I realize many in this town might want me tarred and feathered for suggesting that Bay Street get a Starbucks, but in my layman’s opinion, if Port Orchard wants more bodies downtown, adding that familiar green sign is a good place to start.
I don’t care what time of day it is, if Starbucks on Lund Avenue is open, there are people inside and cars lining up for the drive-thru. In the afternoons, it’s often too crowded to find a place to sit, and when the sun is out, the outside tables are full of people soaking in the sun with their coffee.
If I was a nearby business owner, I would be tickled pink to have that much consistent foot and vehicle traffic — especially since I’d figure if people have time to sit in the sun and drink coffee, they’ve also got time to take a stroll in my store, as well.
And Starbucks is more than a place to get a caffeine fix. When arranging a place to meet, business or personal, Starbucks — or perhaps Tully’s — is the first place that comes to mind.
And judging by the number of people I see huddled at the store’s tables discussing business or gossip, it is the No. 1 meeting place for plenty of others, too.
And those are just examples of consistent business from locals. Tourists and other visitors are attracted to the Starbucks sign, too.
As a dedicated coffee drinker who likes to support local businesses, I like to find a local, independently owned place close to home that serves a good Americano to frequent. (Supreme Bean comes immediately to mind).
But when I’m traveling, I can’t sample several places to find a decent brew, so I head straight for that familiar green sign.
And just as you can expect an Egg McMuffin from any McDonald’s across the country to be about the same, you can expect a cup of coffee from any Starbucks across the country to be about the same.
Sure, drinks vary slightly depending on the store and barista, but overall they are very consistent. (Except when you stray overseas, of course. Word to the wise: the Starbucks in Scotland are very much NOT the same).
If I were a tourist driving through Port Orchard for the first time, the first thing that would tempt me to stop is the water. And though I might get out of my car and stroll along the waterfront for a bit if it was a nice day, I would be very unlikely to linger and spend any money unless I saw a Starbucks or another recognizable coffee chain store.
And while whatever money I spend at a chain coffee store isn’t necessarily helping local businesses, you can rest assured that I will be walking into whatever interesting stores I see as I head over to get my coffee. And if one of those stores has cute earrings, it will very likely have my money in its cash register soon as well.

Perhaps local artist James Kelsey’s recent initiative to “donate” a sculpture downtown did not fail for lack of publicity or the down economy, but because of something much more simple — people didn’t like what they were buying.
Personally, I have never much cared for abstract art. It may mean I’m a simpleton, but the art I most enjoy looking at has easily recognizable objects such as people, animals or everyday items.
Taste in art is completely personal and subjective, however, so I could be dead-wrong, but I have a feeling that if the sculpture represented some part of Port Orchard’s past or present, such as Bremerton’s Lone Sailor or Poulsbo’s Viking, it may have garnered much more support.

My vote goes to the “Greek” panini at Cosmo’s Deli, which comes toasty warm and full of hummus, olives, onions and red peppers. The words olive and hummus are enough for me, but it’s also vegetarian and pretty darn healthy. It ain’t cheap, but it is delicious.

For those who want something a little less healthy and a little more carnivorous, however, there’s a new sandwich in town that may tempt many.

It’s the “deep-fried sandwich” at Shishini BBQ House, which recently opened on Bay Street between About Floors and Los Cabos Grill. The bread is fried — yet somehow not greasy — then filled with thick ham, hard-boiled egg slices, tomatoes, cucumbers and mayo.

It may sound awful to some, but it was actually pretty tasty, although I was nowhere near as excited about it as one of my male co-workers.

Perhaps it will become Port Orchard’s version of McGriddles® — sounds a bit crazy and far from healthy, but is surprisingly addictive once you try it.