On an early Tuesday morning, Brian Davis begins his day riding a mountain bike down the rain-drenched sidewalks along North Bend Way, peddling past trees and streetpoles covered in lights, tinsel and other holiday decorations. He stops outside Singletrack Cycles, the first of four stops on the day for him and his one-man film crew, and delivers a line to the camera.
The busy holiday shopping season is just around the corner for many local retailers, and Davis, owner of Snoqualmie Valley Real Estate, is on a mission to help out. Over the past few weeks, Davis and his videographer have visited a dozen businesses, shooting a short video and working with owners to offer giveaways to the community.
It’s part of the second annual “Tis the Season Snoqualmie Valley Contest,” an effort to spread a little holiday cheer and give gifts, while encouraging residents to shop local.
Partnering with a dozen businesses, Davis will offer 12 days of giveaways and 24 winners, beginning Dec. 1.
Each day at noon, Davis will post a new video on his YouTube page highlighting a different business. Over the next 24 hours, anyone who comments on that video will be entered into a drawing and two random winners will be awarded a prize from the featured business.
Those businesses include Salish Lodge & Spa, Sigillo Cellars, Carousel, Remlinger Farms, DirtFish, North Bend Theater, Singletrack Cycles, Chickadee Bakeshop, Birches Habitat, Ignite Dance & Yoga, Aahar Eatery and Pet Place Market.
For Davis, it’s all about helping people and keeping the Valley community unique. As he says in his teaser video, “there’s only one Snoqualmie Valley.”
“The amount of unique business we have is truly amazing,” Davis said. “You don’t have to go anywhere else. You can do all your shopping right here in the Valley.”
Brian Davis (R) speaks to Erik Alston, owner of Singletrack Cycles.
Back at Singletrack Cycles in North Bend, Davis begins his second day of filming.
The shop has been in the Valley since the 1990s, and current owner Erik Alston, a longtime Valley resident, purchased it with his wife in 2016. An avid photographer, Alston’s blown-up versions of photos he has taken while mountain biking line the store’s walls.
Ahead of this year’s holiday season, Alston said the shop is fully stocked, after supply chain challenges made last year difficult.
As Alston explains the shop’s commitment to the community, including sponsoring group rides, mountain biking teams and bike donations, a couple from Seattle wanders in, and while the store is technically closed, that’s another benefit.
“And we’re always open,” Alston said.
Carousel owner Joelle Gibson (middle) and store manager Cathy Gregory talk with Brian Davis.
Davis also stops at Carousel, a family-owned retailer in historic downtown Snoqualmie that is decked out in holiday decor. The store sells a little bit of everything, from wine to speciality gifts and local merchandise, said owner Joelle Gibson.
After a difficult four-month closure during the pandemic, the shop’s outlook has improved significantly, Gibson said, and remains committed to serving the community.
Carousel moved to Snoqualmie from Sammamish four and a half years ago, and recently celebrated its 33rd anniversary. Many of the shop’s employees have been with the business for decades, including store manager Cathy Gregory, who has worked at Carousel for 18 years.
“Longevity,” Gibson said. “That’s what’s unique about our business.”
Check it out
You can follow along with the contest on Davis’ YouTube channel at youtube.com/@SnoqualmieValleyLife.
You can also follow along on Facebook at: facebook.com/Snoqualmievalleyre
Brian Davis chats with Gary Remlinger, of Remlinger Farms in Carnation.
