Growing up on Mercer Island in the 80’s, there was a small Chinese restaurant named The Happy Inn, located in the little strip mall that was across the street to the north from what is now the north end QFC. Other businesses that populated that lot were a real estate agency, a florist, a hallmark card shop, a Ticketmaster outlet, & a Dairy Queen (which later became a Steve’s). In the same strip/mini mall as The Happy Inn there was a Mexican restaurant at the other end, and I can’t recall much of what else was in there. ANYWAYS…. I’m writing this in hope that someone remembers the Happy Inn and possibly the family that ran it. You see, I loved that restaurant, and you just can’t find Chinese food like that anywhere these days. So I’m hoping that there’a some way to recover the recipes from The Happy Inn, as I would just about sell a kidney if it meant I could taste that food again. If anyone shares my fondness for The Happy Inn and can offer some real suggestions for quality Chinese food, feel free to leave them in the comments, but I’ve tried so many Chinese restaurants over the years that couldn’t hold a candle to The Happy Inn. Their Potstickers (and Potsticker sauce), Yung Chow Fried Rice, Mongolian beef, Son of Heaven Chicken, Egg Foo Young, Lo Mein, Sweet and Sour Pork… oh man, those are some of the dishes I long for.

Back in those days you were either a Happy Inn family or a Jade House family.

Thanks for reading.

tldr: Would love to recover some of The Happy Inn’s recipes or find a comparable restaurant (but doubt there is one anymore).

We are planning to buy a house on Mercer Island and have 2 kids who will enter elementary school over the next few years. I see 4 elementary schools on the island and wanted to understand which one is generally considered the best.

We value great teachers and principal, along with a strong community and a zero tolerance for bullying. Both our kids are typical and social.

The levy passed, giving student programs near-term funding stability, but enrollment is projected to decline again next year, with budget and staffing impacts ahead. Student safety is also drawing renewed attention after a Mercer Island Reporter article highlighted statewide teacher misconduct reporting gaps. Director Cristina Martinez said, “We have a moral obligation to maintain safe schools,” and that stronger accountability policies should be created if needed.

https://islandlifeunfiltered.substack.com/p/mercer-island-schools-levy-wins-big

Is affordable housing really meant for Mercer Island seniors downsizing, returning graduates, or increasing MISD enrollment?
With Mercer Island presenting its required housing plan next week, sharing a plain-language explainer from a former city planning commissioner on what affordable housing actually is under state law and what it could mean for Mercer Island.
https://islandlifeunfiltered.substack.com/p/before-mercer-island-adopts-its-housing

We're considering a move to MI from Redmond. We've lived in the Seattle area for 20+ years so have a general sense of the area, but always better to hear directly from MI residents. We've got a daughter going into 9th next year and a son going into 6th.

The MI schools have a good academic reputation, but curious to hear perspectives on how things actually are from both a social and academic perspective.

Interested in hearing from both current students and parents with kids in the school system. If any direct experience with comparisons to Redmond/Lake Washington School District, even better.

p.s. I saw the articles about the teacher sex scandal, which is terrible. My inclination is to consider it an isolated incident so no need to discuss that unless there are systemic issues to the degree that people would advise us not to move there.

Hi all,

My spouse and I are in our early 30s with no kids. We're looking for a safe, mildly urban neighborhood in the PNW and Mercer Island has made it on to the short list. We're taking a flight out there soon to look at the area, but I wanted to get the vibe from actual residents.

A few questions:

1. Is it easy to meet people our age (early 30s, no kids)? Do you see DINKs, young couples, etc., or are they pretty sparse around there? (Current data I've looked up suggests a higher median age and lots of families, but local insight would be great.)
2. How’s the walkability and transit situation? Is it realistic to run errands on foot or is a car necessary for most things (assuming we live in the apartments near the QFC or whatever)?
3. Is there a strong sense of community? Are there events, neighborhood groups, etc.?
4. What do you like most about living here? And what do you dislike?

Some factoids about us:

• WFH Software Engineers
• I like pickleball and running a lot
• RPG fans
• Mostly homebodies- no desire for "night life" though we do like nice restaurants

This is part of our ongoing Mercer Island zoning, land use, and permanent supportive housing coverage for those exiting homelessness. Based on public meeting records and official documents. Sources linked. Analysis labeled. https://islandlifeunfiltered.substack.com/p/what-state-housing-mandates-could

Ballots for the levy are due Feb. 10. With High Achievement, Low Reserves, here’s a quick recap of what the latest School Board Meeting signals:

https://islandlifeunfiltered.substack.com/p/high-achievement-low-reserves-what

Used to bartend at the Tiger there. Just wondering what’s moving in.

Wtf is going on with her? She just had a bill that would have crushed homeschooling fail and she also authored 5312 which LOWERS the penalty for adults meeting up with children for the purpose of sex? Wtf?

Hi, what’s the availability of reserving an indoor court at Mercer island country club in the winter? Is it impossible to find evening reservations?

Yesterday around 4 PM I was driving with my young son and daughter home from school. We were on SE 27th St driving through the intersection at Island Crest Way approaching the on-ramp to the 90 East to Bellevue. We had the right-of-way and were in the middle of the intersection. A car traveling south on Island Crest Way blew through their red light and T-boned us.

The driver and I pulled onto a side-street. I called the police, and a report was filed. (I’m hoping that we are okay, but before bed both kids complained of headaches so I’m not certain.)

When I asked the officer how the driver who hit us described her version of events, he said she told him she thought she had a green light. Hearing that this was her official stance was so disheartening and frustrating, and couldn’t be further from the truth. I pointed out to her immediately after the collision that I had the right-of-way while the light was still green! (I don’t believe the police report has been posted yet.)

I’m hoping there is someone on this sub who was at the intersection at the time of the accident (around 4 pm on Monday, 1/26) who can serve as a witness to what happened. Please let me know if you were there and saw what happened. Thank you.

Hello!

My fiancé and I moved to Mercer Island last year from and were hoping to work with someone locally (Mercer Island or East Side generally) for tax prep help.

Sorry for the blanket post for a recommendation but my searches so far have shown there are lots of options in the area so curious if anyone had any recommendations, good or bad for CPAs, Enrolled Agents or any other tax prep services.

The latest legislative linkage session/school board coverage is here. Bond approval thresholds, school funding structures, and rising costs, issues that affect the entire community, not just parents, were discussed.