Kingston, KEDA will move forward together on tourism promotion
KINGSTON — Tourism in Washington state generates $15 billion in annual revenues, and 80 percent of all small businesses are tourism related.

Kingston has more than 1 million visitors per year, but many of them drive right through. What can the community do to encourage these visitors to stop for a bite or enjoy local shops?

The Kingston Stakeholders — the Urban Economic Development Committee of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce — hosted John Powers, executive director of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club on Oct. 14 to introduce him to the community.

Thirty community members — including bankers, developers, real estate agents, small-business owners, representatives of Village Green and Port of Kingston, and members of the North Kitsap Tourism Consortium — related their personal stories of dedication and contributions to Kingston and North Kitsap County.

Susan Rodgers, longtime resident and owner of Cleo’s Landing and Diva, expressed her determination “to make this little town (Kingston) the very best it can be.”

Meisha Rouser, White Horse resident and former SoundRunner manager, challenged the group to think beyond “The Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula and create our own vision and identity.”

Jerry Kirschner and Nancy Langwith told of moving to Kingston because of the spirit of volunteerism that turned a military barracks site into Village Green park.

Following presentations by the representatives of Village Green, the String of Pearls trails network, and the tourism consortium, John Guerts of BC&J Architects walked the group through a series of drawings depicting the vision of Kingston as it grows and develops.

Powers concluded the meeting with a summary of what he had experienced over the past hour.

“Kingston has very strong social capital and you must have social capital for economic development,” he said. He recognized the vision of Kingston as to “Preserve character, but create opportunity.”

Powers and the Stakeholders agreed to continue talking about how to work together at the next meeting of the Stakeholders.

Donna Schambron opens The Soap Crate on Lindvog Road
KINGSTON — Donna Schambron has opened The Soap Crate at 26252 Lindvog Road, Suite 110, in Kingston. Visit www.TheSoapCrate.com.

The Soap Crate features her hand-crafted, artisan small-batch soaps with scents like Cherrywood Crate and Pumpkin Brulee. She also sells shampoo bars for people and pets, salt and spa products and lotions.

Schambron uses wholesome and natural ingredients, creating products that are vegan and eco-friendly.

The Flying Pickle Cafe opens on Highway 104 in Kingston
KINGSTON — Owners Jon and Brandi Trunnell have opened their new restaurant in Kingston, The Flying Pickle Cafe. They began renovations on the former Coastal Cafe location in September. The Flying Pickle Cafe offers a full menu of breakfast and lunch favorites, including an impressive line-up of subs, plus a few of their own creations.

One of those creations, the Sounder Pounder Challenge, is a massive 18-egg scramble. Finish it, and you’ll be awarded a Flying Pickle T-shirt, get your photo on the Wall of Fame, and the meal will be on the house. If you can’t finish, however, you pay and your photo is on the Bathroom Wall of Shame.

The Flying Pickle Cafe is located at 8208 Highway 104, near Albertson’s. Call 297-SUBS.