Many here like the convenience that comes with growth

By JACK HOPKINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Most residents are happy with much of the commercial growth that has come their way in recent years. They like the convenience of shopping near home.

"When we moved here, there was Johnny's Grand Central Grocery and that's it," said Heide. "We didn't like going to Kent every time we wanted to buy anything."

Eric Doan, who manages the Godfather's Pizza in town, shares Heide's view on that. Doan has lived in town about seven years.

"The retail core has built up and a lot more people have moved into the area since then," he said.

"My wife and I both work late, so we eat out a lot," Doan said. "There weren't a lot of restaurants around here before, so we would end up over on the East Hill (of Kent) a lot of the time. But with all the new restaurants that have opened, now we can stay around here."

Doan isn't kidding about working late. He puts in 60 to 70 hours a week at Godfather's. His efforts have won him national manager-of-the-year awards two years running in competition with managers at the national chain's 200 other company-owned stores.

Doan credits his staff and the community.

"I've got a good group of kids working here. But it's the same in all of the restaurants in Covington. And that says something for the parents. They are doing a good job raising their kids," he said.