Category: Business of the Month

Each month, we recognize an outstanding small business in our community, and in March, we’re highlighting Skin Synthesis as the Roosevelt Neighborhood Business of the Month!
Skin Synthesis is a med spa that offers many services, including facials, acne management, hair restoration, personalized skin care consultation, and injections (e.g., Botox). Skin Synthesis moved to the Roosevelt neighborhood last year, after operating for several years on 25th Avenue NE, near U Village.

Skin Synthesis’ owner, Jenny Hartley, is a licensed nurse practitioner who practiced in hospital intensive care units for many years. In 2019, she decided to pivot the focus of her medical practice toward helping people increase their confidence and quality of life.

Jenny says that Skin Synthesis “has something for everyone.” She describes the business as an aesthetic clinic that’s a safe haven, a sanctuary, and a retreat. Jenny and her team are focused on developing collaborative relationships with their clients to discover their individual goals and develop a path toward reaching them, including services that are part of gender-affirming care. Their mission is “to connect, grow, and transform our lives together.”

Jenny is committed to applying her medical skills and experience and the high standards of care she acquired when working in the ICU to the luxury boutique med spa experience. She speaks eloquently about the grit, passion, and dedication needed to grow a business that started just months before the covid-related restrictions began.

Jenny and her team are very excited for the future. As she’s fond of saying, “Skin Synthesis isn’t just a clinic; it’s an experience.” If you are looking for a high-quality med spa experience, check out Skin Synthesis!

Skin Synthesis is located at 1402 NW 65th St. Their hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM To make an appointment, call 206-486-4784. If you’d like to get on their email list to learn about upcoming events and promotions, you can email them at info@skinsynthesis.com.

Positive ratings matters to local businesses. If you value their presence in our neighborhood, please consider leaving them a rating and comment on Yelp and Google Reviews:

Each month we recognize a neighborhood business for their great service and community involvement. The Business of the Month for February is Health Mutt at 1207 NE 65th Street, run by Bri Eggleston and Caitlin Roehl, with the able assistance of the four-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback, Arya.

Bri owns Furtician, a successful grooming shop in Bothell. When she and her parents were considering buying another shop and heard that Health Mutt was for sale, they immediately put in a bid to the previous owner, who had been looking for a buyer who would keep it a locally run shop (not part of a large chain) that was dedicated to the neighborhood. This is just what Bri had in mind and the deal was struck. They took possession on August 31, 2024.

While Health Mutt is no longer able to carry the full range of pet food it used to, they still do some special orders (call to inquire). They have a large selection of cat and dog toys as well as healthy treats and accessories, but their main focus is grooming, for which they both have a passion. Grooming prices have fluctuated somewhat but have stabilized at a level they feel will appeal to their customers. Their primary focus is keeping their human and canine customers happy and their groomers employed. 

Each groomer at Health Mutt can work with six to eight dogs a day, though they tend to do fewer because they want to make sure the dogs are comfortable and not unduly stressed; fast grooming can be very disconcerting to a dog. They are also careful to make sure that the dog’s coat and skin are healthy and give recommendations if they find any issues. 

Bri and Caitlin are dedicated to Roosevelt and to keeping Health Mutt a family-owned business, not part of an impersonal chain of grooming salons. They also have changed the organization of the store to be more open and accessible, and it is now ADA compliant. The most important thing they want you to know is that the driving force behind their business is how much they care about dogs and want only what is best for them and their humans. 

Each month they run a special; this month it is dental health, with all dental care products discounted by 15%. They also have Bubble Party Wednesdays, when you can get 15% off a bath for your dog. You can find out about all the monthly specials on their Facebook page or from signs on their windows or the sandwich board in front of the store.

The hours of the shop vary somewhat due to many factors, including childcare; it is best to call or email before you go, though if you have an appointment for grooming the shop will be open at the appointment time. Their groomers are busy but there are slots available pretty much every day. The website is healthmuttseattle.com and phone number is 206-743-9792. Email: healthmuttseattle@gmail.com.

Welcome to Roosevelt, Bri, Caitlin, Arya, and all your groomers! We are fortunate to have you.

