by MARK ST.J. COUHIG

Sequim Gazette

Nash’s Farm Store in Dungeness is reaching out to its longtime friends and supporters for help in completing the renovations on its new, expanded store, which will open just down the street from the current store.

The old building has an interesting history: At the end of the 1900s it was the Glendale Creamery. More recently — in the 1960s and 1970s — it was the Dungeness Tavern. If all goes well, by fall it will be an all-organic grocery store.

Patty McManus-Huber, co-owner with her husband, Nash Huber, said they’re turning to the community for a hand because restoring the building and bringing it up to current county building codes has proved more costly than anticipated. “We’ve spent what we budgeted,” she said. “But we’re close … we’re so close.”

McManus-Huber said the new store will be regulated as a “Grocery (B),” which means no prepared foods. But that doesn’t mean the regulatory requirements are simple to meet.

The new store will be managed by Mary Wong and Ellen Russell, who also are jointly overseeing the completion of the renovation. “Making it happen has been … an effort,” Russell said.

“That’s putting it mildly,” Wong responded.

Russell said “creating the vision” also has taken time and effort.

The two still are shooting for a “soft opening” on Aug. 8, with a grand opening in September.

All-organic, all the time

Their plans are ambitious. In addition to the produce sold at the current farm store (which will become a gathering place for Nash’s workers), the inventory will expand to include fresh produce from other farms, plus canned, refrigerated and frozen goods.

”Our goal is to use local products first,” Wong said. That will mean providing products, including grains and beans, from similar organic farms throughout Washington and Oregon.

Wong ticked off a few of the goods shoppers will find: “grains, vegetables, artichokes, fava beans, potatoes, beets, Jerusalem artichokes, chicken, eggs, pork … and our famous Nash’s carrots.”

In addition, Russell said, “We’re hoping to create a place where we can teach.” Russell and Wong are, like others in the operation’s 45-strong work force, dedicated to natural, organic produce and the benefits they provide. Teaching others about those benefits will play a large role in their job.

The new building also will provide additional space for workshops, an extended lending library, a demonstration garden, a children’s corner and other community activities. Russell called it “a place where people can gather and share ideas, get information and education about producing and preparing food, and create a community-based conversation on good health.”

In recognition of its sponsors, the store will display a large, colorful outdoor mural by the main entrance showing all the names of the people who participated in the new store’s completion.

Additional benefits are available for more generous donors, but sponsorships of any size are, McManus-Huber said, gratefully accepted.

To become a sponsor of Nash’s Farm Store, download a brochure at www.nashsorganicproduce.com or call 681-6274.

Reach Mark Couhig at mcouhig@sequimgazette.com.