We recently sat down with Jason Heitt, Retail Operations Manager with Postdoc Brewing to learn about their story, local partnerships, upcoming events, and what Postdoc loves about operating in Kenmore.

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about the Postdoc story?
Jason: Postdoc started around 11 years ago in December of 2014. It was the vision of Tom Schmidlin and his wife Julie. Tom has his PhD in biochemistry with an emphasis on yeast studies. When he was in college, he would joke with his friends and say he was going home to work on his post doc, which meant he was going to go brew beer. After he graduated, he looked for a bunch of different research opportunities and couldn’t really find what he was looking for—but he could get funding for a brewery. And when it came time to name the brewery, there really wasn’t a better name. So, Postdoc it was.

Q. What brought Postdoc to Kenmore?
Jason: Our original location is in Redmond at Marymoor Park, and we’re still operating going on 11 years now. But we had been looking for second space for a while, and when this opportunity became available, it really matched our values. There’s a strong community here, and we get to be part of it while making great beer and providing community space.

Q: Will Postdoc be involved with Oktoberfest in 2026?
Jason: Yes, Postdoc will absolutely be involved in Kenmore’s Oktoberfest. The last two years we got the opportunity to brew the Kenmore Oktoberfest beer, and that’s on the agenda for us again this year. One of my favorite Oktoberfest events is actually the tapping of the first firkin. It’s a fun ceremonial thing where we get a big mallet and spigot, and hammer it into the keg. It’s a great time—people line up with their steins, and we just start pouring beers right off the top.

Q: How can we as a community support you?
Jason: Just come and celebrate with us. If you have a party, you can have it here or one of the other awesome spaces in Kenmore. Let us get excited with you, and if you want reach out about donations or maybe you have a community event that you want to host but don’t have the space—come to Postdoc and celebrate with us.

Q: Where is your favorite place to drink and or dine in Kenmore? (aside from Postdoc?)
Jason: When we first opened in Kenmore, we immediately went to Kenmore Lanes because it’s iconic—if you want to eat a meal, have some drinks, and have a good time that’s the place to be. We also love going just down the street to Copperworks and trying some really awesome spirits. Jason [of Copperworks] has a background in brewing, so it’s always a blast to chat with him. And then, I mean, how can you beat the menu over at Stoup? That’s a favorite as well.

Q: Will you be hosting any new events or community opportunities in the near future?
Jason: Among a ton of other weekly community events, we’ll actually be hosting comedy shows here at Postdoc. We’re working with Dani Marie Events to bring live comedy to Kenmore – the first show was Thursday, March 19. We also do a lot of fundraisers throughout the year and have collaborative beers on tap that we donate a portion of proceeds to. The next one coming up benefits the Pink Boot Society, which is a foundation that helps women and non-binary people advance their careers in the brewing industry through opportunity and education. And, finally, we’ll have the two year anniversary of Postdoc in Kenmore this May. To mark that occasion, there will be a full weekend of events, celebrations, and more.

Q: What are you most looking forward to at Postdoc in 2026?
Jason: We really want keep up our community events, continue inviting people to our space, and servicing food trucks. So, we’re going to do a food and beer pairing with Outsider Barbecue, we’re hoping to do some puzzle events with Snapdoodle across the street this year, and really just connecting with other businesses and sharing our voice with them.

Q: Tell me about Brew Row and its novelty in Kenmore?
Jason: Brew Row is actually a really great idea. When people go out—and I think this is similar for wineries too—when you go out tasting, you want to try a bunch of different things. And so when you have density or you have multiple locations that you can walk to, a rising tide in that case actually lifts all boats. You might spend an hour here [at Postdoc], walk over to Copperworks, and then walk down to Stoup. Having something like Brew Row is really awesome for us specifically, and also for the community, because they get to spend all day out and about in their community. I think it’s a really awesome idea and I think more communities could definitely benefit from it.

Q: What makes Kenmore different than other cities?
Jason: The City of Kenmore is much more hands on; they constantly give you ways to amplify your voice and find opportunities. There are a lot of grants that we’ve been approached about. Community events and resources like Oktoberfest and FindKenmore.org with the online events calendar is awesome. Kenmore encourages involvement in meetings and planning, and getting to know your community members, and they just give you space to grow. It’s been great.

