A local grocer’s acquisition of the popular North Bend Market

Place bucks a national trend of consolidation with national chain stores

and serves notice that the local grocer is not a thing of the past.

New owner Pat Duncan acquired the market earlier this summer

from Gaub Co. Inc. and has spent the last few weeks reconfiguring aisles

and shelves to make the store more spacious and convenient for

shoppers. Duncan is also modifying the store to better meet the needs of the

growing numbers of families in the North Bend area.

As a Washington grocer whose roots are firmly planted in the

Northwest, Duncan believes that local owners can respond to customers’

needs and concerns more efficiently.

Shoppers will notice an expanded walk-in beverage cooler,

expanded produce and bakery departments, and more value-added family-pack

items including meats, cheeses and deli foods. Popular Western Family

products will remain as the store’s in-house brand.

They will offer the “lowest prices, best selection and a chance to talk

right with the owner,” said Duncan, who promises to be available to hear

customer concerns or answer questions. “We’re going to work hard to

serve the community and families as best we can.”

North Bend Market Place is located at 330 Main Avenue South

in North Bend and is a member of Associated Grocers, a Seattle-based

food distributor serving nearly 400 independently owned supermarkets in

the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska and the Pacific Rim.