Letter from the Publisher
Best of 2026: Welcome to the Winner’s Circle!
It is finally here, the moment we have all been waiting for. The process of gathering votes started in April when we turned to you, our faithful readers, and asked you to nominate your favorites in 82 Reader’s Choice award categories. The results are now in and we are excited to share the results.
Being voted among the best in ShowCase Magazine’s Best of 2026 is more than a title; it’s a reflection of a business’ commitment to excellence, dedication to customers, and a relentless pursuit of innovation. This recognition is earned through long hours, bold decisions, and the courage to lead when others follow.
You probably noticed a parade of social media accolades throughout the month of August last year, celebrating those nominated for our Winner’s Circle. You will also see ShowCase Magazine’s door clings proudly displayed on businesses throughout the community, honoring our recipients of these awards.
Whether you are reading this in print or online, please help us to celebrate these nominees by congratulating and extending your patronage to them. They have earned their spot in the Winner’s Circle.
Robin Lucas, Publisher
ShowCase Media
This Issue’s Categories
Dining
Featured Stories
Capital Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric: Proudly Delivering Comfort to Its Customers
Since 1937, Capital Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has been caring for customers in the South Sound. For three generations, the family-owned business has remained customer-focused and community driven. Today the business is owned and operated by the Schmidtke brothers, Bill, Chuck and Dean. The company was formed by their grandfather, Bill Schmidtke, who started…
American Dream Design Build: Designed for the Way You Live
Back in 2006, Jim Burbridge, owner of American Dream Design Build in Puyullup, wanted to regain control of his life. A father with two young children, Burbridge was spending three hours a day traveling to work sites for a commercial construction company. “I saw an opportunity for a different lifestyle and relied on faith when…
OlyFed: NextGen Banking
Olympia Federal Savings, or OlyFed, is a mutual bank established in 1906. The OlyFed team pride themselves on being accountable to their depositors and borrowers rather than shareholders. They also pride themselves on contributing a significant portion of their profits to community organizations. A large area of focus for OlyFed is educating local youth. According…
Capitol City Honda: 55 Years of Award-Winning Service
“We work hard to earn satisfied customers,” says Dale Cooper, Fixed Ops Director at Capitol City Honda. “We are about the people – the community, our customers, and the people who work here.” Cooper has been part of the team for the past 20 years. “I love it here,” he adds. Capitol City Honda has…
Team RED: Trust is an Asset
When Ken and Judy Free, high school sweethearts married for more than 60 years, decided to sell their home on beautiful Trout Lake in Edgewood, they knew who to use. Kathy Kleber and her Team RED approach met their needs perfectly and they had the added benefit of knowing her for years. “Trust is the…
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital: A New Era of Care Rises in Tacoma
Since 1955, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital has played a critical role in pediatric care in our region. The new hospital campus will open in the coming weeks and it won’t just mark the debut of a state‑of‑the‑art medical facility that costs $479 million, it signals a renewed promise to the region’s youngest patients and their…
A New Location for Red Lantern Asian Fusion
When Red Lantern Asian Fusion unlocked the doors to its Olympia location on December 6, 2025, it wasn’t just the opening of a second restaurant — it was the continuation of a family story that began years earlier in Yelm. What started as a small, community-rooted eatery has grown into a regional favorite, and the…
Crockett’s: Memorable Dining
Known for its rustic atmosphere, Puyallup’s Crockett’s Public House is located on East Stewart Avenue. Housed in a former feed store, it serves a full bar, burgers, hand-cut fries, and comfort food. Crockett’s celebrates the history of Puyallup as a train town through their décor, memorabilia and menu. “Customers love to look at photos and…
All Kids Win Fuels Success with Food for Students
All Kids Win continues to provide bags of food for area students without adequate nutrition over the weekends. Over 1,100 youth across Thurston County receive this help each week. Delivery is made to 49 schools. The 501(c)(3) strives to support youth to better be able to focus on school and ultimately to graduate. Volunteers are…
2026 Gig Harbor Film Festival Opens with The Big Cheese!
The Gig Harbor Film Festival (GHFF) is gearing up for another exceptional event by opening with the award-winning documentary The Big Cheese. Filmmakers, movie aficionados, and anyone that enjoys stories can immerse themselves in screenings of independent narrative films, documentaries, and shorts September 24-27. It is a weekend of movies, Q&A’s, workshops, festive parties, and…