Tony’s Produce opens for 2009: “Doing our part for the economy”

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

First we got the tip from Paul of PB&J Textiles … then Bonnie posted it in the WSB Forums … and we ran over to get the scoop firsthand: Tony’s Produce (35th/Barton; here’s a map) has just opened for the year, after the traditional post-Christmas break. Tony and his team are still finishing the set-up inside, but they’re officially open, 8 am-7 pm seven days a week for starters, with what Tony says are “great deals” (this one caught our eye):

He added, “We’re doing our part to stimulate the economy by keeping prices low!” But he also wanted to show off the high quality, too, directing another team member to show off these strawberries:

We asked what’s new this year; “more organics” was the first thing mentioned by Tony, shown here with a couple signs for those offerings:

We’ve got some other West Seattle business updates coming up later today/tonight, but since we had been getting questions about “when are they opening again?” we thought we’d rush this one out first.

Sage February 11, 2009 (3:17 pm)

I would love love *love* to see a lot more organics at Tony’s. I live quite nearby but it’s not a practical part of my shopping rounds because of the few organics that have been stocked in the past. Just a vote of encouragement that more organics more often means more shopping, from me at least!

Cait February 11, 2009 (3:31 pm)

AW GAAAWD!! The strawberries!!! This is some fine marketing they having going on here because I’m seriously going to stop by on my way home and pick some up. They look toooo good to pass up.

Lindsey February 11, 2009 (3:44 pm)

I love Tony’s! Mmm veggies! Hurray. I was wondering when it was coming back. Leave it to the WSB to answer my unspoken questions!

JaimeGummer February 11, 2009 (3:45 pm)

I’m not sure that keeping the price of peppers low could actually be construed as stimulating the economy.

Deb February 11, 2009 (3:46 pm)

Yeah! I have been waiting for Tony’s to open, it is so convenient for me and he has great prices! If you want fruits or veggies it beats going to the grocery store with all of the other folks.

d February 11, 2009 (4:08 pm)

The economy may not feel the stimulus immediately from Tony’s $.49 peppers, but my appetite surely does.

Most important: What about the corn roaster? People will have to have their roaster corn to know that all is still right with the world.

Welcome back Tony!

alywest February 11, 2009 (4:15 pm)

ohhhh yeah! got to have the roasted corn!

flowerpetal February 11, 2009 (4:22 pm)

One day I will not be wearing braces and then I can enjoy the roasted corn. Until then, I see stuffed red peppers in my future!

KM February 11, 2009 (4:24 pm)

I’m picturing those strawberries dipped in chocolate for valentines day dessert. Yummy! I’ll defintely be stopping by for some of those too!

Audrey February 11, 2009 (4:38 pm)

Even if it snows again at least it’s a sure sign of spring with Tony back — welcome, we missed you!

chas redmond February 11, 2009 (4:47 pm)

And speaking of PB&J Textiles – when is their coffee shop going to open?

Cait February 11, 2009 (5:32 pm)

KM – I like the way you think!

p February 11, 2009 (5:47 pm)

Chas
We are hoping for the first week of March. Painting and flooring is to be done by early next week. Main counter is “supposed” to be done week of the 23rd. Then its just waiting on Health to say go.

Aim February 11, 2009 (6:39 pm)

TONY!!!!!!! YOU’RE BACK!!!!!!!!!!! The amount we miss Tony every winter is a little ridiculous, but I feel like I can’t eat too much of the expensive grocery store produce. My health is SO much better when Tony’s is open and I’m eating my 5-7 a day.

celeste17 February 11, 2009 (10:16 pm)

Looks like I am going to do a Strawberry Cheesecake for the Forum potluck on Sunday. YUM!

Kelly K February 11, 2009 (10:17 pm)

I’d love to see more “local” at Tony’s too (or at least better signage).

For those who are more strict about organic (and less strict about local, since they swap with farms in other states), Full Circle Farm also delivers organic produce to West Seattle in two locations: http://www.fullcirclefarm.com.

pigeonmom February 11, 2009 (10:51 pm)

I ♥ Tony

westwood February 11, 2009 (11:32 pm)

Tony actually sources out as much local produce as he can. He told me that is part of the reason his supply of organics has been spotty. I am glad he is getting more organics. I shop there often, but would shop there even more if they had more organic offerings. So, count me as a happy neighbor.

Yay! February 12, 2009 (11:02 am)

Thank god. And extra-yay for more organics please!

Heads Up! February 12, 2009 (11:39 am)

Last night, I hulled the four pounds of strawberries I picked up.

Not one single brown spot or bruise. There was no whitish, pinkish interior. Deep red, perfectly firm and ripe sweet strawberries. No, these weren’t local or organic but, hey, at $2.25/lb.? So tasty.

carrieann February 12, 2009 (2:20 pm)

Definitely swinging by tomorrow to pick up some peppers and strawberries, among other tasty produce. We love, love, LOVE Tony’s! So happy to see it open once more.

KT February 12, 2009 (2:39 pm)

Is the corn roaster up and running?

miws February 13, 2009 (10:14 pm)

No corn roaster yet, but I walked up to Tony’s this afternoon, from my place in the Thriftway block of California. Probably about 4 miles altogether.

Anyway, I hadn’t been there for years, and was impressed with how low the prices were. Grapes 1.99/lb, got a couple of those red bell peppers shown in the pic at .49/ea, a package of sugar snap peas, 1.99/lb(?), and a few other things.

What I’ve tried so far, has been fresh and great! I’ll definitely be going back!

And, I mentioned to Tony, that I had read about his season opener on WSB! :)

Mike

Julia February 20, 2009 (9:02 am)

Mmmm, Tony’s is back!! Winter is a long time without Tony!

Lisa Crunick February 21, 2009 (10:58 pm)

Tony has a cousin who owns Duane’s Garden Patch off of the Glendale Exit. We are lucky, lucky, lucky to have all of this Italian talent on the southend. Their family has been in the produce business in Seattle since the 1930’s.

Sorry, comment time is over.