By Denise Marinacci

It’s been a little while since our friendly, neighborhood grocery store, Petosa’s, closed its doors. I’m sure I’m not the only one that misses the smiling faces, the delicious deli food, and for me, the convenience of running over when you’ve forgotten a key ingredient for dinner.

Now that Edmonds is without a grocery, I set out to find the shops, stores, bakeries that sell foodstuffs. I was looking for items that I could use in making baking, or cooking for a meal.

I started out on the corner of 5th and Walnut and headed north on my exploration to find just how much in groceries can be purchased without getting into my car.

Arista Wine Shop: As far as drinks, this Edmonds mainstay has a terrific inventory of beer, wine, champagne, and the non-alcoholic Dry Soda. Arista’s also stocks pasta and sauces, lemonade and teas, crackers and spreads, and gourmet bread mixes.

The Cheesemonger’s Table: Not just cheese here, that’s for sure. I had a few surprises as Strom Peterson listed just what they offer. My surprises were fresh eggs, butter, cream cheese, and their deli meats are available by the pound. Check out the nuts, dried fruits, olives that pair perfectly with cheeses from around the world. The chutneys, tapenades, and spreads aren’t just for crackers but can also add delicousness to roasted meats and poultry.

The Wooden Spoon: Delicious mixes for appetizers and desserts with cream cheese you can buy at The Cheesemonger’s Table.  They also stock Sodastream for those who want to experiment making their own soda.

Edmonds Bakery: Our local bakery offers a variety of breads, rolls, and hamburger buns fresh baked daily.

Housewares: If you’re looking for breakfast, this is the only place I found pancake and waffle mix along with maple syrup.  Robert also stocks doughnuts mixes. If you’re not into syrup, choose from a variety of jams and jellies. If you’re looking for margarita or bloody mary mix, he’s got you covered there too.

Bill the Butcher: This new addition to downtown Edmonds adds fresh beef, poultry, pork and hand-made sausage. You can find rabbit, lamb, pork, beef, chicken, and duck. They also carry kitchen mainstays like dried beans, quinoa, farro, and pasta, eggs (chicken and duck), and the only store I found milk. Browse through the store and you’ll find all the fixin’s for a spring barbecue….hamburger, pickles, ketchup, and mustard.

Bountiful Home: Just so you know, in the back room of Bountiful Home you’ll find products for your pantry. The shelves are stocked with wonderfully flavored oils, sea salts, colorful sprinkles for cakes and cookies, along with real vanilla extract and beans. For sweetness, there’s honey and flavored sugars and for baking scone and brownie mixes. Choose from fudge or caramel sauces for an added kick. Oh, and Todd has lettuce and tomato plants in the garden.

At the end of my walk, here are a few of my suggestions for a great meal. For a homemade pizza, pick up the dry bread mix and pasta sauce from Arista’s, head down to The Cheesemonger for meats and cheeses. Maybe a bottle or two of beer from Arista too.
During those warm days when you’re tempted to fire up the barbeque, Bill the Butcher has fresh ground hamburger, pickles of all kinds, next swing by Edmonds Bakery for the buns, and then on to Bountiful Home for their brownie mix and delish chocolate sauces. You’ll have a yummy and homemade dinner fit for company.

You’ll find all the ingredients for a good pot of chili and beans, a chicken casserole, pancakes, egg and sausage breakfast….whatever suits your fancy.

What I know now, is that there’s a lot more foodstuffs here in Edmonds than I ever realized. Let’s show these shops some love too by supporting them in any way that you can.

If you see me around town with my orange shoulder bag, please say hello!

Denise Marinacci, owner of Flaunt Financial, writes a monthly finance column to My Edmonds News.