We’ve all got our favorites. Our go-to pizza place. The trusted plumber we call when things go wrong. Our most-loved eatery to enjoy a meal with our children. And even the vet who gives our pets a clean bill of health.

This winter, hundreds of you took to our website to celebrate those West Sound people and businesses you love, the results of which you will find on the following pages. Go forth and see if your favorites made the list, and don’t forget to join us for our celebratory fête beginning at 6 p.m. on June 9 at the Kitsap Conference Center at Bremerton Harborside.

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Travel

Hotel: Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort
Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort combines exciting gaming, comfortable hotel accommodations, and ample guest service to provide travelers with the ideal stay. “Whether guests are visiting for a weekend getaway, a great meal, live entertainment, or a night on the casino floor, we pride ourselves on creating a welcoming, fun, and memorable experience,” a representative from the resort team said. “From relaxing stays to nonstop action, Clearwater Casino Resort is where locals and visitors alike come to play, stay, and recharge.” Suquamish

Casino: Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, Suquamish

Sports Field: Pendergast Regional Park, Bremerton

Park: Lions Park, Bremerton

Town/City: Poulsbo
Poulsbo is a city where deep cultural roots and Pacific Northwest beauty intertwine. Long before European settlement, the land has been home to the Suquamish people, whose enduring presence and traditions continue to shape the region. Later settled by Norwegian immigrants in the late 1800s, Poulsbo’s nickname, “Little Norway,” is an indication of what culture can be found there. The city proudly celebrates its Nordic heritage through distinctive architecture, annual festivals, and waterfront charm along Front Street. With the Olympic Mountains gracing the horizon and small-town warmth welcoming everyone, Poulsbo is a place where history, culture, and community beautifully coexist.

Marina: Bremerton Marina, Bremerton

Home and Garden

“This is achieved in a manner where every facet of the landscape, from the most prominent structure to the last shrub, will complement each other,” the business’s website states.

Brookside also provides services such as lawn, artificial turf, and irrigation installation, as well as landscape lighting and outdoor audio. Various locations

Kitchen & Bath: Creekside Cabinet & Design Inc.
For more than 20 years, Creekside Cabinet & Design Inc. has focused on providing quality cabinetry and design services to Kitsap County and the larger Puget Sound region. The five-member team boasts a combined 100-plus years of experience, most of which have worked together for more than 30 years. The group offers various levels of cabinetry depending on customers’ needs, such as modestly priced stock cabinets and semi-custom cabinets, as well as fully custom cabinets that offer no limits when it comes to design. Silverdale

Business and Services

Credit Union: Kitsap Credit Union
Kitsap Credit Union has been serving its community since 1934 as a member-owned institution, and today, it has grown to more than 162,000 members across Western Washington. In 2025, the credit union’s philanthropic arm, KCUCares Foundation, donated roughly $229,000 to more than 60 local nonprofits and, as an institution, saw one of its strongest years for lending in its recent history.

“Every decision is focused on supporting members’ financial well-being, combining modern digital banking with personalized, relationship-driven service to deliver a trusted experience that built loyalty and fueled growth for more than nine decades,” a representative of Kitsap Credit Union said. Various locations

Law Firm: Witt Law Group
At Witt Law Group, Ryan and Jennifer Witt are not only law partners but also spouses who have worked together to serve their local community for nearly 25 years. “Our story began in the law library where it was ‘love at first sight,’” Jennifer quipped. “Since day one, we’ve been inseparable and built a firm grounded in shared values and a commitment to the people that we represent.” Today, the firm specializes in criminal defense and personal-injury cases and, according to Jennifer, the duo seeks to approach each client with a “person first” mentality. “Working as a unified team, we approach each case with the diligence, collaboration, and personal concern of a family member because, to us, that’s exactly what the firm stands for.” Various locations

