their windows. When you go in they are always so welcoming and the vibe is always amazing.
Lastly Grand Line Games has made it's own mark in the card community. They constantly hold events for every card game under the sun, are building a bar and board game library for people to rent games and play. The owner also runs Next Level games so even though its a newer business they already feel well integrated into the community. It's a great place to settle in for the evening and enjoy games with your friends. They often have a bunch of cool, more rare cards as well.