SEATTLE — At West Seattle Produce near California and Fauntleroy streets, fruits and vegetables are the merchandise, but the product is something special.
“I think it's the sense of community,” co-owner Robert Marx said as he stocked display cases Saturday morning.
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“We know everybody from around the block, and they can come in here with their dogs, with their kids, with their moms, dads (and) relatives that are visiting, and it's kind of like family.”
The Kraetsch family routinely drives 20 miles from Des Moines to shop here.
“The produce is just more quality than what you find at your big-box grocery store,” Ryan Kraetsch said.
Andrea Hachfeld bought fruit for her restaurant, Endolyne Joe’s.
“We have a party tonight so we are doing a little fresh fruit platter and picked up some stuff from here. I just prefer to do it over the grocery stores,” she said.
But after six years in this location and another four across the street, West Seattle Produce has to close in a few weeks. Its home will be torn down to make room for a new apartment complex.
“This will be our final hurrah, I think. It's sad just 'cause all the faces,” said founder Bruce McPherson, who knew this day was coming some day.
“Rents have just gotten so high that we'll probably (close)," he said. "We've been looking for a long time, but it's just hard with the high rents to probably do this again, I think.”
But Marx is holding out hope they can find a place to continue the work he's done since the age of 14.
“The spring of 2018 would be the goal ... because that's when business starts getting going with, you know, local asparagus and rhubarb, and you got the California peaches, nectarines, and it starts getting fun into the summertime," Marx said.
Until then, something special will be missing, Katie Kraetsch said, “Just the friendly people here, super nice, and you don't this kind of quality of service at a regular grocery store," she said.
There's still plenty of time to shop at West Seattle Produce. Right now it looks like the store won't close until just before Christmas.
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Cox Media Group
