Hidden business gems outside of Winslow

Everyone who lives or visits Bainbridge Island knows about its major business areas in downtown Winslow and Lynwood Center.

But when you explore the island a little bit you’ll find pockets of businesses that provide all kinds of services, often hidden within the trees.

Some businesses, like Green Light Garage at the western end of Eagle Habor, are isolated. But areas that have a few businesses include: Rolling Bay, Coppertop, Day Road, Island Center and Three Tree Lane.

Rolling Bay

Via Rosa 11

Via Rosa 11 is BI’s “Little Italy.” It opened over 11 years ago before starting out in Poulsbo and the BI Farmer’s Market.

Via Rosa 11 specializes in Italian dishes with local twists like sea urchins and figs. It also offers a takeout version so you can buy a meal and cook it at home.

Via Rosa 11 gives back to local businesses by buying its plants from Bay Hay and Feed, pastries from Rolling Bay Cafe and more.

Rolling Bay Winery

Alphonse de Kierk, David Verwolf and Pedro Sandri opened Rolling Bay Winery in 2007. The small winery is built to be a more intimate experience and was recently awarded Seattle Met’s “Top 22 Tasting Rooms in Washington.”

The three of them started making homemade wine and meeting a couple times a year in the Rolling Bay area in the 1980s. The winery is unique because of its European roots mixing with their farms in Eastern Washington.

Rolling Bay Auto

Rolling Bay Auto opened in 2001. Since they are not downtown, the business provides a free shuttle to customers anywhere on BI. In addition, they chose their location so they can test drive cars better and have more room in their garage.

To help retain customers, the business does follow-ups, texts and calls for appointment reminders. Their mindset is to be the Nordstrom’s of auto repair.

Rolling Bay Cafe

It used to be the Bainbridge Bakers but revamped to Rolling Bay Cafe in the early 2000s. The cafe is a community hub in the area.

Although it does get some tourists, its customers are largely locals who come up to twice a day. It is a unique spot because it is nearly the opposite of a Starbucks. Instead of a commuter comfort vibe, Rolling Bay Cafe is built within the garden of Bay Hay and Feed and expects its customers to enjoy their surroundings compared to working on their phones or computers.

Bay Hay and Feed

Even though its shirts are recognized across the country, the company has remained a small family-run business for over 40 years. It primarily promotes its business through monthly flyers and social media.

Similar to Rolling Bay Cafe, Bay Hay and Feed relies on foot traffic stopping by from the surrounding businesses. The business is diversified with food for pets, gardening and much more.

Jiffy Mart

Jiffy Mart has been Rolling Bay’s neighborhood market for decades, serving pastries, snacks, beverages and quick meals for the road. The market also provides locals with a mobile app called Alltown Neighborhood Perks, which can provide discounts or deals if you shop there regularly.

The mart’s main feature is its unique blend of coffee. The Alltown Coffee is blended in Windsor, CT. The coffee comes in medium, dark, Columbian or red decaf roasted small batches so every customer can have their preference of fresh coffee during the day.

Other nearby businesses include: Rolling Bay Storage, Rolling Bay Clay and Wildfire.

Day Road

Grain

Grain is a design practice dedicated to social and environmental responsibility. It was opened in 2008 by Chelsea and James Minola and remains a majority woman-owned and family-owned business.

Grain focuses on making each piece of art for clients unique to their liking. About 80% of Grain’s business comes from working with architects and interior designers. Most of the work is found at partner showrooms in New York, Los Angeles, Portland and elsewhere.

Although they have succeeded nationally, they are looking for more of a presence on BI. It has become challenging to find commercial spaces to rent and even harder to find local folks who want to work in trades such as woodworking, they said.

Eleven Winery

Matt and Sarah Albee were living in the San Francisco Bay Area in fall 1999 when they spent many weekends touring and tasting at wineries.

A few years later, they settled on BI for its community and natural beauty. They bought a fixer-upper house and used the extra money to convert the large garage into a tiny winery. The first grapes were crushed in 2003, and the first whites were released in 2004. In 2011, the winery was relocated.

The name Eleven comes from a bike racing term since Matt is a former racer. Although they target all types, their specialty is dinner table wine. Their wines have diverse and intriguing flavors to pair with a variety of cuisine, they said.

PacWesty

PacWesty opened as a rental agency but has pushed to make all of its Volkswagens zero emission by 2025.

PacWesty gives people a great way to experience national parks with low intensity. They will pack the vans, plan itineraries, make reservations at the parks and minimize the work people have to do.

Their Volkswagens allow renters to camp in their cars while traveling. In addition, PacWesty has a sister hub in Palm Springs, CA and allows riders to go one-way down the West Coast.

Bainbridge Vineyards

Gerard and Jo Ann Bentryn founded BI Vineyards and Winery in 1977. Betsey Wittick took over the small business in 2013. They are unique to the Bainbridge competitors because everything is grown on their farm.

Bainbridge Vineyards’ location is perfect for them because they cannot produce as much wine as other businesses. Therefore, the prices and production if they were in Winslow would not allow them to flourish. Instead, Bainbridge Vineyards can accommodate people’s choices and focus on white wines with lower alcohol levels.

Pegasus

Pegasus is one of the most historic coffee shops on BI. However, its roastery is a hidden gem since 2019. Although the roastery does not sell coffee, it hopes to become a destination where customers can get a peek behind the scenes of how the coffee is roasted and packed.

The main hub in Winslow has been around for over 40 years. It has become a staple to the community because Pegasus roasts to order by hand and in small batches.

Some of the other businesses in the area include: Elevate Strength and Conditioning, Intentional Wellness, Iggy’s Alive and Cultured, Barrecor, Bainbridge Heating and Air, Paper & Leaf, BI Construction, O’Grady Cycleworks and Bainbridge North Storage.

