PORT TOWNSEND — The owners of Aldrich’s Market uptown have put the landmark business on the market and hope to attract a new owner who will keep alive the community spirit of the neighborhood store.
“It’s the hub of the uptown community,” said David Hamilton, co-owner of Aldrich’s Market since 1996.
“We’d prefer to attract somebody local to purchase it.”
Hamilton and his partner, Jonathan Ryweck, are asking $175,000 plus about $75,000 for the inventory.
The new owner would obtain the first-floor grocery store business, basement mini-storage units and the mezzanine floor, as well as take over the leases of Bell Tower Art on the mezzanine floor and the Dream City Catering deli on the main floor.
Hamilton and Ryweck’s company, Ham & Rye, will retain ownership of the five-story building, which contains eight condo units, and the land beneath it.
The building burned to the ground on Aug. 4, 2003, after serving as a centerpiece of the uptown business district since it was built in 1895.
The two-year effort of rebuilding left Hamilton exhausted to the point he didn’t want to run it anymore.
“I really burnt out during that process,” said Hamilton.
“Until the fire, it was a lot of fun.”
Hamilton said he hasn’t worked at the store since February.
He recalls that following the fire, when there was just a hole in the ground, he would joke, “Why don’t we just turn it into a community pool.”
But with an outpouring of moral and monetary support from the community, Hamilton and Ryweck managed to give the store a second life.
Ryweck became Hamilton’s business partner in 2002, a year before the fire blazed.
Ryweck is now in France purchasing wine for the store and vacationing and wasn’t available for comment.
Sales up since re-opening
Since Aldrich’s reopening in July 2005, sales have been increasing steadily, with sales per customer surpassing the pre-fire figures, said Hamilton.
He said during the reconstruction, he and his partner looked at the items that were selling well and expanded those sections of the store, such as dairy products and frozen foods.
The store also has a more efficient layout for shopping, Hamilton said.
Those interested in taking over the store should call Hamilton at his home at 360-437-7925.
“Incidentally, the person who buys this will only be the fourth owner in 111 years,” said Hamilton.