Welcome.
This is our second edition of Faces of Skagit County, a magazine that helps promote local businesses by featuring a “Face” of a specific business type (ex: “Face of Family Dentistry”). On the following pages you will find stories of your friends and neighbors in Skagit County. Faces of Skagit County is what we call Native Advertising in the publishing industry. This means that each “Face of” is a sponsored page and paid for by that advertiser. Our magazine provides an opportunity for our community and subscribers to see the “Faces” of respective businesses. In some cases connecting readers to businesses that they may not have been familiar with.
Our goal is for our readers to enjoy learning more about some of the people behind the businesses that make our community thrive. Hopefully it will create a better sense of community and encourage more of us to shop local. Let us know what you think of our second edition.
Selections for Faces 2025 start now. Email ads@skagitads.com for more information.
Michael Distelhorst Publisher SKAGIT PUBLISHING
THE FACES OF Better Hearing
Diane Fox started All About Hearing in May, 2003 with the intention of offering the kind of customer service that her own mother deserved with sincere care, compassion, and respect. She said, “I started the business after working for a local hearing clinic almost 10 years prior. I believe what sets us above other clinics is that we have the mindset that we offer better hearing healthcare, not just hearing aids.”
The clinic offers the highest quality hearing devices along with the best customer service in Skagit Valley. In addition to hearing aids, they make custom ear plugs for swimming and sleeping, and musicians’ ear monitors. The clinic accepts third party insurers such as TruHearing, United Health Care, and others that allow subscribers to purchase hearing aids at drastically reduced prices while paying low fitting fees to clinics. Diane explained, “While this arrangement is not financially advantageous for our business, at the end of the day our priority is the patient, and our decision is to put their healthcare above our reimbursement.”
Diane understands what her patients need on a personal level as she is hearing-impaired herself and wears hearing aids. “Being hearing aid wearers means that we get it. We understand their issues and we know how to help,” she said.
As the last remaining independent hearing clinic in Skagit
Valley, All About Hearing is not beholden to any single vendor, which gives them the ability to choose the best overall solution for each individual that comes into the office. “Hearing loss is unique to each individual and so are their needs, budget, and expectations,” said Diane.
Diane believes she owes a lot of the clinic’s success to their great support staff. “From the person who answers the phone and sets your appointment, keeping us on task and organized, to our bookkeeper who’s on top of literally every aspect of keeping our business flowing, to the two providers that are board certified specialists who spend the necessary time with each patient to find the best solution to their individual problem; it’s a team effort”, she said.
All About Hearing is a family business. Diane’s son Steven works alongside her as a board-certified hearing specialist helping to treat patients, and her grandson wants to work with his dad when he grows up. Her dog, Nellie, works as the official office greeter. If you look closely, you will see that her nails are painted (she’s a bit of a diva). When Diane isn’t working, she volunteers around the county as a Kiwanian. She’s also a rabid Seahawks fan.
All About Hearing is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
THE FACE OF Relaxation
Anna Holm started working at the spa at the Majestic in 2009 as a receptionist, when it was “The Chrysalis at the Majestic.” When she graduated from esthetics school in 2010, she worked there as an esthetician before she was given the opportunity to buy the business. “I was in the right place at the right time. My husband Ben and I took over the business on July 1, 2011. In 2017 we purchased the old Knutzen Building in downtown Burlington and renovated the first floor for our second location. The spa in Burlington was opened in 2019, and we added Wild Valley Apothecary in the Burlington building in 2020. Wild Valley Apothecary is a retail shop with bulk herbs, teas, and spices, housewares, and fun gifts made by local artisans.”
In addition to running the spa, Anna started teaching at Evergreen Beauty College in downtown Mount Vernon at the beginning of 2023 as their esthetics instructor. She said, “I love teaching and applying my skills and knowledge in a new way. I want to help develop my students and provide them with the tools necessary to become successful professionals.”
The spa offers massage, facials, waxing, and body treatments at both locations. The Anacortes location has a eucalyptus steam room, and the Burlington location has a salt
room, infrared sauna, and a float tank.
The Apothecary Spa is known for its excellent customer service. “Healing has always been my passion and by building an amazing spa team I am able to reach a larger audience. I employ 18 service professionals, all with different backgrounds and certifications, so we truly have something for everyone. I am incredibly proud of my team; we have won over 30 awards, and most of my team has been with me for six to 10 years”, Anna said.
Anna has certifications in Crystal Healing, Herbalism, Aromatherapy, and Soul Realignment. When not at the spa you will find her gardening, working on her 120-year-old house, or volunteering in the community.
Did you know? The Majestic Inn was built in 1890, it was the McNaught Building, and was originally a mercantile. In 1904, a team of horses rolled it on logs to its present location after the owners realized the center of commerce was going to be in that location, not where the building was originally constructed. It has survived two major fires and has been restored to its original historic charm.
The Apothecary Spa is open Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Burlington location is closed on Sundays)
THE FACES OF Excavation Services
Land management has a long and valued history in the Pacific Northwest, and for over 20 years Baxter Excavation & Tree Removal LLC has provided a wide variety of related services to to Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, and Island Counties for both residential and commercial customers.
Headquartered in Burlington, the company was founded by Mathew Baxter, and its expertise encompasses a wide gamut of services related to land clearing, including brush clearing, tree and stump removal, forestry mulching, blackberry removal, and timber harvesting. In addition, Baxter also has capabilities in demolition, site prep, driveways, roads, drainage, grading, trenching, and dig-outs, as well as culvert installs, erosion management and control, and emergency services.
Mathew attributes his company’s consistent annual growth to its expanding team of reliable and dedicated staff. “Experience is very important when dealing with heavy machinery,” he says. “There are so many factors involved in
not just getting the job done right, but doing it in a timely and cost effective way while keeping the safety of people and property as a priority. In our industry, you truly do get what you pay for.”
Baxter Excavation & Tree Removal also helps customers navigate the complexities of permitting processes, and Matthew is involved in multiple local organizations and community support groups that benefit the communities it serves.
“Most of the timber we collect from projects throughout the year that is not sold to local mills is stored, dried, then split and distributed to families in need during the winter months,” Mathew says. “We also sponsor a local race team… so come out to the races one of these days and join the fun at the Skagit Speedway!”
A detailed breakout of cities served by Baxter on a countywide basis is available on the company’s website at baxterexcavation.com
Baxter Excavation & Tree Removal I 962 South Spruce Street, Burlington I 360-899-8468 I baxterexcavation@gmail.com
THE FACES OF Legal Services
Joseph D. Bowen has been in private legal practice since 1989 and founded Joseph D. Bowen, Attorney at Law, P.S. in 1991. Mr. Bowen brings decades of experience as a complex litigator, local advisor, and an advocate for the individual and small business. The law firm provides legal services in the areas of estate planning, motor vehicle accidents, personal injury, real estate, business planning and development, arbitration, mediation, and civil law.
Mr. Bowen has a unique personal background and history. He is a member of the Upper Skagit Tribe, a recognized elder and storyteller, and keeper of an honored traditional name inherited from a noted ancestor. He is a graduate of Mount Vernon High School who went on to attend Harvard University followed by the University of Washington School of Law. In addition to his law practice, he has served as judge pro tem and mediator for Lummi Tribal Court and justice pro tem for Lummi Court of Appeals. He has also served as a local arbitrator and provides pro bono service in matters of Indian law and non-profit corporations. He has served as a guest instructor in Constitutional Law at Skagit Valley College and in Indian Law at Northwest Indian College. Joe began dreaming of being a lawyer as a little boy, driven
by his passion for advocacy and desire to serve. His wife, Lindsey Bowen, has served as treasurer and office manager for 15 years. Together, Joe and Lindsey have been heavily involved in the theatre arts community, directing, producing, acting, and developing strong relationships through the arts.
Joe has a great love for the community, as shown through his leadership involvement in a wide variety of local organizations, including the Skagit County Substance Abuse Coalition, the Skagit County Community Action Agency, the Mount Vernon High School Scholarship Foundation, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Skagit County, where he served as president. He is also a past-president of the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon, former head coach of MV Top Dog Wrestling Club, and past-president of META Performing Arts. Joe is a current board member and past chair of Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending, a native Community Development Financial Institution. He is also a current board member of the Lincoln Theater Foundation. During the Tulip Festival you’re likely to see him cooking at the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue. The law firm is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
THE FACES OF Old-Fashioned Taverns
The Brown Lantern Tavern is the longest standing bar in Anacortes, celebrating 90 years of serving up great food, drinks, and service to the community. Locals and tourists alike come for a delicious meal, refreshing drinks, weekly events, and live music on the weekends in a comforting, laid-back atmosphere.
Located in the heart of downtown Anacortes, the decades-old pub is a family-owned establishment owned by the Rogers family. The business was originally opened in 1933, shortly after Washington voters overturned prohibition laws. While the establishment was opened in a different era, a few things have remained constant: the tavern’s charm and old-fashioned feel along with a long list of tasty foods, refreshing drinks, and welcoming service.
