Throughout this issue are tidbits about how some of our local merchants, organizations, and businesses got started. The Maven appreciates all of their support and hopes they are successful for many more years.

CHELSEA STATION

Chelsea Station on the Park, a popular bed and breakfast inn located near Woodland Park Zoo, was started almost 20 years ago by Dick and Mary Lou Jones. The second owner, John Griffen, expanded the inn in the 1990s. Today, the 9-bedroom inn is operated by Eric and Carolanne Watness.

Fremont € 547-6077

STACEY ROMBERG, ATTORNEY

Stacey L. Romberg, Attorney at Law, established her practice in 1999. She is active in the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber and serves as president of the King County Bar Association's Solo and Small Practice Section.

Greenwood € 784-5305

CHIROPRACTIC FAMILY CENTER

Dr. David Weber, owner of Chiropractic Family Center of Seattle, is a 1983 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic who opened his first practice, near the Space Needle, two years later. While his practice was successful, he didn't enjoy the commute. In 1991, he sold that clinic and opened a practice in the Lake City Professional Center. He recalls: "Dr. Linda Ingstad had opened her practice at the professional center in 1987 and it was an ideal situation for me to share the lovely clinic space that she had created. I grew up in a family that believed in natural health care... I chose a career as a chiropractor because it allowed me to help people heal themselves, without drugs or surgery."

Lake City € 367-5090

STROUM JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER

Established in 1949, the Stroum Jewish Community Center is a non-profit United Way Agency open to the entire community. The North End facility, located at 8606 35th Ave. NE, opened in 1985.

Wedgwood € 526-8073

NORTHWEST HOSPITAL

At the first meeting of Northwest Hospital's medical staff on Aug. 16, 1960, Dr. Gould, one of Northwest's founders, predicted the hospital's growth. Northwest, he said, should "be not just a good hospital, but an excellent one."

More than four decades after the first patients checked into Northwest Hospital, their successors are still benefiting from the personalized care the hospital delivers daily to North End residents.

Today, Northwest Hospital continues to grow with its community.

Dedicated to the belief that responsive emergency services are critical to providing high-quality community care, Northwest Hospital this year completed a $6 million expansion and renovation of its Emergency Department. Additionally, the hospital opened a dedicated Stroke Unit committed to improving the recovery rate for brain attack patients through education and a standardized plan of care.

Over the years, Northwest Hospital has earned a reputation for innovation. Physicians at Northwest pioneered prostrate cancer treatment with ultrasound-guided radioactive seed implants. Northwest was the first hospital in the region to offer non-surgical treatment of brain tumors through the use of Gamma Knife. The Childbirth Center provides personalized prenatal care and was the first in the region to offer a single private room where labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care could all take place.

For more information about the hospital and its services, visit Northwest's Web site at www.nwhospital.org.

Haller Lake € 364-0500

CONNIE'S RIMROCK STEAKHOUSE

Connie Dunn started bartending 32 years ago at age 21 in Salem, Oregon. She then moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she bartended for the Fairbanks Inn, and later worked on the Alaska Pipeline for four years. She came to Seattle in 1985 and got a job as a cocktail waitress at the Wedgwood Broiler. In April 1994, she started bartending at the Rimrock Steakhouse, a Lake City restaurant that started in the early '40s as Jim's Steakhouse. Eight months later, she bought the business from then-owner Greg Lee and renamed it Connie's Rimrock Steakhouse.

Lake City € 362-7979

HOME OWNERS CLUB

The Home Owners Club, the only club of its kind in the Northwest, was established on July 1, 1959 by Boris Kramer and Howard Richmond. The current President Matt Maury left a corporate job with Weyerhaeuser to become HOC president in 1980.

Cascade € 622-3500

THE MERIDIAN SCHOOL

The 2001-2002 school year marks The Meridian School's 25th year. Meridian School began as a small preschool/kindergarten. It is now an independent, accredited elementary school with grades kindergarten through fifth.

