Store

Puget Consumers Co-op is testimony to the staying power of a good idea. The cooperative was born in the 1950s when a handful of families pooled their resources to purchase their food collectively. By 1961, it had incorporated, and today, you're pretty close to a PCC no matter where you are in the city. The store's main focus is natural foods with an emphasis on organics: Witness gaily piled produce, low-guilt sweet and salty snacks, and a healthy selection of bulk flours, grains, pasta, nuts and baking staples.

PCC is also a great place to come if you're on the run or dragging your dog-tired self in after work because the deli, most likely trumps anything you'll find in your pantry. Exotic salads, soups and entrees made on-site are waiting for you, microwave at the ready.

And all this comes in a clean, well-lighted place so you can put your fears of a dusty, hippie-health-food store to rest.

TIP: Members rake in the benefits from the get-go, including coupons for other businesses throughout the city and 10 percent discounts on everything on the 15th and 16th of each month.

By Vanessa McGrady
Special to NWsource