Owner Cheryl Rogers said the staff is determined to preserve this local old-fashioned tavern for many generations to come. “We provide satisfying meals at reasonable prices, using only the freshest ingredients of the highest quality,” she said, “and we always maintain the unique surroundings that make the Brown Lantern a favorite spot for so many wonderful people.”
Over the decades, the Brown Lantern Tavern has become a cornerstone for community gathering and the “go-to” spot for people waiting for the ferry. And it’s no wonder, with its oldstyle cozy atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. The
friendly, attentive servers are part of the experience.
With its extensive menu, there is something for every taste. Love seafood? There is classic pub fare like fish and chips, oyster shooters, and beer battered prawns. If you’re more in the mood for a burger (the tavern has multiple awards for Skagit Valley’s best burger) or sandwich, Reubens, street tacos, sliders, or south-of-the-border burgers might be up your alley. There are also delicious soups and salads, and even kid-favorites like the Little German Burger. Guests also enjoy the flavorful sides like creamy mac-and-cheese wedges and vegetarian options like Greek sliders. For anyone who’s saved room for dessert, there are tasty treats like blueberry cheesecake, chocolate torte, or apple pie.
Beyond the food, there’s an extensive list of local beers, ciders, wine, and cocktails. Happy Hour specials are 3 p.m.-6 p.m. every day and 9 p.m. to close on Sundays and Mondays. There is seating inside at the bar or tables, as well as on the heated patio where dogs are welcome. There is service in the beer garden every Friday and Saturday. Kids are welcomejust make sure you sit on the family side!
The Brown Lantern Tavern has been a part of the Anacortes community for almost a century, and will continue to serve Skagit County for many more years to come. Dine in, takeout, and delivery available.
THE FACES OF Pizza
Opened by Nick and Kathy Tsoulouhas back in April, 1975, Cascade Pizza is a family-run business through and through. It is still locally owned and operated to this day – nearly 50 years later – and is one of the only remaining restaurants with its original owners for that many years in Skagit County. In 2000, son John and his wife Francine Tsoulouhas joined as second-generation co-owners to help manage the restaurant.
Cascade pizza is a full-service restaurant with a welcoming family atmosphere. It serves about 30 different pizzas and a build-your-own option, 16 grinders, nine different types of salads, 13 Italian pasta dishes, a few favorite Greek dishes, and more. Kids five and under can order free spaghetti every day and there is free soda for the whole family on Family Sunday!
For those looking for an adult-only experience (21 and over), there is a beer, wine, and spirits lounge separated from the main family-friendly dining area. The lounge offers a full menu and happy hour specials.
“All our food is made fresh and in house”, said John. “We are proud to serve delicious food to the community. Whether you are planning a date night or a family night, Cascade Pizza is the place for you!”
Cascade Pizza supports the community through donations to all high school and private club sports teams and they do not charge school sports teams to use the banquet facilities for meetings.
The restaurant is open for dine-in or delivery to Sedro-Woolley, Clear Lake, and Burlington. They are closed Mondays, and open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
THE FACE OF Quality Painting
Derrick Geffe grew up in the construction business, and his early childhood memories include hanging out at job sites. As he began taking on jobs of his own, people would compliment him on his attention to detail — so it was no surprise that when he launched his full-service painting company in 2019, he named it after the attribute he was most noted for.
Drawing on Derrick’s construction background, Details Painting & Woodcare provides a “one stop shop” approach to residential repainting projects, with services that range from cedar and cabinet staining to moss removal and rot repair, gutter cleaning, wallpaper removal and application — all of which are covered by a 5-year workmanship warranty that applies to both the services and products used. On exteriors, Details LLC applies 45-50 year caulking on soffits, batting, trim seams, soffit vents and entryways.
A more recent service for which Details has seen a growing demand is commercial and residential epoxy flooring in a variety of colors and flaking.
Details uses 100% eco-friendly products and prides itself in leaving the job site cleaner than they found it. Project size is no obstacle for Derrick’s team, which recently completed a 24-unit condominium project in Anacortes.
All Details projects begin with a thorough consultation from Derrick, who also holds a degree in business management.
“We work hard to educate people on the products and solutions we use, and we provide an extensive bid packet that explains everything from start to finish so there are no surprises between estimate and final cost.”
“What we do for our customers transforms how they look at their homes and businesses,” says Derrick, “and what I find most gratifying are the smiles on people’s faces when they see the finished job.”
Details LLC’s hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To contact Derrick directly, call 360-293-6578. To reach the shop, call 256-499-6705.
THE FACE OF
Appliances
eWaard & Bode has been in business for almost 80 years. After eight decades, the business has developed a solid reputation within the community. Although they might not sell tires or TVs anymore,since they originally opened, they do have an extensive line of appliances, mattresses and more.
The orginal Kredit DeWaard store opened in 1941 in Lynden, Wash., and sold everything from tires to home appliances in Whatcom County. In 1946, Kredit retired and Rube Bode joined his brother-in-law, Jake DeWaard, to form DeWaard & Bode. Over the years, their company’s focus shifted to solely selling and servicing major appliances. They quickly became the leading retailer in the area and earned the title “The Appliance Giants.”
Under new ownership in 2000, DeWaard & Bode expanded into a larger warehouse on Hannegan Road in Bellingham where the service and parts departments and appliance outlet center were located.
In 2010, DeWaard & Bode’s flagship Bellingham location opened and became the largest appliances and mattress showroom in Whatcom County.
Six years later, DeWaard & Bode launched a brand-new showroom and outlet center north of Seattle in Burlington to meet growing demand in Skagit and Island Counties.
Over the years, one thing has never changed: the business’s commitment to helping customers turn their house into a home. From selection to service, financing, warranties, delivery and installation, DeWaard & Bode does it all.
“We understand the value and importance of a place to rest your head, gather and live life,” said owners Jerry and Dorene, “and we know that when your house truly feels like your home, life is just so much better.”
At DeWaard & Bode, they offer nearly 30 name brands and competitive pricing. Their team members are hard-working, knowledgeable, dependable and experienced with many years of employment.
DeWaard & Bode are the trusted experts with better service, better selection and better prices. They’re the one-stopshop for kitchen appliances, mattresses, grills and much more. DeWaard & Bode | 1611 S. Burlington Blvd., Burlington | 3944 Meridian Street and 4175 Hannegan Road, Bellingham | 360--733-5900 | DewaardandBode.com
THE FACES OF Non-Profit/Community
There’s a time honored wisdom in the adage about the difference between giving someone a fish and teaching them to fish. It’s one that has guided the evolution of Helping Hands Food Bank since its beginnings in a Sedro-Woolley church basement in the 1970s. Starting with a handful of volunteers whose goal was to mitigate the suffering they witnessed in their community, it has not only expanded its core mission of feeding those in need but has also addressed the more endemic causes of that need.
Today, Helping Hands supports communities beyond food distribution through job skills programs, services for veterans and the aging, and assistance in navigating local resources and programs that help stabilize people in crisis while breaking the stigma and shame associated with needing that help.
Helping Hands Food Bank’s primary location and home to its Solutions Center is the “Big Red Barn” at the corner of Fruitdale and Wicker in Sedro-Woolley, but 2023 saw a big push to increase access to its services across all its current locations in cooperation with other local entities.
“We’ve been able to expand our homeless outreach program in the east county where fewer resources are avail-
able,” says Helping Hands CEO Rebecca Skrinde. “This includes working with the sheriff’s department to identify people who would benefit from our case management skills.”
Helping Hands receives only two percent of its funding from government sources, but its non-profit status gives it access to government resources. As an example, the organization recently partnered with the city of Mount Vernon on a matching funds grant that it used to help senior citizens at risk with everything from keeping them housed to providing them with eye glasses.
“We don’t have any red tape because we’re not government funded,” Skrinde says. “I get to spend money on whatever it is that people really need at any given moment, whether its food, a tank of gas, paying a utility bill, or helping with rent.
Helping Hands Food Bank remains committed to alleviating suffering in our communities through volunteers, donors, and partners who are dedicated to helping folks do more than just survive. We want to help them thrive.”
Drop-off donations are welcome at the Big Red Barn in Sedro-Woolley Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm, except on holidays or during inclement weather.
THE FACES OF Locally Owned Pharmacy
n an age of Big Box retail pharmacies, it may come as a surprise that a locally-owned, full-service pharmacy can thrive after more than 40 years. Such is the case, however, with Hilltop Pharmacy, which takes its name from its location on E. Division Street in Mount Vernon.
Established in 1980, the independent pharmacy’s success is hardly a mystery to either its owners, Kevin and Deana Bingham, or to the physicians and their patients that he and his staff serve, and it has been a multi-year recipient of “Best of the Northwest” awards for Whatcom, Skagit, and Island Counties.
“We believe that being a local, independent pharmacy means providing healthcare services to our patients that are customized to meet their needs,” Bingham says. “We offer all the medications and services of a modern pharmacy while providing friendly, personalized service. And as an independent pharmacy we can make decisions in the moment as to what is best for patients.”
