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is
Angie
Mark
‘want to make the locals proud’
By Bill Helm Editor
LYNDEN — Angie and Mark Kennedy have owned Delta Country Market for about two-and-a-half years. Although any good partnership — marriage or otherwise, means a 100% effort from both parties. Mark quickly admits that Angie does the bulk of the work. She’s also the face of the business.
With any good business, we the customers connect with the people more than we do products. For the Kennedys, Delta Country Market is not just a store. It’s a relationship with its patrons.
“As my husband says, It’s like ‘Cheers,’ a place where everyone knows your name,” Kennedy said. “Customers come in and are so happy to see each other and catch up on families and work with each other … We call so many by name and know their kids, parents, what they do for a living, what they’re doing for vacation,” she said. “When I try to fill a request or place a special order, it’s not necessarily for the profit, it’s to make their lives easier.”
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Besides her friendly demeanor, Kennedy said she also loves that Delta Country Market is “in the middle of farmland and we get to serve such a hard-working community.”
“I am never bothered when mud gets tracked in because these individuals are the ones putting food on our tables, keeping the utilities going, building homes,” she said.
The Kennedys took over the Birch Bay-Lynden Road business in October 2022. For a business that’s been in business for 80 years now, a few of the ownership teams have held onto it for quite some time. The previous owner for 20-plus years, the owner before him for 20 years, and
these stories are some of the things Angie Kennedy also likes so much about being Delta Country Market’s next good steward.
“The previous owner was Wasfy Awad, 23 years ago, he and his brother-in-law Maurice bought it and ran it for 10 years,” Kennedy said. “Then Wasfy bought him out and had it for 10 more years. Maurice worked for Wasfy though … Lillian owned it for 20 years before them. I hear quite a few stories about Lillian. I guess she was a waitress somewhere else?”
Built in 1946, Delta Country Market has expanded a few times. “Unfortunately,” Kennedy said, there are not very many county records “showing names or improvements, but the 40 prior years
of ownership were by Lillian, then Wasfy and Maurice. There were at least five owners in the 37 years before them.”
“We have new customers coming in weekly saying they used to walk or bike to the store as a child and get penny candy,” Kennedy said. “One night, seven sisters and their mother were taking photos out front. I asked what their story was and they said when they were children, their parents worked for the Maberrys and they would come up from Texas and stay in one of the camps every summer. They had wonderful memories of walking to the store.”
Still new to the retail business, Angie and Mark Kennedy have what she called “big dreams” for Delta Country Market.
“Shane and crew did a wonderful job maintaining my large yard this last year, as well as two different clean up projects from past wind storms. The quality of work they have provided was amazing and the care they took to assure my yard met my expectations was unmatched. I will continue to utilize Elite landscape for future needs and highly recommend this company to anyone looking to have projects completed and or on going lawn services. Thank you Shane and crew!”
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“We’d love to make the little retail place into something like the Thirsty Badger with simple hot food and adult beverages with outdoor seating,” she said. “Now that the store has been remodeled, we are slowly working toward adding new things like local goods and swag. We want the children who are so excited to come in to remember the Delta as a special part of their childhood memories. The joy from the kids and the appreciation and nostalgia from the adults fuels our motivation to keep improving this property and working toward our vision.”
Although Mark is at the store on occasion it’s mostly Angie, another full-timer and five friends who help out 1-2 days a week.
“For over a year, there were only two, sometimes three of us,” she said.
Angie Kennedy enjoys her work and she enjoys her community. She’s also “honored to own a piece of history in the area.”
“We love being here and want to make the locals proud,” Kennedy said.
For she and Mark, upkeep on the building and the site are also keys to being good business stewards.
“It was very important to us to get the building healthy by replacing the windows and siding,” she said.
“Having a well, septic and a gas station on less than an acre has been an eye opener for sure. My dad used to
work with farmers supplying fertilizer from Wolfkill and I used to pick berries for Clarks. We have some beautiful photos dating back 50-60 years showing history of the area. Of course we are always looking for more.”
