a weekly digest for bainbridge business owners and our island community
Please Note: The Bainbridge Vehicle/Vessel Licensing Agent will be on vacation for the week of September 12-16.

Online Renewal Pickups, Fish/Wildlife Licenses and Discover Passes will all still remain available from Chamber staff.
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY NEWS
CH-CH-CHANGES:
WINSLOW MALL REMODEL, NEW BROOKLYN GARDENS, BROWN BEAR CAR WASH PROJECTS BEGIN PLANNING PROCESS
Recent documents filed with the city have revealed plans for potential big changes to Winslow Way, New Brooklyn Rd, and the corner of High School Rd and 305.

  • Canuck Cerise LLC, the new owners of the Winslow Mall plan to remodel, expand, and rebrand the property as 'Winslow Town Center'
  • On New Brooklyn, a 3-story mixed-use building is proposed with 'retail-tainment', music/arts events, health/wellness companies, and professional service tenants united in one location
  • Brown Bear is looking to open a 4-bay touchless car wash plus 4 EV charging stalls in the space that has stood empty since the Chevron Station was demolished in 2015.

It should be noted that all three projects are in their early stages, that designs and details may well be changed, and that they are all just beginning their journey through the city's planning process and opportunities for community input.

NEW KITSAP STATS SHOW HOUSING PRICES UP, AFFORDABILITY DOWN
With median home prices on the rise statewide, the Housing Affordability Index (HAI) is plummeting, making it incredibly hard for a middle-income family to manage mortgage payments on a typical 20% down, 30-year fixed mortgage, according to new data from the Association of Washington Business (AWB).

Between June 2021 and June 2022:
  • Kitsap median home price grew from $506,900 to $575,800.
  • WA median home price grew from $570,820 to $654,500

In Kitsap County, the HAI plummeted to a 4-year low of 64.2 points in June 2022. Prior to 2022, the county’s HAI was above 100 points.

The entire state suffered a severe downturn to 62.2 points in June 2022 from 88.4 points in June 2021.

Image courtesy of BCD
BAINBRIDGE CREATIVE DISTRICT DEBUTS FESTIVAL
Saturday Sept. 10, 11am-10pm
Join The Bainbridge Creative District (recently certified at the state level by ArtsWA) in Waterfront Park this weekend as it presents its inaugural BRIDGE FESTIVAL.

The all-day festival is a celebration of Bainbridge Island’s creative community with multiple stages showcasing live music, performing arts, dance, and artist/artisan craft booths. It will run simultaneously with the annual Quilt Festival at Winslow Green, and the weekly Farmers' Market at Town Square.

Local food vendors include Sauced, Emma & Otto’s, One Two Kai and Aunt Dolly’s, alongside a wine bar, beer garden, interactive art activities for kids, and more.

During the festival, Arts & Humanities Bainbridge and the City will also announce Bainbridge Island’s new Poet Laureate.

This one-day event will act as a preview of a week-long Island-wide celebration in the Fall of 2023.


The Festival is also looking for volunteers to help out on Saturday:

Photo courtesy WSF
RE-PAVING TRIGGERS MORE COLMAN DOCK CHANGES
Work crews are set to pave large portions of Colman Dock from mid-September through October.
 
The work will be done in six stages and will bring changes to slip assignments and where vehicles exit at Marion Street or Yesler Way. In addition, there will be reduced holding capacity on the dock at times.

Paving is weather dependent, and WSF will provide updates as the work proceeds. 

Crews ask that you exercise patience and vigilance as you drive, ride, or walk at Colman Dock during this work. Look for signs directing you to the correct slip and follow terminal staff direction.

Photo courtesy Modern Collision
200 CLASSIC CARS CRUISE-IN, $7K RAISED FOR PROJECT BACKPACK THIS YEAR
The final summer Classic Car Cruise-In hosted by Modern Collision set a new record with almost 200 cars in attendance.

