So Much More Than a Market: Town & Country Markets, Poulsbo, Washington

For almost 30 years, Town & Country Markets in Poulsbo — a charming town, 20 miles west of Seattle and across Puget Sound — has been a key part of the community, providing necessities and regional specialties. As the retailer’s management looked ahead, they identified several goals to take them boldly into the future, including responding to customers’ desire for quick, easy, and healthy meal options in an elevated setting.

For a recent renovation project, Town & Country Markets teamed up with long-time design partner, Cushing Terrell, and together we began the creative and technical work to fully revitalize the Poulsbo market. The overarching goal was to provide a collection of experiences. This approach was a natural progression for the grocer, which has always positioned itself as a community hub and a source for inspiration.

The design updates touched every department: some were enhanced, while others were entirely revamped. To broaden the store’s appeal, the design called for new features such as a classroom and community kitchen, a reimagined meal inspiration center, a test kitchen, and an outdoor patio. Additionally, the store’s beauty and houseware sections were elevated with new fixtures and lighting, creating a more inviting and modern retail environment; the deli and cheese areas were updated; and the produce and floral departments received new signage, valances, and casing.

During the remodel, many of the the store departments were elevated with new fixtures, lighting, signage, valances, and casing.

The biggest change was incorporating a restaurant within the store that utilizes regional ingredients from MiddleField Farm on Bainbridge Island, Town & Country’s own organic, regenerative farm established by the grocer’s founders more than 100 years ago.

We wanted to enhance the community aspect of the store and create a destination. It’s a destination for people all over the region, whether they’re heading to vacation homes on the Peninsula, stocking up on groceries, or coming in for something special. It’s a place where people want to stop and eat or grab a drink with a friend.

The renovated store builds on Town & Country Markets’ core offerings by introducing a range of culinary experiences. True to their vision of nourishing the quality of life, this expansion into dining and community spaces reflects the brand’s continued commitment to serving customers holistically.  

Nourishing the Mind and Body 

That full arc of nourishment can be felt — literally and figuratively — in the store’s new components. The revised layout added a community kitchen and classroom for learning opportunities and demonstrations, as well as other curated events. The new spaces give people the opportunity to try new foods or a new way of cooking with the freshest ingredients of the season. It also represents a new direction for Town & Country Markets, and the response from customers has been overwhelmingly positive.

Another phase of the design included a test kitchen as a testament to their philosophy of being responsive to customers’ needs, staying focused on the entire shopping and eating experience, and continually enhancing their offerings. The test kitchen provides a place where Town & Country Markets can innovate with seasonal ingredients from their market and create exciting new recipes for their new venture, Field House.

The new community kitchen and classroom offer experiences for people to participate in, including curated events that enhance the community and help inspire a cross-generational exploration of food.

Field House: A Dynamic, Flexible Community Space 

A banner component that redefines the grocery store experience is Field House restaurant, embedded inside — yet distinct from — the market, successfully realized in partnership with renowned chef Ethan Stowell.

While Cushing Terrell has supported many projects for Town & Country Markets over the years, this was our first restaurant collaboration. Mallet Design Build joined the team to provide specialized guidance on hospitality-focused elements during the conceptual phase. The process was highly collaborative, with Ethan Stowell and team guiding restaurant flow, equipment selection, and back-of-house operations throughout the project.

Strategic design elements established clear visual separation between the restaurant and market, including moody paint colors and a focus on hospitality-grade materials and lighting. The team transformed the existing upper-level mezzanine and modest patio into a cohesive indoor-outdoor experience, replacing concrete walls with floor-to-ceiling glazing throughout both levels. Where the previous deli and back-of-house kitchen once operated, a highly transparent and vibrant dining space now enriches both the façade and interior with energy and life.