Welcome to the December edition of Kitsap Business. This month, we close out the year with a set of stories that highlight something essential about our region: the future of Kitsap’s economy is being built—not by abstract forces or distant markets—but by the people who choose to invest their time, talent, and conviction right here at home.
Across the county, you’ll find businesses that are entering new eras, embracing change, and shaping what it means to grow with purpose. Some are revitalizing long-established institutions. Others are stepping into ownership for the first time. Still others are proving that creativity and community values can propel even the smallest enterprise into something deeply impactful.
In Poulsbo, Caffe Cocina CEO Eric Mahler shares the often-unseen realities of entrepreneurship, describing a journey that began with a family dream and unfolded into a multi-location brand built on education, connection, and a fierce commitment to craft. His story offers a reminder that businesses don’t evolve by accident—they evolve through leadership willing to adapt, learn, and stay grounded in community.
On Bainbridge Island, Eleven Winery begins a new chapter under three longtime employees who now co-own the business. Their transition represents more than a change in leadership; it underscores how culture, collaboration, and shared purpose can shape a company’s identity as much as the product itself. As they prepare to expand into Bremerton, they’re proving that approachability and joy can be strategic advantages in a competitive market.
In Bremerton, F.R.O.G. Soap is redefining what sustainability can look like at a neighborhood level. Owners Andi Buescher and Greg Stanek are carrying forward a beloved brand while sharpening its environmental mission and strengthening its ties to local producers and makers. Their story is a case study in how small businesses—especially those rooted in craft—can help shape the values of a downtown corridor.
A few miles away, Minder Meats begins a bold new phase under the ownership of Noo-Kayet Investments, the enterprise arm of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. What began decades ago as a family operation is now positioned to become a regional anchor for meat and seafood processing, providing new opportunities for fishermen, farmers, and longtime employees alike. It’s a rare example of a legacy business transitioning in a way that honors its past while expanding its capacity to serve the community.
In Port Orchard, Brothers Greenhouses continues to thrive as both a garden center and a place of discovery. Under the stewardship of Marilyn Davis and Sam Maupin, the nursery blends horticultural expertise with whimsical experiences—from Hobbit houses to nature trails—that pull people into a deeper relationship with the natural world. As interest in sustainable gardening grows, so does the nursery’s influence as a community educator.
And at Olympic College, the OC Foundation demonstrates how philanthropy, when rooted in local understanding, can transform lives at scale. With rising student need across the county, the Foundation is expanding scholarships, food and housing assistance, and support for emerging healthcare and athletic programs. Their work underscores an often-overlooked truth: a thriving regional economy depends on accessible education and the pathways it creates.
Taken together, these stories reflect a powerful throughline: Kitsap’s future is being built through leadership that is hands-on, community-centered, and deeply invested in place. Growth here doesn’t come from chasing trends—it comes from tending to roots, honoring local history, and trusting that thoughtful, intentional work can move an entire region forward.
As always, it’s our privilege to share these stories with you. They remind us that progress doesn’t always arrive with fanfare. Sometimes it looks like a new roastery coming to life, a trio of leaders raising a glass in a tasting room, a handmade bar of soap curing on a shelf, or a nursery worker tending to seedlings in winter light.
These are the choices that shape the Kitsap economy—steady, local, and built to last.
Terry Ward
Publisher, Kitsap Business
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