Hilltop Pharmacy offers numerous products and services including medication adherence, durable medical equipment, medication therapy management, immunizations, Medicare open enrollment, and medication synchronization. They provide the latter service through what are known as medi-sets — packaging that opens like a book with convenient punch-out dosing that simplifies medication management.
There are other advantages to being a customer of Hilltop Pharmacy. Its location puts it in close proximity to Skagit Valley Hospital and area clinics, it has a drive-up window (it was one of the first pharmacies in Washington to provide this convenience), and offers call-text when prescriptions are ready as well as a mobile app, auto-refill options, and plenty of parking.
Most important, however, Hilltop Pharmacy has a dedicated staff that takes time to listen to their customers’ needs. “We have a team that is friendly, professional, efficient, experienced, and always helpful,” says Bingham. “We can help patients navigate the ever-changing medical payment system as well as identify lower cost prescription alternatives.”
Bingham has a distinguished pedigree in the pharmaceutical business. He had wanted to be in healthcare since attending Burlington High School. He previously owned Skagit Valley Pharmacy before purchasing Hilltop, where he had interned while attending University of Washington’s School of Pharmacy. During the COVID pandemic, Hilltop Pharmacy went through a major renovation inspired by Deana, and Kevin invites folks to come and admire its updated industrial look and experience the difference that an independently owned pharmacy can make in their lives.
Hilltop Pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm.
THE FACE OF Indulge Bakery
Indulge Bakery was founded by Christine Greenlaw, who had dreamed of opening her own bakery since age eight. She pursued her dream by attending culinary school, working, and saving until she was ready to open Indulge. Indulge Bakery opened in October 2018 and quickly became a community favorite. Known for its cozy atmosphere and commitment to quality, Indulge Bakery is not just a place for food but a community gathering spot where memories are made and shared. It offers a variety of scratch made baked goods, including pastries, as well as delicious paninis, soups, smoothies, and espresso and tea.
Christine explained, “Indulge Bakery provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere with friendly and helpful staff where customers can enjoy delicious baked goods and meet up with a friend. Nowhere else can you find such a large variety of scratch made desserts, paninis, and whole fruit smoothies.”
Christine has a strong focus on employee development, retention, and especially in mentoring young women in business and customer service. Through Christine’s entrepreneurial spirit and the dedication of her staff, Indulge has
won the hearts of the local community and received multiple awards in their first five years of business.
Did you know? Indulge Bakery faced a major setback due to an electrical fire in October, 2023 but is on a path to rebuild. Though the bakery is not currently open, Christine and her team are united in building back even better than before. Their community impact has been reflected through an outpouring of support for the bakery during reconstruction. Indulge has a GoFundMe: @Rebuild-Indulge-Bakery. Any donations are greatly appreciated and will be used for employee wages.
Despite the recent tragedy, Christine and her team have continued to look forward to a bright future for the bakery and their family. Christine and Zane recently welcomed a new addition to the family with the arrival of their baby girl in December.
Once the store re-opens, guests will be able to visit in person, as well as place online orders and custom orders. The bakery’s regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
THE FACES OF Electrical Services
Steve Ferris took over Integrity Electric Skagit, LLC on 3/1/2016 from his father Steve Ferris who had founded the business in 2003. His father primarily focused on service work in Skagit, Island, and Whatcom County, always staying busy due to his high standards that coincided with the name of the company, and the quality of work he provided. The son Steve came up through the union apprenticeship, primarily working in schools and hospitals down south before he was hired at Tesoro refinery. It was there that he earned his Journeyman license in 2014.
“In 2016 I decided to purchase the company from my dad who was deciding to retire. My goal was to not only grow the company, but to never forget about the small jobs/mom and pops who need help troubleshooting. This is where we started and we don’t want to forget where we came from.”
Today the business offers electrical installations for residential/commercial new construction and remodels alongside its service division that does remodels and house/business troubleshooting calls.
Steve places a high priority on excellent customer service.
“We take pride in our communications with our custom-
ers. Our office staff does an amazing job communicating any updates or changes in scope to provide a clear picture throughout the project. And we always provide quality craftsmanship. Each of our field electricians are highly trained. The line of work we go after involves a lot of high-level thinking and we must employ the right electricians to make this happen”, he said.
In addition, the business has top notch employee retention. “You will get the same electrician for your work for many years if you hire us. In a time where employees are jumping around, we at Integrity Electric strive to treat our employees the same way we treat our customers”, Steve elaborated.
Customers have come to depend on Integrity Electric for its variety of quality services. Said Steve, “You can call us for everything from wiring a new commercial building for the city to help wiring a custom house, 200 apartments, or 10 track houses. In the same breath, customers can call us the same day because their bathroom light went out and we can dispatch an electrician to fix it ASAP.”
Look for the vans with the black and yellow logo! The business is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
THE FACE OF Auto Sales
Connor Ryan, a Burlington-Edison High School Alumni, is one of the Generation Xers who left the area for college, but then returned to become a successful local businessperson, as co-owner of the Jerry Smith Chevrolet-Kia Auto Group and the “Face of Auto Sales” in Skagit County.
It all started back in the early 1900s when the Standard Oil station was located in downtown Anacortes. Eventually, that business became a one-car showroom called Seaside Chevrolet. Jerry Smith bought that dealership in the early 1990s and then developed the Reservation Road property in 1994 to what it is now: Jerry Smith Chevrolet in Anacortes. Since then, Smith has kept his roots in Anacortes while expanding into a second county and adding two dealerships. The Jerry Smith Automotive brand now includes Kia dealerships, Jerry Smith Kia in Burlington and Smith Kia of Bellingham.
Skagit Valley local, Connor Ryan, joined Jerry Smith Chevrolet as the finance officer in April, 2002. He recalls there were many seven-day work weeks and 12-hour days when he first began his career at the dealership. But his hard work paid off seven years later when Smith offered him a 10% partnership at the new Bellingham Kia dealership. In 2016, that partnership increased to 50% ownership.
Today, Smith and Ryan are both owners of the three dealer-
ships with Ryan serving as the dealer operator. He is the face customers will most likely see in the showrooms, as well as at many fundraisers, school functions, and supporting events as an active member of the Burlington Mid-Day Rotary.
Team Jerry Smith’s award-winning, friendly, and knowledgeable sales teams work with customers to ensure their buying experiences are exceptional. “We offer a great selection of new and pre-owned vehicles at our three dealerships,” said Ryan. “We’re always committed to making our customers’ visits to our dealerships easy and hassle-free. We want to be ‘at your service’ for a lifetime.”
Their skilled service technicians use industry-leading equipment to tackle everything from routine maintenance to installing parts. “I’m so proud to have such an outstanding team of professionals throughout our three dealerships”, says Ryan, “And it’s truly satisfying that our business now supports 72 families in our local communities.”
With expertise, professionalism, and strong commitment to customers, it’s clear why Jerry Smith Automotive’s three dealerships in Skagit and Whatcom Counties share a combined mission: to provide automotive solutions for all, whether in service or sales. Their longstanding history provides the promise that they’re always here for their community.
THE FACES OF Funeral Homes and Cemeteries
Kern Funeral Home was started in La Conner, WA in 1913 by Coy Kern. When the county seat was set in Mount Vernon, he moved Kern Funeral Home to Mount Vernon in 1936 to its current location. LeRoy Anderson started working for Coy in 1947 and eventually became one of the owners of Kern Funeral Home. In 1989 Connie LeSourd started working for her father, LeRoy Anderson, and eventually became the sole (and current) owner of Kern Funeral Home. Mount Vernon Cemetery started in Mount Vernon in 1884 and was eventually purchased by Kern Funeral Home, under the leadership of LeRoy Anderson and Melvin Fitzgerald, in 1985.
Kern Funeral Home offers funeral services, cremation services, earth burial, mausoleum, columbarium, and natural earth cremation inurnment.
Connie is proud of the way her funeral directors guide and direct people through a very difficult and trying time while providing respectable and compassionate care of the deceased. Her team suggests different options and ideas for families while helping families follow the wishes of their loved ones who have died. They also help individuals and families whose loved ones provided pre-funded plans in
the event of their passing. Clients appreciate the quality caskets, urns, headstones, and the beautiful and secure cemetery to honor their loved ones.
Connie said, “What sets my business apart from competitors is I have truly caring funeral directors who help families that have lost their loved ones. I also feel that we are in the funeral profession for the right reasons; to take care of our community at the time when they need us the most. We do “over the top” tasks for families that we don’t charge for.
One of the major things we do is provide support to families for the months and years following a death, including a women’s grief group, a men’s grief group, and a monthly luncheon.”
Did you know? The Kern Funeral Home building resembles a style found on the East Coast and Southern U.S., with tall white pillars out front. The funeral home also has an elegant social room.
Days and hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but the business is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They will meet with families at other hours by appointment.
