Country Aire Natural Foods Market Receives Excellence on Main Award
SEATTLE – Country Aire Natural Foods Market, a locally owned natural foods retailer in Port Angeles, was recognized as the “Business of the Year” at Washington Main Street’s Excellence on Main Awards Ceremony on May 16 in Vancouver, Washington. The ceremony was held in conjunction with RevitalizeWA, Washington State’s Preservation and Main Street Conference.
The words ‘organic’ and ‘sustainable’ aren’t the latest buzz words in downtown Port Angeles – they’ve been used by Country Aire Natural Foods owners Robyn and John Miletich since 1975 when they began selling bulk food, herbs and spices. Although the first market was successful and well-loved in the community, the Country Aire retail space was described by the owners as the ‘most inconvenient store downtown’ as it had no private parking, minimal street exposure and narrow aisles.
Then in May 2009, the 35,000 square foot Gottschalks Department Store closed on one of the main intersections in downtown Port Angeles, leaving a noticeable hole in the downtown retail core. The space sat vacant for two years until Robyn and John came to the rescue. Wanting to create a space that would once again draw people downtown, the Miletichs got some help from a matching grant from the City of Port Angeles for façade renovations and began construction in 2011, ultimately transforming the building into the new Country Aire Natural Foods Market.
The new store, which opened in May 2012, is five times the size of the original! The expansion includes a larger deli, more local produce, local and organic wines, fair trade goods, as well as an amazing array of other “natural” products. Soon this lineup will include the area’s largest selection of drug-free meats and sustainably caught seafood"
When other Port Angeles businesses were closing, the Miletichs took a leap of faith by expanding their market. They have once again created a successful retail space while keeping in mind the character and history of the original building. Port Angeles Downtown Association Executive Director Barbara Frederick said it best, “Everyone in this community knew that Robyn & John would create something special, but no one knew just how special it would be.”
“The Miletichs clearly see the importance of investing in the community and have focused on creating an inviting retail space while continuously increasing and expanding their offerings,” said Sarah Hansen, Washington State Main Street Coordinator. “Their vision and hard work has paid off – they’ve created 50 local jobs and a loyalty program boasting more than 4,500 members. Their success is an inspiration.”
The Excellence on Main Awards is organized by the Washington State Main Street Program to recognize communities, organizations, and individuals who are helping achieve sustainable communities and economic vitality in Washington State through downtown revitalization and preservation. Washington’s Main Street Program is housed in the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and administered, under contract, by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.
For more information, please contact Sarah Hansen, Washington Main Street Program Coordinator, at the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation or 206-624-9449.
Local Contact: Barbara Frederick, Port Angeles Downtown Association, at 360.457.9614 or .