Positive ratings matters to local businesses. If you value their presence in our neighborhood, please consider leaving them a rating and comment on Yelp and Google Reviews:

“Have you been to the new smoothie place on 65^th Street??” That’s a question I’ve heard several times from enthusiastic neighbors who have already enjoyed smoothies and bowls at Berry Much, this month’s Roosevelt Neighborhood Business of the Month! 

Here are 10 reasons you’ll love Berry Much:

1. You can make so many good puns with a name like Berry Much (such as: “I like their smoothies so Berry Much!”).
2. The owners, Bassem and Mohammed might be the nicest and warmest people you’ll meet in 2025. They offer a 10% discount to Roosevelt High School students and staff.
3. They offer a free protein boost to members of some local fitness and wellness organizations, such as LA Fitness, Community Fitness, and Shefayoga (with the purchase of a smoothie).
4. They provide delicious food and drink in a cozy and welcoming environment.
5. All of their ingredients are organic.
6. Bassem and Mohammed are community minded. They opened Berry Much in a neighborhood (rather than in a shopping mall) because they wanted to be part of a thriving, supportive, and connected community.
7. They have a frequent buyer program that allows you to get a free drink after buying just five.
8. Their drinks and bowls are so tasty, without being overly sweet. They are filled with healthy goodness because they are packed with fruit and contain only natural sweeteners.
9. Their drinks and bowls are so tasty, without being overly sweet. They are filled with healthy goodness because they are packed with fruit and contain only natural sweeteners.
10. Shopping at Berry Much is berry much fun, because of Bassem and Mohammed’s warm and welcoming spirit, and because they truly love making smoothies!

Berry Much opened in November, after unexpected delays prevented them from opening during the summer. November is not an ideal time in Seattle to open a smoothie shop, so (although they’re doing well so far) you should consider dropping in for a delicious smoothie, even if it is raining and 40 degrees out. Just think how happy you’ll be when your delicious smoothie makes you think about the coming summer sunshine, and the rewarding feeling you’ll have because you’re supporting a new small business in our community!

Berry Much is located at 1319 NE 65^h St. Their current hours are Monday-Friday 8:00AM –7:00PM and Saturday & Sunday 8:00AM – 6:00PM. 

Check out their excellent reviews on Google, so you can see how much our neighbors love “the new smoothie place on 65^th”! 

Positive ratings matters to local businesses. If you value their presence in our neighborhood, please consider leaving them a rating and comment on Yelp and Google Reviews:

Each month, we recognize an outstanding small business in our community, and in November, we’re highlighting Three Sacks Full as the Roosevelt Neighborhood Business of the Month! 

Ever since I was wowed by a meal at Three Sacks Full shortly after they opened, I have been wanting to return…and I recently did, to talk with Michael Tsai and Matthew Curtis about their unique local restaurant. Michael is the mastermind of the kitchen, whipping up his exceptional and creative food, and Matthew, a trained sommelier, is the wine master who also ensures top-notch hospitality in the front of the house.

They opened Three Sacks Full last November, after several years of operating as a pop-up and running a small farm in Carnation. They opened Three Sacks Full to provide delicious food and drink in a cozy and welcoming environment; promote seasonal, organic, and locally grown ingredients; and offer all this at prices that are not overly expensive. It can be very challenging to do all three, but Michael and Matthew achieve their mission by adhering to their values and priorities, including sustainability and minimizing food waste. 

They are open Wednesday-Sunday. The Sunday menu, which they call Sunday Café, is a bit smaller. Their weekly menus are vegetable- and grain-forward and usually consist of a few “snacks”, about seven vegetable or grain dishes, a couple meat or seafood options, and a couple desserts. Nearly all their dishes can be adapted to accommodate dietary needs and preferences; just let them know if you’re vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, or gluten-free. In addition to their wonderful food, they have a noteworthy selection of wine and non-alcoholic craft beverages.

Matthew and Michael like to focus on “old-style hospitality and friendliness,” so expect a warm and inviting dining experience. They are fond of saying that eating at Three Sacks Full is like having dinner at a friend or relative’s house (and, I’ll add, a friend or relative who really knows their way around the kitchen!), because of their focus on hospitality, sustainability, and adaptability. 

