Hansville Grocery facing financial hardships due to septic costs

By Tyler Shuey • December 25, 2024 1:30 am
Hansville Grocery courtesy photo

Hansville Grocery, a longtime store and cafe known to locals as “Hansgrill,” is facing financial challenges due to ongoing costs from septic issues that could force the business to close.

In a Facebook post Dec. 19, the business says its septic system failed and required a complete replacement. To keep the doors open, while paying for the new system to be pumped from January to September, the store spent about $20,000 and anticipates more costs to finish the project.

The new system has two 1,000-gallon grease traps, a 1,000-gallon septic tank, two 1,500-gallon overflow tanks and two large sand filters. The business says it paid $360-$650 per week for nine months to pump out the old 750-gallon tank to stay in compliance with the Kitsap County Public Health District. The property owner paid for the new system and will be raising rent for the business as a result.

“This couldn’t have come at a more difficult time. Winter is here, and as many of you know, the tourists and snowbirds who usually fill our tables have left the region. With reduced staff hours putting a strain on our employees financials and with far less off-season income, the added financial burden is stretching our resources thin,” the business states in a Facebook post.

“Small businesses depend on the savings that we accrue during the summer to help us get through the winter…The money that we accrued actually had to go to the pumping of that system to stay in compliance instead of going into savings, as it normally would.”

The business is asking the community for support by purchasing a meal, groceries and some new Hansville sweatshirts at the store. Donations can also be made at Venmo@hansvillegrocery, PayPal@hansvillegrocery or by mail to P.O. Box 41 Hansville, WA 98340. A GoFundMe site has also been set up on behalf of the business, with $3,600 raised as of Dec. 24.

“Your generosity will help us keep our team employed, continue serving this community we love, and ensure that we’re here to welcome you…,” the Facebook post concludes. “We’re endlessly grateful for your support.”