Accounting Firm: May Principles LLC, Port Orchard

Bank: Kitsap Bank, Various locations

Nonprofit: Bremerton Historic Ships Association
The Bremerton Historic Ships Association was originally formed in the late ’80s solely to house the retired U.S. Navy ship, the USS Turner Joy, named after Charles Turner Joy, a Naval captain who was instrumental overseas during World War II and the Korean War. Initially, the battleship — which was built in Seattle in the ’50s — was anchored near the former Bremerton Marina before an access pier was built. Today, the ship and its gift shop see around 40,000 visitors a year from all 50 states and about 35 countries, according to the association’s President, John Hanson. The ship is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March to October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November to February. Bremerton

Jewelry Store: Blue Heron Jewelry Co.
At Blue Heron Jewelry Co., customers can find a carefully curated selection, but the store’s expertise lies in colored gemstone rings, necklaces, earrings, and its growing selection of natural diamonds. The store’s owner, Megan Cooper, bought the store about five years ago after working as its manager for 14 years prior. This year marks the store’s 37th year in business, purportedly making it also one of the longest-tenured businesses in downtown Poulsbo. Cooper’s long-term goal for the business is to continue to develop the store’s loose diamond selection, bridal department, its custom design services, and bring in more “Blue Heron-designed” collections that won’t be found anywhere but inside the store.

“I’m passionate about jewelry as precious objects to mark special emotional occasions in people’s lives,” she said. Poulsbo

Kids and Education

Candy Shop: Amy’s Decadent Chocolates
Amy Jablonski first learned her chocolate-crafting skills from her mother while growing up in Michigan. She officially began her chocolate journey by sharing her creations first with friends and family before deciding to sell at local farmers markets and events. Eventually, she felt the pull to open her own store, and with the aid of a Kitsap development grant, she was able to purchase a storefront and open the door to Amy’s Decadent Chocolates in 2006. She is happy to share her mother’s recipes with as many people as possible and hopes her chocolate will continue bringing joy to the community for years to come. Bremerton

Daycare: Martha & Mary Kids, Silverdale

Food and Drink

Restaurant to take the kids: Family Pancake House
Family Pancake House aptly defines itself in its name: it’s a perfect breakfast spot for families. Since its establishment in 1963, the business has expanded to five different locations across northwest Washington. The menu includes Swedish pancakes, various egg dishes, fresh salmon, and more — all available throughout the day. Beverages include old-fashioned milkshakes, root beer floats, and hot coffee. Various locations.

Restaurant (when someone else is paying): Burrata Bistro, Poulsbo

Mexican: Mezcalitos Mexican Restaurant, Bremerton and Poulsbo

Italian: Sogno di Vino, Poulsbo

Brunch: Maynard’s Restaurant, Silverdale

Lunch: Old Town Kitchen
When Donna Prior purchased what was formerly known as Monica’s Waterfront Bakery in 2025, she knew she was taking over more than just a business.

“I have so much respect for the relationships that were built within these walls and wanted to honor that history while bringing my own vision to life,” Prior said. “Old Town Kitchen is that next chapter.” Her goal wasn’t just to change the sign on the door, but to grow the space into something that felt both fresh and familiar. “OTK is my commitment to this community. It’s a space built for lingering over a second cup of coffee, connecting with neighbors, and feeling right at home — one shared moment at a time.” Silverdale

Wine Shop/Bar: Preservation Natural Wines, Poulsbo

Brewery: Silver City Brewery, Bremerton

Liquor Store: Total Wine & More, Various locations

Deli Sandwiches: Big Joe’s Sandwich Shop, Bremerton

Steak/Prime Rib: Crabtree Kitchen + Bar, Poulsbo

Desserts: Ma Facon TR, Poulsbo

Burger: Grub Hut
Grub Hut has been feeding Kingston and the larger Kitsap area for more than 17 years. The eatery specializes in a wide variety of burgers but is also known for its pork and smoked beef sandwiches, gyros, and meal-sized salads. Grub Hut offers new specials each week, home-made soup and chili each day, and has more than 30 milkshake flavors. “We are a family-friendly gathering place trying to serve great food at a price that works for families and working folks’ budgets,” owner Sean Pickard said. Kingston

