The City of Lakewood celebrates our companies through its Business Showcase program. Every other month, this program shares the stories of local Lakewood entrepreneurs and business owners within the community.
March 2024
Casa Mia Italian Restaurant
Owners Gerald and Jamie Pense grew up in the Aberdeen/Hoquiam area near the location of the original Casa Mia. In fact, Gerald lived only two blocks away from the restaurant. When he was a teenager, he was hired to work there as his first job. Now the Penses have been local business owners in Lakewood for 21 years.
“I didn’t necessarily ever think I was going to be in business for myself, but the opportunity came around and it was a good time to do it when we did,” said Gerald.
When asked what he was most proud of in their business, Gerald mentioned that he is proud of his staff members.
“We’ve been really blessed with having good young people, and a lot of them use this as a place to start on their way to college out of high school.” Once a high school student working at Casa Mia himself, it is clear that Gerald understands the importance of a positive first job experience and mentorship.
It is because of the Pense’s hard work and dedication over two decades, and their commitment to giving back to the community by passing down knowledge and positive work experiences to Lakewood youth, that Casa Mia is the March 2024 Business Showcase.
January 2024
Veterans Roofing
Veterans Roofing started in Lakewood 14 years ago, but owner Jose Gonzales is a life-long Lakewood resident. He graduated from Clover Park School District schools and chose to return to Lakewood to start his business. An Army veteran, Gonzales wanted to name his company something that reflected not only his values and experience, but those of the Lakewood community.
“Me being a veteran, I have veterans on the team, we wanted something that stood out that we support veterans and local community,” Gonzales said about why he chose the name Veterans Roofing. “Lakewood has a lot of veterans, so we wanted that name.”
This isn’t the only way Veterans Roofing represents Lakewood, however. As a member of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, Gonzales is active in the chamber. He also participates in an important tradition each holiday season: Lakewood Blue Lights.
The tradition dates back to 1937. That’s when Norton Clapp, of the Lakewood Development Company, built the Lakewood Colonial Center. At the time known as the Lakewood Community Center, Clapp decorated the center with blue lights every December because his first wife Mary Cordelia Davis’ favorite color was blue.
In 2019 the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce revived the practice and encouraged local businesses to participate. Gonzales and his team at Veterans Roofing stepped up to help. Each year the business volunteers its time and resources to string blue lights on buildings around the city. Veterans Roofing’s assistance makes it easier for businesses to participate by doing the hard work of stringing the lights. Ultimately, the lights symbolize the holiday spirit among Lakewood’s local business community.
Veterans Roofing is recognized as the January 2024 City of Lakewood Business Showcase because of its longevity and positive impact in Lakewood and its commitment to upholding traditions and values that reflect the city and its residents.
Past Business Showcases
AA Meats
Since 1955 AA Meats has been a reliable business staple of Lakewood, and it remains so in 2023. Although she is not the original owner, Tammy Faelnar has worked at the traditional meat market for 34 years and has owned it for 17.
This has given her plenty of time to watch the city, the customers and herself grow, which is something that makes her proud. “I have watched customers come in when they’re just little kids, go through high school, leave and do their thing and then come back with their kids,” said Faelnar in our interview. She also mentioned her infectious laugh, claiming that her regulars can recognize her simply by the sound.
It takes a long time to build relationships this strong. From summer barbeque cookouts to holiday family meals, AA Meats has had the time and dedication to provide countless memorable meals to the Lakewood community while engraining themselves in the history of the city.
Watch the full video on our YouTube Channel.
Lakewood Barbershop
For a small business, Lakewood Barbershop leaves a huge imprint on the community. Self-proclaimed “Lakewood’s leading barbershop,” co-owner Jordan Parker (JP) explains how the business is about more than haircuts. To him and co-owner Kyro Parker, the barbershop is about uplifting and providing a safe space for the community.
This mentality transcends the walls of the barbershop, and they try to give back wherever they can. In the past, Lakewood Barbershop has provided free haircuts at the Caring for Kids back-to-school event as well as facilitated clothes and blanket drives. More specifically, they give away the Lakewood Legacy Scholarship to one graduating Clover Park student to help with college tuition. The business most recently partnered with Anthony AP Peterson to award the Lakewood Legacy Scholarship, created in honor of Parker’s late cousin D’Juan Clark.
Along with providing scholarships and free haircuts to our youth, Lakewood Barbershop creates opportunities for our community to bond and grow. Lakewood Barbershop is recognized as the September 2023 Lakewood Business Showcase because it preserves and continues the culture of Lakewood through its creation of a safe and supportive space for members of our community to be themselves.
Watch the full video on our YouTube Channel.
Biscuit House
Known for its giant, flaky biscuits, the Biscuit House has been serving the Lakewood community since 2016. Owned by a mother and daughter duo, it has become one of Lakewood’s favorite breakfast spots.
Now, seven years later, they are thankful for the continued support of their community. Not only do they have their original location, but they’ve been able to open a second location in Tumwater. In our interview, owner Galina Onishchenko expressed that she’s proud of the relationships she’s built with the customers, the employees, and her co-owner and daughter Sofia Davis.
Sofia said she was also proud of the relationships they’ve built, specifically with their employees, stating “a lot of our employees are mothers, and a lot of women come work for us as well, and they develop their skills that they can take on to their future jobs or open their own business.”
Watch the full video on our YouTube Channel.
Crane’s Creations 2.0
Crane’s Creations is a longtime Lakewood business specializing in floral creations. Crane’s Creations 2.0 is the new iteration of this Lakewood treasure. Owners Dave and Charlene Olson purchased the business three years ago.
The Olsons worked with the son of the original owners as they took over the business. They retained the employees and continue to celebrate the hard work of the florists and staff who make Crane’s Creations 2.0 a local go-to for the community’s needs.
The focus remains exceptional customer service, beautiful design and custom design. Have a favorite flower? Have a favorite color? Crane’s Creations 2.0 will customize a floral package that highlights those favorites.
Watch the full video on our YouTube Channel.
Bite Me! Inc.
Bite Me! Cookies is the perfect example of how businesses should interact with their community and local government. In our interview, owner Deborah Tuggle recalls bringing her business to Lakewood eight years ago and the support she received from both the city and the community.
Now a thriving business that bakes 14,000 cookies an hour, Bite Me! is giving back to the community that supported it from the start.
“We specifically hire women and immigrants, people who English is not their first language. We have English and computer classes at Clover Park (Technical College), and we pay for our staff to go to those classes, and we pay for the hours they are in those classes so it’s not a hardship for them go to school,” she said of her business model.