People who drive on Pioneer Way need not slam on their brakes when they see the banner that says Birdnest Gallery and Framing is going out of business.

A lot of mechanics breathe a sigh of relief when the 24-foot Snap-on mobile tool truck pulls into the parking lot.

Umpqua Holdings Corporation has acquired the banking operations of Rainier Pacific Bank in a purchase agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Possum’s Children’s Boutique in Uptown Gig Harbor offers everything from clothing to shoes, accessories, toys and books for babies up to 8- and 9-year-old children.

When Christina McDougall drove by the intersection of Harborview Drive and North Harborview Drive, she thought it was a shame that the small building in front of the Harbor History Museum was vacant.

Gentleman Jim’s barbershop in Purdy recently completed a remodel and is welcoming customers, new and old. The shop, which has been open for 23 years in the Bridgeway Shopping Center, has a brighter look and has expanded from one to two chairs.

If you want to know how to feed a child, ask a mother. And the mother of invention is often necessity.

The Great Car Care Center in Gig Harbor, active in community charity with a continued effort of environmental preservation, recently celebrated 10 years of service on Kimball Drive.

Dr. Moritz Bartels has joined MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park Women’s Health and Wellness Center.

Susan Dellinger and Simone Peterson love the performing arts. And now they get to teach it.

Gig Harbor accountant Thomas J. Sadler has been named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting” by Accounting Today Magazine.

The red coat in the window beckoned Laureen Miklian every time she drove by the consignment shop until, finally, she gave in.

Rush Commercial of Gig Harbor is a true locally built and owned company. Owner Gordon Rush grew up on the west slope of Tacoma and returned to the area when he finished college and married his high-school sweetheart. From 1981-96, Rush and his wife were commercial fishermen in Alaska for one month out of the year.

A small black-and-white dog in a blue sweater sits outside the door of the Best Western Wesley Inn, waiting to greet customers as they arrive. He’s Parker Wesley, the inn’s public relations ambassador.

It can be difficult to come up with just the right gift for each person on your Christmas list. But if someone on that list is a gardener, Rosedale Gardens has the answer: Give them a gift certificate.

It was just a matter of time before Kelly Hooper owned her own catering and specialty wedding cake-making business.

Gig Harbor took another step on a cultured path when Gateway to India opened on Kimball Drive Nov. 2. Since then, its owners have seen a steady stream of customers trickling in, even without advertising or an official grand opening.

Merle Norman Cosmetics of Gig Harbor recently was awarded the company’s “Gold Medallion” for excellence in customer service.

Lisa Willis has joined CenturyLink in Gig Harbor as manager of public relations for Washington and Oregon.

Peninsula Subaru Suzuki Triumph is forging ahead on two wheels . Motorcycle wheels, that is. The automobile dealership recently added motorcycles to its inventory in conjunction with Triumph motorcycles’ increasing popularity in the United States.

Water to Wine received a special gift for its 10-year anniversary. The Gig Harbor wine store was awarded third place in King 5 Evening Magazine’s “Best of Washington” contest in the wine shop category out of nearly 60 listings. The honor was announced last week.

Sometimes the little guys get big recognition out of the blue. So when Sunnycrest Nursery appeared on Komo News’ “Best places to buy new garden plants” it’s owners were a little surprised.

If the sound of potstickers, caramelized chicken wings or crispy fried prawns makes your mouth water, you can find them at Lele Thai and Vietnamese Cuisine at Uptown Gig Harbor.

When Harbor Well Being opened in April, its counselors had one goal in mind: to get people healthy, both physically and mentally.

Wade Perrow Construction will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Oct. 1. The company will invite colleagues, clients, subcontractors and employees to join the commemoration of the milestone.

The Harbor Plastic Surgery Center at the Milgard Medical Pavillion next to St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor will concentrate on the most common cancer — skin cancer.

Most homeowners want their yards and lawns to look beautiful. But in doing so, some runoff associated with fertilizers and other lawn-care can be deadly to the environment.

David Gillespie of Gig Harbor recently earned the professional designation of Certified Green Broker.

Gig Harbor’s Jon Coulombe doesn’t hesitate when he’s asked if he’s received any playful ribbing about opening a surf shop.