To learn more about Postdoc Brewing, visit>>Postdoc Brewing.

The post Brewing Community on Kenmore’s Brew Row appeared first on Find Kenmore.

As If Theatre Company Offers Engaging, Challenging, and Entertaining Theater in the Heart of Kenmore.

The As If Theatre performs frequent shows at the historic Kenmore Community Club located on Brew Row. They believe that theater is community, and desire to instill hope, laughter, conflict resolution, empathy, awareness, and a deeper understanding of self and others through the art of theater. We recently sat down with Cindy Giese French, one of the founders of the theater company, to learn more.

Q: Can you tell me about As If and the story behind bringing the performing arts to Kenmore?

Cindy:  We had been suggested to go look at the Kenmore Community Club to see if a show I wanted to produce would be viable. We met with the president at the time, and he said, “we’re looking for a theater company to come into this area.” My founding partner and I looked at each other, and within three or four days we had the concept and name. We thought Kenmore was a perfect location. It ended up being wonderful because there is so much parking and some incredible breweries nearby. You can have a night out in Kenmore complete with dinner and a show, and you don’t need to go anywhere else—it’s a one-stop shop.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the processes, steps, and life of a production for As If?

Cindy: It begins with the reading of a lot of scripts. We have a brand at As If, where even if it’s serious there’s humor. It’s sort of life in a nutshell, it’s multi-dimensional, and it feels true. From there, we audition and send notices to folks in the Puget Sound area, and then we start rehearsals. Our rehearsals are about 6 weeks, and then we have 12 performances spread out over three weeks. During the life of the production, we are also having meetings with folks and designers involved in all phases of the production. For example, dialect coaches who are phenomenal and work with our actors. It truly takes a village, and we have some amazing partners and collaborators. Not to mention, the Kenmore Community Club is kind enough to let us store our risers for the stage at their facility which are unbelievably heavy, and we build the entire set at the KCC.

Q: Are there any productions that have been particularly challenging or rewarding?

Cindy: They are all rewarding for different reasons and they’re all challenging for different reasons. Our latest Fall production was so rewarding in terms of audience feedback. We had so many people coming to us and saying thank you for bringing this kind of theater to Kenmore. And in that same respect, one of the most challenging things about that show was the set itself. It’s a three-location play, but the third location doesn’t come into play until later in the show, so it necessitated a rotating set. It became this group effort in trying to figure out how to accomplish this goal.  In theater, we are constantly faced with those “MacGyver” moments where you know what you want and it’s more a matter of figuring out how you’re going to pull it all off.

Q: What lessons have you taken from those experiences and what have you learned in operating in Kenmore?

Cindy: We started in 2018 and our first production was in 2019. And then we went a full year until COVID, but despite that we didn’t give up and went online to continue bringing the joy of the arts to Kenmore. And, those Zoom productions are still live on our website! Our goal when we decided to commit to creating a theater company was to give good plays a great production. If you’ve got good quality writing and good quality actors, you’re going to transcend taste, preference, and bring people together. We’re building a real community, and we do our very best to provide a professional, quality experience.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do in Kenmore (besides theater production)?

Cindy: My husband and I walk with our two little dogs. If we’re not walking the pipeline, we love walking through Saint Edward State Park and walk down to the water. We also like to stop in at Patty’s Eggnest to grab breakfast to-go and walk along the Burke-Gilman Trail. Also, going to Diva and hanging out and working is amazing. I just love all of the things that make Kenmore a community.

Q: What are you most excited about heading into 2026 and beyond?

Cindy: More opportunities for classes and the dream that we can have a bigger space so we can actually utilize it fully and offer more theater, opportunities, and classes. I love the idea of making theater accessibility for everybody. We want to continue the momentum – we won the coveted Gregory Award. We were the people’s choice for the regional performing arts organization in the North. And I think it speaks to the fact that people are willing to give us a chance and make Kenmore a destination for creatives.

To learn more about the As If Theatre and check out their next production, visit>>As If Theatre.

The post Arts and Culture in Kenmore: Up Close with “As If Theatre” appeared first on Find Kenmore.

