Longtime Edmonds grocer set to close its doors
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EDMONDS, Wash. -- Customers accustomed to the aisles and smiles at Petosa's family grocer are grieving. After 26 years, the only independently owned grocery store in downtown Edmonds is closing its doors.
Last spring, a sprinkler flood forced Petosa's to close for a week. A mob of loyal customers came with cash to help out, but it wasn't enough to help it survive the competition.
"It's like losing friends to have them go away," said customer Mark Williams. "They know you by your first name."
Word of February's closing is tough on retirees who rely on its convenient location. Regular customer Roy Combley say the deli's cornish game hens rival his late wife's.
"I lost my wife about four years ago and the deli here provides like home cooked food," he said. "I rely on that entirely."
Customers aren't the only ones facing a loss. Every day of the year, Petosa's has bags of groceries for customers to buy that go directly to the Edmonds Food Bank. Last year they sold 2,000 bags -- that's a $20,000 donation.
Now 26 employees are losing their jobs, including a 78-year-old checker who'd hoped to work until he reached 80.
The owner says she's tried to find a buyer for two years with no luck. Petosa's last day is Feb. 28.
Last spring, a sprinkler flood forced Petosa's to close for a week. A mob of loyal customers came with cash to help out, but it wasn't enough to help it survive the competition.
"It's like losing friends to have them go away," said customer Mark Williams. "They know you by your first name."
Word of February's closing is tough on retirees who rely on its convenient location. Regular customer Roy Combley say the deli's cornish game hens rival his late wife's.
"I lost my wife about four years ago and the deli here provides like home cooked food," he said. "I rely on that entirely."
Customers aren't the only ones facing a loss. Every day of the year, Petosa's has bags of groceries for customers to buy that go directly to the Edmonds Food Bank. Last year they sold 2,000 bags -- that's a $20,000 donation.
Now 26 employees are losing their jobs, including a 78-year-old checker who'd hoped to work until he reached 80.
The owner says she's tried to find a buyer for two years with no luck. Petosa's last day is Feb. 28.
That's one of the things I really like about small towns. Not only do they have Mom and Pops, but they also have a "downtown" area. It's a much cozier enviornment for shopping and actually getting to know the owners/employees and them to know you. Miss those friendly ammenities.
Too bad the customers can't somehow develop a plan for a co-op to keep the store going. Time to start thinking outside the box with all the mega-stores eating up our communities.
Very few of the small independents left anymore. There are small local chains, such as Metropolitan Markets... hard to think of any totally independants... that's a shame but it just goes to show ya have to grow and keep innovating to survive. It's almost impossible to just "stay the same". People want remodeled stores with new and exciting things. It's a tough business, very much like the restaurant business.
Really too bad. I suppose something we really "need" like another Starbucks or Walgreens will go in...
Just the sad truth, no room for small mom and pop businesses, big guys got it all.
Say it isn't so. I like this store.
 @Harrison It's down the street from my MIL's house...such a cute little place; this is so sad...
That's really too bad. I do love the fancy name, Cornish game hens. They are just young chickens, but oh so yummy. Anytime people get laid off during the holidays, it's a sad story. I don't want to blame places like Walmart and Target, but once those big stores started selling groceries, it really squeezed all the smaller grocers, even places like Safeway. Â
@lakeview
I am very certain that a Cornish Game Hen is not a young chicken. The meat to bone ratio is so different. You get much more meat per pound of fowl on a CGH. I really like them, but donât see them too often. Â
@oldster70  Um, a Cornish game hen is fancy name for a young chicken.  I'm a chef; I went to culinary school, but don't take my word for it. Use your Google. Â
 @lakeview I don't even have to, but did anyway to confirm my facts...a CGH is a crossbreed, a hybrid. Does not specify the bird to be "young" at all. The CGH can also be male or female...
Any relation to the Italian restaurant Petosas?
Well if she will finance it, I will buy it!