Store and deli opens for business in Greenbank

Groceries, wine, beer, sandwiches to go and more

Fresh salads, towering sandwiches on homemade bread, chips, dips, deli meat, cheese and gluten-free crackers.

Also on the shelves in Greenbank’s new little grocery store — toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, soap and cooking oil.

Whether basics, such as milk or butter or gourmet ingredients for a picnic are needed, Greenback Pantry & Deli saves locals from driving south to Freeland or north to Coupeville.

It’s located next to the post office, in a bright white building that once served as a taxi dispatch.

“Essential items and a good variety of food, that’s what we’re aiming for,” said Emily Terao, who opened the store with her husband, Alex Pulichino. “And a good balance of different flavors.”

Hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, except Sunday, when the store is closed.

The couple, who own a small nearby farm, decided to open a community grocery store/breakfast and lunch deli combo after learning the historic Greenback Store they bought in December needs major — and time-consuming — renovations.

The small 20-by-20-foot building wasn’t set-up for a commercial kitchen so that also involved some work, “but it was better than just waiting around while our architect and engineer have been putting the Greenbank Store plans on paper,” Pulichino said.

There’s no plans to drastically alter the historic store, built in 1904, Pulichino said, but “the building deserves the time it will take to strengthen its bones.”

Inside the Greenbank Pantry & Deli, there are handcrafted touches provided by friends and family. Picnic tables and hanging baskets of flowers out front invite customers to sit awhile and take in the scenic view.

“We’ve had the windows covered up the whole time we were fixing the store up so I had no idea what an amazing view we had,” Terao said.

Breakfasts may soon be added to the store’s made-to-order menu. For now, sandwiches loaded with deli meat and cheese, fresh fixings and freshly baked bread are on the menu.

Alex Pulichino waits on costumers at the new Greenbank Pantry and Deli that sells groceries, fresh items, wine, beer and freshly-made salads and sandwiches. Hours are 8 a.m.to 6:30 p.m. every day; closed Sunday. Photo by Patricia Guthrie/Whidbey News Group

Alex Pulichino waits on costumers at the new Greenbank Pantry and Deli that sells groceries, fresh items, wine, beer and freshly-made salads and sandwiches. Hours are 8 a.m.to 6:30 p.m. every day; closed Sunday. Photo by Patricia Guthrie/Whidbey News Group