While a number of local stores struggled to adjust to the COVID pandemic, what forced the shutdown on the Nordland General Store on Marrowstone Island was a fire, in November of 2020.

Tina Podlodowski, member of the management board for the Nordland General Store, told The Leader that the pandemic “did not have a major impact” on the store, but it nonetheless remained closed for more than three and a half years, before reopening during this year’s Memorial Day weekend as a “community cooperative.”

Podlodowski credited the financial investments of many Marrowstone Islanders, along with the support of more than 450 founding members, with making the Nordland General Store’s transition to a community-owned and operated cooperative business possible.

The current store is owned, managed and governed by its member shareholders, with its operations additionally overseen by an eight-member managing board of directors, after an initial round of private fundraising last summer.

The Nordland General Store traces its roots to 1922, when brothers Elmer and Harry Johnson started a small trading post on the shores of Mystery Bay. Just before the fire it was owned by Tom and Sue Rose, who made use of generous community donations to repair the general store’s structure and prepare it for its next proprietors, as they transitioned into retirement.

The store had long since become a convergence point for annual winter holiday celebrations and “Polar Bear Dips” off the neighboring pier to greet the New Year.

Despite East Jefferson Fire Rescue crews responding promptly to the approximately 2:30 a.m. alarm on Nov. 5, 2020, the fire caused enough damage to the render the structure a total loss.

The store’s holiday reopening drew coverage from KING5 and KOMO, and Podlodowski proudly touted the broader variety of local products that it carries compared to its previous incarnation. These include goat cheese from Mystery Bay Farm, wine from Marrowstone Vineyards, bread and pastries from Pane d’Amore in Port Townsend, tools from Newquist Forge in Nordland, pottery and stoneware from Millbrook Clayworks in Port Hadlock, seafood from the Key City Fish and Moonlight Oyster companies, produce from Midori and Island Fresh farms, and even Elevated Ice Cream.

“Plus, we still offer all the convenience and everyday items that islanders and campers need, with grab-and-go sandwiches and salads, plus coffee and espresso,” Podlodowski said.

Visitors can also find toys, books and stuffed animals for kids, along with plenty of Nordland General Store-branded merchandise, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball caps, totes, coffee mugs and pint glasses.

According to Podlodowski, the store has no further events to highlight, except for the summer season, and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.