Coppertop

Bainbridge Organic Distillers

Bainbridge Organic Distillers opened in 2009 as Washington’s first distillery producing USDA Certified Organic spirits. In addition, it’s the only distillery creating all of its organic spirits from scratch.

Bainbridge Organic Distillers is able to thrive away from downtown because of its focus on being organic. It chose the organic route since it prevents the release of synthetic fertilizers and dangerous chemicals into the environment.

In addition, it has launched the state’s first organic vodkas, whiskey and gin.

Sweet Dahlia

Sweet Dahlia opened in 2017 as a wholesale bakery. After a couple years and a contract with Washington State Ferries, the business needed more space. So, Sweet Dahlia went retail and got a ton of foot traffic from two nearby schools, local breweries and wineries, and kid activities around the area.

Sweet Dahlia is more than a donut shop. It is a visual experience with bright colors, deserts and sandwiches made from scratch. Plus, Sweet Dahlia has begun to hit the road, having a pop-up shop at the recent Founder’s Tournament in pickleball and other community events.

That’s A Some Pizza

That’s A Some Pizza was located in Winslow for 35 years before moving around five years ago. It decided to leave downtown because of rising prices of rent each month and long commutes when delivering pizzas. The new, central location makes it easier to deliver pizzas across the island.

The pizza spot is surrounded by breweries and other businesses, and it relies on its reputation. It is unique in a few ways. It opens at 2:30 p.m. because it struggled during lunch hours. So its focus is on a late lunch rush and dinner crowd. Also, it uses sourdough. The sourdough starters are some of the oldest and highest-rated in the world, winning several awards across the globe.

The business focuses on dine-outs and deliveries instead of dining in the restaurant. That’s A Some Pizza will be looking to update its menu in the next few months to include Detroit-style pizza and others.

Fletcher Bay Winery

Fletcher Bay Winery began in 2008 when Jim Wilford made wine in his home. A few years later, Wilford opened its first spot on Coppertop and second location in Winslow in 2018.

The winery pays homage to BI through the name of its wines: Battle Point Red, Winslow White and Hidden Cove White.

Compared to other wineries, the Wilfords focus on big bold reds and have received many awards. In addition, Fletcher Bay does music weekly and has one of the only public rooftop venues on the island.

Bainbridge Brewing

Bainbridge Brewing focuses on supporting locals. The only brewing company on the island has been able to get its brews on tap at a variety of local restaurants. It has been open since 2012 and focuses on classic styles and lower-alcohol beers.

For example, its best-selling Eagle Harbor IPA is a classic Northwest one, featuring lots of pine, citrus and cedar hop notes with a 6% ABV.

Although Bainbridge Brewing cycles through more than a dozen styles, it loves to make the locals happy with its IPAs.

Other businesses in the area include: BI Crossfit, Insight Climbing & Movement, Bainbridge Self Storage, Williams Flower & Gift, Pacific Fusion Premier Martial Arts, BI Boys & Girls Club, Wicklund Dental and Fire Dragon Acupuncture & Message.

Island Center

Sawatdy

Opened in 1992 Sawatdy Thai Cuisine has become one of the most-popular restaurants on BI. It can handle any event as well, including family dining, lunch rush, birthdays and catering.

As of May, they have been open for dine-in for dinner, too.

Julie’s Frame Gallery

The store opened in Lynwood Center in 1993 but has been in the Island Center for 20 years. The gallery is a custom-framing service people tend to seek rather than relying on walk-in traffic.

Business continues to grow and costs remain low, they said, adding the company has been successful since it focuses on its quality, personal service and building relationships.

PAWS Adoption Center

The Progressive Animal Welfare Society opened in 1975 in BI and North Kitsap. It is one of three adoption centers on BI and the farthest from Winslow. However, it is able to thrive with its mission to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia of adoptable animals. In addition, PAWS stands out because of its veterinary assistance programs and online lost and found service.

Bainbridge Gardens

Bainbridge Gardens has been open for 65 years on BI. The business is unique because it helps support the environment and locals in a variety of ways.

Bainbridge Gardens will hand out a tree to a family whose child was born to BI parents. The family may choose a western red cedar, douglas fir or hemlock.

Other businesses in the area include: Modern Collision and Rebuild Service, Holly Lane Gardens, Jerry’s Auto Rebuild, Norwest Marine and Island Spectrum Design.

Three Tree Lane

High Side Distilling

High Side Distilling began when Matt Glenn was able to convince Helen and Jeff Glenn to create a family business with their brewing background and passion in 2014. After visits to Scotland in 2015 and 2017, High Side Distilling got its niche for Single Malt Whiskey and Amaro.

The three Glenns take pride in being a small family-owned business. It is able to thrive with some of its drinks being found at local restaurants like Bruciato, Hitchcock, The Plate and Pint and a few more.

Eagle Harbor Winery

Eagle Harbor Winery was opened in 2005 by Cynthia and Hugh Remash. In 2014, Emily Parsons purchased it. Compared to other local wineries, Eagle Harbor focuses on creating artisanal old-world styles.

Eagle Harbor Winery selects fruit from across the state, including Walla Walla, Columbia Valley and Eastern Washington.

In addition, it has live music every Sunday from 2-4 p.m. during the summer.

BARN

BARN, Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, opened its doors in 2015 with 10 studios. The studios require a membership.

Studios include Fiber Arts, Glass Arts, Media Arts, Woodworking and more. BARN is able to thrive with a variety of classes for locals and the ability for others to utilize the space for projects.

Other businesses in the area include: Reliable Storage BI, CW Design and Decor, Torrid Marine, Vignette Creative and TFW Bainbridge Island.