PORT GAMBLE — After years of frequenting farmers markets and running small businesses, Ethel Molina is getting her shot at the big time — running the Port Gamble General Store. And she is all fired up to shift the feeling of the historical town’s icon to a positive, family atmosphere.
“I started with farmers markets, and I didn’t really want to go any bigger because my kids were small,” she said. “But now, they are teenagers and I’m ready to take on an adventure.”
Molina’s adventure will be to transition the store back to its historical roots, while maintaining a modern business feel to draw in a wide range of visitors, said Port Gamble property manager Shana Smith. The building is currently being remodeled to recreate how it looked when it was first constructed in 1853.
“We’re just going with the overall theme of the store’s roots,” Smith said. “We’re also going to focus on selling locally grown and locally produced items. We’re going to have an expanded deli, where we’ll be slicing meats and cheeses. We want the feel of local Kitsap here.”
If anyone has a handle on what local is, it’s Molina, who has owned businesses in Poulsbo and visited markets in Port Gamble and Bainbridge, not to mention traveling around the area with her catering business. Her husband, Eduardo, will be supporting and helping her, though she will be primarily running the business.
“I think I do have the experience now to run the store,” Molina said. “I started very small, but I’ve gained the experience to move forward to a larger business now.”
Smith introduced Molina to the other business owners in Port Gamble at a vendor’s meeting Jan. 30. There, Molina outlined some of her plans for the general store, and expressed her hope the town’s businesses will work together like a family.
“I think she is very competent, very nice and very friendly,” said Port Gamble Tea Room owner Janis Kelley. “I think she will bring a variety to Port Gamble that it hasn’t had recently.”
Best Friends Antiques owner Sheila Walters agreed, adding that Molina is enthusiastic about her role in Port Gamble, and is full of energy that will work well within the dynamic of the old mill town.
“I think she’s still doing research in setting up the store,” Walters said. “She’s been around here, she was at our meeting, and seeing her enthusiasm was wonderful. I think she’s excited. I’m excited for her.”
The store will be opening under Molina’s guidance sometime in March, after the building remodel has been completed. In the meantime, she is working with local merchants and farmers to organize her product line.
“I feel honored and proud that (Olympic Property Group) asked me to be the new owner,” Molina said. “They are great, great managers and maintenance. They work together like a family.”
