Lively Olive Tasting Bar in Port Townsend and Bainbridge Island

What’s not to love about good olive oil? It can be the perfect complement to your favorite dish and it boasts a variety of health benefits and uses outside of cooking. If you’re searching for healthy, fresh, and delicious olive oils or balsamic vinegar, look no further than Lively Olive!

About Lively Olive:

In 2013, Sandy Spencer combined her lifetime of retail experience and joy of cooking to open Lively Olive, sourcing only ultra-premium extra virgin olive oils and authentic balsamic vinegars. The beautiful selection was made perfect with the addition of delightful pastas and other specialty food items produced in Italy (along with some Washington and California products). After passionately growing the business, Sandy was ready to retire and enjoy grandkids, travel, and hobbies.

This created the perfect opportunity for the Wake/Mckenzie family to purchase the business in 2019. A quick study, Jennifer (now manager), was trained by Sandy and the olive oil supplier giving her hands-on knowledge of the delicious products.

Order your favorite goodies off their website here: https://livelyolive.com/

Lively Olive

206-488-0845

152 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island

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]]>Local Spotlight: Lively OliveOur Community & NeighborhoodsKristi NelsonThu, 04 Feb 2021 01:19:00 +0000http://www.livingonbainbridgeisland.com/blog-bainbridge-island/local-spotlight-paws-and-fins51d4837fe4b0ed5a1e73e54c:521d8776e4b0475d9aefe427:601b40d427c87f357b568c87

Shopping local is always the best; you end up with quality, hand-selected products chosen by individuals who are absolutely passionate about what they do. And local pet shop Paws & Fins is no exception! That’s why we absolutely had to choose them for this month’s local spotlight.

Paws & Fins Pet Shop has been diligently serving Bainbridge Island pets and their families for over 20 years! They’re dedicated to making sure we have the happiest and healthiest pets possible which is why they offer a large and thoughtful selection of dog and cat food that can meet any of your pet’s needs. In addition to good eats, they have locally-made treats, supplies, supplements, toys, training equipment, and so much more for your dog, cat, small animal, fish, bird, or reptile.

They’re even offering curbside pickup! Order your favorite goodies off their website here: https://pawsfinspetshop.com/

Paws & Fins Pet Shop

(206) 780-1141 | pawsfins@gmail.com

1050 Hildebrand Ln NE Suite 104,
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

In-Store Pickup, Curbside Pickup, Local Delivery, Same Day Delivery, No Contact Delivery Available

Hoping to gain some perspective on a new year in real estate, I attended a real estate State of the Market early last year featuring real estate analyst and marketing coach, Denise Lones. She spoke about the potential effects of the Chinese trade war, as well as a little-known virus from China that might have big impacts on our economy and the real estate market. I remember feeling a bit of a chill when Denise talked about the virus, at that time we in the U.S. had little idea what was coming.

Fast forward to March, and the sudden shutdown—people starting predicting doom and gloom in both the economy and the housing market. But oddly, my phone continued to ring and the people in my queue who had been planning to sell in the spring were still anxious to move forward.

However, we did face a few big challenges. First, how would it work to sell a house, for example, that couldn’t be shown in person due to COVID. When real estate was categorized as an essential—though highly restricted—business, I was able to sell my clients’ homes, in some cases, to buyers who had only seen them through the video, floorplans, and high definition photography I had provided. As real estate opened up a bit more, some buyers were finally able to do in-person showings, but most only saw the home once in person relying more on the marketing materials for their virtual viewings. By the time summer of 2020 rolled around, it was clear that the world had completely reevaluated priorities related to the where and how of living and working. As a result, suburban and rural communities, such as beautiful Bainbridge Island, became really attractive options for those seeking new spaces to spread out and enjoy.

Here are the numbers that resulted for Bainbridge Island sales:

For Single-Family residential sales, the average sales price on Bainbridge Island for 2020 was a whopping $1,221,000 which is an increase of 14.77 percent from the 2019 average price of $1,063,000. The number of sales went up 17 percent from 379 to 438. The median price saw a rise of  $80,500 (or nearly 9 percent) from $919,500 to $1,000,000.

