Monthly Archives: September 2016

Stalled Poulsbo apartment project may be moving again

It’s been a few years since we’ve had any news to report on the Edward Rose project, a massive residential development planned for the corner of Highway 305 and Bond Road in Poulsbo.

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Kitsap Sun file art | Click to enlarge

That changed this Thursday, as the city announced pre-application materials had been filed for the development, which would create 552 apartment units, 160-units of senior housing, a commercial plaza, and 34 acres of landscaping and open space, spread across 57 acres.

Access would be from Bond Road and Highway 305, with a connection to Vetter Road also planned.

A pre-application meeting is scheduled for Oct. 4. The pre-application process allows developers to informally discuss plans with city staff because filing a land use application.

A master plan for Edward Rose was approved in 2011, but the project never broke ground.

Edward Rose & Sons is a development company based in Michigan.

Kitsap real estate market was still hot in August

Kitsap’s real estate market ended the summer season with a bang.

Listings, sales and prices were all up in August, according to the latest numbers from Northwest Multiple Listing Service. 

More “for sale” signs popped up across the county last month, with 591 new listings added. About 970 homes were available in August, down 6 percent from August of 2015, marking a slight improvement in inventory from earlier in the year.

Sales continued at a torrid pace. More than 630 homes were pending in August, a 13 percent increase from last year. Closed sales were up 22 percent.

Kitsap’s median home price (including condominiums) bumped up to $292,000, up 12.3 percent from August of 2015.

Here’s a graphical look at real estate trends in the county:

And here’s a map showing real estate statistics by submarket:

Four Kitsap companies in running for $20k prize

IMG_20150103_143133Four Kitsap County based businesses were among 11 semifinalists announced Friday for Kitsap Bank’s $20,000 edg3 FUND prize. 

The Kitsap competitors left standing are Bushel & Barrel Ciderhouse of Poulsbo, Silver Creek Angus, LLC. of Kingston, The Smithshyre of Poulsbo and Unique and Chic Event Rentals and Design of Port Orchard. Brett Marlo Design Build of Gig Harbor was also a semifinalists. 

A public vote will help determine five finalists, who will compete in a live finale Nov. 17 at the Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton. A panel of judges will pick the winner.

Now in its third year, the edg3 FUND contest recognizes businesses that contribute to their communities economically, socially and environmentally.

Click here for more info.

Fifth marijuana grow approved in North Kitsap; retailer relocating

The state approved a fifth marijuana grow in North Kitsap this week.

The Liquor and Cannabis Board issued licenses to recreational marijuana producer and processor Americanna Naturals on Tuesday. The company will be located at 26420 Pioneer Way NW, near Twelve Trees Business Park.

Americanna Naturals is the 15th producer/processor licensed in the county. A grow was approved in Kingston just last week.

In other marijuana business news, a retail store that had been licensed in Port Orchard has successfully changed its location to East Bremerton.

Fillabong, which also operates a shop in Silverdale, was originally approved for 4978 Mile Hill Drive. The store will now be located at 3249 Perry Ave.

Here’s an updated map of marijuana business licenses in Kitsap:

New owner plans relaunch for popular Suquamish pizzeria

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Sunrise from a table at Bella Luna

A new owner plans to relaunch Suquamish’s Bella Luna Pizzeria this month, rebranding the waterfront restaurant as Scratch Kitchen.

Lisa Hunt Ledbetter, who served as manager of Bella Luna for a year and a half, bought the business from former owners Bob and Kari Rowden in June.

In a farewell post on Facebook, the Rowdens thanked patrons for their support over 17 years, adding that “it’s been one hell of a ride.”

103_34621-300x277Hunt Ledbetter said she hopes to broaden the appeal of the restaurant, but her Scratch Kitchen won’t start entirely from scratch.

Fans of Bella Luna’s pizza will be comforted to know the pizza recipes will remain intact.

Scratch Kitchen will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The eatery will have an Internet café vibe in the morning, with coffee, fresh baked goods, Wi-Fi, and perhaps a new seating area in the back room.

Hunt Ledbetter plans to expand the breakfast and lunch menus with more pasta recipes. Scratch Kitchen, as the name suggests, will emphasize locally-sourced produce and dishes made from whole ingredients, complemented by a selection of local beers (and kombucha.)

Hunt Ledbetter said she is a little nervous making changes to a restaurant that already has a strong following, but she believes Suquamish will embrace a fresh concept.

“I feel like in smaller communities, like the one we live in, people love something new,” she said.  “… I’m only going to expand on what Bob had, and keep it going.”

Work on a light remodel will begin this weekend. Hunt Ledbetter said the makeover will include new floors, new paint inside and out, and a revamp of the back room used for trivia nights and live music.

The restaurant should remain open throughout the project. Scratch Kitchen is tentatively scheduled to debut Sept. 12.

Check out the Bella Luna page on Facebook for updates.