Delta Country Market is at 1306 Birch Bay-Lynden Road in Lynden. Open daily, hours are 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday. Call 360-354-1680 for more information or visit Delta Country Market on Facebook.
-- Contact Bill Helm at bill@lyndentribune. com
Not only has El Nopal lasted the test of time, but it has taken on trying economic times and also the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple floods. Pictured are Jose and Wendy Gonzalez, owners of the Sumas restaurant at the northwest corner of Cherry and Third streets. (Racquel Muncy/Lynden Tribune)
By Racquel Muncy Staff Reporter
SUMAS — In the early ‘80s, Jose Gonzalez worked with his brother and a business partner at a Mexican restaurant in Oregon. After a few years it closed and they opened something new in Renton. By 1987 he and his brother split from the partner and started a business in Bellingham before they, too, went their
separate ways and Jose ended up in Everson one year later where he started El Nopal Family Mexican Restaurant.
Nopal is another name for the prickly pear cactus, which is a Mexican staple.
In 1993, El Nopal moved into Sumas where they leased where Loca Mocha sits. Then in 1999 they moved into the old Pinocchio’s Pizza building. Finally in 2013 they were able to acquire their current location.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Jose said.
Not only has El Nopal lasted the test of time, but it has taken on trying economic times and also the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple floods.
His wife and business partner Wendy said that times have been tough. Business has slowed since the December flood as many residents still have not returned to town. The hope is that as the weather warms, more people will come in.
Thankfully after this recent flood, they were able to mop up the water and clean the floors to open back up the next day thanks to the help of volunteers. After the 2021 flood, the restaurant had to close for more than a month.
Jose said it has been a hard time, but even while dealing with their own losses,
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community members have reached out to ask if and how they could help.
He said that it has been the customers that has kept El Nopal around for 38 years.
“Without our customers we wouldn’t be here,” he said.
Wendy agreed.
“I really appreciate our community. They’ve gone out of their way to help us,” she said. “Even amidst the stress of the flood, everyone was still friendly and reaching out.”
While the community and customer support keeps them going, it’s the customer service that keeps the customers coming in.
“Our service is priority one,” Jose said.
Wendy said when she goes somewhere to eat she expects to be greeted at the door and acknowledged by their server soon after being seated. After all, that is the expectation at El Nopal.
Jose agreed and added that in the small community, everyone gets to know each other and it is important to treat everyone well.
“We want it to feel welcome and friendly,” he said.
The customers also become family over the years. Wendy said she may not always remember names, but she can remember their orders and what is happening in their life.
Through their restaurant, El Nopal, Jose and Wendy Gonzalez said they plan to continue to serve their community quality food for the foreseeable future and continue to do what they love. Pictured is Jose Gonzalez. (Racquel Muncy/Lynden Tribune)
On top of the customer service, the restaurant uses high quality ingredients while keeping prices as low as they can manage.
Over the years original customers that were young couples have gotten married, raised kids and now have grandchildren that all come in for dinner. While seeing the customers grow up is one of the best parts of the business, Wendy said it can also be the hardest as many longtime, loyal customers have passed away in recent years.
“That’s the hardest part,” she said.
The couple said they plan to continue to serve their community quality food for the foreseeable future and continue to do what they love. After all, the alternative is staying at home and twiddling their thumbs, according to Wendy.
“That’s what gives us the energy to keep going, the community support,” Wendy said.
El Nopal is at 625 Cherry St., Sumas. It is open 3-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 3-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. More at elnopalsumas.com.
-- Contact Racquel Muncy at racquel@ lyndentribune.com.
El Nopal is at 625 Cherry St., Sumas. Hours are 3-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 3-10 p.m. Friday and
More at elnopalsumas.com. (Racquel Muncy/Lynden Tribune)
By Bill Helm Editor
WHATCOM — Chris Casali likes to work with his hands. It goes back to when he was a young man back when he and his family lived overseas.