I hope you find this info helpful. 2021 continues to be a strong seller’s market—even in January/February which is a notoriously slow sales season. The new phrase is that “Spring has already Sprung” with regards to the real estate market. If you are considering purchasing or selling a home this year, please call, email or text me! I would love to help you navigate through a successful real estate experience, whether it be here on Bainbridge Island, or anywhere in the world.

Interested in learning more? Tune in to my video update below!

Kristi@LivingOnBainbridgeisland.com

Cell: 206.391.1718
Office: 206.842.0842
Fax 206.842.2718

If you’re in need of a little retail therapy, look no further than Adorn! Adorn, the studio of jewelry designer Amy Margaret, is one of my favorites in the heart of Winslow.

When you’re looking for some retail therapy or a gift for someone, there are so many reasons to shop local. Artist and artisanal business owners tend to be experts in their field and their businesses are labors of love. This shines through in their products and the pride is shown in their craft. They can answer questions about their products and would probably love to connect with you about their passion!

Here at Adorn, you’ll find the space filled with beautifully curated collections. Amy Margaret designed the shop to be a creative experience for everyone who walks in the door.

Adorn offers a range of services including custom designs and DIY classes, jewelry repair, design consultation, and more. The beautifully crafted artisan collection includes apparel, handbags, and home goods with product lines that offer fantastic fragrances, candles, and diffusers.

By curating works from inspiring craftsmen, local artisans, and other products that align with their brand, they bring the thoughtful, functional design to our local community.

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

LOCATION

104 Madison Ave N
Bainbridge Is, WA, 98110

206.696.8821 // shop@adornbainbridge.com

But like many things this year, the 36th annual Winter Studio Tour will be going virtual as they showcase nearly 40 fine artists from the Pacific Northwest.

I was honored to have the opportunity to help sponsor this event this year and am looking forward to participating online!

You can learn more about the event by visiting their website:

From bistudiotour.com: https://bistudiotour.com/

The Bainbridge Island Studio Tour invites you to celebrate the beauty and craftsmanship of local, handmade art. We are a twice-annual, free, self-guided art show on Bainbridge Island, Washington – located in the beautiful Puget Sound, just a 30-minute ferry ride from Seattle.

Surrounded by water and picturesque views, Bainbridge Island is known for quaint shops, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and an abundance of art and artists. The Studio Tour has enjoyed great success since 1984, and we hope you’ll come experience it for yourself soon!

Regional artists jury in to the summer and winter art shows, and sell their work at Island artists’ studios and historic community halls. When you visit the studios, you’ll see some works in progress, raw materials, tools, and perhaps some inspiration mixed in with a little sawdust.

We’re sure you’ll enjoy meeting the artists and discussing their work and vision in person. By visiting and shopping at the Tour, you are not only buying hand-crafted works of art, you are also supporting the local economy and helping artists to thrive.

This Month’s Local Spotlight happily brings us to a couple of wonderful new additions to the Bainbridge Island Community: Bainbridge Apothecary and Tea Shop.

Located on beautiful Bainbridge Island are two shops designed to bring health, wellness, and a sense of wonder. Bainbridge Apothecary and Tea Shop is your botanical home away from home - just steps from the ferry terminal in gorgeous downtown Bainbridge.

Due to COVID-19, there is currently no indoor service at the tea shop. BUT you can get a nice, hot cup of something wonderful to go or choose from a divine selection of loose leaf teas and bring some home with you. If you’re lucky, there will be pastries made in-house, fresh from the oven, and individually wrapped for your convenience.

While you’re there, you’ll want to swing by the shop next door at the Apothecary for unique items and quality herbal remedies. This is the perfect destination if you’re looking to shop local for the holidays as you’ll find a unique, local selection of one-of-a-kind gifts.

Prefer to stay at home? You can shop their teas and more from their online store!

