PORT TOWNSEND — Aldrich’s Market, a cornerstone of uptown Port Townsend, will soon have a downtown presence with a new coffee shop at the Northwest Maritime Center.
Aldrich’s Galley at the Maritime Center, as it was named Tuesday, will have an April 1 “soft” opening along with the Wooden Boat Chandlery on the lower level of the Maritime Heritage and Resource Building on Water Street near Point Hudson Marina.
A festive grand opening is planned for May 1 to encompass the entire new Northwest Maritime Center campus.
Aldrich’s owners Milt and Renee Fukuda and their son, Scott, met with Northwest Maritime Center board members to discuss plans to open the 540-square-foot coffee shop, which will include lunch items made at the store such as sushi and paninis.
In building corner
The shop will be located in the southeast corner of the larger 2,000-square-foot retail space on the lower level of the Maritime Heritage and Resource Building.
“It’s a compelling statement of what Port Townsend is and is going to be, and we just wanted to be a part of it,” Milt Fukuda said of the family’s desire to extend its business interest to the center.
Scott Fukuda’s son, Ryan, has participated in several programs offered by the Northwest Maritime Center and the Wooden Boat Foundation.
There was a moment last summer when the family was waiting on the pier for Ryan that they were struck by the hugely positive impact that the new building has on the Port Townsend waterfront and cityscape, Renee Fukuda said.
“There is an obvious new energy created by the project that draws you in and makes you want to be a part of it,” she said.
“We see this as a perfect opportunity to work with an extremely well-respected organization in offering a service that will add to the community and its visitors.”
Perfect fit
Maritime Center Executive Director Stan Cummings said he also feels that the partnership with an established local business is a perfect fit.
“Similar to its strong presence in uptown, having a branch of Aldrich’s at the Northwest Maritime Center will provide a unique community gathering spot for people on our waterfront.”
Milt Fukuda said the center’s leaders stressed keeping the business “green,” part of which includes buying from local vendors.
The coffee shop will feature Sunrise Coffee of Port Townsend and other Aldrich’s favorites, he said.
Open daily
The coffee shop and chandlery will be open 7 days a week and hours will be seasonal, possibly opening early to serve early morning rowers and paddlers.
The Fukudas and Maritime Center staff are working on the chandlery and coffee shop layout, signs, interior décor and casework.
Local craftsman Charlie Rawlins of Horizon Design and Art is finalizing plans for the coffee shop counters, display cases and equipment.
Part-time Port Townsend resident and designer Bruce Hale is working on branding, signs and other features to provide a nautical atmosphere where shipwrights, boaters and community members can come to grab a cup of coffee or lunch.
The $12.5 million Northwest Maritime Center, which focuses on maritime education and culture, opened the Chandler Maritime Education Building in September.
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Port Townsend/Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.