Westcott Bay Orchards was a big winner at the Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition. The competition was in December but results were released Monday.
The ordinance change, requested by local businesses, would allow illumination of signs and display cases after business hours.
The Friday Harbor Town Council will consider renewing its utility assistance program Thursday, 12:20 p.m., during its noon meeting at Town Hall.
Local accounting firm Hawley & Nicholson has merged with Hilsinger & Company, an accounting firm with offices in the Mount Vernon area. Sandra Hawley and Beth Nicholson will continue to be associated with the firm’s Friday Harbor office, which takes the name Hilsinger & Company SJI PS. They will continue to offer a full range of accounting services, including audits, bookkeeping, consulting, tax preparation, and valuations.
In an ongoing effort to accommodate the women of Friday Harbor, Curves has relocated to 535 Market St., suite B (next to Whidbey Island Bank). This convenient location is within walking distance of the town core and has ample parking. Hours are Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday, 7:30-11 a.m. and 3-6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 9-11 a.m.
According to the numbers, the Friday Harbor business community would seem, overall, to be in good shape. But you’ll have a hard time convincing some Friday Harbor businesses of that.
We enter 2009 with many concerns about the local, state and national economy. But to understand our economic condition, we have to remember exactly how bad things have been to appreciate how well off most of us are today.
Dr. Edwin Dolan, resident of Lopez Island and author of books and articles on banking, monetary policy and environmental issues, leads a free seminar titled, “Understanding the Financial Crisis — Past, Present and Future Realities,” three days on three islands this month.
Washington State has launched a multi-agency streaming video that gives new and small businesses easy-to-understand basics on how to plan for, prepare and pay state business taxes and insurance premiums.
The next Chamber Downtown Forum will meet on Thursday, 8:30 a.m., at Whidbey Island Bank. Joy Sevier and Peggy Long, members of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, will facilitate the meeting, continuing the topic “What can we do NOW to improve our local economy?”
The following local business people have been elected officers of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce for 2009 …
Boardwalk Bookstore will close its doors Dec. 31 after more than 35 years in business. Owner Bettye Hendrickson said the closure is not related to the economy, although the store has been for sale with no expressed interest. The closure will leave the town with three book stores: Griffin Bay Bookstore on Spring Street, Harbor Bookstore at Cannery Landing, and Serendipity on A Street.
Spirit Tree Gifts on Argyle Avenue is closing, its owner saying the store has “run out of resources” to keep operating. Spirit Tree’s owners described the store as “a multi-dimensional resource center for personal growth and spiritual enlightenment.” It sold local clay art, drums, handmade pillows, jewelry, mandalas, music and musical instruments, photography, sculpture, video art and wood art. It also sold books and self-awareness tools, and was a venue for meditation and yoga.
