Help Salmonberry Goods Save the Green Market

Nestled on a quiet side street in Ballard lies a hidden gem that holds a special place in the hearts of many locals: the Sunset Hill Green Market. Growing up just down the street, I have fond memories of stopping by with my dad, a mailman in the neighborhood, after school. It was our little tradition to treat ourselves to something sweet — an ice cream sandwich, a fresh peach, or a blood orange when they were in season.

As I reflect on those cherished moments, I realize the profound impact this small grocer had on shaping my passion for agriculture. The diverse selection of produce, the charming handwritten signs, and the genuine enthusiasm of Susan who ran it ignited a lifelong interest in farming and food for me and was a shared inspiration for my business partner David when we were in high school.

Recently, we received news that the Green Market was in jeopardy. Caught in a transitional phase between owners and facing uncertain times. Without hesitation, we knew we had to step in. We spoke with Noel, a dedicated employee and talented musician, who connected us with the landlords, a community-oriented family. It became clear that all of us shared a common vision to preserve this beloved neighborhood space.

We envision transforming the Green Grocer into a timeless food sanctuary. A place where freshly baked sourdough arrives just in time for dinner, where neighborhood kids can indulge in cookies while learning about local farms, and where anyone can find the ingredients for a memorable meal or discover something new and exciting to cook.

At the core of our mission is a deep commitment to connecting people with the farmers in our community. We understand the vital role small farms play in our local ecosystem and recognize the importance of providing ongoing support for their sustainability. In a world dominated by mega corporations, we strive to be a beacon for small businesses, preserving the essence of our neighborhoods and ensuring the survival of our local farms.

Our ask for support is to assist our small business in covering the costs of transition. We’re going to be closing for a month or so to endure permit changes and make small renovations. We will be spending money raised on plumbing, electrical, permitting, and equipment fixes: anything else with go to costs of staffing during this time. We’re a small business, and this is a huge undertaking: we’ll be seriously extending ourselves and stretching thin but we know with community support we can accomplish something beautiful for all of us to share.

David and I will each be digging well into our personal savings to make this leap and we expect the cost to fall somewhere between 30 to 50 thousand dollars to fully build out and scale up production to fill this space with the bounty of local agriculture. We’ll be purchasing and plumbing a small espresso machine to showcase the best local roasters and create a welcoming morning space to go alongside farm-to-table pastries, hot out of the oven; fixing or replacing a commercial freezer so we can offer the full compliment of small farm meats and fermented ice cream; scaling our bakery from three to six days a week of sourdough production to have fresh-milled sourdough bread daily; manufacturing bronze-cut pastas from Skagit Valley grains, filling shelves with pantry spices, and everything else to help you cook the incredible family farm produce we already offer and are so excited to make available in-person daily.

Join us in preserving the legacy of the Green Market, holding the candle for small farms, and creating a haven where community, food, and passion converge. Together we can ensure that this cherished institution continues to thrive and serve this community long into the future.

Thank you so much for your support, positivity, and for joining us on this journey.