“I built a tree house in our yard in Ghana, with some friends,” the Lynden resident recalled recently. “We had a hammer, some nails a hand saw and then whatever scrap lumber anyone’s parents have and whatever wood we could cut from trees.”
Casali explained how the tree house had one main platform at the center of the tree and a seating area for he and his two friends “that we picked and built in the branches.”
“It was probably ugly and
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Chris and Alexa Casali own and operate Casali Construction & Remodeling, a familyowned contracting and renovation business that offers home remodels, new builds, custom decks and interior design services throughout Whatcom County. (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)
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unsafe,” he said. “But it felt like a palace because it was ours and we had built it.”
Growing up, Casali wanted to be an international businessman so he could see the world. Well, he’s not an international businessman, but he does work with his hands. He’s built some of the family’s furniture, such as benches, a bed for he and his wife Alexa, and a bunk bed for their daughters he said “looks like a play house for my daughters.” To make his living, the Casalis own and operate Casali Construction & Remodeling. Casali is project manager, Alexa handles interior design. On the Casali website, he talks about the importance of great customer service. He said he learned this before they opened Casali Construction & Remodeling.
“As I started business it became clear that people were impressed just by me returning phone calls, of clear commu-
nication, of keeping them in the loop, of showing up on time,” he said. “These are things that don’t take talent. Just effort. I realized, since I had no formal training in construction, that I could set myself apart from others just by doing those things as I learned. This was just the way we were raised.”
Although customer service is a critical element for Casali Construction & Remodeling, Chris and Alexa “don’t necessarily look for a customer service reputation.” But they do look for professionalism in people.
“Part of that is the customer service aspect,” he said. “If I have a crew in someone’s house and I’m not there I need to be confident that they will interact with the client at our standards. And they do. I don’t have to hide employees from the clients. We can train some companyspecific things. For example, part of our customer service is not blasting music at job sites. We try to identify high profes-
help YOU with any
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sional character employees and then we don’t have to spend time training that.”
Before they opened the business, Casali was an educator for eight years, which he said “probably also helped shape my professionalism and customer service.”
“Dealing with conflicting personalities in class, staff, parents, etc.,” he said. “Felt burnt out as many teachers do, so I started doing handyman stuff and have just been blessed that its grown into the company it is today.”
Casali Construction & Remodeling is a family-owned contracting and renovation business that offers home remodels, new builds, custom decks and interior design services throughout Whatcom County.
More at casaliconstructionremodeling.com.
-- Contact Bill Helm at bill@lyndentribune.com
By Cal Bratt For the Tribune
LYNDEN — Kevin Seutz was talking about the ingredients of success in running his two restaurants in town. Almost in passing, he said he is opening a third.
The restaurant space associated with the Cobblestone Hotel, 8155 Guide Meridian Road, will become a third variation on Seutz’s branding meme, going by the name The Rustic Bar & Grill. It happens sometime this spring.
Seutz, his wife Belinda and their extended family already own and operate the Rusty Wagon at Hinotes Corner, since 2000, and Rustlers Front Street Grill downtown, now into year seven.
He was speaking of the “controlled chaos” that can be the restaurant business sometimes, the trick of serving good food at a good price in a clean and friendly environment — and keeping that up. It means
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giving good customer service and relying on dedicated employees to deliver it.
Although it can’t be perfect 100% of the time, Seutz has proven himself up to the challenge, enough to add another restaurant.
This vocation is somewhat in Kevin’s blood. Decades ago, his dad, Don Seutz, ran the Stake Out Tavern in downtown Lynden. Kevin swept floors, did other odd jobs and “got all the pop and pepperoni sticks I could eat,” he remembers.
