Business Community

New restaurants, markets draw crowds to downtown Gig Harbor

A throng of people gathered at the corner of Harborview Drive and Pioneer Way. Some sat on bistro chairs outside The Midway, while others stood talking. Still others walked along the street, peering into store windows.

It’s been like this for a little over a month since The Midway opened its doors in the former Heritage Distillery location. Inside, the restaurant bustles with chatter as servers deliver food to customers.

This is just the vibe that Trish Huff and her brother, Nick Hosea, were going for.  They are no strangers to the restaurant business in Gig Harbor, having started Morso Bistro in 2020.

“I always wanted to do something like this downtown here,” Huff said. “When I heard that Heritage was leaving, I felt this was the best spot in the Harbor. Either we do this here or never.”

Just a few doors down at 3126 Harborview Dr. is gather Gig Harbor (the “g” in gather is not capitalized), a yellow-and-white themed market owned by Mandy Minovi and Pouneh Kaufman.

Gather Gig Harbor and The Midway are generating a lot of attention near the busy Harborview-Pioneer intersection. Both offer grab-and-go options as well places to sit and visit.

Gather Gig Harbor

Gather was closed Aug. 12 through 17 to celebrate a family member’s birthday. It recently withdrew special-use permit requests with the city of Gig Harbor for certain events, according to the city’s online permit portal. Kaufman said the cost of pursuing the permits outweighed the benefits.

A new market called gather (the g is lowercase) has opened in downtown Gig Harbor.

But that doesn’t mean gather is taking a step back.

“We envision (gather) to be a place where boaters, residents and visitors can stop in for everyday essentials, locally inspired foods, beverages and last-minute items needed for day on the water or around the harbor,” Kaufman said. “And then stay awhile to gather, play games, enjoy good food and drinks and connect with one another.”

The owners plan a larger remodel of the space next year, Kaufman said.  This summer, they focused on opening and gathering insight into what the community might want to fill the void left by the 2023 departure of Harbor General Store on Pioneer Way, she said.

“Our goal is to work collaboratively with the city of Gig Harbor to thoughtfully create another special space — one where people feel welcome to linger, shop, connect and make memories,” Kaufman said.

A customer examines offerings at The Midway as owners Nick Hosea and Trish Huff watch from behind the pastry counter. The Midway deli and sandwich shop opened July 2. Photo by Suzanne Roig

The Midway

Huff described The Midway as a deli and café with a casual vibe. It opened July 2 to a crowd of customers and serves food from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week.

“I am overwhelmed by the reception,” she said. “It’s a true testament that Gig Harbor needed more businesses downtown.”

Having vibrant, interesting businesses downtown is vital for economic development, said Clare Dunis, executive director of the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance.

Dunis cited a tangible connection between local business vitality and strengthening community character. As a member of the Main Street America program, the alliance believes that revitalizing the downtowns can boost economic development.

“The energy along the street this summer has been fantastic,” Dunis said. “While new eateries and sweet treats certainly draw foot traffic, the bigger story is how an active, walkable commercial core fosters human connection.”

A community thrives when a downtown is filled with small, independent businesses, Dunis said. Such businesses support community causes, employ local people and help define a community, she said.

“Beyond offering great food or unique experiences, local entrepreneurs create those vital ‘third places’ — welcoming spots where neighbors run into one another, visitors discover authentic local character, and social connection happens naturally,” said Dunis. “When independent businesses choose to invest in a downtown, they don’t just generate foot traffic; they cultivate a distinct sense of place and keep local dollars circulating where they matter most.”

Small-town vibe

At places like The Midway and gather, newcomers and old timers can get together to chat or break bread.

People recognize each other, and that also adds to the small town feel of Gig Harbor.

The Midway’s name is a nod to Hosea’s and Huff’s mom, who was a teacher. It also comes from the Midway School, an old wooden schoolhouse that stood in the Gig Harbor Peninsula’s Midway neighborhood, which centers along 38th Avenue south of 56th Street.

Hosea and Huff, who both grew up in Gig Harbor, have plans to grow the business at The Midway, but wanted to start small. The future might hold delivery service or longer hours.

What is on tap for change is the food: Hosea likes to dream up new menu items. Just last week, he created caramelized onion danishes. They didn’t do nearly as well as the fresh peach and mint ones he made previously.

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Fun menu

For sure, the menu at The Midway is different than at Morso, which is 21 and older, multi-course sit down dining experience, Hosea said.

“The more business that comes downtown, the better,” Hosea said. “It means more options for customers and a better community feel. People in Gig Harbor have a level of sophistication and we wanted to provide something that matched that and was easy. We wanted to create something that was bistro-like.”

The menu names were designed to be fun, he said. So the Moira Rose sandwich is a kimchee grilled cheese, an homage to the “Schitts Creek” television series featuring Catherine O’Hara. Other sandwich offerings include a Plain Jane grilled cheese, The Montauk and The Frenchie.

The cute names are meant to bring a smile the faces of the customers, Hosea said.

“I’m very fluid and flexible in the kitchen, ” Hosea said. “I try things and see how they sell.”