North Bend generator dealer expands into Oregon

February 18, 2010

NEW — 10:50 a.m. Feb. 18, 2010

The North Bend-based D Square Energy Systems, the largest independent stand-by power generator dealer in the Pacific Northwest, has opened a Portland-area office.

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General store re-opens in North Bend

February 18, 2010

NEW — 10:38 a.m. Feb. 18, 2010

The General Store at Exit 32 in North Bend re-opened its doors in December 2009. New owners had taken it over since it closed the previous spring.

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Snoqualmie Ridge resident buys Zoka Coffee

December 28, 2009

NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 28, 2009

Snoqualmie Ridge resident Steve Pennington has bought Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea on the Ridge, and plans to turn it into Steve’s Doughnuts in late January.

Despite the name change, the coffee and the faces serving it will stay the same. Pennington says he will keep any barista who wants to stay on and he will continue selling Zoka coffee in drinks and in whole-bean coffee bags. Read more

Local retailers change holiday season strategies for price-savvy customers

December 9, 2009

Analysts expect a small increase in retail sales over last year, one of the worst on record

With unemployment hovering just below ten percent in Washington, local retailers are courting customers looking for best bargains this holiday season.

With only modest growth predicted this season, local shopkeepers are luring recession-weary shoppers with more merchandise at the low end of their price ranges and promoting perks such as free gift wrapping. Read more

Theater still ablaze ten years after renovation

December 3, 2009

The North Bend Theater continues to light up North Bend’s downtown, as it has since 1941. Photo by Tara Ballenger

The North Bend Theater continues to light up North Bend’s downtown, as it has since 1941. Photo by Tara Ballenger

In the fall of 1999, Brian and Karlene Slover bought the North Bend Theater determined to make the 1941 art deco-era building shine again. It was closed for three months during renovations, and on Dec. 17 re-opened, complete with the restored iconic neon sign that casts a blue and red glow on the sidewalk lining Bendigo Boulevard. Read more

Philips Oral Healthcare moves jobs to China

November 25, 2009

At its peak, the Philips Oral Healthcare plant on Snoqualmie Ridge employed 300 people, including 150 people in its manufacturing division. However, since deciding in March to move the manufacturing unit to China, 75 people have quit or transferred and not been replaced. Read more