MOUNTLAKE TERRACE—Lynnwood Grocery Outlet Owners Racheal and Tommy Harmon have branched out their operations to Mountlake Terrace with the opening of a brand-new, 17,000 square-foot, store offering a surplus of groceries and other goods at discount prices.
Grocery Outlet sells fresh produce, meat, deli, beer, wine, frozen foods, beauty supplies, general goods, and more – including a new line of its own branded products which just launched last year.
The opening of the new grocery store, located at 24360 Van Ry Boulevard, in what used to be an old post office building, was commemorated with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning, August 7, where Scott Eidsness, Fresh Merchandiser, opened with a few words – three hours after doors opened to a line of eager shoppers. The first 100 shoppers Thursday were awarded with a $100 gift card.
Though the grocery store officially didn’t open until 7 a.m., Racheal Harmon said when her and her husband arrived at 4:00 in the morning there was already a line of approximately 280 people.
“This is very much needed given food insecurity issues, especially because they will be supporting our food bank,” Mountlake Terrace Mayor Kyoko Matsumoto Wright told the Lynnwood Times.
Leading up to the ribbon cutting, guests of Thursday’s ceremony had the opportunity to “spin a wheel” for prizes, enjoy free coffee, sodas, and grilled cheese sandwiches provided by Seattle Sourdough Co. A live DJ also spun an energetic mix of music befitting of the momentous occasion.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Grocery Outlet here in our community. Residents have been asking for a new grocery store to replace Roger’s Market, which closed down a few years ago, so there have been a lot of anxious residents waiting for this to happen,” Mountlake Terrace Mayor Pro-Tem Bryan Wahl told the Lynnwood Times. “But not only do we get a grocery store, we got a discount grocery store, that’s affordable, and is partnering with our community to be able to help everyone out with food.”
Other elected officials in attendance Thursday included Mountlake Terrace City Council members Nick Ryan, Dr. Steve Woodard, and William L. Paige Jr., as well as Executive Director of the Mountlake Terrace Chamber of Commerce Ariel King.
“We’re very happy that Grocery Outlet has moved into Mountlake Terrace, especially at this location, given we are in the gateway plaza near many apartments so many residents can walk out here, get groceries, and walk back,” said Mountlake Terrace City Councilman Nick Ryan. “It’s a great addition to this area.”
Mountlake Terrace City Councilman and Volunteers of America VP of Community Engagement Dr. Steve Woodard told the Lynnwood Times the new Grocery Outlet store’s proximity to light rail is not only convenient for residents, but for others outside of the community traveling in to experience everything Mountlake Terrace has to offer.
“What an absolute honor to have a Grocery Outlet open up in our neighborhood. We, as a community, have been longing for a grocery store nearby – we have a couple nearby but this is even more convenient and the prices can’t be beat — so in that regard it’s just a wonderful match in terms of mission, as well as fit for our community,” said Dr. Woodard.
Grocery Outlet was founded in San Francisco on June 11, 1946, when founder James Read purchased government surplus food products and sold them at vacant storefronts in the Bay Area. When Read passed away in 1982 his sons acquired the company, renaming it from Cannery Sales to Grocery Outlet. The company now has over 500 locations and is one of the nation’s largest discount grocery stores.
Most Grocery Outlet locations are independently owned and operated by local married couples. Such is the case with Mountlake Terrace’s new location, owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Racheal and Tommy Harmon who opened their first location in Lynnwood in 2021.
According to Scott Eidsness, Fresh Merchandiser for Grocery Outlet, Racheal and Tommy are “more than just experienced business owners. They are passionate community builders, proud partners, with a heart behind a true, family-run, business.”
“Together Tommy and Racheal have built more than just a store. They’ve built a trusted community hub. Their business is a true family affair, they have three adult children working here, and they are excited to continue their work,” said Eidsness.
Just one example of the Harmon’s passion for community building is their partnering with local food banks. At Thursday’s ceremony the Harmon’s presented the Concern for Neighbor food bank a check in the amount of $1,000 to continue their operations addressing food insecurity.
“For over 50 years now the food bank has been a cornerstone of this community, assisting people who are fighting food insecurity at this time. But the need has grown even greater right now. In the last three years we’ve more than doubled our client base,” said Carla Brown, Executive Director of Concern for Neighbor food bank. “That is why this moment, this opening, this partnership, matters so much right now. We are honored to partner with Grocery Outlet. This store isn’t just opening its doors to shoppers, but hope, compassion, and community.”
Mountlake Terrace Grocery Outlet plans to donate food to Concern for Neighbor food bank on a weekly or daily basis. Additionally, in the month of July, the couple runs a campaign to combat food insecurity within their community through Independence for Hunger.
Other ways they engage in their community are sponsoring National Night Out, the Mountlake Terrace Fourth of July fireworks show, and its Concerts in the Park series.
Though each Grocery Outlet is independently owned and operated it is not considered a franchise. It’s a unique partnership agreement that was developed on a napkin in the 1940’s, the Harmons explained.
When the Harmons entered the partnership program in 2020, they undertook an extensive training program for a year before opening their first store in Lynnwood. Grocery Outlet supports local business owners by providing them with a storefront and products, but the operational side is all conducted by the business owners themselves.
Leading up to Thursday’s open, the Harmons had 250 applicants, of which 150 resulted in interviews. Of those applicants they hired 37 employees. Whether or not they will board more team members in the future relies on the store’s success, they informed the Lynnwood Times.
The Harmons continued that Mountlake Terrace was chosen as their expansion location due to the City’s lack of affordable grocery options and the increasing need for those services.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
