The Suquamish Tribe has begun construction near Poulsbo on the first of a new chain of “Clearwater Market” retail outlets.

Located at the intersection of Bond and Gunderson roads, the 7,700-square-foot facility marks the first business venture by the tribe outside the Port Madison Reservation, a news release states. The market will include a 5,000-square-foot convenience store with a nine-pump gas station, alongside a 2,700-square-foot Agate Dreams cannabis store. Tribal business leaders expect to welcome the market’s first customers by the end of the year.

“This is an important milestone for our tribe. We’ve come a long way to get to this point, dating from when we overcame many challenges just to get our first bingo hall open on the reservation,” Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman said.

“We’ve worked hard over the years to create businesses offering quality services, good value and a warm hospitality that reflects the spirit of our people. Now, we are bringing all that to the wider community across our ancestral territory.”

Run by the tribe’s business arm Port Madison Enterprises, more Clearwater Markets are planned in Silverdale and Bremerton.

“We’re doing a lot at PME in terms of working really hard to extend our retail footprint into your ancestral homelands, re-establishing our presence out there in the community and to let folks know that this is your territory,” PME CEO Rion Ramirez told tribal members and staff at a groundbreaking ceremony.

“It is very exciting to go off the reservation,” PME chief operating officer and tribal council secretary Irene Carper said. She is looking forward to seeing Clearwater Market build on the brand and reputation of the tribe’s other enterprises including the Clearwater Casino Resort, White Horse Golf Course, Agate Dreams cannabis stores and three convenience store-gas stations, among others.

“We ask our ancestors for guidance when we do these things,” tribal elder Peg Deam said, offering a blessing at the groundbreaking. “I am thankful to our ancestors, our elders and especially our leaders at tribal council and PME for making the decisions that get us to events like today.”

Considered a sign of blessing, a bald eagle flew overhead throughout the ceremony, which included traditional music by Suquamish Song & Dance.

“Thank you to everyone who made this possible,” Forsman said. “We’re looking forward to more of these to come.”