THE FACES OF Martini Brunch
artini Brunch lays claim to a unique culinary genre in the Skagit Valley’s restaurant scene: an “adults-only” party breakfast and lunch venue. Located on 2nd Street, just a few blocks south of Mount Vernon’s downtown core, the bill of fare includes scrumptious eggs Benedicts, buttermilk biscuits and gravy, a “not-so-classic” breakfast plate with spicy pulled pork and giardinera (pickled vegetables), and many more brunch plates that put an entirely new spin on the concept of “scratch cooking.”
Brooke and Charlie spend hours crafting in-house goods, from their “FU hot sauce” to their crowd-favorite honeycomb butter. “Everything we make is with care and consideration,” Brooke says, “and quality is never compromised. We focus our energy on supporting small and local businesses and farms. We would love to be able to shop for everything we need locally, and work hard to do so.”
Martini Brunch takes having fun seriously, with the goal of making their customers’ experience both delicious and memorable — something its owners define as “Party
Brunch,” thanks to unique and cheeky cocktails with glitter, fancy sugars, and candy garnishes presented in funky glassware that light up the eyes when presented. “Our bartenders love to come up with ‘Make Me Something’ cocktails on the fly,” Brooke explains. “We even have plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options for those not partaking.”
Along with their dedication to their cuisine, Brooke and Charlie are equally committed to their community — starting with paying their staff a livable wage ($20/hour for start), and the couple stresses the importance of creating a work/life balance so their staff can live their lives without feeling chained to their jobs.
Beyond feeding bellies, however, Brooke and Charlie want to nourish hearts and souls. “We take our small community seriously,” says Brooke.”We donate often to Friendship House as well as hosting pop-ups with local artists and makers at no cost. It’s our goal to continue working with our neighbors to create beautiful hyper-local fare that shows off the bounty of our Skagit Valley home.”
THE FACES OF Quality Flooring
ount Vernon Carpet One Floor & Home is a locally owned and family-operated business in the heart of Skagit County. The woman owned company is proudly run by Debbie Monetti, Lisa Newman, and Nicole Monetti. A third generation family business, Mount Vernon Carpet One was founded in 1978 by Don Wetsch. Don was later joined by Tom Brown, who became his business partner.
Lisa Newman and Debbie Monetti (Don’s daughter) were childhood friends who grew up riding the school bus together and picking strawberries at Mike and Jean’s Berry Farm. When Don retired in 2003, Debbie bought out her father’s interest, and when Tom retired in 2007, Lisa purchased his share. After years of friendship, Debbie and Lisa became business partners.
In 2017, Debbie’s daughter Nicole began working at the store part-time, but after a few weeks she was hooked on the culture and decided to pursue a career in the flooring industry along with her mom. In 2022, Nicole’s husband Joe joined the business after having worked in the flooring industry. Nicole and Joe are welcoming their first child in 2024
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At Mount Vernon Carpet One, customers can choose from many styles of flooring, including carpet, laminate, luxury vinyl tile and plank, tile and natural stone, cork and hardwood. The business also offers flooring installation, custom cabinetry, window coverings, slab countertops, laminate countertops, and interior design services. All Carpet One branded products come with a customer satisfaction guarantee, and the benefit of its purchasing power as part of a 1,000-store cooperative.
In 2023, Mount Vernon Carpet One Floor & Home completed a showroom remodel that offers clients a seamless experience from online to in-store shopping. “We know what is important to our clients because it is what is important to us,” says Nicole. “Great quality products, unmatched expertise, quality installation and a simplified buying experience. We’re always working toward these goals.”
Mount Vernon Carpet One Floor & Home is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:30pm, and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
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fourth generation of Mount Vernon Carpet One.
THE FACES OF Local Banking
s a community bank serving Skagit, Snohomish and King Counties, Mountain Pacific Bank is proud to be considered “old school” by its customers. While the technologies underpinning its services are state-of-the-art, its business model is predicated on building relationships rather than simply conducting transactions.
Mountain Pacific Bank’s origins date back to 2005 when long time community banker Mark Duffy and a group of seventeen local business leaders raised $16.5 million to create a bank that would be owned by long-term investors and provide high-quality financial products and services to businesses, professionals, and individuals at a fair price — becoming “the local bank of choice for customers, employees and shareholders by exceeding their expectations.” The bank opened one year later and set a record in Washington for achieving profitability in just six months.
In April 2019, Mountain Pacific Bank expanded into Skagit County with the opening of its Burlington branch and will be expanding its footprint into Whatcom County with the soonto-be-announced opening of a branch in Bellingham.
Mountain Pacific Bank distinguishes itself through an extraordinary level of customer service delivered by friendly and knowledgeable staff, including personalized services such as
its Mobile Branch, where bank deposits are picked up directly from local businesses and deposited for them.
“We want to know our customers by first name when they come in,” says Tracy Nguyen, Vice President of Marketing. “We want to hear about their businesses and what’s important to them so we can support them for the long term. Our CEO always tells us that the best compliment he gets is when customers tell him they love Mountain Pacific Bank. That is exactly the kind of bank he envisioned when he started it.”
The bank’s focus on building long-term relationships has certainly been appreciated by its customers. Mountain Pacific Bank has been recognized as one of the top 200 Community Banks by the American Banking Association (ABA), and was a “Best of Skagit” award recipient for best bank in Skagit County in 2023 along with awards in several other categories.
“I’ve always been a believer in community banking,” says Mountain Pacific Bank CEO Mark Duffy. “When you bank with us, your money stays here and goes back to work in the local community. We are invested in our communities. Our Board, Management and Staff engage in local organizations, serve on local boards, and support local events and activities.”
Mountain Pacific Bank is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 5pm and Friday from 8:30am to 6pm.
THE FACE OF Lending & Home Ownership
Sabrina Linman is a highly-skilled loan consultant. She opened her business in 1994 and is coming up on her 30th anniversary in the industry. “I am proud to say that I am a federally and state-licensed loan consultant, which requires me to take clock hours and pass testing that ensures my credentials meet the requirements of the Department of Financial Institutions.” She continued, “I am a firm believer in excellent customer service and offering the most competitive pricing. My goal is to provide the best customer service possible along with knowledgeable, unbiased advice.”
Sabrina has helped 100’s of families achieve their housing goals over the last three decades. “My purpose is to help people achieve their dreams of homeownership, and I am honored to be making a difference in people’s lives by helping clients find the best mortgage solutions for their individual needs as their loan consultant”, she said. “Something that makes us a little different is that we offer a five-year rate guarantee program that provides our clients assurance that when rates come back down, we will assist them in achieving the best rate possible.”
Through New American Funding, her team offers home loans; conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, as well as construction
and rehab loans, and many different loan types to help investors. Down payment assistance is also available. Sabrina works with each individual client or family to help them achieve their financial goals and hosts many homebuyer classes and REALTOR® education events.
Linman works hard to build trust with her clients by being transparent about fees, terms, and the loan process. “This is more than likely going to be the biggest purchase they will ever make. Working with a trusted mortgage advisor not only gives people peace of mind but also assurance that they will close their loan with a complete understanding of the choices they made”, she said.
“We are a local lender meeting with clients in our Mount Vernon office,” said Sabrina. “We offer personalized in-office mortgage consultations that ensure excellent customer service and quick response times, which enhance the borrower’s experience.”
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but Sabrina is available on nights and weekends, as needed, to provide the best customer experience.
At home, Sabrina spends time with her animals. She has a small hobby farm and loves to travel.
Sabrina Linman New American Funding, Loan Consultant, NMLS #186979 | 422 N 4th St. Ste 101, Mount Vernon | 360-223-3446 | sabrinalinman.com
THE FACES OF Locally Owned Credit Union
North Coast Credit Union came to life in 1939 as the City of Bellingham Employee’s Credit Union, operating from an existing fire station. Back then, loans were made out of a single cash drawer kept in a desk at the firehouse, and transactions were sometimes interrupted when the fire bell rang. From those humble beginnings it has evolved into a full-service credit union with all of the products and services a big bank offers, from checking and savings accounts to mortgages and business loans.
In 1982, the credit union expanded its membership to include Skagit County, and shortly afterward it opened its first Skagit branch in Mount Vernon where it remains today. In light of its expanded service area, it changed its name to North Coast and opened two more Skagit branches in Sedro-Woolley and Anacortes.
North Coast Credit Union is locally owned by its members and exists solely to serve them. Rather than earning a profit
for shareholders, its earnings are returned to its members/ owners in the form of low fees, low loan rates, and higher rates on savings.
“At North Coast you are a member, not a customer,” says Rachael Sylte, North Coast’s vice president of marketing. “We treat you like a person, not a number.”
North Coast Credit Union operates two Bellingham branches, Dupont and Northwest, as well as a Ferndale branch. On January 8, 2024, it relocated its Anacortes Branch to a more convenient downtown location at 3110 Commercial Avenue.
“We are the only full-service, open membership credit union in Anacortes,” says Sylte. “Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Washington can join. We like to say we’re big enough to serve you, and small enough to know you.”
North Coast Credit Union is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:30pm.