Crossfit Kenmore Offers a Local Spot for Community Connection While Building Strength

We recently sat down with Coral Malean, CrossFit Kenmore’s, owner to learn about the the gym’s culture and connectivity.

Q: Tell me about your gym size and space?  How many members and trainers do you have?

Coral: The gym is about 2,500 square feet. We have around 150 members and we have eight coaches on staff. So, classes tend to be larger groups, but it really depends on the time of day. We also do small group training and personal training.

Q: What type of culture and vibe do you try to cultivate at your gym?

Coral: Most CrossFit gyms are pretty community driven and we do have a really strong community here in Kenmore. For example, there are a few different groups of people who get together for coffee weekly, and we have a run club on Sundays. Our gym is a little bit more weightlifting focused. We have trainers that have their United States weightlifting certification, so we know our way around a barbell. Other than that, we are just a fun group and gym—we try to have a good time.

Q: Do you have advice for people who have been thinking about trying CrossFit but are intimidated or just need that extra push?

Coral: Yeah, I think sometimes CrossFit still gets a reputation or a rap for being really hardcore, but the beauty of CrossFit is that everything is scalable and modifiable. And you’re sharing the cost of a trainer with the other members, so you have somebody looking out for you and helping you figure out which exercises are the best fit for your skill level. A lot of people think that they need to be fit to start CrossFit, but that’s what we’re here to help you do is get fit.

Q: You mentioned that you have a lot of folks that come out in the early morning?

Coral: That’s actually our busiest time. The members that come in at 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM are a really tight knit group. They get together every Friday for coffee at Diva [Espresso]. And they just show up and put in work together consistently.

Q: How can we as a community support you and your business?

Coral: I think people just coming in to try the gym and experience CrossFit for themselves is the best way to support us.

Q: What lessons have you learned through operating a business in Kenmore?

Coral: I would say that there’s always resources and people out there to help you, so don’t feel like you have to do it alone. The community will have your back.

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your story and what inspired you to bring CrossFit to Kenmore?

Coral: I took over ownership eight years ago from a former navy seal. So, I didn’t start it from the ground up, but fitness is my passion, the community has been amazing, and it’s been such a great opportunity with an amazing group of people.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do in Kenmore besides run a gym?

Coral: I really like walking the Burke-Gilman, and there’s the park [ƛ̕ax̌ʷadis] right across the street from CrossFit Kenmore that’s really beautiful, and you can see a lot of wildlife.

Q: What are you most excited about heading into 2026 and beyond?

Coral: I’m just excited to help as many people as possible with their fitness goals and continue to get the word out to everybody that CrossFit is accessible for everybody. We have masters athletes. We have people in their 60’s that are training with us, and it’s really rewarding to be able to work with a wide range of people and help them live a really healthy, wonderful lifestyle.

Q: Are there any cool opportunities that people should be aware of?

Coral: There are a few things. We have a foundations fundamentals course that is a great way for people to build a solid fitness foundation. We also have classes on Sundays for 55 years and up as well as youth strength and conditioning classes.

Learn more about CrossFit Kenmore here>>

The post CrossFit Kenmore – Find Classes, Community, and Connection appeared first on Find Kenmore.

Kenmore’s beloved 192 Brewing Co. is shifting focus and will no longer operate the 192 Lake Trail Tap Room after January 31, 2026

“192 Brewing Company is transforming its focus on brewing, sales, and distribution to include popup events and festivals following new directions that allow the brand to grow creatively, remain nimble, and better serve the community beyond a single location.” – Derek Wyckoff, Founder and Owner

We recently sat down with Derek to discuss the change, what he loves about Kenmore, and his experience as a business member in Kenmore.

Q: What prompted the transition away from a brick-and-mortar location?

Derek: It became apparent that the business model was shifting as far as what is driving successful business after COVID. Public habits have changed, community habits have changed, and I feel like COVID forced us to re-engage with our neighbors and our local communities. Leaning into that made me want to spend more time in the brewery that I built. And during COVID, I made a lot of upgrades to the equipment so I could be self-sustaining. In wanting to get my product back out there, this gives me a chance to refocus on what my core endeavor was, and that was to make beer in a 192 square foot shed, and get it out far and wide, and to make Kenmore famous.

