Poulsbo’s landmark Central Market started a major remodeling project in January that will result in additional space, new products and sections, and an even bigger focus on fresh foods. The project is a way to respond to the changing customer needs and to incorporate what the company has learned about its customers in the 10 years since it’s been open.

“We feel it’s important to reinvest in our stores from time to time to fulfill the changing needs and wants of our customers,” said Larry Nakata, president of Town & Country Markets, Inc., a family-owned company with six stores that include the one in Poulsbo and Town & Country Market on Bainbridge Island.

The company started on Bainbridge Island, where Larry’s father opened the first store in 1957 with two partners: a friend and Larry’s uncle. Less than 20 years later, they opened the second store in Poulsbo (now closed) where Design Center NW is currently located. Nakata grew up in the grocery business and for many years managed the first Poulsbo Central Market. Town & Country Markets Inc. is now owned by three family members and two other stakeholders.

“Each store has its own personality,” Nakata said. “Each store is asked to address the needs of its own community…On the other hand, they are all driven by the same vision of nourishing the quality of life.”

That vision is what has created the uniqueness of Central Market, with its emphasis on fresh produce, which is organic or locally purchased when available and “when it makes sense.” Nakata said the store is not trying to compete in the area of lowest prices but tries to deliver good value in other ways, including product quality and customer experience. “The experience is a big part of the Central Market concept. Having fun and creating an environment where customers and employees are having fun is so important,” he said.

The remodeled store will further play on those strengths. The changes include an expanded seafood market, an expanded Asian/ethnic market, a bigger bulk foods area, bigger pharmacy, a new culinary kiosk with a fully equipped kitchen and a plasma screen with audio, and a value-added department where fresh meals will be created for customers to take home and cook for dinner. Some departments will be moved and the natural food selections will be integrated into the rest of the store, while the grocery section will become smaller. Customers looking for a quick bite to eat will also have more choices, including a deli with an extensive soup and salad bar.

One of the highlights will be an outdoor silo, a standard feature now at the Central Markets. The Poulsbo silo will include a barbeque eatery. A second story will be added above part of the store and include outdoor deck for eating. The remodeling will add about 2,700 square feet to the 69,000-square-foot building.

“We know it will be much more convenient for the customers…and it’s all about the choices,” said store General Manager Tom Hall, who has worked for the company for 24 years after being hired as a stocker by Nakata at the other Poulsbo store. “We also like to be part of educating our customers and employees about food.”

Hall and Nakata credit their employees (200 work at the Poulsbo store) with helping create the unique environment for customers, and said the company tries to empower its employees to make decisions and take care of customers’ needs.

The Central Market was originally built with a variety of recycled materials, from steel and insulation to plumbing materials and concrete. Environmental stewardship is one of the company’s beliefs, Nakata said. The remodeling will keep with the green building tradition and add several energy-efficient features, including more skylights for natural light and updated refrigeration equipment. “Environmental stewardship is integral to our mission, but also it’s prudent business practice — it makes economic sense in the long term,” Nakata said.

As the grocery industry changes overtime and the number of independent operators slowly dwindles, companies like Town & Country have to continuously find new ways to appeal to customers and offer unique services. With Wal-Mart slated to open in Poulsbo, bringing a big grocery department along, Central Market’s fresh look and services seem to come at a good time.

“We respect what Wal-Mart does… what they do, they do better than anybody — delivering products that are very low-priced,” Nakata said. “We believe our approach is different, and we’re very excited about reinvesting in this store and making the changes.”

A big part of having a thriving business is supporting the community, Hall said, which is why Central Market patronizes local farmers when possible and helps various organizations with fund-raisers. In return, the community has paid back. “As a company, Town & Country has been blessed to have the support of the community we operate in,” Nakata said. “What we’re doing is investing in the future, and we’re very excited.”.