Shining a Light on Vashon’s Local Legends: Welcome to the Spotlight Series

If you’ve spent any time on Vashon-Maury.com, you may have stumbled across our Spotlight Series. Or maybe you clicked on one of our blog posts while searching for tacos, brunch, or quirky island gifts. Either way, welcome. This is where we highlight the local businesses, makers, and community staples that shape life on Vashon.

The series is exactly what it sounds like: a focused feature on one local business at a time. But it’s not a directory listing. It is not a press release. And it is definitely not a generic marketing blurb. These are stories. We talk to the people behind the counters, learn their history, order their best sellers, and share what makes them worth your time and attention.

You can browse the full collection anytime.

Here is a quick recap of some past features, and what you can expect from the series moving forward.

Local Flavor Worth Craving

We have eaten well for this series, and the stretch pants are the proof.

• May Kitchen & Bar offers an upscale Thai dining experience that feels like stepping into a hidden gem in Bangkok. The cocktails are thoughtful and strong. The food is unforgettable.
• Snapdragon has long been the go-to for artful brunch, fresh bread, and sweet moments. It is the kind of place where you’ll see a neighbor, a visiting artist, and someone in hiking boots all sitting under the same stained-glass windows.
• Island Queen sits near the ferry and leans into its classic roadside burger joint vibe. It is equal parts nostalgia and salt. Get the fries. Maybe a shake. You will not regret it.
• Green Butterfly Cafe & Juice gives Vashon’s clean-eating crowd something to get excited about. The colorful bowls, smoothies, and juices are made with intention and served with a smile.
• The Ruby Brink marries butchery and bistro in one space. The menu is hyper-seasonal, the meat is ethically sourced, and the bar turns out beautiful cocktails to round out a winter date night.
• Zamorana delivers on family-run charm and bold Mexican dishes that leave you full and happy. It is casual, friendly, and one of the best ways to warm up on a rainy day.
• Vashon Island Baking Company turns flour into magic. From holiday pies to everyday loaves, their case is always stocked with something scratch-made and worth the carbs.

Retail with Soul

• Giraffe curates treasures from around the world. It is part gallery, part boutique, part cultural escape. Perfect for gifts or for decorating your home with something meaningful.
• Vashon Pharmacy manages to be both practical and ridiculous. In one visit, you might grab a prescription, a hand cream, a vintage board game, and a rubber chicken. And yes, there is an entire aisle that would make Archie McPhee proud.
• Minglement holds a special kind of calm. With its herbal teas, bulk foods, organic produce, and firm no-WiFi policy, it is a reminder to slow down and shop with purpose.

The Helpers and Hustlers

• Island Security Self Storage may not sound glamorous, but it is the gold standard for customer service. Laura, who manages the place, gets more rave reviews than the businesses she serves. From U-Haul rentals to unit upgrades, she handles it all with grace and humor.
• Vashon Eagles shows that community spirit is alive and well. With Taco Tuesdays, Burger Wednesdays, Sunday drawings, and Friday fish fries, this is a club that knows how to throw a party while supporting local causes.
• Fair Isle Animal Clinic has cared for the island’s pets for decades. We featured this one from a first-person perspective, with behind-the-scenes insight from someone who actually worked there. Spoiler: it is busy, heartfelt, and full of both barking and laughter.
• Palouse Winery offers small-batch wines with a view. Whether you are in it for the wine club, the tastings, or just the scenery, this winery is a short drive from the ferry and worth carving out time for.

Creativity in Every Corner

• Vashon Center for the Arts continues to be the island’s cultural anchor. From live performances and gallery shows to art classes and school partnerships, it creates space for creativity to thrive.
• The Lodges on Vashon give visitors (and staycationers) a chance to unwind in sleek, modern cabins that feel like they belong in a design magazine. It is walking distance from town and exactly what you want from a quiet island escape.

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What You’ll Find in the Spotlight Series

This series is for locals. It is for tourists. It is for longtime island families and brand-new transplants trying to figure out where to buy coffee, order lunch, or meet someone who makes amazing pottery.

Expect posts with personality. We do not shy away from opinion, and we definitely do not pretend every place is perfect. But when we love something, we say it loud. You will find behind-the-scenes stories, heartfelt shoutouts, unexpected history, and sometimes a weird anecdote that tells you everything you need to know about a place.

We publish new Spotlight features regularly. Each one aims to support small businesses and introduce our community to the people who make Vashon more than just a pretty place. These are the stories you hear in the checkout line, at the dog park, or around the fire pit. We just happen to write them down.

Know a local business that should be featured? Let us know. We’re always looking for the next story worth telling.