Q: Where can people visit to taste 192 beer?

Derek: So, a lot of people ask about our relationship with Copperworks next door. I can say proudly and very joyfully that Jason and I have become very good friends. We go hiking together. We’ve been camping together. He is quite the coffee aficionado, so if you need a coffee buddy to go camping with, he’s your man. He has promised to keep 192 brewing on tap constantly at Copperworks. So, you’ll always be able to get us right here at the same location. It just won’t be me running the operation.

Q: What are you most excited about and looking forward to with the transition?

Derek: Getting to go back into the brewery that I built with my bare hands. I am joyful to go back into that 192 square foot space and do what I set out originally to do and to be able to do it full force. When I built the shed, it was a part-time hobby for me. Now, this is a full-time endeavor and I’m excited about that. My new job description is to go to festivals to share the product that I make, and to go to bars and restaurants to get on tap there. In addition, the goal is maintain those relationships with the community and spread the word far and wide about Kenmore and 192 Brewing Company. So I’m very excited about that.

Q: How can we as a community support you?

Derek: Well, uh, drink beer, that’s number one. And if you go to a place that doesn’t have us on draft, that’s a favorite watering hole or a favorite place that’s a gathering for your family or your friends… ask for 192 products. Ask for the shticky blonde, ask for the Kenmore Gold.

Q: Will you still be involved with Kenmore Oktoberfest and other community functions?

Derek: Yes, we’ll be involved in the Kenmore Oktoberfest in whatever capacity we can. We’re actually looking for new opportunities for pop-ups and community events. We may be utilizing the community center to do fun events there, and any opportunity we can find to plug in.

Q: Are you working on any new recipes?

Derek:  So, yes, I am super glad you asked that. The shticky blonde will always be my flagship beer, that is brewed with wild honey, and then we made the Wally Hop, but I think the thing I’m most excited about is the new hard cider/hard seltzer. As a brewery, I can’t make a cider, but I can put fruit juice in my seltzer and I’m the only one that appears to be doing that. My hard “seldar” as I am calling it takes on the color of the fruit juice that it represents, and it actually tastes like the fruit that is mentioned in the recipe.

Q: Do you have a favorite place that you like to eat or drink around Kenmore?

Derek: My favorite place is probably the patio lounge at the St. Edwards State Park. So, I run trails at St. Edwards quite frequently. It’s part of my weekly routine, and I like to wind down with a 50/50 OJ and pineapple juice from the bar. But at the end of the day, I love to go sit on that patio out there, have a pint, and watch the sunset… it is absolutely spectacular.

Q: As a business owner in Kenmore have you learned anything about yourself and the process of building a business in Kenmore?

Derek: I’ve learned that I am as tenacious as I thought I was. I always worked for somebody else and I put in a lot of hours working in hospitality. And at one point I finally decided, you know what? If I can work this hard for somebody else, I can probably succeed on my own. I think my biggest lesson was I didn’t know anything about city government before I started this. And getting to know my city council and getting to know my city staff, and the support that I have received from Kenmore has been amazing.

I think my entire goal—other than giving Kenmore a community place to gather—was to change Kenmore from a drive through town to a drive to town. And that’s been something that I think we’ve been working together on, and the more I get involved, the more I get out of it. That’s my word to every small business owner out here is just get involved. There [are] resources, there’s support. If you put in the time, you’re gonna get back the effort.

Check out more and follow Derek’s journey online>>

The post 192 Brewing Company – New Chapter appeared first on Find Kenmore.

The City of Kenmore has partnered with the Port of Seattle since 2017 to fund economic development projects and initiatives in the city.

The Port of Seattle’s Economic Development City Partnership Program is a cooperative economic development program that supports local and regional economic development initiatives across King County. The Port offers participating King County cities funds to support projects and initiatives that address economic growth, encourage the use of the Port’s facilities, supports jobs, and diversify the business ecosystem by increasing access and support for disadvantaged businesses, women-owned, and/or minority-owned business enterprises (WMBE).  Funding is made to King County cities on a per-capita calculation based on Washington State Office of Financial Management annual population estimates.