Pizza: Sourdough Willy’s 
Sourdough Willy’s is Will Grant’s 10th restaurant and represents the culmination of a lifetime spent studying food and honing his craft. At just 10 years old, Grant accompanied his family on a European holiday to learn about restaurant culture, a time when he fondly recalls eating nothing but Margherita pizzas for two months straight. Later, he apprenticed with five different master chefs and earned the “Best Pizza in the Nation” title from the World Pizza Champions for his Gorgonzola vegetarian pizza. Although the eatery is most known for its pizza, Grant encourages visitors to explore other menu options, citing in particular his father’s meatball recipe.

“Sourdough culture, to me, is kind of growing love and sharing that love with my community,” Grant said. Kingston

Barbecue: BBQ2U 
Gary Parker, “pit master” and founder of BBQ2U, has set a high standard for barbecue in the West Sound. The eatery, which is known for hand-slicing every order, initially struggled to keep up with growing demand. Since Parker is adamant about preserving the business’s quality above all else, he fine-tuned their operations to ensure that customers will always be getting hot, fresh food. Wanting to provide the community with more than just food, Parker made the choice, alongside his marketing coordinator Lucy Rau, to open the restaurant’s lobby to local artists and authors in 2020. This initiative is now officially coined “The Author’s Corner” and contributes to the vibrancy of the eatery’s atmosphere. Gig Harbor

Coffee: All Star Espresso, Silverdale

Bakery: Sluys’ Poulsbo Bakery, Poulsbo

Health and Wellness

Spa: Admire Medical Aesthetics, Silverdale

Optometrist: Dr. Scott Brase of Island Family Eyecare, Bainbridge Island

Senior Care: Martha & Mary
For more than 135 years, Martha & Mary has provided Kitsap County with quality, community-focused senior care. The organization offers in-home care, memory care nursing, independent and assisted senior living communities, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

“Winning both Best Senior Care and Best Child Daycare is fitting as Martha & Mary is known for its unique intergenerational program that brings preschoolers and senior residents together for meaningful, shared experiences,” marketing and communications director Kristine Grant said. “These interactions enrich both generations and reflect the organization’s commitment to community connection.” Various locations

Salon: Bon Cheveux Salon & Spa
While the salon officially opened more than 25 years ago, its current owner, Christina Black, purchased the salon in 2019 and feels honored to carry its legacy in the Poulsbo community. Bon Cheveux uses German-made Goldwell products, and with its team of ten stylists, two estheticians, and a natural nail technician, it offers men and women cut and color services, hair extensions, a menu of hair treatments aimed at repair and maintenance, nail services, and more.

“Community involvement is very important to us, and we’re committed to supporting the area we call home,” Black said. Poulsbo

Mani/Pedi: NBAR Nails & Spa, Silverdale

Arts and Entertainment

Book Store: Saltwater Bookshop
Saltwater Bookshop is a dream realized by life-long bookseller Madison Duckworth, but her shop’s story begins next door, inside Borrowed Kitchen Bakery. According to Duckworth, the store’s origin story was as simple as suggesting to her friend, “Let’s put books in the bakery and see what happens.” The tomes sold so well that when the opportunity to rent out the adjoining space arose, Duckworth took the leap and opened Saltwater Books. 

“We’re the first new bookstore Kingston has had in probably 30 years,” she said. Although Saltwater became a separate business, the bakery and bookstore remain connected. As Duckworth said, “We stuck a hole in the wall between the two spaces so you can get coffee and come wander.” Kingston

“I think it’s really important to be able to transport the viewer into those spaces and I like them to be able to get an emotional connection and really feel what it’s like to be there,” she said. She wants clients to see their finished images and feel a spark of pride and aspires to, “make them feel sort of in awe, like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s my stuff — it looks so great!’”

Barrow’s goal is to not only take an aesthetically inspiring photo, but one that also captures the designer’s capabilities and skills. Bainbridge Island