Business News
City Council vote clears the way for Minterbrook oyster bar in Purdy
A long-delayed oyster bar and restaurant in Purdy could be back on track again after the Gig Harbor City Council changed its rules on sewer and water connections outside city limits.
Minterbrook Oyster Co. had hoped to open Laguna’s last summer, but couldn’t get city approval for an increased sewer connection.
Gig Harbor already provides sewer service to the Purdy area. But the proposed restaurant would require a higher level of service than the former office building currently at the site.
An artists rendering of what Laguna’s may look like.
Application denied last year
The city denied the company’s application for sewer service in June 2025, on the grounds that the ordinance in place at the time did not allow the city to increase water and sewer service outside the city’s limits, except under specific circumstances.
Since then, the city has worked to amend that ordinance. The city’s community development director, Eric Baker confirmed that the passage of the ordinance paves the way for limited sewer expansion in rural areas.
Minterbrook Oyster Co. had filed a lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court, seeking to force the city to allow increased sewer service. William Lynn, an attorney for the oyster company, said Minterbrook will drop that lawsuit.
The company had already obtained site development and building permits for a restaurant building, according to the lawsuit.
Purdy’s status
However, when Pierce County removed Purdy from the city’s urban growth boundary in 2025, getting additional sewer service became a significant obstacle for Minterbrook.
“The provisions would allow sewer service to a property like the Minterbrook property in a developed area but outside the city limits and the urban growth area,” Lynn said. “The Minterbrook owners will be submitting an application under the new code in the very near future and expect that will be approved.”
City Council members approved the amendment at a meeting on June 22.
Owners Kent and Donna Kingman praised the city for working with their business to resolve the issue.
“I love the way this process was handled,” Kent Kingman said at the council meeting. “It was a surprise to every single one of us. I appreciate the way the council handled it, and the staff, in coming to a resolution that makes sense for the city and the county. The county extended our permits to give us time to work things out.”
Minterbrook history
Minterbrook plans to call the restaurant Laguna’s. It will be at 13810 Purdy Dr. NW, the former Roland and Roland Real Estate office near the Purdy bridge.
Lagunas will feature a walk-in seafood market and restaurant on the bottom floor and several office suites on the top floor.
The Secor family founded the oyster company in 1932 and sold it to the Wiksten family in 1954. The Kingmans bought Minterbrook Oyster Co. in 2012, and the Purdy property the next year.
Kent Kingman, left, with sons Garrett, center, and Austin, right.