For the 2025-2026 biennium budget cycle, the City of Kenmore was awarded funding for the following projects with specific areas of focus:

ShopMore Webpage on Findkenmore.org – Buy Local/Placemaking Focus
In 2023, the City of Kenmore launched FindKenmore.org, a modern business directory and tourism website designed to promote Kenmore’s local businesses and attractions. This project creates a new ShopMore webpage on the site dedicated to marketing local craft markets, pop-ups, and other shop local events.

Shopmore Graphic by V2Works. Work paid for by Port of Seattle grant funds.

 

2025 Holiday Shopping Pass paid for by Port of Seattle Grant funds.

Digital Pass on Findkenmore.org website – Buy Local/Placemaking Focus
A smart, measurable way to support Kenmore’s economy and amplify FindKenmore.org.  This project provides a mobile-first platform that connects residents and visitors to local businesses through curated passes, incentives, and experiences. The Digital Pass enhances previous investments in FindKenmore.org by turning awareness into measurable action and repeated engagement. Passes will be tailored around a key community and cultural moment giving residents an easy way to explore, spend, and celebrate together locally. Other Digital Pass opportunities include World Cup business activation in 2026, Kenmore Oktoberfest in 2026, Kenmore Winterfest in 2026, and potentially more event related engagements.

 

 

 

Scenic Washington travel writer. Photo and story paid for with Port of Seattle Grant funds.

Photography, Videography & Content Creation for Tourism Marketing – Tourism Focus
Having up-to-date photos and videos is essential for visitor/tourism promotion and this project will continue to support these efforts in 2025 and 2026. This project utilizes professional photographers, videographers, and content creators to capture Kenmore in creative ways for marketing and tourism efforts. The content highlights local restaurants, shops, parks, special events, hidden treasures, and other interesting aspects of the city.  

Professional content will be used for the Findkenmore.org business directory and tourism website and for the City of Kenmore website, advertising materials, business promotion, and other marketing efforts showcasing the city. 

 

 

Findkenmore.org Marketing Campaign – Tourism Focus
With the support from Port of Seattle Economic Development grant funding, the Findkenmore.org website will be updated with a new ShopMore page, updated photos, video, and social media content, and also a new Digital Pass providing discounts and deals to local shoppers. A marketing campaign with digital and print advertising in local and regional publications, and social media advertising, will draw visitors to the website to experience these new enhancements and help drive traffic to local businesses. Advertising regionally will also expand Kenmore’s reach to new visitors and promote tourism in the area.  

Stay tuned for more updates on Port of Seattle Projects throughout 2026!

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Story by Jennifer Coleman of Scenic WA. Photos by Capture.Share.Repeat.

There’s something quietly magical about a fall day in the place you least expect it. For a quick getaway close to home, my friend and I headed to Kenmore, Washington. Situated on the northernmost part of Lake Washington near Seattle, Kenmore is an easy choice for those craving nature, human-powered activities, and relaxing by the lake.

On a crisp October day we headed to our base for the night: The Lodge at St. Edward Park, a beautifully restored landmark hotel that blends rich history with modern luxury. The historic brick seminary building, with endless windows catching shafts of sunlight, is perched among an urban forest of trees that have already begun the seasonal transition to crimson and gold, with leaves falling and creating the perfect atmosphere for a hike through the woods.

Strolling through Saint Edward State Park

The post Discover the Magic of Kenmore in Autumn appeared first on Find Kenmore.

The Extinction Chandelier
An Installation by Sharon Gottula at Window Gallery at Shift