Now, his mom Janet helps keep the books of the current restaurants, son Brandon is fully a partner with his parents, and other children Keeley, Clara and Landon,
down to age 14, have their roles in the business.
But it’s really the total staff of 115, of which 35 are the face of the business as front service people, that feel like family to Seutz. They are the ones interacting with the customers. Some have been with the Seutz eateries or in the restaurant trade for more than 20 years. Sometimes it’s to a second generation of employment.
Keeping a good staff is the biggest challenge, he says.
As to the nitty-gritty of customer service, it requires being friendly and helpful, being able to “read” customers quickly, remembering the particulars of repeat customers, knowing the menu well. Seutz said his goal with employees is always “just instill-
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ing that the customer is the reason we’re here.”
“You’ve got to tailor the service to the individual. Everyone is different,” he said.
It becomes possible to anticipate some of the really busy times for a Western-styled restaurant and lounge, such as after a parade or rodeo or around big sporting events, and to be prepared with extra staff to serve the crowd, Seutz said. Sometimes a crew just needs to handle a surge.
A lot of stuff can happen in the personal interaction of food service, as also in the lives of all the individual people involved, and it doesn’t always measure up to expectations, Seutz said. But he aims to get customer service as close to the high mark as possible.
By Racquel Muncy Staff Reporter
FERNDALE — Lindsey Castillo and Meghan Gattis became massage therapists after seeing the positive impacts for themselves. Castillo grew up with migraines and tried seeing a massage therapist on a whim.
Salt of the Earth Massage owner/operators Lindsey Castillo and Meghan Gattis, from left, have a reputation for great customer service. (Racquel Muncy/ Ferndale Record)
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“I thought this could be a good move for me,” she said she thought at the time, 18 years ago.
Gattis, a single mom, had lower back pain after having her first child.
“I went to (physical therapy) and massage and realized how beneficial it could be,” she said.
Fourteen years later she is helping others on their own healing journeys.
Castillo wanted to do her part to elevate the profession of massage therapist, so she opted to start her own business. While massage therapists may not be doctors, they have a lot of practice with the human body and how it is
supposed to move.
Gattis said she was inspired by Castillo in starting her own practice. After breaking away from working in a chiropractic office, the duo rented a room together and slowly expanded. When Castillo brought on an employee, Gattis decided to, too.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to shut down for about three months, but coming back they were able to expand thanks in part to the number of people who began emphasizing their health and wellbeing. Gattis said many people came in during the pandemic for their own mental health and to socialize with someone during an incredibly lonely period.
Castillo and Gattis believe
in providing a personalized massage treatment. Gattis said they are very client focused and understand the importance of creating a welcome and cozy environment.
“When people walk into here I feel like they can take a breath,” she said.
Castillo added that there are no charts with pain scale ratings. Instead, plants can be found around the lobby inviting guests to sit back and relax.
This individualized customer service has given Salt of the Earth Massage a reputation for great customer service. Castillo said customer service, in its simplest form, is treating people like the individuals that they are. That also means knowing when a
patient is better supported by someone else on the team, or another practice entirely.
Now the office has grown to include six massage therapists and is open every day of the week. Each has their own strengths and personalities. Gattis said both within the practice and with other businesses, it is not a competition for clients. It is about finding the best fit for each person to help everyone in the community.
“We don’t feel like we’re competing,” Castillo said. “We’re not the right space for everyone.”
She said no two massages are the same. At Salt of the Earth Massage, there is no cookie cutter plan. That’s one of the things that makes the
business stand out.
“It’s remembering the little things,” Gattis said. “People just want to be heard and seen.”
Castillo added that they try to go the extra mile when remembering the little things and can often be found taking notes about what music a person may or may not like and a million other miniscule details.
At the end of the day, whether it’s to relax or to work through pain, the massage can be whatever the person needs.
“It’s whatever you need it to be,” Gattis said. “We do not fix things, we help you.”