Meridian has been located for 22 years at the historic Good Shepherd Center in the Wallingford neighborhood where it is surrounded by spacious landscaped grounds used for play and exercise.

Wallingford € 632-7154

LES SCHWAB

Les Schwab Tire Company opened its Lake City store earlier this year.

The company started in January 1952 when Les Schwab purchased a small OK Rubber Welders tire store in Prineville, Oregon.

With a $3,500 investment and a strong desire to own his own business, Les increased the sales of the store from $32,000 to $150,000 in its first year. He had a strong determination to provide opportunity for people who could not afford to go into business for themselves. In 1955, he opened his third store in Bend, Oregon, and within the year changed the name to Les Schwab Tire Company.

Les also came up with what is known as the supermarket tire store concept. His goal was to have his warehouse in his showroom so customers could walk through the racks of tires and be able to pick out the actual tires that would go on their vehicle.

Today, Les Schwab Tire Company is one of the largest independent tire companies in the country, with 222 company stores and has 82 member dealer locations.

Lake City € 522-5422

GEORGIA'S GREEK RESTAURANT

Laki Kazakos opened Georgia's Greek Restaurant in 1991 to create an atmosphere that portrays the essence of Greece's traditions and serve authentic Greek cuisine. Georgia's also holds monthly Greek music nights featuring musicians Kathy Whitesides and Hank Bradley. The restaurant is named after Laki's mother.

Greenwood € 783-1228

ARTS 'N' FLOWERS

Imogene Inglet opened her own business, Arts 'N' Flowers, in 1997 following the sale of Lake City Florist, the florist shop where she worked for 17 years. In addition to running her business, Inglet currently serves as the president of the Lake City Chamber.

Lake City € 440-8819

TINY VIOLET

Eve Hanninen, a former freelance illustrator and gift/card buyer who became interested in dollhouse miniatures, opened her business in 1993. "The name 'Tiny Violet' came to me in a dream," she recalls. "It was written out on a check as 'Pay to the order of ...' The rest is history."

Wedgwood € 522-3621

NOWOGROSKI RUPP

Nowogroski Rupp Insurance Group was established in 1942. The present owner is Michelle Rupp, a self-described "insurance brat," who took over the family business when her father died. Prior to taking over Nowogroski Rupp, she worked as an interior designer for an architectural firm in Manhattan. Before that, she worked two years for Safeco Insurance. She says owning Nowogroski Rupp is her "dream job." Michelle is also active in the Northgate community and currently serves as chairperson for the Northgate Chamber of Commerce.

Northgate € 363-1110

THE WATERMILL INC.

The Watermill Inc. was established in January 1976 by brothers Joe and Jim Whitmarsh, with the help of friends. Another brother, Phil Whitmarsh, joined the business in 1978. Joe and Jim had worked in the industry prior to starting their own business. "Joe had extensive service experience and management, and Jim had extensive mechanical and service experience," says Phil, who is no slouch either: he has a masters degree and extensive experience in the pool and spa industry.

Lake City € 367-1403

STEVE'S FREMONT NEWS

Steve Dunnington opened Steve's Fremont News on July 29, 1996 after running Steve's Broadway News on Capitol Hill since 1987. The employees and customers that are naturally attracted to newsstands make this business a delight. We have over 2,500 magazines and papers that reflect the eclectic tastes of regulars and passersby that bustle through our doors.

Fremont € 633-0731

UBUILDIT

Ken Peterson started his career in commercial art but switched to home space planning in 1964 out of his desire "to help people's lifestyles and an inner compulsion to help them accomplish the chances. Out of this, construction and remodeling became a part of my experience."

He has been a certified kitchen designer through the National Kitchen & Bath Association for over 22 years.

After spending several years in construction in the Spokane area, Peterson moved to Seattle 15 years ago. In 1999, Peterson opened a UBuildIt franchise in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood.

Green Lake € 405-4417

ROY OVENELL INSURANCE

Roy Ovenell started Roy Ovenell Insurance Agency in 1988. Before getting into the insurance business, he attended the University of Washington and managed an ice cream shop. He enjoys being his own boss. He and his wife are the proud parents of two children.