They have monthly events, which often relate to wine classes and tastings, because, in addition to being a delightful restaurant, they are wonderful local wine shop! Their next event is on Sunday, Nov 24, 12:30-4:30: a Pre-holiday Autumn Wine Sale & Tasting, including a 12-wine tasting for $12. It will also be a good time to pick up wines for your holiday meals and gifts because you’ll receive 10% off any purchase of six or more bottles. (The restaurant’s one-year anniversary is on Nov. 25, so if you go, wish them a happy restra-versary!)

Three Sacks Full is located at 981 NE 64^th St. Their hours are Wednesday-Saturday 5:00PM –9:00AM and Sunday 3:00PM – 8:00PM. Please note that reservations are recommended, because it’s a small restaurant with only 24 seats. Reservations are especially helpful on Fridays and Saturdays and any day between 6:00 and 8:00. They tend to be less busy on Wednesdays and Thursdays. To make a reservation, call 206-330-9805 or email threesacksfullseattle@gmail.com.

When you go to the restaurant, don’t forget to peruse their curated selection of reasonably priced wines to take home. The wine shop opens earlier than the restaurant, at 4:00.

Positive ratings matters to local businesses. If you value their presence in our neighborhood, please consider leaving them a rating and comment on Yelp and Google Reviews:

Each month we recognize a Roosevelt business for their great service and community involvement. The Business of the Month for October is the Eye Clinics of Seattle. They are located at 6618 Roosevelt Way NE in the Cedar Crossing building.

Dr. Eric Bergstrom purchased the Queen Anne Eye Clinic in 2001. In a short time, his business was thriving, but when his first child was born, he knew he wanted to spend more time at home. Since he was in a solo practice, he needed a partner to make that work. Enter Dr. Phil Lo, who Eric met when they were both at the Illinois College of Optometry. When he approached him about a partnership, Phil jumped at the chance. Soon the clinic was booming and, when Eric wanted to come back full-time, there was more than enough work for both of them. When a practice in the Ballard neighborhood came up for sale in 2020, they decided to open another branch of the Eye Clinics to serve that area.

In 2022 Eric and Phil faced a bit of a dilemma. They had been considering a major remodel of their Queen Anne location and knew that the Ballard store couldn’t absorb all of those patients. They had also been considering building a new location from scratch, as opposed to buying an existing practice. They wanted the new place to be close to transit and I-5, and not so far from either Ballard or Queen Anne that their current clients would balk at going that distance. They were also looking for a thriving, growing neighborhood with plenty of people who would need eye care services, and where the market was not already saturated. Fortunately (for them and us), Roosevelt fit the bill on all counts.

Once the Roosevelt store was up and running in 2023, they were kept busy mostly with their Queen Anne clients, as that store closed entirely for the renovation. But when the Queen Anne location reopened, the number of patients at Roosevelt steadily increased. They have found local residents to be respectful and happy to be part of this dynamic neighborhood. Phil and Eric and all their staff take pride in providing vision services to us and those in surrounding areas. They value above all the trust they are building with their clients and have found that word of mouth referrals have grown their business exponentially.

Phil and Eric have also been very supportive of the Roosevelt Business Roundtable, which has been meeting monthly in the lobby of the Eye Clinics.

While they have faced all the challenges that any small business does, Phil and Eric say that they are very pleased with the choice they made to locate their third location in Roosevelt. We are very glad they are here, and that they are our October Business of the Month!

Positive ratings matters to local businesses. If you value their presence in our neighborhood, please consider leaving them a rating and comment on Yelp and Google Reviews:

Die Bierstube is Roosevelt’s August Business of the Month! Each month, we highlight a business in our community to help promote thriving small businesses in our area.

I recently had the good fortune to sit down and chat with Die Bierstube’s manager, Keith Lovik. Keith joined the Die Bierstube team about two years ago as a bartender. After six months, he accepted the position of manager, envisioning the transformation of a lively community watering hole into a family-friendly pub with delicious German food and great German beer. (Note that due to licensing restrictions, those younger than 21 are allowed until 9:00 p.m.)

