POULSBO — In sad news from the sign of the times desk, The Poulsbohemian Coffeeshop closed its doors after three decades-and-change last month. We got the news the day before it hit the internet when we stopped in randomly for a mid-month smokestack restock. It was time to put it to rest, they phrased it simply… The shop was born of the 90s-era local poetry scene. Owner Marianna Mears was first introduced to the then-50-year old building at a poetry reading night, back when the place was called Leslie’s Place. Mears bought the shop when it came up for sale and renamed it ‘The Poulsbohemian’ in 1993. Poetry nights continued to be a staple at the shop up through the early 2000’s, and it seems they may have gotten wild sometimes, evidenced by a framed photograph that hung on the wall of the shop for years. It was taken from the night of one rogue nudist party at the coffeehouse. Only one person in the photograph, of maybe 20, was wearing clothes. That person got to take that photo home, current baristas said with a laugh. Later, the shop would become known for hosting local visual artists and collectively knitting a giant scarf that, at one point, reached all the way from all the way from the Poulsbohemian’s yellow building on the bluff overlooking Liberty Bay to the heart of downtown Front Street. In 2004, a landslide in that very section of the bluff threatened to slough the yellow building into the bay. Work was completed to reinforce the hillside and save the community gathering space for another 20-plus years. Up until the final day, you could still feel the 90’s-gathering-space vibes in that space. With the news of the closing, they said they were planning something of a Poulsbohemian Estate Sale, with merch and stuff for Sunday, Sept 7. Check for details on the socials @poulsbohemiancoffeehouse
ALSO POULSBO — In rad news from the go skate department, Poulsbo’s Raab Skatepark Rebuild is nearly complete. The former Poulsbo park was torn down in early 2024 when the weathered wooden ramps were deemed unsafe. The local skate community rallied to form a coalition which raised $8K for a rebuild right off the bat, then picked up fiscal sponsors, secured grant funding and has currently raised nearly $30K to date, completing phases one and two of the project. They’re looking to raise funds for phase three, with grant cycles expected to recur in 2026, and while the park is already open for anyone to skate, they’re planning for a grand opening in mid-September. Check for details through the local skate shop, norsecityboardroom.com
KITSAP — In last month’s county primary elections, the Kitsap Regional Library levy rate increase passed with more than 60 percent of the vote. (Thirty-five percent of registered voters cast ballots.) The levy increase on property tax should provide stability for the library system for the next seven to ten years, ensuring that all nine branches will remain open with consistent hours, providing learning support throughout its communities and maintaining its technology, collections and spaces. In a related note, KRL is celebrating 80 years in operation this year. They’ll be marking the occasion with a custom installation at the Kitsap History Museum this month, plus a live panel discussion with current and past library staff at the museum’s next History UnCorked speaker series, Thursday, Sept 25. The exhibit will show thru the month, registration for the event at kitsapmuseum.org, all things library at krl.org
IN OTHER LAST MONTH’S NEWS — The Bear Gulch fire was still burning near Cushman when news broke that immigration enforcement raided crews fighting the fire (what the actual fuck) which made national news and drew congress attention for a minute. IN OTHER COFFEE NEWS… Another of the current longest-running local coffeeshops, East Bremerton’s Cafe Perfetto celebrates its 23rd Anniversary this month. PLUS… Kylie wrote in about the Kitsap Forest Theatre’s upcoming production of Midsummer Night’s Dream Sept 6-21 where not only will they be performing outdoors as always, but they’ll be setting the Shakespeare play in 1960s Appalachia, accompanied by a live bluegrass band in the orchestra pit. AND… Tyler wrote in about organizing a semi-annual Sinclair inlet clean up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept 20 with separate volunteer crews meeting at both Bremerton Boardwalk and Annapolis Ferry Dock that morning to pick up trash along the inlet and adjacent roadways, with free pizza from local vendors at the end. <3smokestack
