Spud’s Produce Market finds a welcome home in Olympia

Spud’s Produce Market, which opened nearly four years ago in Olympia’s Wildwood Neighborhood, has grown to become much more than produce — it now sells a range of items that make it feel like the corner grocery store.

Co-owner Dave Jekel, who runs the business with his wife, Karissa, and eight employees, said customer input has shaped the business and its offerings.

“The neighborhood supported us right from the get-go,” he said.

Adriana Dziembowski of Olympia, who shopped at the business Monday, said she comes to the store all the time. It’s convenient, it’s quicker than shopping at a typical grocery store and she can get niche items, such as local eggs and honey, she said.

Jekel, 42, isn’t a stranger to the grocery world. His parents operated the Tenino Thriftway until they sold it in 2010. Jekel worked there as well, starting at about age 12 by taking out the garbage or restocking candy bars.

Once the business was sold, Dave and Karissa struck out on their own to start a new business and had their eyes on their current space in the Wildwood Building. As soon as it was put up for lease, they responded that afternoon, he said.

Spud’s today fills out 3,100 square feet. It has not only produce, but also organic produce, craft beer, wine, a frozen-foods section, bulk food items, Olympia Coffee Co. coffee, honey and a number of other items, including items from local farms.

The honey is so popular that he sells more of it in one month than he did in a year in Tenino, he said.

The business also has started selling products under the Spud’s name. There is Spud’s wine, both white and red; Spud’s pico de gallo; and a seasonal Spud’s cider.

“Spud man,” a spud with a smiling face and cape, has been popularized by the store with T-shirts, plus there’s a wood-carved spud near the checkout counter that gets decorated, depending on the season. It now is wearing bunny ears for Easter.

A President Barack Obama “Hope” inspired image of Spud on a T-shirt was a big seller, Jekel said.

The name “Spud’s” came down to a vote of the family, he said. Although he lost the vote, the business was still named Spud’s because he couldn’t come to terms with Sweet Pea’s.

“I didn’t want to be called Sweet Pea around town,” Jekel said.

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 4:11 AM with the headline "Spud’s Produce Market finds a welcome home in Olympia."