Salt of the Earth Massage is at 6046 Portal Way, suite 102, Ferndale. More information at saltearthmassage.com.
-- Contact Racquel Muncy at racquel@lyndentribune.com.
Individualized customer service has given Salt of the Earth Massage a reputation for great customer service. Lindsey Castillo, pictured at right with co-owner Meghan Gattis, said customer service, in its simplest form, is treating people like the individuals that they are. (Racquel Muncy/Ferndale Record)
With more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of the automotive industry, Jeff Sprague proudly serves the community at Hinton Chevrolet. After decades of hands-on experience, he launched an automotive website to share practical knowledge, connect drivers with reliable information, and support local automotive businesses before bringing that same dedication to serving customers at the dealership. His approach to sales reflects the dealership’s values: relaxed, customer-focused, and genuinely helpful, with a no-pressure, straightforward style people appreciate.
Many locals also recognize Jeff from the family-owned roller skating rink in Ferndale’s Pioneer Park, a community favorite for over 25 years. Whether helping customers at the dealership or connecting with neighbors around Lynden, he’s proud to serve the community he calls home.
By Bill Helm Editor
LYNDEN — For more than a few people, the COVID-19 pandemic crippled small-town businesses. For Judy Hazel, the outbreak inspired her to open her flower shop in downtown Lynden.
Lynden Florea is another step in Hazel’s journey into floristry, which began at age 19 and sparking what she calls a “lifelong passion for creating stunning arrangements.”
You could say it began with her grandmother, whose garden included roses, dahlias, vegetables, bird aviary and a koi pond. One early birthday memory for Hazel is “a pink water lily on my package. It was unforgettable.”
Growing up on a farm on the Skagit River near Concrete, she actually wanted to work “in a skyscraper, drive a BMW and wear high heels.” But that never
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“I married my high school sweetheart and paid for my own wedding at 17,” she said. “We made our home in Whatcom County, I homeschooled my five children and helped my husband run a successful dream business in auto repair.”
But Hazel never stopped loving flowers.
“As a teenager I went to a floral design class at a local shop,” she said. “This led to floral design school in Portland after graduating. I was hired by the first flower shop that interviewed me when I returned. I worked eight years before the glorious work of mothering took me home full-time.”
After raising her kids, Hazel opened “Happily Ever After,” a home-based wedding flower business in 2005.
“I chose to specialize in wedding flowers, making special moments truly unforgettable,” she said.
Nowadays, she’s on Front Street with Lynden Florea, where Hazel has been “overwhelmed by the support from our community.” She gives back the best way she can: with exceptional customer service.
“Events and epiphanies intertwine for me as I think of my customer service convictions,” Hazel said. “Within the boundaries of obvious service of fresh, perishable flowers delivered daily, my hope is
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Judy Hazel has been “overwhelmed by the support from our community” since she opened Lynden Florea. (Bill Helm/Lynden Tribune)
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to meet customers where they are at and be a safe place for the emotions and events the flowers represent. This is so varied and I consider it a privilege to represent folks they communicate love and care to Lynden and beyond.”
According to the business website, Lynden Florea endeavors to “brighten lives and celebrate milestones.” Hazel does that with a desire to “build a team that is both artistic and emotionally savvy.”
“We strive to further our knowledge of the care and keeping of the flowers before they arrive in the hands of our customers,” she said. “The flowers do the rest as they inhabit the lives, events
and homes of our recipients. Arrangements tell their own stories and that is the artistic process. Flowers draw you into the moment and produce relaxation, awe & positive emotions. With this, I see it as an opportunity to worship their Creator.”
Lynden Florea takes pride in serving neighbors and friends.
“Whether you’re seeking a romantic bouquet, a thoughtful gift or exquisite wedding arrangements, we’re here to bring your vision to life,” she said.
Lynden Florea is at 306 Front St., Suite B. More information at lyndenflorea.com.
-- Contact Bill Helm at bill@ lyndentribune.com
