KentStater

BOK ’26: Best Shopping

Savannah Carroll, Hard Beat Reporter • April 9, 2026

First Place: Off The Wagon Off the Wagon brings a playful and unconventional shopping experience to downtown Kent, offering a wide range of novelty gifts, games and pop culture items. Located in...

Kent businesses weigh in on Small Business Saturday

Loreal Puleo, Reporter • November 28, 2025

With the mad rush of holiday shopping approaching, Small Business Saturday helps support more than 36 million small businesses during the holiday shopping season, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. According...

Acorn Alley Gem Show showcases local businesses

Loreal Puleo, Reporter • September 28, 2025

The Acorn Alley Gem Show took place Sept. 27 in the Acorn Alley courtyard, running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event featured a variety of vendors displaying handmade crystal jewelry, clothing, art and...

Holiday havoc: Navigating the stress behind the season’s cheer

Savannah Carroll, Reporter • November 30, 2024

As the holiday season approaches, many find themselves feeling more stressed than festive. From the pressure of finding the perfect gifts to the demands of attending family gatherings, the holiday rush...

Kent businesses struggle downtown

John Engoglia, Reporter • November 28, 2024

Downtown Kent features a wide variety of businesses for all to enjoy. With bars, restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores and more, it offers something for everyone. Yet, it always seems there’s...

Hippie Fox Rocks opens second location at Aurora Farms

Lauren Cohen, Beat Reporter • November 26, 2024

Hippie Fox Rocks, a rock and metaphysical shop in Downtown Kent’s Acorn Alley, is geared up to open a second location on Nov. 22 after noticing a decline in customer traffic in its current area. The...

Local business hosts period poverty drive

Nikki Gasiewski, KSTV Reporter • September 26, 2024

Inspired by employees, Hippie Fox Rocks is hosting its second Period Poverty Donation Drive of the year. The drive is a collaboration with the Women's Center in hopes of helping college students struggling...

Spiritual Fair to celebrate the eclipse alignment

Dennis Farahani, TV2 Reporter • April 5, 2024

Downtown Kent is embracing the cosmic event we've been waiting for, and businesses in Acorn Alley are collaborating to host a Spiritual Fair. The Spiritual Fair will be held from Saturday, April 6th,...

Putt Around Downtown turns Kent into a miniature golf course

Grace Springer, Editor-in-Chief • May 7, 2023

Main Street Kent hosted their annual “Putt Around Downtown” event Saturday, drawing visitors from near and far to local businesses. The event had 25 participating businesses that set up themed miniature-golf...

Best shopping

Addison Foreman, Reporter • April 7, 2023

FIRST: Off the Wagon Off the Wagon has been in Kent since 2009 and specializes in weird and funny toys, games and gifts. Off the Wagons’ products range throughout the store. The game section showcases...

Hippie Fox Rocks hosts grand opening

Emma MacNiven, Reporter • April 12, 2022

With bold, teal walls, tie-dye tapestries and crystals galore, Hippie Fox Rocks is Kent’s place for all things metaphysical. The shop opened in December, but hosted its grand opening celebration...

New crystal shop opens in downtown Kent

Emma MacNiven Reporter Kennedy Gotham TV2 Reporter • February 2, 2022

For the crystal enthusiasts in Kent– a new rock shop has made its way to Acorn Alley. With tie dye wall art adorning the walls and groovy music playing overhead, Hippie Fox Rocks is the destination for...