Lake City € 362-9062

WATCH & BATTERY

Tom Payne's fascination with antique pocket watches prompted his neighbor to suggest he become a watchmaker. Payne, a general contractor at the time, took that advice to heart. He studied watchmaking and repair at North Seattle Community College and opened Watch & Battery seven years ago.

Lake City € 361-5198

STEVE'S BARBER SHOP

Stephen Kegley opened Steve's Barber Shop in 1997, taking over the longtime site of Hank's Barbershop, run by the now-retired Hank Dotson. Kegley is an experienced barber who started cutting hair at the age of 14 and later graduated from Moler's Barber School in 1964.

Wedgwood € 522-4745

ONE SKY MEDICINE

One Sky Medicine opened last year. Founded by Fred Lanphear, Chris Adams and Christy Lee-Engel, the clinic offers healthcare that brings together the values and practices of acupuncture, family medicine, naturopathic medicine, bodywork, energy medicine and psychospiritual medicine.

Lake City € 363-5555

MICHAEL E. MARTIN, D.D.S.

Michael E. Martin, D.D.S., established his dental practice in 1998. A former camp counselor, river rafting guide and chemist, Martin chose to go into dentistry because of his "love of people, challenge, working with my hands and artistic ability." He earned degrees from the University of Washington, Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Texas-San Antonio. His love of adventure recently prompted him to take a vacation trip to Africa where he went on a safari, climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, viewed wildlife and visited remote Masaii villages.

Haller Lake € 364-7575

MAE'S PHINNEY RIDGE CAFE

In November 1988, Jeanne Mae Barwick bought the Phinney Ridge Cafe, a restaurant that had been around since the 1920s, and renamed it Mae's Phinney Ridge Cafe. She added bovine decorations to reflect her former homeland: Wisconsin. Mae's specializes in "moo-velous breakfasts" and is famous for its cinnamon rolls.

Phinney Ridge € 782-1222

WEDGWOOD ALE HOUSE

Established in 1992, Wedgwood Ale House & Cafe is owned by Robert Paulson, who describes his title as "proprietor/pot scrubber." He is a fourth generation Seattleite whose great-grandfather, Paul Paulson, moved to Seattle in 1870. Why start his own ale house? Robert answers: "I like beer and tobacco."

Wedgwood € 527-2676

THE WATERMILL INC.

The Watermill Inc. was established in January 1976 by brothers Joe and Jim Whitmarsh, with the help of friends. Another brother, Phil Whitmarsh, joined the business in 1978. Joe and Jim had worked in the industry prior to starting their own business. "Joe had extensive service experience and management, and Jim had extensive mechanical and service experience," says Phil, who is no slouch either: he has a masters degree and extensive experience in the pool and spa industry.

Lake City € 367-1403

THE SPOT TOO PUB & GRILL

In 1982, Ken and Lois Mason took over a Pinehurst area neighborhood bar formerly owned by Paul and Bunny Engel and renamed it The Spot Too Pub. The Masons already owned The Spot Tavern in Mountlake Terrace and wanted to expand their business by opening a second location. In 1999, the Masons completely remodeled The Spot Too, added a full kitchen and cocktails. Prior to getting into the tavern/restaurant business, Lois worked as a bookkeeper and Ken was an assistant manager at AA Rentals.

Pinehurst € 363-0542

CLARK OFFICE PRODUCTS INC.

In 1950, Clark Office Products Inc. was founded by Lyle M. Clark, a former paper salesman. Originally named Clark Stationery Company, the business started out carrying stationery, greeting cards and art supplies. Its name changed in 1972 to reflect its increased focus on the sales of office products, commercial printing, business forms, computer supplies and accounting systems. Today, Clark Office Products is run by W. Frank Fadden, president and general manager. Side note: Frank also runs a small llama ranch, raising llamas for "fiber, guard animals and pets!"

