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Business & Community in Duvall
by Lorna Bussing from Red Pepper Pizzeria & Pasta
As the owners of local restaurants, we know how awesome the community support here in Duvall is for small businesses. Many of our friends have small businesses in Duvall. Most of our employees are students or recent students of Cedarcrest High School and Woodinville High School. We have actually employed all of the kids from some local families, and some of our employees have been working with us since our businesses opened. All of this makes us feel as if we have an extended family here. Employing area high school students is an important aspect of our customer service because they are friends with many of our customers. This personal touch is possible because of the close-knit community in Duvall.
We take our role as employers of these young people very seriously. Their personal lives are important to us and we accommodate the extracurricular activities they are involved in, because it builds character. As work “coaches” we provide them with guidance regarding work ethics, values, and positive attitudes, which we hope they will carry with them as they grow into adults and develop their long-term careers. Almost all of our employees have gone on to college, and the jobs they’ve had with us have helped them pay for it.
As the old saying goes, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” We believe that supporting other local businesses helps build a stronger overall business community in Duvall. As we have taken steps to help our fellow business owners grow their sales, our own results have improved. Involvement in community non-profit activities is a major way we are involved in the community. Our box-topping program, which we provide free to help bolster businesses and non-profits within Duvall, is one example of this. Community events and fund-raisers are also important to the growth and character of our community and it is our pleasure to lend support to these important causes.
Businesses old and new, citizens young and old, all come together in Duvall to create a great community to live and do business in. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.
Duvall: The Inland Island
by Mathew Higgins – Duvall True Value Hardware & Garden
After 
running Duvall’s oldest store for 20 years, I have learned a few things about doing business in this town. First, Duvall is a living room community. A living room community differs from a bedroom community in that people want to LIVE here, not just sleep here. They live here deliberately. They want to spend their leisure time here. They want to raise their families here. They want to be connected with the town and neighborhoods, schools, arts, and outdoors. I’m not sure how or when this living room community started, but it’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.
Second, Duvall is unique. I regularly attend business conferences across Western Washington and meet a lot of great business owners. But the ones that seem to have the most in common with Duvall are on islands – literally: Bainbridge, Vashon, the San Juans. It could be that Duvall is like an island, separated from urban cities by river valleys and floodplains. Or maybe it’s that Duvall is literally an island several times a decade during severe flooding. Whatever the reason, the people of Duvall love their unique community and don’t want to leave it, even when they can.
Finally, and more to my point, that island spirit and desire to fully LIVE here makes Duvall a great place to do business. Residents are extremely supportive of their local merchants. They take a personal interest in the health and well-being of their business community. Just be careful not to let Duvall’s small town facade deceive you. People live here for the charm, but they are not charmed by smallness. All customers expect quality goods and modern services provided with big city convenience, even on an island. And if you can provide it here, you will be successful.