North Coast Credit Union I Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, Bellingham: Dupont & Northwest, Ferndale I 800-696-8830 I NorthCoastCU.com
THE FACES OF Local Meat Specialties/Butcher
The concept of “farm-to-table” has become increasingly popular as a way to connect communities with the people who grow their food — but it’s a concept that only works when there are venues that facilitate those connections. Since 2022, NW Local Meats has been a retail bridge between Island Grown Farmers Co-op and Skagit Valley consumers.
Island Grown Farmers Co-op, founded in 2002, represents 80 farmers. While many of them have relied on local farmers markets to reach consumers, they wanted to expand their reach as well as have a dedicated processing venue through which they could share humanely and lovingly raised meat with the public, without having to build their own shop. NW Local Meats (NWLM) was established in Burlington for that very purpose.
“NWLM was created as the retail face of our farmers co-op,” says Kerry Martinez, who has been with Island Grown Farmers Co-op for more than 20 years. “We provide meat for the public to purchase, knowing it was raised to reassure customers that the food they’re serving their families is directly from the pasture to their plate.”
To further this connection between grower and consumer, NWLM places small tracking codes on all its products in order to identify the local farmer that customers are helping to support and sustain. “I can tell you exactly where each of our packages of meat comes from,” says Martinez. “When you buy meat from us you know who the farmer was that produced it.”
WLM offers a rotating selection of local pasture-raised meat cuts, along with the option to make custom requests and order bulk in one-fourth, one-half or whole animals. It carries beef, pork, lamb and goat, as well as a variety of specialty cuts not found in stores. It also offers materials needed to make sausages, including casings and spices.
One of NWLM’s highest priorities is quality. It does not allow any products to be sold that aren’t up to the highest standards, and this commitment applies to both how the animal was raised as well as the quality of the meat itself.
Along with the cuts of meat it carries on a daily basis, NWLM now offers customers boxed options that they can choose from through the NWLM website at NWLocalMeats.com.
THE FACES OF Custom Jewelry
Janey Dodge’s jewelry career began at the age of twelve when she started working with her parents at a local jewelry store, gift-wrapping purchases and providing shop assistance. In the fall of 2012, she opened PAVÉ Jewelry & Design in downtown Mount Vernon.
As a second-generation jeweler, Janey continues her collaboration with her mom, Beth, and draws on their accumulated knowledge to provide a fantastic experience for their clients.
PAVÉ’s specialty is custom jewelry design and jewelry repair, but it also offers a curated selection of fine jewelry, including gold, sterling silver, diamonds (natural and lab-grown), and gemstones. In 2022, the mother-daughter team added permanent jewelry to their services: custom-fitted bracelets, anklets, and necklaces that are welded on without a clasp.
“We are the leaders in custom jewelry,” says Dodge, “and a
large part of our business is getting to know our clients and helping them create the perfect piece of jewelry to celebrate life’s special occasions.”
Janey and Beth curate their jewelry collection with their customers in mind. Over 90% of their inventory is customizable. “This means you can choose, change, and create from items in our collection or something you may have imagined,” Dodge says. “Choose the size, shape, stone, and metal, change any design details and create a new piece that reflects your style and the significant moments in your life.”
PAVÉ is a full-service store offering jewelry repair, complimentary cleaning, watch battery replacement and repairs, pearl stringing, custom jewelry design, jewelry appraisals, and permanent jewelry. Its hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. Appointments are encouraged to give each customer full attention.
THE FACE OF
Oral Surgery
Dr. Blake Perry has worked in the dental industry for two decades. He’s owned his Mount Vernon dental office for 15 years.
Perry Family Dentistry provides all-inclusive dental experiences. The full-service dental office offers an extensive list of services, including cleanings and fillings, children’s dentistry, veneers, professional teeth whitening, dentures, smile design, extractions, metal-free fillings, Invisalign, nightguards, and dental implants.
Dr. Perry cares for his patients, from providing routine cleanings to oral surgery. But his skills and experience exceed most dentists.
What makes Dr. Perry different is that he can perform almost any dental procedure with skill and ease. His patients do not need to be referred to an oral surgeon or another office.
He has advanced training to do all types of dentistry in one place, even Invisalign (clear braces).
Dr. Perry and his team’s combined years of experience in dentistry, innovative services, professionalism, and dedication ensure the dental clinic is a success.
“What makes us different is how comprehensive our office is,” he said. “This streamlines any dental project you’re facing and gives you confidence that one person can manage all of your needs.”
Other things, like the in-office dental lab and sedation option, also set Perry Family Dentistry apart from their competitors.
Patients who have dental concerns should contact the award-winning Perry Family Dentistry team to schedule their first appointment.
THE FACES OF Cosmetic Dentistry
r. Blake Perry is known for implant and cosmetic dentistry. What makes him different –and is the key to his success – is the in-depth relationships he has with his clients. He takes the time to listen to their needs and get to know them.
Dr. Perry has owned his dental office for 15 years and has more than 20 years of experience in the industry.
When it comes to cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry, Dr. Perry gives his patients exactly what they want by using advanced technology and his extensive experience.
“Success in cosmetic dentistry is giving patients exactly what they want because it’s so personal,” said Dr. Perry.
“This is what makes the ‘Smile Test Drive’ so special. Patients get to feel the color and shape of their new teeth. It allows them to get closer to where they want to go before taking the leap. We’ve had a lot of experience with it.”
Perry Family Dentistry has an in-office dental lab. This is important because the staff can complete premium crowns in a single appointment, and smile transformations can also be completed in one visit. Both of these factors are very unique for a dentist office.
For those patients who experience dental anxiety, there are sedation options at Perry Family Dentistry.
“Sedation dentistry is hard to find outside of Seattle,” said Dr. Perry. “Sedation is normally only found in specialty clinics and oral surgery. We have that right here in Mount Vernon!”
Dr. Perry has been involved in the Kois Center, an evidence-based dental teaching center in Seattle, and with international groups of implant dentists and CEREC Doctors Education in Arizona.
“All of these efforts have a way of making all types of dentistry easy to explain,” said Dr. Perry. “These worldclass dentists have been fundamental to my success.”
When Dr. Perry isn’t working at his office, he gives back to his community. He’s been doing that for about 10 years. He provides free dentistry services to domestic violence survivors through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, to nurses during the pandemic, and in a remote area of Nicaragua with Circle of Empowerment.
Perry Family Dentistry offers an all-inclusive dental experience, offering everything from routine cleanings and fillings to complete smile transformations.
The clinic’s mission is to stay devoted to excellence in dentistry and to maintain patients’ trust and compassion.
Perry Family Dentistry uses the latest technology to provide a state-of-the-art experience for patients. Extensive services include full-service dentistry, children’s dentistry, veneers, professional teeth whitening, dentures, smile design, extractions, metal-free fillings, Invisalign, nightguards, and dental implants.
Dr. Blake Perry opened his dental office in 2008. But the office is one of the oldest known dental practices in the Skagit Valley.
Dr. William “Joe” Brummitt opened the original clinic in Burlington in 1962. Though the location has moved three times over the years, patients have followed.
Dr. Perry specializes in cosmetic dentistry, veneers, and dental implants.
For anyone who is looking for a special customer-service experience in the Skagit Valley, Perry Family Dentistry may be just the right fit. The team puts extra effort into building great relationships with customers and takes the time to get to know them personally.
Perry Family Dentistry’s team plays a big part in the clinic’s
success. They have many years of combined experience in dentistry and have worked together for years.
Perry Family Dentistry prides itself on providing innovative services, including the best of modern technology. They have two things other area dentist offices do not have: an in-house dental lab, which means the staff can do premium crowns or smile transformations in a single visit, and sedation dentistry. Patients who suffer from dental anxiety are appreciative of this option.
Overall, the dentistry team’s goal is to advance their understanding of technology and deliver the most comfortable experience possible through training and teamwork.
“Our customers mean everything to us,” said Dr. Perry. “We have a really high level of trust and closeness with our clients, which makes us different.”
Dr. Perry also works with patients through virtual consultations where clients ask questions and attach a photo of their smile through an online form. He then records a video message response with answers and returns that to clients usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Anyone who has a dental concern or wants to improve their smile should contact the award-winning Perry Family Dentistry team to schedule their free virtual consultation or first appointment.
THE FACES OF General Contracting & Construction
John Piazza began working full-time in 1989 in the construction field at his father’s company, Piazza Construction, Inc., where he helped to build hundreds of homes, office buildings, a medical center, apartment buildings, retirement centers, and a mini storage complex. He was involved with land developments equaling more than 100 lots. In 2001, he was named president. In 2011, John and his wife Kim opened their own company, John Piazza Jr Construction & Remodeling, Inc., which they own and operate together.
John Piazza Jr Construction & Remodeling, Inc is a full-service general contracting company that builds custom homes, spec homes, remodels and additions, commercial properties, tenant improvements, multi-family, developments, and insurance restorations.
The company’s mission is to maintain the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and honesty in their relationships with clients, subcontractors, and suppliers. Kim explained, “We believe that the long-term success of our business rests on repeat and referral business, which is achieved by providing the highest level of quality construction, attention to detail, and service-minded attitudes at fair and competitive prices.”
