PORT ANGELES — What a difference 37 years can make.
Robyn and John Miletich opened Country Aire Natural Foods in 1974 in the narrow confines of 117 E. First St., back when eating organic and natural foods “was pretty much of an offbeat, kind of a far-out thing to be concerned about,” store manager Sam Nugent said last week.
On Tuesday, the store celebrates its 37th anniversary at the official grand opening of its new, cavernous store at First and Oak streets.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony set for noon will feature Mayor Cherie Kidd, newly named City Manager Dan McKeen and Port Angeles Downtown Association Executive Director Barb Frederick.
The store — the location of the former Gottschalks— opened May 1 after the Miletiches purchased the long-vacant, two-floor building from the K.O. Erickson Charity Trust.
Country Aire is about five times bigger than where everything began just 1½ blocks away.
“We didn’t want to do a grand opening at the beginning,” Nugent said. “We had a lot of bugs to work out, and we are more confident in our clothes, as it were.”
The store is planning to celebrate its birthday throughout this week, with samples and tastings from local suppliers including Pane d’Amore breads, Harbinger wines, Bedford sodas and Clark Farm meats, Nugent said.
National suppliers also will host tastings and demonstrations throughout the week.
In addition, live music is planned for Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
The past several weeks have gone better than expected, Nugent said.
Store loyalty programs reward customers who spend $1,000 with a $50 store gift card.
“I’ve given out at least 15 cards already,” Nugent said. “We’re saying we’ll commit to you if you commit to us, and we love that.”
Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.