Town & Country Market customers no longer have to hoof it through the rain to get to the bathroom.
Along with completing Phase One of construction, the store officially opened its new, main floor restrooms late last week with a ceremonious ribbon cutting — but done with toilet paper.
When he was first approached to lead the ceremony, Larry Nakata said he responded by noting with a sweeping hand gesture, “Well, at least that’s consistent with providing for everybody’s needs. Everybody eats, everybody…”
Larry and Ellen Nakata did the honors of cutting the toilet paper with the same scissors used to open Agate Pass Bridge, marking the completion of most of the heavy-lifting components of the store’s remodel.
The overall square footage of the market has increased in the last eight months to make room for the first phase of improvements.
For those who have not already seen the dramatic changes happening at the store, visitors will find the meat and seafood departments are now side-by-side at the eastern side of the store with full service counters.
Where before the meat department was limited to open freezers and pre-packaged items, customers can now select fresh meats by the pound.
The downstairs section of the store has likewise been transformed into office space.
A new loading dock has been constructed near the southeast corner parking lot which has also been excavated and repaved.
In addition to updated utility and mechanical systems, solar panels have also been installed, supplying about 3 percent of the market’s energy.
The remodel began in January and is expected to be complete in the summer of 2015.
The second phase began this week and will focus on the center of the market’s main floor and the northeast corner of the site.
A new vehicle entrance off Bjune Drive will lead to a new parking area and exit onto Winslow Way.
The dairy section will also be updated to include new glass doors. Frozen foods will be moved to the center of the market, and the deli will be expanded and moved to the back of the store.
For more information about the project, sign up to receive weekly updates at www.tcremodle.net.