“We feel one thing that sets us apart from our competitors is the strength of our personnel who have more than 100 years of combined experience in many facets of the construction industry.
“We love to give back to the community where we were both raised and where we raised our children. We donate and sponsor the Boys and Girls Club, the Daddy Daughter Dance, and the Mom & Son Skate Night for Burlington Parks & Recreation. We support sporting events and students at Sedro-Woolley High School, Burlington-Edison High School, and Mount Vernon High School, as well as local club teams. We support local community theater such as Theater Arts Guild and META Performing Arts and are also longtime supporters of Skagit Regional Health Foundation’s Festival of Trees.”
The couple is involved in several local organizations. They are members of the Mount Vernon and Burlington Chambers of Commerce, and founding members of the Burlington Mid-Day Rotary Club. They are very involved members of the Skagit Island County Builders Association, Builders Industry Association of Washington, and National Association of Home Builder’s. Kim has served on the board of directors for SICBA since 2017 where she has served two years each as president and treasurer, vice-president, and immediate past president. She is a founding member of One Community One Family, a charity to benefit cancer patients in the Skagit County area. Kim can also help with all your real estate needs as she is an active Realtor® with NextHome 365 Realty.
Regular business hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
THE FACES OF Tree & Logging Services
an Rawls knows trees. Having spent more than three decades making a living out of harvesting and maintaining them, he brings that experience to the company he founded in 2013, Precision Tree Service.
“My dad owned a logging company and I started working for him at a pretty young age,” says Dan. “Back then my dad was still one of the few loggers who did a lot work with draft horses. Over the years we moved more toward machine logging, and when the industry declined in the ‘90s we branched out into residential work.”
Today, Precision Tree Service’s work runs the gamut from full-scale land clearing and logging projects to performing property management tasks such as tree maintenance and pruning as well as trimming ornamental bushes and shrubs.
“Our last job was a hazardous tree removal involving 250 mature Douglas fir and cedar trees,” says Dan. “We removed all the trees that were within reach of our customer’s home,
chipped the limbs, ground the stumps, and marketed the timber that we removed.”
Over the last three years, Precision Tree Service has acquired additional heavy equipment and added logging contracts to its residential work. With any job, however, Dan applies the knowledge he gained as a “tree climber” to an assessment of a homeowner’s needs and concerns, and then tailors a plan to address them.
“We have a highly experienced crew that is fully bonded and insured, and we bring the right equipment for the task, whether it’s emergency tree removal, pruning, trimming, or logging and land clearing,” Dan says. “The quote we give you on our estimates is the price you pay…and we never compromise when it comes to safety.”
Precision Tree Service offers free estimates and military discounts. You can learn more about its services at skagitvalleytreeservice.com
THE FACES OF Comfort
f you were to summarize the success of Rolfson’s Home Furnishings in a single word, it would be “loyalty.” Now in its third-generation of family ownership, the West Mount Vernon furniture retailer with the signature clock tower has benefited not only from the loyalty of its customers over the past four decades, but from its loyalty to the brand it exclusively carries as a La-Z-Boy franchise.
Founded by Jim Rolfson in 1979, the store is currently operated by his children, Brian and Pam, as well as Brian’s son Kyle — all of whom were born and raised in Mount Vernon. Over the years, Rolfson’s has specialized in “sit, sleep, and recline” products from the #1 American made furniture brand, and has been designated a La-Z-Boy “Comfort Studio” with an exclusive territory encompassing Skagit and Island Counties.
“We carry the basic La-Z-Boy line of recliners, sofas, sofa sleepers, sectionals, and reclining sofas,” Brian Rolfson explains, “but thanks to our Design Center we can customize any of these with hundreds of fabric options. “This means
that we can give our customers more home furnishing options without having to increase our inventory or showroom space.”
Another benefit of Rolfson’s relationship with La-Z-Boy is that customers can shop online via the manufacturer’s website and then come to the store to physically experience the products they’re interested in, as well as purchasing them below the manufacturer’s listed price.
Throughout changes in consumer habits and economic conditions, the Rolfson family continues to view their business through the lens of community. “We’ve seen every cycle from recession, pandemic, and product shortages, but it’s still a people business,” says Brian. “When it stops being that, it will be time for me to leave. Until then, we’ll follow the old Boy Scout rule of leaving our campsite better than we found it.”
Rolfson’s Home Furnishings is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
THE FACES OF Farm Fresh Produce
Schuh Farms is truly a labor of love, and the love story that created the Skagit Valley’s first farm-totable enterprise — now in its fourth generation of family ownership — began with the marriage of Stephen and Susan Schuh in 1963.
The Schuhs initially grew peas and seed crops for Christianson’s, but with the exit of commercial processors from the Skagit Valley in the late 1970s, Susan convinced her husband to plant a three-acre strawberry field at the corner of Bradshaw Road and Memorial highway — and this decision marked the pivot of Schuh Farms from a commercial agribusiness growing for corporate food processors to a retail farm selling directly to the public.
Susan had the foresight to recognize the demand for specialty berries, or “funny berries” as she liked to call them, and Schuh Farms became the first farm in the valley to grow marionberries, tayberries (a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry), loganberries and boysenberries. Other crops followed for fresh market sales, including raspberries, blueberries, corn, cucumbers, and pumpkins, to name a few.
As the popularity of farmers’ markets in other regional communities presented additional opportunities, Susan recognized the potential for larger metropolitan areas, and today Schuh Farms serves 15 farmers markets a week. She also oversaw the expansion of the farm at its home location in Mount Vernon, which today harvests 300 acres of produce.
The farm store grew from a small fruit stand in a gazebo (also Susan’s idea) to filling the historic dairy barn which greets visitors today, and in 2017 commercial baking facilities were constructed in a new barn across the road to use Schuh Farms produce in bakery and other items. Susan was also the inspiration for “Udderly Delicious,” the latte stand at Schuh Farms that also serves up some killer milkshakes and other items made with the farm’s berries and produce.
Susan passed away in 2023, but her legacy continues with “Farmer Steve” and their daughter Jennifer Schuh. “We called mom our ‘idea fairy,’ says Jennifer. “She was ahead of her time and was always spreading the word about agriculture and the i)mportance of knowing your farmers, buying from them, and eating local — all of that was just what we did.”
THE FACES OF Quality Roofing
Jim Hjelt’s roofing experience first began in the 1970s while he attended high school. When Jim left his job as a manager of a local roofing company in 1990, he started replacing roofs alone and gradually added employees.
Jim’s wife Julieta joined the business in 2002, making the company a bilingual company. Julieta’s first language is Spanish, and that gives the company the ability to better serve the customers and connect with their crews.
Now nearly 35 years later, Skagit Roofing LLC has expanded to include 25 employees. The Skagit Roofing LLC team takes the time to listen to customers’ roofing concerns and provide cost-effective, long-lasting solutions.
“We proudly work with a wide variety of high-quality materials to ensure your roof with last,” said Jim. “We serve the homes in our community with honesty, integrity, and compassion, and our skilled team works tirelessly to keep our neighbors secure and dry.”
Over the years, the Skagit Roofing LLC team has replaced thousands of residential and light commercial roofs, some even twice, and they’re still going strong.
The business services customers in Mount Vernon, Bellingham, Oak Harbor, and surrounding areas.
Skagit Roofing LLC is a service business. Their mission is to serve and support the community.
“We provide great jobs for our employees and great roofs for our customers,” said Jim. “We do whatever it takes to get the job done right.”
Jim was honored when Skagit Roofing LLC was voted the Best Roofing Company in the most recent Skagit’s Best of the Best contest where thousands of residents cast their votes to choose their favorite business in a variety of categories.
The hours of operation for Skagit Roofing LLC are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
THE FACES OF Real Estate
kagit Tradition Realty is a full-service real estate company owned by Danya and Don Wolf, with a brick- and-mortar presence in the community (the 1929 Skagit River Rock Cottage). The real estate business was started by Danya’s grandparents in 1936 as Johnson Realty and Danya is proudly continuing her family’s legacy with an emphasis on excellence and customer service. Danya has sold homes to and for the children and grandchildren of her earlier clients.
Lesser-known facts about the origins of Johnson Realty before it transitioned to Skagit Tradition Realty LLC:
Danya’s grandmother, Beatrice Lee Johnson earned her real estate license in 1936 to assist her husband, Arthur E. Johnson, in their real estate company. Both of their sons, A. Elliott Johnson and Keith Stanford Johnson, followed in the family’s enterprise. Granddaughter, Danya (Johnson) Wolf, has continued with plans to meet or surpass her father’s sixty plus (60+) years as a REALTOR®.
Danya was born and raised in the Skagit Valley and graduated from MVHS, class of ’74. Since she graduated from
The University of Puget Sound in 1976, Danya has enjoyed serving Skagit Valley’s real estate needs.
