VISIT: Explore Downtown Port Orchard
Port Orchard’s unassuming waterfront is lined with local favorites.
A walk down Bay Street on the Port Orchard’s waterfront reveals a cluster of shops, restaurants and experiences that are perfect for a few hours with the family, friends or flying solo. Port Orchard isn’t glitzy or ostentatious but it does have great locals and tons of heart.
One such local is Samantha Smith, owner of Revival, Josephine’s Mercantile, and Mercantile Coffee Co (The Merc). She has a big heart for this modest downtown area, shining a light on her beloved little town everywhere she goes. She’s the mastermind behind events such as Redeemed Revival, the Port Orchard Night Market, The Local, and so many more. Sam is well known among the community for her big heart, event planning prowess, and ability to make things happen. Today she is taking us on a tour of her beloved street to share what she loves about each of these chill waterfront businesses.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Gathered by Jo’s • Mainline Music • Brickhouse 714 Bar + Grill • Gigi’s Emporium • Sidney Art Gallery + Museum • Brick Ally • Thai Charlie’s • Unity Skate Shop • Khao Soi • La Palapa Mexican Grill • Crow’s Curiosities • Peninsula BevCo • C-Side Records • The Candy Shoppe • The Coffee Oasis • Olde Central Antiques • Carter & Company • Josephine’s Mercantile & Mercantile Coffee Co.
gathered by Jo’s
702 Bay Street
Gathered is one of the newest and most exciting retail shops on Bay Street. With huge corner windows, Gathered is filled with light. It is also filled with an incredible collection of PNW and Kitsap County apparel, gifts, decor, and Sam Smith’s (owner) personal vintage collection. Set inside a unique historic space that once housed the first Ford Model T warehouse on the Kitsap Peninsula, Gathered is a shop meant to be explored slowly; it’s similar in this regard to their sister store across the street, Josephine’s Mercantile. A large open space in the back of the store is used as a meeting/event space and is often filled with additional makers, artists and various pop-ups, but can also be closed off to the public for more intimate events like family celebrations, reunions, etc.
mainline music
702 Bay Street
Whether you are picking up your first guitar or you need a new drum kit, Mainline Music (which shares a building with Revival) is the spot. They carry a full line of brass, orchestra, percussion and stringed instruments for beginners and pro’s and they offer lessons and do repairs.
brick house bar and grill
714 Bay Street
Two words, tater tots. Yes, The Brick House has awesome sweet potato fries, a great steak dinner, fun atmosphere, live music, outdoor fire pits and wonderful customer service…but if we are honest with ourselves, we love the tots most of all! This family-friendly spot is especially popular on nice days and warm evenings when the fire pits casts a flickering light. Check with staff for a schedule of live music.
gigi’s emporium
738 Bay Street
Fun, fashion-forward clothing and accessories with a we-are-all-friends-here vibe. GiGi’s is a mother-daughter shop best known for its constantly updated inventory in a wide variety of sizes (S-4X).
Sidney Art Gallery + museum
202 Sidney Ave
Explore Port Orchard’s history and talented local artisans all in one place. The museum upstairs makes for a fascinating glimpse into Bay Street’s past with exhibits and artifacts. On the downstairs level, Port Orchard artists are on display, and for sale. Bring something truly local and unique home from your Bay Street adventure!
BRICK ALLY
802 Bay Street
Lego enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy perusing thousands of square footage covered in little colored bricks and mini figurines. At Brick Ally, you can search for new sets, used/retired/vintage pieces, and even trade-in your tiny bricks for store credit on your next purchase.
khao soi
834 Bay Street
With two locations in Kitsap (Their flagship location is across the inlet in Manette), Khao Soi is a popular choice for authentic Thai. Their signature Khao Soi dish is a fan favorite as well as betel wraps, a combination of ginger, lemongrass, celery, onion, cilantro, and served with peanut sauce wrapped in betel leaves.
