In a world where massive chains dominate the 'natural' sector, independent health food stores have become rare and precious. How has Marlene's Market & Deli managed to remain successful in the Pacific Northwest since 1976?
Perhaps it is because the two stores (Tacoma and Federal Way, WA) are family-owned and operated and that, living in the communities they serve keeps owners in touch with the needs and desires of their clientele. Perhaps it is because the store’s namesake, at 81 years old, still comes to work every day.
Perhaps it's the passion employees have for their work, which stems from being supported by a profit sharing plan, progressive insurance policies, a clean working environment, and free daily carrot juice, wheatgrass, or organic brown rice, that accounts for the fact that many have been with the company for 20 years or more.
Perhaps it is the fact that, for 40 years, Marlene’s has offered only organic produce, eschewing refined sugar and avoiding genetically-modified ingredients in new products and phasing them out in existing inventory. Or maybe it’s because the award-winning soups, salads, entrées, and side dishes in the deli are made entirely from scratch onsite, or the purity of the raw ingredients in their juice, smoothie and espresso bar, which are also mostly organic.
Customers trust the highly trained floor staff, rave about the commitment to excellent customer service, and flock to the free natural health lectures and weekend cooking classes Marlene’s has offered for 35 years. Customers also enjoy Sound Outlook, the 32-page magazine--a collection of locally-written articles on body, mind, and spiritual health, recipes from local chefs, and discounts and sales information--that's mailed free to over 25,000 households every month.
Factor in the stores’ commitment to fairly-traded and locally-produced goods and services: from produce grown by local farms, artisan foods from area entrepreneurs, and clothing, jewelry, and gifts made in worker’s cooperatives around the world, all of which reassure customers that their dollars are going back to the local economy.
It’s likely that all these elements have combined to create the unique, successful, and beloved stores known as Marlene’s Market & Deli. The daily, hand-written love notes from customers, glowing Facebook posts, and an ever-growing market share attest to South Sound residents’ trust in Marlene’s as the ultimate resource for green, organic and sustainably-produced groceries, quality supplements and super foods, non-toxic body care, household and pet products, natural garden supplies, and delicious homemade food.