Multiple location changes, two separate structure fires and even the Great Depression — Aldrich’s Market has weathered them all in its 125 years of operation.

And once again the Uptown fixture has shown that it is the grocery store that doesn’t have a real short shelf life.

Aldrich’s Market has reopened again following a six-month hiatus spurred by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

After a soft-opening Saturday, Oct. 10, things are rolling right along at the market said Yos Ligtenberg, one of the store’s new co-owners.

“It’s been steady. We’re not at 100 percent just yet, but we’re functional,” Ligtenberg said.

He estimated that by the end of the week, the store would be up to about 85 to
90 percent of its desired diversity of stocked products.

The coffee bar is up and running, right beside a wall adorned with numerous old-timey crates holding up a wide variety of spirits in homage to Aldrich’s 125 year history in the area.

Sushi Ichiba is back as well, he added, this time serving up fresh sushi on the first floor.

The market’s overall layout leaves ample space for shoppers to observe social distancing protocols, and a Sasquatch sign at the entrance with a reminder of masking requirements has so far kept the anti-maskers from wandering in, Ligtenberg added.

“We’re here to provide a service and an experience for the community; we’re trying to create a market that a cool hamlet like Port Townsend deserves,” Ligtenberg said. “That’s what we want to create, and that’s kind of every aspect of the business.”

Ligtenberg also said he and his sibling co-owners Christa and Rachel Ligtenberg want to look at running the market as a nonprofit in the future.    

“Our intention long-term is to really kind of operate this thing where we’re giving back as much as possible,” Ligtenberg said. “Ultimately any of the profits are going to be going back to the employees and to the community.”

While he didn’t see Aldrich’s applying for nonprofit charity status, Ligtenberg did say that following a year of operation, they will seek to receive B Corporation certification.

Lichtenberg encouraged residents to come by and see the offerings at the new Aldrich’s Market, adding that the store has partnered with plenty of local and traditional vendors to stock its shelves.

“I think that everybody will be pleasantly surprised with the experience and the stuff they can gather;
100 percent of our produce is organic,” Ligtenberg said. “We’ve partnered with probably at least 75 local vendors, from growers and purveyors and producers.”

“That’s kind of our model, local first and then backfill with some larger distributors,” he said.