This last event of the 2022 season raised more than $2,500, bringing this year’s total to $7,000 to support Helpline House’s Project Backpack, which serves kids in our community with essential back-to-school supplies.

NEWS IN BRIEF
YOUR INPUT REQUESTED
L&I SEEKS BUSINESS INPUT AHEAD OF JOB LISTINGS IN WA REQUIRING SALARY DISCLOSURE
L&I is asking business and labor communities to provide stakeholder feedback on their draft administrative policy addressing the new Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act.

The act requires all jobs in Washington to post salary information as of January 1, 2023.


All feedback is due by Sept. 16. 
KITSAP BUSINESS SURVEY
Q: Would you support a community-wide 'shop local for the holidays' promotional campaign?
(please select an answer)
Yes
No
Need more information
Recent Results:

Q: How important to your business is revenue from visitors and tourism?

Almost half of the 100+ Island's businesses responding to this survey consider tourism revenues to be very important to their survival, while 25% consider it entirely irrelevant.

Kitsap County-wide, and on Bainbridge , visitor spending is at least somewhat important to around 55% of responding businesses.
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND RESULTS
KITSAP COUNTY RESULTS
284Total Responses
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Winemaker/Owner Alpohnse de Klerk, courtesy Rolling Bay Winery
CROSSCUT/KCTS PROFILES ROLLING BAY WINERY ON NEW SERIES 'MADE THERE'
Rolling Bay Winemaker and Owner Alphonse de Klerk was featured on CrossCut’s “Made There” series, which celebrates small business owners creating local craft food and beverage products in the Northwest.
The commercial photographer turned tenacious winemaker, famed for prolific whites and rich reds, were profiled on KCTS and on the website Aug. 26.

CHAMBER EVENTS & UPDATES
CHAMBER AFTER HOURS HEADS TO MODERN COLLISION
Thursday, Sept. 15, 5:30-7:30pm
Join us for a Classic Edition of Chamber After Hours hosted by Micah & Aaron Strom and the team at Modern Collision Rebuild and Service on Miller Rd in Island Center.

Come chat among the cars, snack on Via Rosa lasagne, and sip tasty beverages from Eleven Winery from 5:30 to 7:30pm!

MEMBER NEWS & EVENTS
BAINBRIDGE QUILT FESTIVAL
Saturday Sept. 10, 10am-4pm
Join in the patchwork of fun at the 10th annual fall quilt festival hosted by the BI Modern Quilt Guild at Winslow Green.

Over 250 works of textile art will be hung from artists located all over Kitsap County.

Viewers can purchase raffle tickets to win an original work created by guild members, vote for the viewer's choice award, and participate in a silent auction to benefit the World Central Kitchen.

Admission is free.

BEACH CLEAN UP 
Saturday Sept. 10, 10am-1pm 
Sustainable Bainbridge is hosting its 7th annual Beach Cleanup.

Individuals or organizations can sign up to clean up a beach or road-end location. There’s also a special prize in a random drawing for craziest piece of trash found or for the most interesting piece of trash upcycled or artcycled.

DEPARTURE DOCK DEDICATION AT JAPANESE AMERICAN EXCLUSION MEMORIAL 
Tuesday Sept. 13, 11am
The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association will soon dedicate the new interpretive Departure Deck artwork.

The piece features rusted steel sculptural pieces by Vaughn, Washington artists Anna Brones and Luc Revel, together with an imposing gate by longtime memorial advocate John Buday. 

The public is invited to attend. 

CLIMATE SMART: BETTER PLANTING ON BAINBRIDGE
Wednesday Sept. 14, 6pm
Join the City's Arborist and Climate Officer on Zoom to talk about all things urban trees: How to choose the right species for the right space, how to plant correctly, and how to care for trees to maximize their success rate.

Learn about tree-related considerations in the City's Climate Action Plan with an in-depth discussion about tree selection, cultural conditions, species diversity, and planting.

