Town & Country marks 60 years of service

Town &Country Markets marks its 60th anniversary with an outdoor barbecue and cake from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at the downtown Winslow market where it all began.

The public is invited to grab a lunch of grilled salmon – or hot dogs for the kids – with fresh corn and salad, for a suggested donation of $5. The proceeds will benefit Helpline House.

And, of course, there will be cake.

Town &County Markets Inc. began in 1957 with the Aug. 29 opening of Bainbridge Island’s first “supermarket,” founded by brothers John and Mo Nakata and Ed Loverich, in an empty ballfield where the store still stands.

Now, the company operates six stores throughout the Puget Sound region: neighborhood markets on Bainbridge Island and in Ballard and Lakemont, plus Central Markets in Poulsbo, Mill Creek and Shoreline.

“We want to thank the island for 60 years of community support,” said Susan Allen, whose father, the late Don Nakata, once served as CEO.

Allen is now senior director of brand development for T&C.

“With each milestone we look through old photos, share stories and think about longtime customers and employees,” Allen said. “As we reflect on the past we are always humbled by and grateful for what’s been created over the years by countless people who love food.”

For more information, visit www.townandcountrymarkets.com.