'We want to be one of the neighbors'

Long-standing Cascade Valley grocery store under new ownership

MOSES LAKE — There's new attitude and new life at a longtime grocery operation in town.

Mike Townsend and his wife of almost 23 years, Rebecca, re-opened the Cascade Valley Grocery store Thursday, after several months of being closed.

The Townsends officially purchased the operation in December.

"We bought it because we thought it would be a good investment, and also thought the neighborhood was a good spot for a store," Mike said, adding that he and Rebecca thought the store was not serving the area as well as it could. "We thought we could improve it, build the business up."

Residents for almost 17 years, Mike had a partnership in another business before beginning to look into a new operation last year in May. Rebecca was a stay-at-home mother.

Longtime employee Sue Marchand, a 20-year veteran of the store, said she was happy to see the Townsends come aboard.

"They're very nice people," she said. "They'll do the community very well. (The store) helps all the valley people here. It's kind of like a Mom and Pop store. Everyone knows everyone, and it fills the needs for the customers that come in, because we have a good selection of everything."

Mike said business has been growing, with the cleanliness of the store garnering many positive comments, and Rebecca said it improves daily.

"I think that's the biggest comment is, 'We're glad you're back, so we can shop here,'" Mike said.

In taking over, the Townsends removed and redid the floor, with four people scrubbing the business from top to bottom. A designer came up with the color scheme for the floor and walls. The Townsends also plan to redesign the front of the store, and bring in new gas pumps. They expect to begin selling fuel again later this week.

Neighboring Cascade Valley Laundry, which the Townsends also own, has been cleaned, painted and the machinery all repaired.

Marchand said she thinks the selection within the grocery store has improved, and Mike said that will grow further, to fit the store's customer base.

"We're just part of Cascade Valley," Marchand said, in answer to a comment from Rebecca that everyone from the valley has to drive by the store on their way into town. "The store has been like this for years. We're just here for the people. If they don't stop, they honk."

Mike said the operation employs five people.

"I think the real theme is a whole new attitude, a whole new direction for the store," he said. "We want to welcome people in, be part of the neighborhood. We want to be one of the neighbors."