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND ROWING’S DREAM BIG AUCTION
Saturday, Sept. 17, 3-7pm
Help current and future rowers by raising a glass and a paddle for Bainbridge Island Rowing’s annual auction and celebration - Dream Big. 

The event is outdoors at Waterfront Park with Paella, music, wine, beer, and good cheer.

This year’s proceeds will all help fund the completion of the 12,000 sq. ft Stan Pocock Legacy Rowing Center.  

BAINBRIDGE BUSINESS ACADEMY
WASHINGTON BIZFAIR
Saturday, Sept 24, 8am-4pm
The 26th Washington State BizFair is FREE with hybrid and in-person options.

Hosted by SCORE, the event:
  • Features speakers that have successfully blazed the small business path
  • Connects you with mentors, advisors and trainers
  • Creates connections to business experts and federal, state, and local government agencies for assistance and contract opportunities
  • Supports meetings with nonprofits that can guide you to funding, legal support, and more

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Photo courtesy Pete Saloutos
2 CITY GRANTS AVAILABLE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29
Lodging Tax Grants: Applications are open for the city's $350,000 lodging tax grants.

Applicants may seek grants for between $2,000 and $175,000 to support tourism marketing efforts, events, and projects.

Individual persons and for-profit, private businesses are not eligible for funding.


Human Services Program Funding:
$660,000 is available to support human services programs that help people meet essential life needs like food, clothing, shelter, and health care.

Applicants are limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofits (but the nonprofits may sponsor projects from individuals or private companies).

JOB & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
FLUFFY RUFF DOG SPA SEEKS FULL-TIME DOG BATHER

THE ISLAND SCHOOL SEEKS EXTENDED DAY ASST, SUBSTITUTES
VIA ROSA 11 SEEKS SALAD + PANTRY COOK

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT SEEKS MULTIPLE POSITIONS
BYS SILVERTECH SQUAD LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BCD'S BRIDGE FESTIVAL ON SEPT. 10

JOIN THE reHOME VOLUNTEER TEAM AT MORALES FARM

Skilled and unskilled volunteers, 18 years or older, are needed to work alongside Clark Construction to build three new structures using repurposed and recycled
materials.

This collaborative community project will help ease our farmer housing
crisis while utilizing new and innovative ideas in green building design and serve as
a model for future affordable housing projects.


LOCAL COVID UPDATES
BAINBRIDGE BIVALENT BOOSTER CLINIC ANNOUNCED FOR SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17
The City of Bainbridge Island, in partnership with the Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Bainbridge Prepares, and the Bainbridge Island Community Pharmacy will be holding a bivalent booster clinic for eligible individuals on Saturday, September 17 at the Commodore Options Lower Gym.

Individuals are considered eligible for this new bivalent booster if they received the initial vaccine series (two Moderna or Pfizer, or one Johnson and Johnson) or the initial vaccine series and subsequent booster vaccinations AND it has been at least two months since their last dose. 

Pfizer appointments are available from 9:30AM to 2PM and Moderna appointments from 2:30 to 5:30 PM.

BY THE NUMBERS: COVID RATES
Current Cases per 100,000
  • Bainbridge Island: 64 (up from 56)
  • Kitsap County: 72 (down from 101)

Bainbridge Cumulative Total Cases
  • 2,678 (16 new since last week)

As of Sept. 1, 2022

Kitsap County External Resources:
FREE CHAMBER MEMBER RESOURCES
VIA ROSA CONFERENCE ROOM:
Seating for 10 people, a 50” video screen + giant whiteboard wall – Avail. for 60 or 120-min sessions


PSE POP-UP SPACE:
6' x 6' space with display stand, power, internet + 43" monitor -
Avail. for 1-week-or-2-week slots.


BROCHURE RACKS:
Newly-expanded capacity for 4x9" promo cards in our indoor and outdoor racks at both Ferry Info Kiosk + Winslow Way Info Desk.


BAINBRIDGE FILMWORKS:
Make your home or business available to film/tv productions via a new WA Filmworks partnership