Thai Charlie’s
920 Bay Street
Thai Charlie’s is small but mighty. This tiny spot creates the Thai cuisine dishes you know, love + crave. We are partial to their fresh rolls, pad thai, and pineapple fried rice. Eat in (when available) or grab a meal to go and walk across the street to the marina to watch the ferries roll in and out, while the sun goes down over the Olympic Mountains.
unity skate shop
944 Bay Street
Unity is Port Orchard’s skateboarding and roller skate shop…in a quaint little building on Bay Street they host skate nights and camps + host video premieres and events. Buy a skateboard or skates for the local skate park or the nearby pedestrian pathways. The staff is knowledgeable, passionate, and has a great impact on the youth of the community.
la palapa mexican Grill
150 Harrison Ave
Bay Street is blessed with La Palapa’s yummy Mexican food and their love of community! Grab a table or booth and tuck into some great food a stone’s throw from the waterfront. We are partial to the fajita burrito - so good!
crow’s curiosities
120 Harrison Ave
All manner of whimsy is on display in this oh-so-unique shop filled with fun, magical, strange, sarcastic, delightful & witty items, artwork, and decor. Port Orchard’s curiosity shop has something fun for everyone in your life. We appreciate the super friendly staff and well-laid-out store and the fact that they carry items you won’t find anywhere else in Port Orchard or even on the Kitsap Peninsula.
peninsula bevco
110 Harrison Ave
Port Orchard loves Bevco and the vision + team behind this legit local spot. Beer lovers will get lost in the MASSIVE selection on tap, in bottles, and cans. Foodies will love the menu full of comfort favorites. Their patio overlooks Sinclair Inlet and is the perfect place to sip a beer or cider on a hot day. We are fans of the rice quinoa bowl, their flatbreads, and their mac and cheese is amazing!
The Candy Shoppe
833 Bay Street
The Candy Shoppe’s homemade fudge is always a hit! We love that they carry rare candies that we can’t find anywhere except in our childhood memories. Indulge your inner child and wander a shop filled with toys, candy, ice cream, and treats!
c-side records
823 Bay Street
C-Side Records has one of the smaller footprints on Bay Street, but their well designed layout means they’re always packed to the brim with every genre of music. The well-curated selection, knowledgeable staff and friendly service will keep you coming back again and again.
coffee oasis
807a Bay Street
Coffee O - as locals and regulars call it - is a super friendly and chill cafe that makes amazing coffee and gives back to our local community. Coffee Oasis is a non-profit organization committed to supporting local young people experiencing homelessness with youth services, mentorship, safe drop-in spaces, and resources. The staff is awesome and your espresso $$$ goes to a good cause!
Photos by @thecoffeeoasis
olde central antiques
801 Bay Street
Olde Central Antiques has been giving shoppers a vast collection of antiques to choose from for over 30 years. Collectors and those just looking for a beautiful or retro piece of the past are invited to explore everything Olde Central has to offer.
carter & Company
707 Bay Street
If you brought your sweet tooth with you to Bay Street, then a stop into Carter’s is a MUST. Treat yourself to yummy homemade ice cream and chocolates, and a huge selection of eats and treats, including freshly baked sourdough bread, delicious quiches, and sweet + savory pastries. We can never leave without a pecan roll or two!
Josephine’s Mercantile
701 Bay Street
Josephine’s is a special place. Carefully curated selections of reclaimed, repurposed, vintage + retro home decor create a magical shopping experience where you feel surrounded by treasures from a bygone era that beg to be taken home. Wander and shop, reminded of long-lost items that were in your grandma’s house…towards the back of Jo’s, Mercantile Coffee Co will keep you caffeinated and offers a great space to sit and enjoy time spent with good company.
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Kitsap Annual Events Calendar - Mark your Calendar with this Kitsap County community events overview! Featuring events on Bainbridge Island, Kingston, Poulsbo, Bremerton, Silverdale, and Port Orchard, this guide will help you plan your Kitsap Peninsula travels, road trip, weekend, or staycation. Farmers markets, summer festivities, holiday fun, and so much more!