Gig Harbor Living Local January 2026 Edition
About the Cover
The January 2026 cover of Gig Harbor Living Digital Magazine captures the joy of a new year through the lens of community and celebration. A sparkler lights the moment for the Who’s Who & Finest Edition, honoring the businesses, leaders, and local voices voted as the finest across Gig Harbor.
Feature Article
Gig Harbor Living Local’s
Finest 2025
The power of local still shines bright
By Like Media Team
hank you, Gig Harbor, for showing up once again to celebrate what makes this place more than just a zip code, more than just a region. The 2025 Finest Awards aren’t just about who’s “best.” They’re about belonging, about the local dreamers, doers, and difference-makers who remind us that community is built, not bought.
Each vote cast this year was more than recognition; it was a rally cry for locals. It said we believe in small business, we believe in connection, and we believe that when we invest in each other, everyone wins. The community members and businesses you recognized...
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DIGITAL MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE
On Fire for Service
Lessons from my father, a captain in the Seattle Fire Department
By Campbell Anderson
aptain Vance Anderson makes eye contact with the two yowling cats, sighs, and places one under each arm. Really, they have the survival instincts of flattened pennies. He exits the burning building, thankful that his fire gear is thick enough to protect him from the digging cat claws.
He is not a cat person. He is just a good person.
His coworkers are delighted by this feline surprise. Reporters take photos of them grinning while holding the cats. Captain Anderson, notably, is not in these pictures. His job is done...
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS
Commencement Bank Invests in What Matters Most—Gig Harbor
A trusted local partner creating connections and growth
Article Courtesy of Commencement Bank
Photo by In-Gear Media
hat comes to mind when you think about your bank? If you’re like many of us, it’s account balances, loan payments, mobile apps, and maybe your favorite teller at your closest branch. But what if where we keep our money matters more than we think?
When you choose a local bank, it not only impacts your personal finances but also the health of your community. Community banks may be small, but their influence runs deep. Gig Harbor’s Commencement Bank is a perfect example of how local banking can make a meaningful difference. Since opening their doors...
SERENITY SPA: A Sanctuary For Innovative Wellness
Creating spaces of calm, connection, and care across the South Sound
By Like Media Team
Step inside Serenity Spa, and the world slows down. The air feels lighter, the light softer, and suddenly you remember what calm actually feels like. In a region filled with spas, Serenity stands apart for its seamless blend of advanced skincare, massage, and infrared wellness experiences. Founded by Megan Douglas, the spa is devoted to wellness, artistry, and self-care that restores balance inside and out.
The story began with a spark, a single comment that changed everything. “One of my clients mentioned her husband was developing a new building in downtown Tacoma and joked that it would make a great spa,” Megan recalls. “Something in me just lit up. I had no idea how, but I knew I had to make it happen.” That moment led her from hand-drawn sketches...
A TOUCH OF MERAKI: Created with Love, Shared with Purpose
A Gig Harbor sanctuary where beauty and energy flow in harmony
By Like Media Team
Photo by Gingrsnaps Photography
For Brooke Rodriguez, A Touch of Meraki has always been her heart and soul project. What began as a collection of passions—hairdressing, sound healing, and sacred crafting—evolved into a unified vision: a space where beauty and energy could coexist. That dream became A Touch of Meraki, a sanctuary where clients and practitioners alike can reconnect with themselves and the world around them.
“The meaning of Meraki is woven into everything we do,” Brooke shares. “It’s the acknowledgment that anything we touch carries a bit of our own energy, that our love, intention, and essence flow through our work.” Inside this peaceful space, every detail reflects that philosophy. From the hair salon to the Gather Space to the retail boutique filled with crystals, candles...
January 2026 Calendar of Events
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