Continuing their education, agents have achieved many special certifications, which include GREEN, SRES, CRS, ABR, and GRI. The office has experience in all aspects of real estate such as: first-time homebuyer, senior real estate, relocation, 1031 exchange, commercial, farm and ranch, and vacant land. The firm is also a proud member of local Chambers of Commerce, SICBA (Skagit Island County Builders’ Association), and CBA (Commercial Brokers’ Association).
Said Danya, “We are a small family-owned business with long – time ties to the community. We are thrilled that people appreciate our efforts and continue to trust us with their needs.”
Skagit Tradition Realty’s office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; however, REALTORS® are available evenings and weekends by appointment. If you are interested in buying or selling a property, please call 360-424-0300 and Office Manager Patricia Box will direct you to the appropriate broker.
THE FACES OF Digital Media Services
For the past 140 years, the Skagit Valley Herald has not only kept Skagitonians informed about events in their community, it has also promoted the economic success of local businesses through advertising. In the 21st century, however, the media strategies driving advertising have evolved dramatically from print on paper to targeted engagement across a variety of digital platforms. Since becoming a part of the Adams Publishing Group, this transformation has been especially profound.
“Since Skagit Valley Herald’s founding in 1884, we’ve built a legacy as a trusted source of local news and information that remains integral to our brand,” says Jennifer Brown, Advertising Director for Skagit Publishing. “In the past five years, however, we’ve integrated digital solutions into the majority of our print campaigns for our clients. Businesses want to target very specific types of customers, and we can do that with digital media. The results have been outstanding.”
Currently, Skagit Publishing’s Digital Media Services team offers over a hundred solutions that its Multi-Media Sales Executives can tailor to the promotional needs of businesses large and small across all industry sectors. These services range from targeted digital and social media advertising to
website development and cutting edge technologies such as digital out-of-home ads on reader boards, TV commercials, and programmatic audio, which delivers targeted ads via streaming services such as music and podcasts.
The Digital Media Services team also leverages Skagit Publishing’s online presence (gokagit.com is the most viewed website in the Skagit Valley) to create website display ads and targeted email marketing, as well as helping clients measure the impact of their digital advertising dollars through on going Search Engine Optimization and PPC campaigns.
“As we’ve evolved from print-centric to digital media advertising solutions, our sales representatives have similarly evolved into a team of experienced and highly trained multi-media account executives,” says Brown. “But what remains unchanged is our dedication to providing a one-onone consulting resource to help businesses make the most of creative, integrated digital solutions. We are local with a global reach, no matter where your customers are or how they access information in a digital world. Skagit Publishing is truly a full-service digital agency for campaigns ranging from $500 to $20,000 per month. If business owners can dream it, our Digital Services Media team can create it!” SVH Digital Media Services I 1215 Anderson Road, Mount Vernon I 360-424-3251 I GoSkagit.com
THE FACES OF Fresh Seafood
t’s all about a different quality of fresh … daily!
That’s the motto at Skagit’s Own Fish Market, located on Highway 20 in Burlington.
Fishing has been a way of life for Eric and Tana Skaugrud and their family, spanning three generations over more than 50 years. Eric started his fishing career in 1988 in the Bering Sea longlining for halibut and black cod. To be closer to his family, he left the Bering Sea to fish off the coast of Washington for Dungeness crab. When one of their neighbors noticed the crab pots in their yard, he asked to buy some of their catch. It wasn’t long before their fish gained a reputation in the neighborhood. That humble beginning turned into something much bigger when Eric and Tana opened Skagit’s Own Fish Market in 1998. The couple’s goal was to bring a fisherman’s quality of fresh seafood to Skagit Valley, and they’ve certainly achieved that. Skagit’s Own Fish Market is a well-respected locally owned and operated business that offers the finest of Pacific seafood and other home-grown produce. In fact, about 70% of the grocery items available at Skagit’s Own
Fish Market are locally sourced.
The market’s products include fresh fish daily; Dungeness Crab; oysters; clams; mussels; scallops; shrimp; prawns; smoked and pickled fish; fresh ceviche and Poke daily; European foods; and local specialty food items like Dapper Dan’s Chutney, Gil’s Gourmet oils and olives, Skagit’s Best Salsa, Trilby’s BBQ sauces and rubs, Ekone smoked oysters and mussels, Island Trollers Albacore tuna, Walden Lane Gourmet olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and spices.
A fresh seafood lunch is even served, where customers can order take-out of Dungeness crab sandwiches, lobster rolls, fresh fish sandwiches, oyster hoagies, spicy prawn sandwiches and much more.
Skagit’s Own Fish Market is a full-service local fish market coupled with personal and knowledgeable service which chain stores can’t even hope to equal.
Skagit’s Own Fish Market is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with lunch served until 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch served until 3:00 p.m.
THE FACES OF Child Development
mall World Child Development opened in 2006 and offers infant through school-age childcare that includes a bi-lingual pre-school, before and after school bi-lingual programs, and summer school. During its prior ten years it operated as an in-home bilingual childcare center, but its history goes back much further in time and inspiration.
Small World’s founders, Maria Alvarez and Jesus Fuentes, first came to the Skagit Valley as young children in 1980. Their parents were agricultural workers, and Maria and Jesus helped support their families by working in tulip and spinach fields, folding cauliflower leaf, and picking berries and cucumbers. It was an experience that instilled a strong work ethic, while also making them determined to realize a better future for themselves and their families.
Maria and Jesus attribute their desire for self-improvement not only to their families, but also to the influence of early learning teachers in their lives — and that influence left them with a desire to have a similarly positive impact on children throughout the Skagit Valley.
“We wanted to return what was given to us: the belief that every child can become anything they set their mind to,” says Maria. “We created Small World to offer unique learning experiences for children in a bilingual setting.”
Small World’s approach to child development is predicated on providing an inviting home-away-from-home early learning bilingual environment, offering a learning through play and specialized Bi-lingual Curriculum, and on the belief that each child is unique and has special gifts.
Small World Child Development participates with the Washington State Early Learning Achievers, meeting and exceeding state requirements, and currently has a level 3 rating.
Maria and Jesus feel blessed to have a dedicated staff with a passion to make a positive difference in children’s daily lives, as well as a deep appreciation and gratitude for their parents’ hard work and their struggle and triumph to create a path for their family’s betterment. It’s want they and their child development program want to do for others as well.
Small World Child Development’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm.
THE FACE OF
Quality Lumber
ound Cedar Lumber began in a tiny building in Conway in 1980, expanding with the original owners into its current location on Cedardale Road in the early 2000s. Robert and Kris Desmarais took over Sound Cedar in 2018. Robert was working as a salesman for the company at the time and has since turned the business into the success it is today. He has been in retail for over 48 years in the Valley and believes in helping out the community. He and his wife donate to many non-profit organizations and sponsor many local events each year, including the Skagit Valley Fair, Riverwalk Concert Series, Bertelsen Winery Outdoor Concerts, and more.
The business specializes in Western Red Cedar products, but also offers a large variety of building materials for just about every project on your list. “One thing that people may not know is that our business isn’t just about cedar”, Robert said. “We stock so many different products and do our best to maintain prices that are cheaper than the big box stores.”
Sound Cedar carries multiple types of lumber, including Douglas fir, Japanese cedar, Alaskan yellow cedar, and pressure treated Hem-Fir. Sound Cedar works with many suppliers, both local and around the world to be able to offer customers things like pre-built cedar fence panels and split rail fencing, metal roofing and siding, and Allura
fiber cement board siding. The business also sells Deckorators composite decking, railings, Big Green Egg, multiple types of wood stain, fasteners, and all the finishing items you need. Recently, they have expanded their products to include sauna kits as well!
Sound Cedar has an 8,000 square foot showroom and 14,000 square foot warehouse that are bursting with inventory that customers are welcome to come and tour. While there you can view all of the large displays, including Big Green Egg, multiple Deckorators composite deck setups, two saunas, and three different types of pergola/covered living areas.
Robert’s priorities are excellent customer service, top-quality products, and helpful and knowledgeable staff. He believes his staff are what sets the business apart, explaining, “At Sound Cedar, we believe in creating lasting relationships with our customers and community. To do that, you must care and want to make the customer happy – so that is what we aim to do. We are always listening to our customers and their needs.”
If you’re working on a home project, come see the showroom for yourself! Sound Cedar Lumber is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
THE FACES OF Footwear
To call Stowe’s Shoes & Clothing a retail fixture of Burlington is an understatement. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, the store has provided footwear and apparel to “fit our Northwest lifestyle” for more than 80 years. The keys to its longevity in an era of online shopping have been its product line and its employees — both of which have earned the enduring loyalty of its Skagit Valley clientele.
Harry and Clara Stowe opened their store in 1940. Originally located in the 600 block of East Fairhaven, Stowe’s moved to its current location in 1954, and under the ownership of sons Duane and Ken it doubled in size in 1970. A local artisan carved the letters of the store’s name that appear above its facade.
Stowe’s has built its reputation on the strength of brands that it has carried for more than three decades, including Levi, Carhartt, Filson, Red Wing, Birkenstock, and SAS. More recently it has added other popular ones as well, such as
Dansko, Hoka, Merrell, Keen, Danner, New Balance, Haflinger, and Clarks.
