Stunning weather, the sound of music and the smell of food greeted well over 1,000 people Friday afternoon and evening, July 6, at Metropolitan Market’s “appreciation” party in the parking lot of the upper Queen Anne store, which closes today Wednesday, July 11.
Seattle chef Tom Douglas masterminded the salmon grill at one end of the big tent, and Met Market kiosk chef Amy Pinkis, the face of the store for many customers, handled burgers at the other end. Those who came got the best of everything the store offers on a daily basis, according to dozens of people interviewed as they moved along the long lines: dips, fruits, breads, crackers, cheeses, salads, vegetables, strawberry desserts with whipped cream, chocolates passed on trays — Met Market prepared enough food for 3,000 people. About an hour and a half into the four-hour event, one food presenter said she thought 1,000 had already gone past her table.
The Dusty Martin Band performed on a small stage at the south end of the tent, with Met Market wine steward Christopher Dollbaum on alto flute. When the Martin band was off, Anthony Brock from Met Market’s produce section played guitar and sang.
Long-time customer June Sambaing, who lives in the Northeast corner of Queen Anne, remembers company president and CEO Terry Halverson “when he was a box boy,” she said. She said what she appreciated most about the store was the “neighborhoodness of it,” admitting that might not be a word. Everyone knew you, you knew everyone, and you could talk things over, she recalled.
Dawn and Mike Mullarkey have been going to Met Market for 35 years. “When my kids were little,” said Dawn, “it was the only store in town that would carry out my groceries.”
“It was the personal attention,” said Mike. “They stocked what you wanted.”
Tom and Juanita Kirkland, who have lived on Queen Anne for 50 years, raved about the produce. “They would trim the cauliflower. That big heavy thing on the bottom, they would cut it off,” said Juanita.
Linda and Joe Albo have walked to the store from their home on Seventh West many nights, checking things out and deciding what they wanted to cook for dinner. She is not sure how they will eat or shop now. “Everyone knows everyone here—it is truly a neighborhood store.”
Nancy Moriarty has been coming to the store since 1962 and has known many of the staff “since they were little kids.” Every day since 1986 she has taken it upon herself to see that food that can no longer be sold at the store is taken to five different shelters. “We don’t miss a day,” she said.
The upper Queen Anne closure leaves one Metropolitan Market in Queen Anne - at the foot of the hill on Mercer Street.
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