SEQUIM — The Clallam Co-op could have been a dinosaur, but those in charge did their homework and averted extinction.

“We did a lot of pre-planning on product selection and our different niche departments,” said Kathy Reid, store manager of the Co-op at 216 E. Washington St.

So The Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Petco haven’t hurt the health of this septuagenarian institution.

The member-owned Clallam Co-op is celebrating its 70th anniversary today with abundant cake and 15 percent discounts for all.

The Co-op, whose 1,800 members enjoy 3 percent discounts daily, has evolved along with Sequim.

“We still cater to the hobby farmers,” the large farms and the legion of pet owners here, Reid said.

And Fridays at the Co-op, seniors 62 years old and older receive 10 percent discounts.

Thursday afternoon, the place bustled with people shopping for chicken wire, stuffed snowmen, Christmas cards and all manner of old-fashioned hardware.

The afternoon sun bathed the south side of the store in natural light; lamps and fixtures illuminated the center and in the dog-and-cat section, the goods were as dazzling: canine raincoats; Hawaiian-print dresses for dogs; cookies, pretzels and “doughnuts” for pets.

Treats for humans abound, too: Chocolate-opoly, a cacao-flavored version of Monopoly; tulip bulbs; bluebird- and flamingo-shaped “Garden Swinger” birdhouses.

The patient shopper could find much of this stuff at larger hardware outlets.

_______________

Join the fun

PLENTIFUL BIRTHDAY CAKE and coffee, 15 percent discounts on merchandise and door prizes are part of today’s 70th birthday party at the Clallam Co-op, 216 E. Washington St., Sequim.

Cake will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the store is open. It is offering special discounts from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Co-op is member-owned, but all are welcome to partake in today’s festivities. For information call 360-683-4111 or click on www.clallamcoop.com.