Come Join Town & Country Markets in Celebrating their 65th Anniversary this Saturday, October 22nd
In the late 1800s, Jitsuzo Nakata and his family came to America from Japan, making their new home on Bainbridge Island. About the same time, another immigrant, Tom Loverich from Croatia, had also made his way to the island. Both men established themselves in their own businesses and raised their families, never knowing that one day their sons, John and Mo Nakata and Ed Loverich, would form a lifelong friendship and business together.
In the early 1950s, good friends John, Mo and Ed purchased and operated three small local grocery stores. After a few years, they decided to sell the smaller stores and open the island’s first “super” market, which included the island’s first set of automated doors.
Fast forward to 1985, the T&C family was ready to expand and over the course of the next 20 years, they opened several more markets including Ballard Market, Greenwood Market (which closed in 2012), Central Market in Shoreline, Poulsbo and Mill Creek, and T&C Lakemont.
Each market was tailored for the community it serves, focusing on locally and internationally sourced products as well as core products, creating a unique mix and selection for their customers. Earlier this year, the T&C family decided to bring all their markets under the same name. As Susan Allen, senior director of brand development and daughter of former company president, Don Nakata told me earlier this year, “When we decided we wanted to bring all our markets under one name and work more closely as one company, it felt like we should return to our roots, ‘Town & Country Markets’. We feel we are both a bit ‘Town’ and a bit ‘Country’.”
In addition to unifying the stores under the T&C name, the stores have been undergoing renovations and refreshed interiors. Planned updates include more department selections, expanded Grab-N-Go options, new indoor/outdoor dining areas and a new website to provide shoppers with a more enhanced and interactive online and in-store experience.
COME CELEBRATE TOWN & COUNTRY MARKETS 65th ANNIVERSARY
“For 65 years, Town & Country (T&C) Markets has been searching the world – and our own neighborhoods — to bring you new ways to experience the joys of food, and share it with the people you love. Join us in celebrating our 65th anniversary with a one-day-only open house at all markets on Saturday, October 22nd.
Discover and sample delicious treats and eats from all over the PNW region + beyond. Stay a while as you listen to live music, and be sure to explore the market for surprise deals. Did we mention there will be cake?!
As one of few family-owned, independent grocery stores in the region, T&C is thrilled to celebrate being in business for more than six decades and excited for what’s to come during the next 65 years!”
Where: All Markets
When: Saturday, October 22nd
What time:
Lakemont, Shoreline, Bainbridge Island and Mill Creek – 11am – 3pm
Ballard and Poulsbo – 3:30pm – 6:30pm
To stay up to date on Town & Country Markets everyday happenings, visit townandcountrymarkets.com or follow the company on Instagram and Facebook.
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