By JACK HOPKINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

While purse-seiners still operate out of the harbor, Gig Harbor residents today generally commute to Tacoma or Bremerton to work -- those who aren't lucky enough to be employed in the immediate area.

There are many who are that fortunate, although the city has no large employers, no major industries and only a smattering of light manufacturing companies. Gig Harbor is a city where the phone company and a grocery store are listed among major employers.

"Business is robust," says City Administrator Mark Hoppen. "Things are buzzing. It's just that the way things have been developed, you'd never know it."

While many Gig Harbor residents have to leave town to find work, they don't need to go beyond the city limits to do their shopping or find a good meal.

"Everyone thinks of this as a quaint, sleepy little fishing village," says Sullivan. "There is a misperception that all we are is touristy shops. But we're more than that. You can still get anything you need locally. And the dining is great."

Locals can be found feasting on king salmon in a butter sauce with red peppers and carmelized pecans at The Heritage or taking advantage of the extensive wine cellar and live jazz at the Harbor Inn Restaurant. And when they are in a more casual frame of mind they will be eating unique pizza combinations at Spiro's Pizza and Pasta or quaffing a brew on the deck at the Tides Tavern.

The city was nearly devoid of motel rooms until recently. Now it has two new facilities -- The Inn at Gig Harbor and the Maritime Inn. But bed-and-breakfast homes still abound and the growth that has come hasn't changed the peaceful nature of the town.