PORT ANGELES — Erin Korte had a lot of decisions to make when she became the owner of Lincoln Park Grocery. What time did she need to open in the morning? What kind of beer should she sell? How much fresh produce should she order every week?
Another decision was a no-brainer.
She was definitely keeping the store’s readerboard with its goofy puns that has kept drivers on West Lauridsen Boulevard laughing — or shaking their heads — for more than 20 years.
“I had to carry on the tradition,” Korte said.
Which is why, after Lincoln Park Grocery reopened on Aug. 16 after nearly a year of renovations, groaners like “Velcro — What a rip off” began appearing again.
Originally from Ellensburg, Korte moved to Port Angeles with her boyfriend in 2022. She worked in the bar and restaurant industries but had no retail experience.
Then her friends and the property’s owners, Sam Watson and Marianne Condrup, asked if she’d be interested in owning the store, which has been in business across the street from Lincoln Park for more than 85 years.
“It kind of started as a joke,” Korte said. “Then I thought, ‘Maybe I do want to do that.’”
Korte joined Watson and Condrup, who had started an extensive overhaul of the store: gutting its interior, painting, replacing fixtures and installing a commercial-grade kitchen.
She contacted vendors, lined up deliveries and organized the shelves. She also started tackling all of the questions she had when she started.
She said she’s still “feeling out” the opening time, but for now, the store will be open Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays.
She’s Lincoln Park Grocery’s sole employee at the moment, but when she finds the right person, she wants to start opening on Sundays.
Korte was comfortable making the wine selection — labels from Oregon, Italy and France that she hadn’t seen available in Port Angeles.
But she asked a friend “who’s really into beer” to help her select what to stock in the vintage white refrigerator display unit that was one of the few relics from its previous life that wasn’t tossed out.
Another friend helped her order disc golf discs for people who play on the Lincoln Park course. In less than a week, she’d sold more than 50 and had to place another order.
“It’s something I never would have thought of,” Korte said.
In addition to catering to the disc golf crowd, she said she’s worked hard to balance Lincoln Park Grocery’s offerings so they will appeal both to those who just want to dash in to grab a quick snack and foodies who are interested in culinary adventure.
That’s why you’ll find Fritos, Starburst candy and Ritz Crackers on its shelves, as well as KariKari Garlic and Chili Crisp, Momofuku ramen noodles and salt from Portugal.
“The intention is not to be too far one way or the other,” she said.
There are few places to stock up on groceries on the west side of town, Korte said. She wants Lincoln Park Grocery to help fill that gap.
Another of Korte’s goals has been to support local producers by offering goods grown and made in the area.
There are grab-and-go sandwiches from Country Aire and New Day Eatery pastries. Gold Feather Coffee Roasters Coffee is sold by the cup — sorry, folks, there’s no espresso — and Sour Baby Bakery sourdough bread by the loaf.
Jembe Farms, Joy Farm, SisterLand Farms and Wild Edge Farm make regular deliveries of fresh fruits and vegetables. The store also sells Wild Edge meats and seafood from Katfish Salmon Co. in Port Townsend.
“Some people cruise through and take their time,” Korte said. “One woman ran in and said, ‘I’m here for your lettuce!’”
The store is open and filled with natural light. There are no cramped aisles between tall shelves under flickering fluorescent bulbs.
Korte, Watson and Condrup wanted to create a space that reflects Lincoln Park Grocery’s past — like the beer cooler — as well as befit its new life as a “speciality general store.”
The store’s most striking element might not be its merchandise but the countertop made from a 4-by-12-foot piece of old growth redwood that Watson and Condrup trailered from Big Sur to Port Angeles.
“We took it to Beckstrom’s sawmill for leveling and flattening,” Watson said. “And then we put it right in the store.”
Watson and Condrup are now building a patio behind the store that to provide additional seating to what is available in the front. That project is expected to be finished by next summer.
Korte has yet to take advantage of the store’s kitchen because Clallam County septic code limits the kind of food preparation she had planned on, but she isn’t complaining and she isn’t worried.
She knew things were going to be fine the first day she opened.
“Some people came in and they were super curious,” Korte said. “They said, “There’s nothing like this in Port Angeles.’
“That makes me so happy.”
Lincoln Park Grocery info:
1500 W. Lauridsen Blvd.
Open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sundays and Mondays.
If you have old photographs of Lincoln Park Grocery that you are interested in sharing, Erin Korte is planning to create a display showing the store’s history over the years.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
The Lincoln Park Grocery, 1500 W. Lauridsen Blvd. in Port Angeles, is reopening in its longtime location across from Lincoln Park. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
