Howard and Ce-Ann Parker not only have owned a store that sells about everything you could possibly want, they also have done about everything you could possibly want for Bainbridge Island

The Parkers have owned the Bay Hay and Feed store at Rolling Bay for about 40 years, but they are now retiring.

The buyers are longtime store manager and friend Els Heyne, as well as her husband Jeff Groman, daughter Devin, and her husband Nick Snyder.

The Parkers have been pillars of the community, supporting local schools, parks, museums and nonprofits such as Helpline House, along with worldwide efforts such as Bikes for Africa.

But being stewards of the environment and sustainability really have been what has made them stand out, setting a great example for the rest of the community.

They have been honored for their work: Business Recycler of the Year in 2019, Washington Green Top 50 list in 2011, 5 star EnviroStar member, Business Couple of the Year in 2008 and grand marshals of the July 4 parade.

The business continues to do work to reduce its footprint: trying to reduce water consumption, buying electric trucks for deliveries and encouraging employees to carpool.

But they have already accomplished much. They have solar panels on their roof and built two rain gardens – one that filters water before going into Puget Sound and one to water its nursery. They buy 100% green energy, are changing to LED lighting and switched to more energy-efficient heating in 2014.

They recycle about everything – cardboard, paper, glass, cans, plastic – having reduced waste by 50%. They also compost as much as they can – even compostable cups used at their coffee stand. They also have their own vegetable garden and started their own beehive in 2014.

Community-wide, they were part of the Wiping Out Waste effort to bring recycling and garbage containers to Winslow, they had a Kids Day Camp on sustainable business, and they collect styrofoam.

Their environmental standards and health consciousness also can be seen in their old-fashioned farm store in a historic 1912 building that includes a post office and cafe and is so unique it has become a BI tourist attraction. The store is so well-known its Bay Hay shirts are famous.

It sells as much local food and products as possible. It sells organic food, even for livestock. It sells energy logs, wood pellets and propane.

The nursery includes plants for sale, along with seeds to grow your own, and also all types of stone to accentuate your garden.

Like any good farm store it also has stuff for kids – toy animals and farm equipment like tractors. It sells other gift ideas and clothing, mostly for work.

To show how old- fashioned it is, they also offer home deliveries, although that’s becoming a trend again now due to COVID-19.

But they also are modernizing, recently starting to sell pet food and supplies online.

The store sells produce and seeds to grow your own.

The business is environmental friendly, with two raingardens.

The business won Recycler of the Year in 2019.

The store sells toys, with a focus on farm ones like tractors.

Along with a market, post office and cafe, the business has a huge nursery.

The shirts advertising the business are seen around the world.