Category Archives: Business Beat

In-Something-Out

The logo tells you what to do.

Think of the care In-N-Out Burger has taken to carefully promote its brand. Despite a cult-like demand from potential customers in unserved areas, it has expanded slowly, only adding franchises at a rate that allows it to maintain the quality of its burgers, fries, shakes, and service. But even with corporate advertising, splashy media coverage, a great logo (see screen capture), and my own customer experiences, until last week I was spelling and pronouncing the name incorrectly.

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A Green December

Strip mall sign: big sale at Reef Cannabis

During Black Friday and Cyber Monday retailers try to lure shoppers in with big sales and massive discounts. Reef Cannabis in Bremerton (see photo) also wants to cash in on the holiday shopping season. Reef is having a sale that lasts for the entire month. Perhaps the owners are hoping for a green December.

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In Praise of Frozen Beef Stew

Are Yellowstone entrees as good as the episodes?

Before last week I couldn’t have written a post like this one. Not because frozen beef stew should be avoided, but because I hadn’t tried it.

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TJ’s Greeting Cards

Great cards for 99 cents each

Stamping is a hobby where talented artists create elegant greeting cards for every occasion. But if stamping isn’t your thing and you need that perfect card for a special person or event, the next best thing is to visit the card rack at Trader Joe’s (see photo). It’s my go-to place for greeting cards.

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Local Rite-Aid Closure

Another Kitsap County Rite-Aid has closed.

The black plastic covering the word Pharmacy (see photo) confirms it: This Rite-Aid has closed. That and removal of “Rite-Aid” from the brick-front siding that flanks both sides of the front entrance. Black is for funerals, right? I was left pondering two questions: where will I get my flu and covid shots this fall and what’s next for the corner of National Ave & Kitsap Way in Bremerton?

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Easiest Dryer Repair Ever

Note the new white selector knob.

A few weeks ago my GE dryer died overnight. One day it worked; the next day it wouldn’t start. The resulting repair, professionally done, might approach record territory for its speed and simplicity. Although I’m out almost $200, I’m happy with the result.

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Wild Horse Closure

Wild Horse Visitor Center with wind turbines in the background

This isn’t a secret. The PSE Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center (see photo), located near Ellensburg, Washington, has been closed for at least month and perhaps longer. Recently, though, the message on their web page became more specific and made me realize that the visit I had been planning is a no-go—for 2025 anyway.

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Westside Pizza Lottery

Good logo, better pizza

I don’t mind promoting Westside Pizza in Belfair. Like the other Westside franchises, they make great pizza, and I’m a frequent customer. This week Westside held a pizza lottery. The prize: a free one-topping medium pizza. Let’s look at the odds of winning.

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Mud Bay in Business Names

MudBay Dispenser

In case you didn’t bring a pet waste mitt

The names of at least two Olympia-area businesses are inspired by the Mud Bay that’s located west of the city at the head of Eld Inlet. One, MudBay [pet products], helps advertise its products by providing a dispenser of free pet waste mitts at the Old Ferry Landing park in Gig Harbor (see photo taken last summer). There may be other similar dispensers in the Puget Sound area, but this is the only one I have noticed.
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A Simple Sign

R&H Market Sign

One item per line

I don’t know if R&H Market plans to change its readerboard anytime soon. In case it does, the photo documents the content the sign has displayed since the Obama administration. Despite the simplicity of the message, I was reading it incorrectly. I learned that yesterday when I was in the store buying Mega Millions tickets.
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