Blossom. That’s what tends to happen to people on Lopez Island. In all of my conversations with residents and business owners, this has been a common theme. If people are born on the island, they like to stay; and they end up thriving. If people move here, they discover something new about themselves; and they end up thriving. That seems to have been the story for Brian Kvistad, who has owned Blossom Grocery since 2004 with his wife Jennell. Today, Brian and I put up the Christmas lights that line the store’s roof. When I wasn’t thinking about falling to my death, I asked Brian a bit about his background and how he ended up on Lopez. He and Jennell used to work together at PCC in Seattle, before Brian took a farm intern job on Lopez with S&S Homestead Farm. This is how a lot of people get there start on Lopez, thanks to the Lopez Community Land Trust. In 2004, they bought Blossom from Deborah Bonneville; and things have, um, blossomed from there. So much so, that they quickly doubled their space. I wouldn’t be surprised if they kept expanding. The San Juans are very friendly to organic grocery stores – especially after recently becoming a GMO-free county. And, Blossom has a lot of fans. Sue Roundy told me that she moved to Lopez for two reasons: Vita’s and Blossom.

Brian Kvistad on the roof of Blossom Grocery

If you’re in Lopez Village, stop by Blossom.