450/488 Winslow Way E
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

(206) 201-3667

For Donating Local

In the spirit to give this season? Consider a donation to Fishline. Fishline serves the North Kitsap Community by providing food, emergency services and resources to transform lives. Their vision is a community where a safety net exists for all people, which includes adequate food, shelter, healthcare and employment.

If you’re interested, there are numerous ways you can contribute to the cause which can be found on their website: http://fishlinehelps.org/

As always, we are thankful as ever to be part of such a wonderful community that continues to help one another in times of need.

One of the beautiful things about living on Bainbridge Island is being surrounded by nature everywhere you go. Children who grow up on Bainbridge learn about marine biology during their Sunday morning strolls along the beach with their family, friends meet up to kayak the waters, and neighbors take to their local trails.

Here, the beauty of nature can be found at a moment’s notice, and adventuring outdoors is simply part of the lifestyle.

That said, it’s only fitting we’d have one of the best, local gear shops right here on the island! This month, our local spotlight is Wildernest.

For more than 10 years Wildernest has been Bainbridge Island’s top destination for quality outdoor brands and gear and their known for their exceptional service. From lifestyle and outdoor clothing to gear and supplies, they have a large selection of what’s likely to be your new favorite items! And all the locals know that when you stop by, you must say hi to the Wildernest mascot Walter and give them a follow on Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest store hours and exciting new gear!

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

LOCATION

310 Winslow Way E
Bainbridge Island Washington

Welcome a season of change to break up the monotony of quarantine with some safe, local fall activities happening around the island, and don’t forget to bring your mask!

27th Annual Pumpkin Walk

October 1st-31st, during normal business hours

• The Trail of Pumpkins will be open, decorated with hundreds of hand-painted pumpkins and family-friendly Halloween scenes.

• The "Great Pumpkin" will be here (you’ll need to take your own photos).

• They will continue to take donations for the Bainbridge Island Boys and Girls Club.

Suyematsu Farms

Open now

Weekday hours are 1:00 – 6:00 and Sat and Sun 10:00 – 5:00.  

No dogs allowed in field.

It’s that time of year again! The Bainbridge Island Review is now open for voting on this year’s Best of Bainbridge. Bainbridge residents have always known that this is a first-class community that is surrounded by beautiful scenery and filled with wonderful residents. As a resident and real estate broker on Bainbridge Island, it’s such an honor to live, work, and serve this incredible community.

Our Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty Bainbridge office has been fortunate enough to be selected the best real estate brokerage on the island for the past few years because all of us brokers share the same passion and desire to uphold only the best service to our community members. From our monthly participation in the Bainbridge Island Art Walk to local drives for charity, we are ALL IN on Bainbridge. We are not just working in this community, we are part of this community.

Additionally, I’m thankful for all my clients who have entrusted me to lead them along their real estate journey. It is an honor to be nominated as one of this year’s Best of Bainbridge Realtors.

I would be so appreciative of your vote and we thank you for your trust and support over the years.

P.S. While you’re in there, don’t forget to vote for your other favorite services around the island, they would all appreciate the extra love during this time.

For this month’s Local Spotlight, we’re shining light on a nonprofit fundraiser right here on Bainbridge Island. Bainbridge Strong is a small, local nonprofit launched in partnership with Skyhawk Press, the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Association. 

Our island is home to an amazingly diverse collection of small businesses which provide for, and support, our local community. These businesses, owned by our families, friends, and neighbors, are facing unprecedented and challenging times. To help support the businesses in our community that have always been there for us, Bainbridge Strong has stepped up to lend a hand in a time of need.

They’ve pulled together a variety of amazing designs that support local charities and businesses around the island. Simply find a design you love, and when you check out a portion of the proceeds will go to the organization you’ve selected. In essence, for each $20 shirt sold, $10 goes directly to whomever the buyer chooses at checkout.

To help support, visit their website and explore the designs. Want to stay updated? Give them a follow on Facebook or check out their Instagram.