Die Bierstube has many long-time customers, who really should be called long-time friends. Many have been coming for their fix of German beer and camaraderie since it opened in 2004, including their current head chef, James. 

We’re lucky that they are being recognized now, because there are two upcoming events you won’t want to miss: On September 7, Die Bierstube will celebrate its 20^th anniversary with an all-day event, including special menu items that are updated versions of old favorites. On October 4-5, they will celebrate….you guessed it…Oktoberfest! It’ll be a “raucous” (but also family-friendly) time, with staff dressed in traditional German garb and a few unique menu items added just for the occasion.

Roosevelt community members have been rediscovering this gem. Here are just a few recent quotes from our very own RNA Facebook page: 

“Really fantastic brunch at Die Bierstube.”

“It feels very European.”

“Die Bierstube is terrific! It’s a great little place!”

Die Bierstube is located at 6106 Roosevelt Way NE. Their hours are Mon-Fri. 3:00PM – 12:00AM, Saturday 11:00AM – 12:00AM, and Sunday 11:00AM – 10:00PM.  

When you go, don’t forget to see if they have a table available in their outdoor (but covered) Biergarten!

Positive ratings matters to local businesses. If you value their presence in our neighborhood, please consider leaving them a rating and comment on Yelp and Google Reviews:

We have stretched our boundaries a little bit this month to make our good friends at Ravenna Rocks our July Roosevelt Business of the Month.

Jenny and Josh just couldn’t let it happen. After they moved into their home in Ravenna they would quite often walk past the old Silhouette Antique shop near 65^th and 15^th. Since the proprietor’s passing it had been sitting vacant and for sale. Like many in the neighborhood, they assumed it would become just one more piece of a huge apartment complex on that corner when the developers finally got it built. They wanted something more for the neighborhood and decided to take action.

Though they were busy with their day jobs, Josh in HVAC and Jenny as a consulting healthcare actuary (plus 5 kids) and had never really planned to own a small business, the world had other plans. It felt like fate that this beautiful little store they had loved to go into was now for sale. After researching more about its history and the strong single woman who kept it running for decades, they were determined to preserve the building and the previous proprietor’s legacy. It took some determined effort, but a few months later, in 2020, Ravenna Rocks was born.

One of the most important things they want you to know about their store is that “it’s not just rocks!” There is a wide variety of locally sourced (Tarot decks, stickers, greeting cards, lip balms, puzzles, books, and more), plus all sorts of jewelry, fossils, break-your-own geode, and polished stones, even rock candy and Pop Rocks. Given Jenny’s background in mathematics, it should come as no surprise that there are also several books with math puzzles and games. Much of the art, jewelry, and other items for sale are from local artists, and many of the books they carry are from local authors.

Ravenna Rocks also hosts many different events, including Tarot readings, Reiki healing, Intuitive Counseling, and, of course, rock and geology-related gatherings. True to their motto, they truly are a Neighborhood Gem. 

Positive ratings matters to local businesses. If you value their presence in our neighborhood, please consider leaving them a rating and comment on Yelp and Google Reviews:

Hello, everyone! As promised, each month we are going to feature one of our wonderful businesses as the Business of the Month. Last month’s profile of Distant Worlds Coffehouse inspired us to take this on and let everyone know about the great places right here in the Roosevelt neighborhood (and our friends in other neighborhoods, too!)

This month we are spotlighting Derby Salon and its owner, Alison Etter. We got a lot of suggestions for shops we could highlight, but over and over we heard about how wonderful Derby is not only as a salon but as a neighbor.

Derby has been a Roosevelt institution for almost 21 years. Alison had been running salons for other people for many years, and when she was ready to take the leap into owning her own place, she wanted more than anything to be in a place with a true neighborhood feel. When a shop came up for sale in Roosevelt, she knew she had found a good match, and has never regretted the choice to settle her business here.

Derby offers a great deal more than just hair care, with dedicated staff for skin, nails, and makeup services as well. Check it out at derbysalon.com!

Thanks to Alison and her staff, and congratulations on being the Roosevelt Neighborhood’s May 2024 Business of the Month!

Positive ratings matters to local businesses. If you value their presence in our neighborhood, please consider leaving them a rating and comment on Yelp and Google Reviews: