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Valhalla to Bring Sandwich Heaven to Mercer Island

Chipotle mac salad and Thanksgetting sandwiches will soon be on the menu for Mercer Island lunches. After six years serving beloved – and famously messy – sandwiches, like the Bad […]

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From Mercer Island to Italy and Back with Charcuterina

Mercer Island resident Nicole Dowds grew up in a household accustomed to cheerful company, which eventually inspired her to start Charcuterina, her Mercer Island-based charcuterie board catering business. “My mother, […]

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Oh! Chocolate Continues Tradition through Three Generations on Mercer Island

The motto at Oh! Chocolate has been the same for almost four decades: if you stop into the shop, you get a sample. Margo Masaoka regards it as a family […]

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Five Tips to Throw a Great Party from Mercer Island’s Own Expert

Michelle Shleifer is known to get creative in putting on a memorable event. One Halloween, she supervised the loading of a pontoon boat full of spooky gear on the north […]

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Seeking a New Space, Local Yoga Studio Maintains its ‘Bliss’

After Maria Bliss taught the last class at Yogabliss’s former studio, she and many of her students walked the mile to the new space she rented inside the Mercer Island […]

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Kitchen & Market Expanding to Mercer Island

Five years ago, Stephanie King quit her job to build the perfect grocery store. The Mercer Island resident worked in the industry for years, building private label brands for major […]

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Every Mind is Musical at this Mercer Island Music Studio

A grand piano sits under a window overlooking a wooded glen at Connie Wible’s Mercer Island home, and a harp sits amid the overstuffed furniture, but many of her young […]

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A Guide to Mercer Island’s Art Galleries 

Mercer Island’s art scene offers a platter of world-class art from both local and international artists, with its own storied institutions and exciting newcomers that thrive thanks to an active […]

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The Mercer Island Thrift Shop Reopens for Donations

All the euphemisms of spring collide this year at the Mercer Island Thrift Shop: spring forward, spring cleaning, fresh starts, new beginnings. The much-anticipated reopening of donation drop-offs at the […]

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Born out of burnout: Technique Pilates & Fitness Studio

Pilates shifted Jenifer Baker’s mindset, and at Technique Pilates & Fitness Studio, she hopes to help others do the same. Baker was a runner and barre fitness enthusiast when a […]

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FaveKitchens brings favorite family-owned restaurant dishes to Mercer Island

A new red logo featuring a spatula recently appeared on the doors at what used to be Mo’s Pizza and Wine Dive. The space reopened on Wednesday, February 23rd, as […]

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MInext Campaign Promotes Island Businesses by Telling Owners’ Stories

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant strain on small businesses all around the world, and local Mercer Island businesses are no exception. The pandemic has flipped many aspects of […]

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What’s open, what’s closed on Mercer Island?

On June 19th, the recovery plan for Phase 2 was approved which will expand retail operations and dining opportunities, professional services, and other activities in King County. The new phase […]

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Mercer Island 2019 Local Business Year in Review

Happy New Year! It’s time for our annual review of local business activity on Mercer Island. Here’s a look at what opened, closed, and what’s in store for 2020. Also, […]

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Mercer Island 2018 Local Business Year in Review

It has been another exciting year of reporting on local business activities on Mercer Island. As is our annual tradition, here’s a look back at the biggest openings, quiet closures, […]

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Mercer Island 2017 Local Business Year in Review

After another exciting year of reporting on local business activities on Mercer Island, we’re sharing a look back at the biggest openings, quiet closures, movers and shakers, and more of […]

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