The beautiful landscapes of the Pacific Northwest aren’t complete without our water views and our beautiful island is of no exception. Each year Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty compiles data and trends over a 15 month span to dive into local market insights. Below, I’ve pulled information specific to Bainbridge Island.

The number of waterfront sales on Bainbridge Island dropped from 58 in 2018 to 43 in 2019. There are a few waterfront condominium units on the island, with modest but steady sales over the past two years. Excluding these sales reveals a sharper decline in waterfront residential sales, from 51 to 37 transactions. However, high-end sales moved in the opposite direction. There were 17 sales over $2.0 million in 2019, compared with nine such sales in 2018.

From January 2019 through March 2020, the average and median waterfront residential selling prices on Bainbridge Island were $2.09 million and $1.87 million, respectively. The peak selling months in 2019 were July and November, at six sales each.

This distinguished bedroom community a ferry ride from Seattle comprises numerous small pockets of value that blend together without visual cues to distinguish them. To enable their identification, the charts for Bainbridge Island have been uniquely bracketed by selling price.

Interested in viewing all waterfront areas? Download the full report here or visit www.rsirwaterfront.com.

Last Saturday, a peaceful protest was led entirely by our youth as they marched through our community in the name of social justice. But make no mistake, though incredibly peaceful, their message was LOUD and clear. Towards the end of the march, speakers took turns sharing their thoughts, asking questions, engaging with one another, and taking a moment of silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in honor of George Floyd’s death.

Children are the future, and it’s inspiring to see the new generation take action for change and to feel convicted in their beliefs. We are so proud of all that these kids have accomplished and all that they will accomplish for decades to come.

To the class of 2020, this may not be the senior year you hoped for, but your positive spirit and generosity to focus your efforts towards a cause greater than yourself has not gone unnoticed. As part of Generation Z. Dr. Corey Seemiller, a Gen-Z expert, defined you as having a great desire to change the world and make it a better place. That is something to be incredibly proud of.

Congratulations again to all those graduating this year, we know the world is a better place with you in it.

I’ve highlighted Bainbridge specific data below, but if you’d like to read the full report for Seattle, the Eastside, and Mercer Island, please visit here.

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

The first quarter of 2020 boasted a seller’s market on Bainbridge Island. The COVID-19 pandemic likely had an impact on the real estate market, it's not yet evident in data from the first three months of the year. Since this time last year, the area has been trending towards a seller’s market, with less inventory available. Median sales prices are up year-over-year as well, by almost 12%. While homes spent an average of 77 days on market, up 10 days from the first quarter in 2019, sellers were more likely to see more value in their homes, as the average price per square foot was up 23%.

DOWNLOAD THE BAINBRIDGE REPORT

Woven into their mission statement, community is at the heart of BARN. As true artisans and craftsmen, they all found unique ways in which they could contribute around our island in this time of need.

When the wife of a local doctor rose to the challenge of creating protective gear for local physicians, BARN was ready to help. Physicians wearing the gear, PAPR masks, are serving COVID-19 patients and need the gear for protection, but they were facing a shortage. With the incredible help of BARN, they used laser cutting and 3D printers to create the components, making the absolute most of their resources. A studio lead from BARN who helped on the work said they were also working on a homemade version of the air pump if no other options are available—incredible!

Additionally, BARN volunteers are working with Bainbridge Prepares and COBI’s Emergency Operations Center to organize volunteers who are making face masks for health care providers. Several other studios of theirs have donated N95 masks and nitrile gloves that they had in stock.

The commercial kitchens are being made available for organizations like Arms Around Bainbridge so they can continue providing healthy meals to families in need. And it doesn’t stop there. Recently, the Woodworking Studio designed and built outdoor food cabinets for Helpline House, so they can continue to provide food to those who need it.

The readiness of these professionals to jump in and contribute is inspiring! Thank you to BARN, and all the wonderful businesses on Bainbridge Island, that continue to make this such a wonderful place to live.

Be sure to check out their new online classes!