“Over the years we’ve refined our products to comfortably meet the needs of people who work and recreate in this climate,” says current owner and president Peggy Stowe. The quality of its shoe and apparel brands is matched by the experience of its employees, many of whom have been serving customers for more than 20 years. Peggy’s daughters Ashley and Melissa bring backgrounds in marketing and apparel design to the store, and this latter skill set has found its way into a line of silk screened custom clothing that includes gear for Burlington Edison and Mount Vernon high schools.
The Stowe family has been involved in service organizations and non-profits across Skagit County for decades and are Cougars to the core. “We love where we live,” says Peggy, “and that’s reflected in what we carry and how we treat our customers and employees.”
Stowe’s Shoes & Clothing I 420 E Fairhaven Ave., Burlington I 360-755-0570 I stowesshoesandclothing.com
THE FACES OF Local Natural Foods
Located in Downtown Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley Food Co - op has been serving the area as a natural foods grocer since 1973! Their first home in Downtown Mount Vernon was at the intersection of 2nd and Pine before moving to the current building in 1985. The Co-op Deli opened in 1988, and in 2013, the Co-op jumped at the opportunity to purchase the County’s Community Services Building to provide more parking for shoppers. Today, the building is the Co-op’s Makery where all baked goods, deli foods, pizza, pasta, and so much more are handcrafted every day. Today, the Co-op is 23,000+ members strong and a mainstay in Downtown Mount Vernon.
First and foremost, The Co-op is a grocery store. But they’re so much more than that, too. “In addition to being a great place to find fresh produce, quality ingredients, and other healthy groceries, the Co-op also handmakes hundreds of items in store! From artisan breads and chewy cookies to famous sandwiches and some of the best chicken wings in town. And definitely don’t forget to stop by the full-service Deli for lunch, the 2nd floor gift shop for a unique present, and the wellness department for health and beauty products made with clean ingredients,” said Marketing & Outreach Director, Nicole Vander Meulen.
Along with offering Skagit Valley local, natural foods for
over 50 years at a fair price, supporting the community is at the heart of everything the organization does. “Over the last 20 years, we have donated over $500,000 to local nonprofits through our 4% Friday Community Shopping Day, where 4% of the day’s sales are donated to one charitable organization. We prioritize our staff by providing all employees a living wage and a discount, as well as health insurance and 401k plans for full-time employees. We take pride in providing exceptional customer service and the highest quality groceries, while prioritizing organic, local, and fair-trade practices,” said Nicole.
“Our commitment to local suppliers, farmers, and our Skagit Valley community is what makes us so much more than just a grocery store. In our 50th year of cooperation, we donated $100,000 to Viva Farms, a farm incubator and training program, through our Growing Good Fund. This year, we donated another $100,000 to Viva to continue our commitment to supporting local, organic agriculture and the future of farming in Skagit Valley”, Nicole explained.
As a Co-op, the business is community-owned but you don’t have to be a member to shop there! Everyone is welcome in the store. The team is eager to show you why they were voted Skagit’s Best Grocery Store.
Open to everyone, daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
THE FACES OF Insurance
allace & Associates Insurance co-owners, Eric Dykstra and Josh Top, have each been serving customers for decades from their offices beneath the spinning Wallace & Associates sign on Fairhaven Avenue in Downtown Burlington. They follow in the footsteps of founder Norm Wallace who established the business back in 1945 and was joined by his brother George Wallace in 1957 who worked at the firm for the next 60 years!
Dykstra and Top are proud of their company’s history and the fact that the Wallace & Associates business model still stands tall going on 80 years.
As an independent, multi-line agency, Eric, Josh, and their team of associates get to offer choice to their clients. “We provide insurance for all kinds of needs,” explains Dykstra. “Families, farmers, contractors, business owners, and so on. We pride ourselves on not being a one-size-fits-all agency.”
The company has deep roots in Skagit and so do Eric and Josh. Both grew up on local dairy farms, (and yes, the founding Wallace was part of the Wallace Potato Farm Legacy, too). Eric and his wife raised their kids right here in the Valley, and Josh is in the middle of raising his ten, seven, and one year old with his wife at their home in Bayview.
Both Eric and Josh say getting to know their clients and helping them through a claim is a favorite part of their business. “Clients know us and they know they can call us day or night if needed in an emergency,” says Dykstra. There are no auto reply texts, automated calls, or speaking with a person working out of the country when you choose Wallace & Associates.
Wallace & Associates are right here in the heart of Skagit Valley and ready to help. Their office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
THE FACE OF Wells Nursery
Since its founding in 1937 by Harold and Nina Wells, Wells Nursery has specialized in woody ornamental plant material from Japanese maples to fruit and flowering trees and shrubs. And while its location in Mount Vernon is highly visible to anyone traveling along I-5, many of its customers are unaware of its role as a propagator.
“We have 97 acres of production primarily targeted for national wholesale sales, which is a very large part of our business,” says general manager Roger Ragusa. “We load refrigerated semi-trucks in spring and again on a smaller scale in the fall.”
Wells Nursery retail staff is trained to provide solid, accurate and honest information for all plant landscape applications. With their knowledge of regional conditions including soil types, climate and deer tolerant material, nursery employees (many of whom have been with Wells for more than three decades) take great pride in answering any horticultural or botanical questions.
“Wells Nursery specializes in foundation landscape material, and we offer larger sized material than other nurseries are able to provide,” says Ragusa. “We are also able to special order larger sized trees. That said, we don’t look at our fellow nurseries as our competitors, but rather as our friends, and supporting our trade is a strong element of our daily routine.”
Wells Nursery seeks plant material from suppliers across the U.S., including Michigan, Tennessee, Florida and Oregon, and is a member of the Oregon Association of Nurseries, International Plant Propagators Society, American Conifer Society, and the Maple Society of North America. The nursery’s ownership is also very involved in the local community and supports many charitable associations across Mount Vernon and Skagit county.
With their level of dedication and their knowledge of plant production from all levels of propagation, the ownership and staff of Wells Nursery follow a cardinal rule: “When it goes out on a truck, it has to be number one.”
THE FACES OF Recreational Cannabis
To paraphrase a popular ‘80s sitcom, “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your strain” — and since its founding in 2017, Western Bud Burlington has been helping its Skagit Valley clientele find theirs. In return, its loyal customer following has rewarded the licensed i502 recreational cannabis retailer with reviews that have earned it a “Skagit’s Best” recognition for six consecutive years.
Western Bud opened its flagship store location in the land of subdued excitement, Bellingham, and quickly became a local favorite. By 2019 it had opened two more locations in Skagit Valley and Anacortes that have since grown their own following.
As with its other locations, Western Bud Burlington is dis-
tinguished by its bright green facade, but its interior is as unique and eclectic as the community it serves.
Western Bud Burlington offers a high-end and modern dispensary experience while preserving the feel of the oldschool (and less-than-legal) days of cannabis. As a retailer, it also takes pride in supporting small, local cannabis farms, and works hard to bring its patrons a wide selection of high quality products “at prices so shocking you’ve got to tell somebody about it.”
Along with its guest-first mindset, a knowledgeable and friendly staff, and a commitment to offer the best deals possible, Western Bud Burlington offers ATMs with no surcharge fees. It is also open seven days a week (including holidays!) from 8am to 11:30pm.
THE FACES OF
Assisted Living and Memory Care
here the Heart is Assisted Living and Memory Care is an assisted living and memory care community located in Burlington, serving the Skagit community for over 20 years. At Where the Heart is, residents live in apartments and enjoy an active and engaging lifestyle that promotes wellness and independence. Services include lifestyle activities, medication management, assistance with daily living needs like meals and specialized dietary needs, dressing, personal hygiene, incontinence care, mobility and one and two person transfers, and other specialized nursing care. They also offer a spend-down program to Medicaid, upon availability.
The two-story complex has 59 apartments with four separate neighborhoods extending from a central core all under one roof. Three of those neighborhoods are assisted living and one is memory care. The layout of each neighborhood encourages social interaction and fosters better relationships with its L shape open concept design. Each living room has a patio overlooking our beautifully landscaped
courtyard and fountain. Staff have the ability to have eyes and ears on residents from most vantage points, also allowing more opportunity to get to know residents and their families.
The facility uses the SPARK program, a research-based person-centered approach focusing on capabilities, capturing interest, and showing respect while building on strengths. Inspired by Montessori principles providing engagement, socially purposeful activities that spark our residents’ interests.
Said Marketing Director, Kristie Minkoff, “Our staff is committed to delivering a quality of care that meets our residents’ physical, social, spiritual, and emotional needs. We offer an intimate environment with purposeful and contributing activities that empower residents to create a community that speaks to them. Focus is placed on inclusion, resident ideas, choice, and independence.”
The community is open 24 hours a day and business hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where the Heart is Assisted Living and Memory Care | 410 S Norris St., Burlington | 360-755-8007| https://locations.frontiermgmt.com/where-the-heart-is