Lake City € 362-1250

DON WILLIS FURNITURE

Don Willis Furniture was started in Lake City in 1948 by Don Willis and his wife Lillian. The business initially operated primarily as a custom cabinet shop. In the mid-1950s, the company expanded the unfinished furniture portion of its business to meet the demands of its customers. Current owner Paul Willis took over the business from his parents in 1976. In addition to the Lake City store, Don Willis Furniture also operates a store in Ballard.

Lake City € 524-9944/Ballard € 782-3333

UNIVERSITY FITNESS

University Fitness owner Rick Clark became interested in fitness 24 years ago when he started working out in a small fitness club. For more than two decades now, he has worked in and/or worked out at fitness clubs, from San Francisco to Seattle. Two years ago, he opened the first family-owned neighborhood fitness club in the University District. The Clark family operates the club. They are also active members of Calvary Temple in the Roosevelt neighborhood.

University District € 632-3460

FANDRICH & SONS

In 1992, Darrell Fandrich and his wife Heather opened Fandrich & Sons Pianos to sell pianos with Darrell's patented invention, the Fandrich Vertical Action, which makes an upright piano play like a grand. He has worked on pianos since learning to tune them at age 16. The business moved last year from Lake City to Stanwood.

Stanwood € 1-877-737-1422

BIG APPLE

Big Apple, a fruit/vegetable stand in Greenwood, was established 4-1/2 years ago by John Paul Calamaras. Prior to starting Big Apple, he worked for a fruit stand in Ballard and did commercial fishing in Alaska. He studied acting and finance in New York before moving to Seattle.

Greenwood € 789-5440

ACADEMIC AIDS INC.

Academic Aids Inc., a family-owned and operated educational store, with locations in Seattle's Northgate area and Bellevue, was started in 1979 by Betty Lucas and her son Stephen Lucas. Academic Aids has been called "candy stores for learning" because they carry such a large supply of educational materials for teachers, parents and home schoolers. The stores employ classroom-experienced personnel.

Northgate € 365-9344

FIDDLER'S INN In 1994, with the help of two partners, Ken Caldwell bought the old Fiddler's Inn tavern (established in the 1930s) from Frank Genta, and completely renovated the aging building. Today, it is a popular neighborhood pub/restaurant that also features live music several nights a week.

Wedgwood € 525-0752

TWO DOG YOGA STUDIO

Two Dog Yoga Studio was established by Annie Stocker in 1990. It has grown from one teacher offering four classes a week to five teachers ofering 14 classes weekly. Two Dog will open a new, more spacious studio next to the Lake City Community Center this fall.

Lake City € 367-9608

HAROLD'S FINE HOME LIGHTING

Harold Hansen and his wife Millie opened Harold's Lamps and Shade's in Wallingford in 1957. By doing so, they followed in the footsteps of Harold's father, Harvey Hansen, a lampshade maker who ran Hansen's Lamps in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood from 1944 until his retirement in 1962. Today, Harold's Lamps is run by Harold's son, Kim Hansen, who is joined in the family business by his own son and daughter, Joel and Tiffany Hansen. Tiffany notes that the store, now called Harold's Fine Home Lighting, continues to evolve as it keeps up with the latest technologies and trends.

Wallingford € 633-2557

GASPARE'S

Gaspare's Ristorante Italiano has been bringing the romance of Italy to North Seattle since 1991. The restaurant is run by Dianne Trani and features the authentic Italian recipes of her husband Gaspare, a fisherman's son who grew up in an island village near Naples, Italy.

Maple Leaf € 524-3806

CHARLIE FINDS GREAT OLD STUFF

In October 1997, Charlie Bailey and Tina Sutherland opened Charlie Finds Great Old Stuff in Roosevelt. The longtime friends wanted to combine their "love of searching for great stuff with the fun of matching the stuff to the right person." Prior to starting their business, Charlie worked at the Pike Place Market, while Tina worked as a pediatric registered nurse. Earlier this year, they opened a second Charlie Finds store in Greenwood.

Roosevelt € 517-5047/Greenwood € 706-0800