Opening November 6, 2025 – First Thursday, Pioneer Square Art Walk
310 S Washington Street, Seattle, WA
SEATTLE, WA — This November, SHIFT Gallery’s Window Gallery will feature The Extinction Chandelier, a new installation by multidisciplinary artist Sharon Gottula, whose work in clay and encaustic wax explores the fragile intersections between nature, time, and human impact. The installation opens November 6, 2025, in conjunction with Pioneer Square’s First Thursday Art Walk.
At once luminous and unsettling, The Extinction Chandelier suspends dozens of sculpted monarch cocoons in a haunting meditation on climate change and loss. The monarch butterfly—one of the most extraordinary migrators on the planet, traveling from the mountains of Mexico to the northern reaches of Canada—serves as the central symbol in Gottula’s work. Once abundant, monarch populations have plummeted in recent decades due to habitat destruction, pesticide use, and the disappearance of milkweed, the only plant their caterpillars can eat.
“This isn’t just a national issue—it’s a global one,” says Gottula. “As the planet warms and the timing of blossoms and migrations shift, species like the monarch find themselves out of sync with their own survival. The chandelier form felt like a fitting metaphor—a thing of beauty, light, and fragility, hanging by a thread.”
Constructed from wax, clay, and cast forms, the installation merges painting and sculpture in Gottula’s signature blend of delicacy and structure. Alongside the chandelier, encaustic and acrylic paintings speak to climate change, migration, and extinction—inviting viewers to consider the interconnectedness of all living systems and the urgency of environmental change.
The Window Gallery at SHIFT has for many years and in several iterations served as an unexpected, unexplained, mid-block art enclave in Seattle’s art-gallery-filled Tashiro-Kaplan Building in the downtown core. The window has been used for exhibiting both large and small installations of artists’ work within a limited space. The range, size, and unique assemblages of art shown in the window have and continue to surprise and delight passersby along Washington Street between Third and Second Avenues.
Based in Kenmore, Washington, Sharon Gottula works primarily in encaustic painting and sculptural installation. Her art often draws on natural motifs—trees, cocoons, and atmospheric light—to explore the rhythms of nature and humanity’s impact on the environment.

The Extinction Chandelier will be on view November 6 through December 1, 2025, in SHIFT Gallery’s Window Gallery, visible 24/7 from the street. The public is invited to the opening during the First Thursday Art Walk on November 6.
For more information and images, visit>>www.sharongottula.com.
Window Gallery at Shift>>https://thewindowgalleryatshift.com/

The post Local Kenmore Artist Represented in Pioneer Square Art Gallery appeared first on Find Kenmore.

 

A Touch of Ireland Comes to Kenmore This October – Don’t Miss This Heartfelt (and Hilarious) Story

This fall, As If Theatre Company invites you to experience a story full of laughter, heartache, and everything in between. Blending sharp Irish wit with tender, emotional moments, this play is a beautifully human tale about love, loss, family, and the courage it takes to open your heart.

Running October 2–19, 2025, the show will be performed at the charming Kenmore Community Club — right off the Burke Gilman Trail at 7304 NE 175th St, Kenmore, WA 98028.

It’s a story that captures all the ups and downs of life: the joy, the grief, the awkwardness, and the hope. Whether you’re a fan of touching romances, strong family stories, or just a well-told tale with a little Irish flair, you’ll find something to love.

? Hosted by As If Theatre Company
Known for producing intimate, engaging, and heartfelt shows, As If Theatre brings its signature style to this unforgettable production.

? “Pay What You Can” Nights – October 9–12
Theatre should be for everyone. Join us for special Pay What You Can performances from October 9–12 — just choose the price that works for you and come enjoy the magic.

?️ Tickets Available Now
Don’t wait — seats are limited and this one’s bound to be a favorite!
Purchase tickets here>>https://www.simpletix.com/e/outside-mullingar-tickets-234987

The post A Touch of Ireland Comes to Kenmore This October appeared first on Find Kenmore.

Are you a community organization, business, or non-profit in King County who is passionate about community, creativity, or culture? You may be eligible for a Game Ready Activation Grant from the Seattle Metro Chamber. These grants support community-focused events in 2025 that celebrate and prepare neighborhoods for the global spotlight of FIFA World Cup 2026™. Priority is given to projects that: strengthen business visibility, foster connection between residents and visitors, and are designed to continue after the World Cup.

Eligible applicants: Be a not-for-profit organization, community-based organization, for-profit business, tribe or tribal organization, or business district organization with at least one physical location in King County.
Funding: $5K–$20K per activation
Deadline: Rolling through November 10, 2025 (or until funding is gone)

Check out the Seattle Metro’s Chamber’s video to learn more>>https://www.facebook.com/reel/2356478461475121

Apply here>>https://bit.ly/41FQI1Y

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