JET CITY MAVEN - VOL. 3, ISSUE 6, JUNE 1999

Copyright 1999 Park Projects. Please feel free to use the article and photos below in your research. Be sure to quote the Jet City Maven as your source.

STAN'S LOOKOUT: To Wedgwood, Matthew's was more than just a grocery store

By STAN STAPP

I DONNED MY RED SHIRT (usually worn only at Christmas) and headed for the May 15 rally at Matthew's Red Apple Market to demonstrate my support for its preservation. For this Wedgwood community grocery (like many other small ones that have disappeared in recent years) was being threatended with a take-over by one of the REALLY BIG ones, Quality Food Center. Big, I say, for Bellevue-based QFC itself was recently acquired by Portland-based Fred Meyer and then Fred Meyer was acquired by Cincinatti-based Kroger.

Of course, we all know by now that our effort to save the store failed. Five days after the rally, the store's landlord, Wes Williams, and QFC ignored the community's desires. Thus Matthew's must be completely out of the building by June 15, meaning its closure will take place earlier.

Dorothy and I were Matthew's "regulars," shopping there a couple times a week. We not only enjoyed the personal service, but also kidding around with the employees, and running into friends and neighbors.

For example, about a week before the protest I insisted on bringing along a copy of the May 5 edition of the P-I which featured a color photo of Dorothy's garden (she was too modest to do it herself) and proudly showed it to several people, including: Don Harris, store manager; Janet Stansberry, Number 1 Checker, sister of Craig Mavis, co-owner of the store with his wife, Carrie; Rex Cooley, Number 1 Box "Boy" who's been there 10 years; and several customers.

Previously, we both had been involved in a couple of "good deeds" at Matthew's: Dorothy recently helping a distraught lady by finding her lost car keys; and on another earlier occasion, at the check-stand, I picked up what appeared to be a "scrap of paper." It turned out to be a check for $400. Amazingly, it was made out to a friend of ours, Kathy Sellars, a Matthew's customer, who didn't even know it was lost - until I phoned her.

On the day of the rally Matthew's friends and customers were gathering in the store's parking lot, 35th NE and NE 85th, to show how much they cared. I knew there would be a large turnout, but not that large. By 9:30 a.m., the lot was overflowing with maybe 2,000 protestors, carrying homemade signs and balloons, many dressed in red attire.

I'd parked as close as I could (four blocks away) and walked back, passing by the Jewish Community Center, the original site of Matthews 16 years ago before the store moved to its present site 10 years ago.

THIS PROTEST was a true grass-roots movement, involving loyal customers, such as Barbara Radin, gathering signatures and written comments at tables outside the store entrance. One such comment read: "I like Matthew's since the people are nice because they have known me since I was a baby." Signed by Joan Ann Rudd (mom of Zach).

Others voiced opposition to QFC by making phone calls, attending rallies, etc. The Saturday rally was master-minded by Stacy Walker and Rhonda Spangler, co-chairs. Stacy's husband, Brian Swanson, helped, too - I know because he was phoning me daily with the latest developments.

Most tightly packed was the area near the speakers' stand. Every time those people cheered, which was often and loud, the rest of the crowd joined in - even if they couldn't hear what was said. Protestors on both sides of 35th NE waved their signs and yelled, and passing motorists honked their horns - the loudest one by the driver of a giant-size U.S. Postal truck.

The crowd was good-natured, not angry, not calling names. Ten police officers, commanded by Lt. Roy Wedlund, were on hand: Ken Mazzuca, Mike Mehrens, Kolette Monner, John Montagna, Deanna Nollette, Robert Toms, Tom Henshaw, Shauna Mckinley, Dale Williams, and Joselito Banez. Their activity was low key, mainly keeping sidewalk protestors from accidentally wandering out on 35th NE. Other officers were stationed near the Wedgwood Broiler, and at NE 85th. Lt. Wedlund estimated the crowd at from 1,500 to 2,000.

The event was heavily covered by the TV stations, the dailies and the Jet City Maven (Susan Park, co-publisher; Brehme, ace photographer; and myself). A TV cameraman and eight persons had a good view of the goings-on from the market roof.

A few of the signs being waved read: "We Already Have a Quality Family Community"; "Matthew's Red Apple Is A Good Neighbor"; "Save Big Red"; "Hey, QFC, Pick on Somebody Your Own Size"; "I Drive Past QFC On My Way to Matthew's"; and on the store itself two big signs: "Our Apple Is The Eye Of Our Community, and We (heart) Matthew's."

TWO MARRIED COUPLES displayed signs reading, "I Met My Husband (or Wife) at Matthews":

  • Bill and Shari Crossland, when she worked there and he was a customer. They met in January 1994 and wed in August 1998;

  • Doug Carpenter and Rhonda Spangler, when both worked there. They dated for three months and then eloped. He still was working there. She now works as office manager for Darcy Fox of Viewridge Chiropractic, "down the street" at NE 75th. Rhonda became acquainted with Darcy (a Matthew's customer when she was still working there). Thus Rhonda got both a husband and a job through her connection with Matthew's.

    Derek Stahl wore a red jacket and a Santa Claus hat at the rally, Ed and Pat Donnelly had mounted real red apples atop 3-foot sticks, and a lot of people were wearing Red Apple buttons. Cookies and muffins were served, along with coffee and Cokes.

    Several politicians were there: state Sen. Ken Jacobsen, who said: "I hope QFC will withdraw from the lease so that a neighborhood institution can continue to operate"; former City Councilman Charlie Chong (who's running for City Council again); City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck; state Rep. Phyllis Kenney; state Rep. Jim McIntyre; and City Council candidate Dawn Mason.

    There was music also, provided by a three-piece band, put together by Ross Nyberg, a Matthew's employee, with the help of two friends, Chris Brundhaver and Jake Winkler.

    And, too, there were a lot of dogs - all on leash, well-behaved, no barking or biting, and often dressed for the occasion: Phil Hubbard's Charpei, "Sarge," wore a red jacket; Mike Korpi's Siberian Husky, "Toby," sported a necklace of red Christmas apples.

    Other protests have been held at QFC in the U Village, and at their corporate office in Bellevue. The last time I checked, Rhonda Spangler, reporting on the petition drive, said: "We've gathered 10,228 signatures - and counting!" But, alas, to no avail - QFC expects to renovate the store, before reopening later this year.

    On May 20, I stopped by Matthew's, and learned for the first time that the store was going to close for good. I could see it in the faces and demeanor of the staff, even before Rex Cooley told me. And as Janet Stansberry rang up my order (perhaps my last purchase there, ever), it was obvious she was doing her best to hold back tears - as was I.